USA > Illinois > Woodford County > History of Woodford County > Part 9
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The Forty-seventh Infantry also contained the names of
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many from Woodford, companies B and I being largely made up from the county. Captain Daniel Miles of Washing- ton, for whom the Dan Miles Post, G. A. R., of Eureka, is named, was the first captain of company B, but was soon promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and was followed in turn by Captain Joseph B. Miles, Benjamin F. Biser, and Diego C. Ross. Company I was captained by Samuel S. Jaekman and Chester Andrews, the former being from Linn township and the latter from Minonk.
The regiment was organized and mustered into the ser- vice of the United States at Peoria, Angust 16th, 1861. On the 23rd of September it moved to St. Louis, going into quarters at Benton Barracks near that city. It remained there doing garrison duty and drilling until December. In February, 1862, it joined Pope's command, and accompanied him on his advance toward Corinth. In the engagement October 3rd and 4th, the regiment lost 30 killed and over 100 wounded. It joined General Rosecrans, and on the first of April, 1863, the regiment disembarked near Vicksburg. Here the men were assigned to various duties. May 22nd, it participated in a charge on Vicksburg, suffering quite a heavy loss. The remainder of the time of service after the fall of that city was spent by this regiment guarding the Memphis and Charleston line of railroad, and in service in the vicinity of Vicksburg. It returned to that city after a severe campaign lasting three months. October 11th, the regiment was discharged at Springfield. It was re-organiz- ed, and again went south into Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. After the fall of Mobile, the regiment marched with the Sixteenth army corps to Montgomery, Alabama, and was later stationed at Selma. It was mustered out Jan. 21st, 1866.
The Seventy-seventh Infantry contained three compa- nies in which a number of Woodford county men were en- listed. Company C was the first of these and was eaptained by Joseph M. McCulloch, who was succeeded by Charles F.
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McCulloch on the promotion of the former. Company F was under the command of William W. Cromwell, until May 17, 1864, when James A. Secord succeeded him. Company II was under the command of Captain G. Keedy, up to the time of his death in JJanuary, 1863, when Milgrove B. Parmeter succeeded him. The Keedy Post, G. A. R., of Minonk is named in honor of Captain Keedy.
The Seventy-seventh infantry was organized and mustered into the service September 3, 1862, at Peoria. It advanced to Covington, and reported to Major General Gordon Granger. It remained in Kentucky without any- thing of special importance transpiring, until November, when the regiment went to Memphis, and later advaneed to Vicksburg, and participated in the attack on the rebel works. After four days' fighting the attack was abandoned. The regiment behaved admirably in the attack on Arkansas Post January 10th, and was complimented by the general in command. After this the regiment engaged for two months in digging a canal across the point opposite Vicksburg. It remained with Grant during the entire campaign around Vicksburg, and upon the surrender of that stronghold, it took part in the capture of Jackson. The seventy-seventh went south into Louisiana and accompanied General Banks on his advance to Alexandria. The army marched up the Red river, driving the enemy, until they reached the Sabine Cross Roads. The regiment belonged to the division under command of General Ransom and was first ordered to sup- port the cavalry. Before the army could be brought for- ward, the whole rebel army came down on their force and overwhelmed the entire division. It suffered terribly in this battle, losing 176 officers and men, killed, wounded or made prisoners, leaving only 125 men in the regiment for duty. After this campaign it took part in the reduction of Forts Gaines and Morgan, later joining the army of General Can- by, and was with his army in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort Blakely and Mobile. It was mustered out of service in JJuly, 1865, having been engaged in sixteen battles.
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Company C of this regiment was made up of men from the vicinity of Cazenovia, Metamora and Linn townships. Company F also contained several men from the region of Metamora and other Woodford county points, no one place being represented by more than a few men. Company I was composed of Minonk and Clayton township volunteers.
Company A of the Eighty-sixth Infantry was recruited in Olio and ElPaso townships. It was under the command of William S. Magarity and later of Joseph Major. It was mustered into the United States service at Peoria, August 27, 1863. On the 8th of September, it went to Louisville, Kentucky, where it joined Buell in his pursuit of Bragg. It was in the advance in the charge at Perryville and suffered a correspondingly heavy loss. The regiment marched into Tennessee, and on Sept. 19th and 20th, participated in the battle of Chickamauga. After this the regiment was en- gaged in a series of movements, first assisting General Sherman to float his pontoons down the river at night, cross his army and capture a post, following Bragg afterward, then joined an expedition for the relief of Burnside, taking part in a reconnoissance as far as Buzzard Roost, and in the fight at Resaca, Ga. It lost heavily in the charge at Kenesaw.
The regiment joined Sherman in his famous march to the sea, reaching Savannah, Dec. 11th, 1864. In January it started north thru the Carolinas, arriving at Richmond, May 7th, and Washington, May 19th. It participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C., in which thousands of battle tried veterans marched down the streets and were reviewed by the chief officers of the union. June 21st, the regiment received its