USA > Illinois > Tazewell County > History of Tazewell 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. History of Illinois Digest of state laws > Part 28
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offered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. Such were the impulses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the North, among whom the sons of Tazewell made a conspicuous and praise- worthy record.
The readiness with which the first call was filled, together with the embarassments that surrounded President Lincoln in the absence of sufficient law to authorize him to meet the unexpected emergency, together with an under estimate of the magnitude of the rebellion ; and a general belief that the war would not last more than three months, checked rather than encouraged the patiotic ardor of the peo- ple. But very few of the men, comparatively speaking, who volun- teered in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers 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 number reached the grand total of 3,339,748. Of this vast number Tazewell county furnished about 3,000.
The tocsin of war was sounded, meetings were held in every town- ship, village and city, at which stirring and spirited addresses were made, and resolutions adopted admitting of but one interpretation,- that of unconditional allegiance and undying devotion to their coun- try and their country's flag; that, at whatever cost of blood or treasure, the stars and stripes, wherever floating, must be honored, and the supremacy of the law of the National Union sustained.
VARIOUS MEETINGS HELD IN TIIE COUNTY.
On the 17th, only two days after the proclamation of Gov. Yates, a large meeting of the citizens of Pekin was held at the court-house in response to a call of Mayor Leonard. It was a prompt and en- thusiastic gathering of all parties and animated by one motive-that of proving their loyalty to the Government and their willingness to sustain the national authorities in their efforts to preserve the Union.
Resolutions strong and full of meaning were offered, spirited addresses delivered interspersed with music by the Pekin brass band and soul stirring national airs of a martial band. As better show- ing the state of the feeling of the people in general we give ex- tracts from resolutions that met with unanimous approbation at this meeting. J. McDonald, editor of the Tazewell Register, offered a lengthy resolution which closed as follows :
" Resolved, That patriotism prompts a ready and willing response
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to the President's call for men and means to aid the general Govern- ment in the present crisis ; and that the people of Tazewell will not prove laggard in following where duty points the way."
B. S. Prettyman most eloquently and patriotically addressed the meeting, and closed by offering the following resolution :
" Resolved, That in view of the present threatening aspect of a por- tion of our country toward the general Government, it is the duty of all men who owe allegiance to the nation, to offer themselves, and their lives and their fortunes to the powers that be in support of the Union and the laws.
" Resolved, That we, the citizens of Pekin and vicinity hereby tender to the State and nation our united support, and pledge our- selves to them in every emergency and at all times, our fortunes and our sacred honor."
S. D. Puterbaugh made a few telling remarks and offered a resolu- tion commending Gov. Yates' proclamation, after which Joshua Wagenseller offered the following :
" Resolved, That the citizens of Pekin will protect, cherish and render the material aid to the families of all volunteers who are not able to make suitable provisions for their families, for their support during their absence in the service of their country."
Dr. D. A. Cheever offered the following eloquent resolution :
" Resolved, That, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, we accept the issue presented by the attaek upon our flag, and in peace or war, in life or death, proclaim as our motto, GOD, JUSTICE and OUR COUNTRY."
At the close of the meeting volunteers were called for when a large number responded.
At a meeting held at Tremont, Saturday, April 20, 1861, to con- sult upon the perilous condition of the country, great patriotism was manifested. Lloyd Shaw presided, and Seth Talbot, jr. acted as secretary. Short speeches were made by J. K. Kellogg, Dr. Cole, Stephen Stout, E. G. Smith, J. H. Harris, Isaac Stout, H. Shaw and W. R. Lackland.
H. R. Brown offered the following resolution which was unani- mously adopted :
" Resolved, That we keep step to the music of the Union, and stand by our Government and the stars and stripes, first, last and all the time."
The City Council of Pekin held a special session April 20, 1861,
22
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and showed their willingness to furnish material aid to the families of volunteers. The sum of $1,000 was appropriated to their bene- fit, to be disbursed under the direction of a committee who pledged themselves that the families of the volunteers should not suffer for the necessaries of life while their protectors were absent. The council also appropriated $300 to defray the expenses of transporta- tion of volunteers.
The Union sentiment was strongly expressed by the people of Mackinaw. Pursuant to notice a large eoneourse of people assem- bled at the Christian Church, in Mackinaw, Monday, April 22, 1861. On motion of W. A. K. Cowdry, William Watson was called to the chair, and J. B. Mathews appointed secretary. Strong resolutions were passed ; among them were some by Dr. J. P. Terrell, which plainly and strongly set forth the feelings of the mass as they met with unanimous passage. We give extracts :
" Resolved, That Jeff. Davis & Co. are the " biggest devils " among ten thousand, and the ones altogether devilish.
" That our faith is as fixed and abiding as that we repose in God, that our eause is just, and that a people battling for life, for liberty, and for the sanctity of homes and firesides, must and will triumph.
" That if this Government, the noblest fabric ever reared for the worship of human liberty, must go down in a fratricidal conflict, we of the North, appealing to history may, before the world, charge, without fear of contradiction, that the responsibility rests upon our Southern brethren. That it is the result of a wanton repudiation by them of the covenants of the constitution, and whether or not we shall be able to preserve it as the great heart and only bond of union. May the. God of battles be our shield and strong defense."
April 25, 1861, the people of Cincinnati assembled at the Wood- row school-house. A band from Pekin was present. Samuel Wood- row was called to the chair, and W. F. Copes chosen secretary. Remarks were made by R. Gibson, J. B. Cohrs, C. A. Roberts, Charley Cary, Benjamin Priddy, William Woodrow, Samuel Larri- more, John Slack, A. M. Woodrow, William Hawley, S. S. Parlin, John S. Sinnet, and others. But one sentiment prevailed, that was that they were all in for the Union at all hazards, and determined to stand by the administration.
A large and enthusiastic meeting was held at the Christian church in Hittle, April 25, 1861, at which Ellis Dillon presided, Daniel Albright, secretary. G. W. Minier delivered a stirring and eloquent
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speech and Mr. Cowdry, of Mackinaw, followed. Capt. Ketchum, with a number of volunteers and citizens of Mackinaw, was present. A number of volunteers had left for Springfield the previous week. The sentiments of the people were expressed in the following pointed language : "There is but one feeling here with regard to the present perilous condition of our country, and that is, if necessary, that every dollar be spent and every life sacrificed rather than have the Government fall into the hands of traitors. Past political differ- ences are laid aside. Democrats and Republicans stand side by side, ready to maintain the dignity of our Government and the honor of the glorious old stars and stripes."
When the boom of the great guns in Charleston harbor went rolling across the continent, at this time their echo penetrated every loyal heart in this country. They had scarcely ceased belching forth their iron missiles, and our national ensign disgraced, ere the patriotism of the sons of Tazewell county prompted them to go to their country's defense. The call for troops was no sooner made than a company was organized at Pekin. Such alacrity in rushing to arms was never before witnessed in the world's history.
DEPARTURE OF FIRST VOLUNTEERS.
Early on the morning of the 22d of April, 1861, the people began to assemble at the river landing, at Pekin, to witness the departure of the first volunteers. This was a company under command of Capt. F. L. Rhoads, with C. C. Glass, first lieutenant ; J. A. Sheets, second lieutenant ; Dietrich Smith, third lieutenant. The company numbered over 100, and was assigned to the Eighth regiment, of which Capt. Rhoads soon became colonel.
Previous to embarking the company formed a circle, when the Rev. Mr. Underwood, in a brief and feeling prayer, invoked the blessings of Heaven upon the brave men who were about to go forth in defense of the Union. Then, amid cheers and benedictions, tears and farewells, the company marched on board the steamer, Cambridge, for Peoria, where they took the cars for Springfield. It was an impressive scene, and the tear of regret which marked the cheek of many was no reproach to their manhood.
LIBERALITY OF THOSE AT HOME.
It is impossible for any historian to do full justice to the spirit and patriotism of this people in the early days of this gigantic and
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bloody struggle waged by the American people against rebellion, and their liberal and continuous contributions to maintain the integ- rity of this glorious Union. It is, indeed, a proud record ; for from among them went out brave soldiers and efficient leaders to aid in the grand struggle for the maintenance and perpetuity of the Union.
"A union of lakes, a union of lands, A union that none can sever ; A union of hearts, a union of hands - The American Union forever."
When the first companies were being raised, measures were inau- gurated and carried out to raise money by subscription for the sup- port of the families of volunteers. But there were so many calls for men, and the number and needs of these families, whose providers had gone to defend the life of the nation, that it became impossible for private purses, however willing their holders, to supply all de- mands, and the county authorities made frequent appropriations, and the aid societies donated largely. Private liberality still continued. This money was raised in the midst of the excitement of war, when the exigencies of the times demanded it, and the generous people never thought to inquire how much they were giving. Aside from the sums appropriated by county and city authorities no account was ever kept. Had there been, the sum would now seem most fabulous.
FLAG PRESENTATION.
One of the first acts of the ladies of the county, at the outbreak of the war, was the making of flags and presenting them to companies as they were about to march southward. Many such flags were carried over bloody fields by the brave boys from Tazewell county. The ladies were fired with patriotic zeal and sent the boys to the front with cheering words.
The ladies of Pekin prepared a flag for the "Pekin Invincibles," which was presented to the company at a public meeting held at the court-house Saturday, April 27, 1861. Mrs. H. P. Westerman, on behalf of the ladies, presented the banner with the following most eloquent and encouraging remarks :
" Captain Montgomery :- You and your company have done well thus promptly to respond to your country's eall. As you are about to march to her defense, we, your sisters and wives, have thought it fitting to present to you some kind memento of our love. We
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honor you for your patriotism ; we trust in your valor, and though sad to lose you, yet we freely bid you go. As you go take this flag of our Union, the work of our hands, which we now entrust to your care. May it never trail in the dust. Protect it, defend it, and fight for it as you would for your country, your homes and the graves of those you hold dear. Liberty and Union, let that be your motto, and let its sentiments be deeply engraven on your hearts. The Union, we love it, and the more now that it is in peril.
'Sail on, oh Union strong and great, Humanity with all its fears, -- With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate. Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea, Our hearts, our hopes are all with thee; Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears, Are all with thee, are all with thee.'
" Love the Union, and see to it that so far as your actions are concerned, none of its stars shall be stricken out. As freemen do valiant service in its defense. Be true to yourselves and to us. Disappoint not our hopes. Accept this banner: with calm unfalter- ing purpose ever bear it aloft."
James Roberts, on behalf of the company, responded in an appro- priate manner, when Capt. Montgomery placed the flag in charge of Leonard Martin, the standard-bearer, and the company gave three hearty cheers for the Union, the flag and the ladies.
A PICTURE OF A SAD AND DESOLATE HOME.
The boys went forth to the field of carnage, and what vivid words can the pen employ that will do justice to their heroic valor, to their unequaled and unparalleled bravery and endurance. Home and home comforts, wives and little ones, fathers, mothers, sisters, broth- ers, were all given up for life and danger on the fields of battle-for exposure, fatigue, disease and death at the point of the bayonet or the cannon's mouth. But while they were thus suffering let us not suppose that the mother, and sister, the wife, the children were free from the tortures of anxiety, of the loss of dear ones. Yes, while the brave boys upon the Southern field suffered indescribably, the wife and little ones at home endured suffering beyond the power of pen or tongue to describe. Let us picture a home where the
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the husband and the wife and little ones are thus separated. The picture of one will only reflect those of hundreds of others. We look into the plain but tidy room. A mother is preparing her even- ing meal. Upon a chair, and leaning her little arm on the window- sill, a little child is kneeling, looking far into the dusky shadows that encircle the brow of night. Her dark eyes have a longing, wistful look, and on her brow lies one of life's shadows. At last she speaks :
" Oh ! mamma, papa has been gone so long ; why don't he come ?"
The mother sighs, and her heart repeats, "so long." But the little one must have an answer, and mamma tries to comfort her- " Papa has gone to war, dear ; gone to fight for his country, and when the war is over he will come back to see mamma and little Bessie."
" But it seems so long, mamma; when will the war be over ?"
" Mamma cannot tell ,dear; but we will hope for the best."
Their frugal meal is now ready, and mother and child sit down with heavy hearts, their eyes wandering to the place where papa used to sit ; but there is no manly form,-only a vacant chair.
In the mother's heart sad questions will arise : "Will he return to us? or will some swift-winged bullet, sped by a traitor's hand, de- stroy the life so dear to us ?"
Oh, why could not all men have been true to a government so mild,-to their country, so vast and grand ? Why should they cause sorrow and death to o'erspread our land, and the voice of wailing to go forth from every fireside? In silence the meal is ended, and the little one, whose eyes have grown heavy, is taken upon the mother's lap, and prepared for rest. Her little prayer is said, and a good- night kiss for papa, she falls asleep, and the shadow is chased from her brow. But the shadows hover darkly round the mother's heart, as she thinks of distant battle-fields; of wounded and dying men whose lives, and those they love more than life, have been given up that their country might be saved. And on this September evening a terrible battle has closed. For three days they have fought, and now the evening shadows unite with clouds of smoke, and our army is victorious ; but the ground is strewn with the dead and dying. Hark ! here is one who speaks: "Water, water; won't little Bessie bring me water?" But Bessie's soft hands cannot reach him ; kind, but rougher and stranger hands give him the cooling drops, and with a weary sigh for his home, wife, and little one, his breath is gone, and the brave heart beats no more.
.
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Rumors of a terrible fight reached that quiet home; then came dispatches, making rumors facts. How long and dark are the hour of suspense to the anxious wife and little one. Eagerly the papers are watched for every word concerning the division in which was the loved one, and now at last comes a list of the killed and wound- ed in his regiment ; with fast-beating heart the poor wife takes the list of wounded first, that she may still have some hope. His name is not there. With hushed breath and heart beating faster, she scans the list of the killed, until she comes to his name, the paper falls from her nerveless hand and she sinks heavily to the floor. Bessie bends over her, and the touch of her soft hands and the sound of her sweet voice bring the widow back to life that is now so dark. But for Bessie's sake she will still be brave, and struggle on alone, no, not alone. Bessie is still with her, and their heavenly Father will lead them through the darkness.
This is only one of the many pictures that are drawn upon the pages of unwritten history. Have traitors nothing to answer for ?
SOLDIERS AID SOCIETY.
The continued need of money to obtain comforts and necessaries for the siek and wounded of our army, suggested to the loyal ladies of the North many and various devices for the raising of funds. Every city, town and village had its fair, festival, picnic, excur- sion, concert which netted more or less for the care of hospital relief. The ladies of Tazewell honored themselves and this county by their noble, generous work in behalf of the soldiers. Their devotion to the loyal principles of the national Government was undying, and its defenders were objects of their deepest sympathy. During the dark and trying days of the Rebellion they were ever on the alert raising funds, sending food, clothing, delicacies and medieines to the soldiers in the hospital and at the front.
In the noble efforts the ladies made to palliate the sufferings of their brothers upon the Southern fields of carnage, they were actuated by love of country, devotions to kindred and sympathy for those in distress. Though physically incapacitated to share with them the toil and perils of battle, yet before its smoke and the echoes of its artillery passed away, the offering of their hands would relieve their pain, and inspire them with holier ardor for the cause they were defending. The number of weary sufferers on the field of battle and in the lonely hospital relieved by their bounty, none but the Recording Angel can tell.
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Money was raised for pushing forward this work in many ways, but underlying all was the willing hearts. Large sums were received by donations, but the chief reliance was upon entertain- ments and the one great fair which netted a handsome sum.
The ladies had struggled on doing what they could in a smaller way, but it became evident greater exertions would be necessary to raise sufficient means to alleviate the sufferings of the soldiers. Accordingly, the Soldiers Aid Society of Pekin, issued through their Secretary, Mrs. H. P. Westerman, on the 3rd day of Aug., 1864, the following call, looking toward a grand county sanitary fair :
"The continued need of money has suggested to the ladies of the Soldier's Aid Society the necessity of getting up something on a grander and larger scale than anything heretofore held in our county. The winter season will soon be approaching with its inclemency which will naturally make it more difficult for us ladies to replenish our soldiers aid fund; therefore what is to be done must be done quickly and with might.
"The need of money for this sacred purpose ( that of alleviating the sufferings of our languishing heroes in our hospitals,) still con- tinue and calls loudly on all noble men and women to assist. Our brave men are still wrestling with Southern rebellion, which though often caused to fall back is not yet subdued ; and therefore there is treble the necessity for redoubling our efforts in their behalf. The hospitals made vacant by death, recovery or discharge are speedily refilled with new faces which disease and exposure have rendered pallid, and emaciated forms shattered by a gun-shot or shell. I tell you my friends we must continue to pour down our sanitary supplies for the comfort of those bleeding, suffering soldiers of our country, whose well-being lies near the heart of all true men and women. Who has not some father, brother or loved friend in our army ? Then awake and think. What can you do? Your hands, however tiny, can work up some little item which will either do to send to our soldier boys or will bring money at our soldier's fair. Come up and do something while it is day, for night cometh when no man can work. Everything in the shape of the useful, fancy or orna- mental, vegetables, meats, machinery, and, in fact, anything that can be invented, both natural and artificial, will be heartily received."
According to the above call a meeting was held at the court-house, Aug. 6, 1864, to inaugurate measures for the holding of the Tazewell
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County Sanitary Fair. Henry Riblet was chairman of this meeting, and W. W. Clemens, secretary.
The following named persons were elected officers of the Fair :
President - Joshua Wagenseller. Vice Presidents - Joshua Saw- yer, Tremont ; Maj. R. N. Cullom, Deer Creek ; William Dixon, Sand Prairie ; Joshua Brown, Dillon ; I. B. Hall, Delavan ; Daniel Reid, Boynton ; Samuel Woodrow, Cincinnati; Gordon Nichols, Elm Grove; A. S. Cole, Fond du Lac; Michael Hittle, Mackinaw ; S. R. Crosly, Malone ; Dr. G. W. Minier, Little Mackinaw ; Daniel Albright, Hittle; Jacob Keyser, Spring Lake; Dr. B. H. Harris, Groveland ; Peter Weyhrich, William S. Rankin, Teis Smith, I. E. Leonard, Pekin.
Recording Secretary - B. F. Blossom. Assistant, Lemuel Allen. Corresponding Secretary - George H. Harlow.
Treasurer -George Greigg.
Executive Committee- Henry P. Westerman, William P. Chain, George Tomm, Reuben Bergstresser, George W. Ingalls, David Keyes, William Grant, Mrs. H. P. Westerman, Mrs. W. S. Rankin, Mrs. G. H. Harlow, Mrs. E. Rhodes, Mrs. T. D. Vincent, Mrs. Abram Haas, Mrs. Thomas King, Mrs. Daniel Harlow, Mrs. Samuel P. Higginson, Mrs. W. Amsbary, Mrs. Robert Briggs, Mrs. Brear- ley, Mrs. W. W. Sellers, Mrs. G. W. Athens, Mrs. William P. Chain.
Great efforts were made to make this a grand affair. Committees were appointed to canvass in the surrounding counties. Circulars were sent out setting forth the great necessity of raising means for the relief of the soldiers in Southern hospitals. A large building was erected on Court street, Pekin, which had its various departments under able management. The fair lasted three days and proved quite remunerative, the proceeds being over $5,000.
Whenever a great battle or any other emergency made unusual demands, appeals were made through the press and never in vain. In looking through the files of county papers we find call after call made by different societies during those trying times. As the war progressed the eare of soldier's families became an important part of the work of soldier's aid societies.
Let us examine into one or two of the boxes sent by the Soldier's Aid Society of Pekin and see what they contained. We give list of articles packed in box Sept. 15, 1863, and sent to the army of the Cumberland : Number sheets 2; shirts 17; drawers 17; handker-
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chiefs 45 ; pounds of ground mustard 4; green tea 3; dried fruit 20; packages corn starch 8; number bandages 10; books and papers.
Contents of a box packed and shipped April 13, 1864-number pillows 9; pillow cases 12; handkerchiefs 79; towels 40; shirts 24; rolls butter 1; rolls cotton bandages 58; sheets 2; pairs slippers 5; number quilts 1; dressing gowns 1; old shirts 1; jar pickles 1; small sack dried peaches 1; bottle catsup 1; bundle linen rags 1; a large lot of magazines and papers.
Shipped April 23, 1864- Barrels dried apples 1; dried peaches 1; 4 dozen cans tomatoes; 1 barrel of eggs ;
When the boys in blue came home on a furlough they were cordially welcomed, and the ladies prepared dinners for them and made their stay happy and pleasant. When they returned to the tented fields they carried with them grateful recollections of the efforts the ladies at home were making for their comfort.
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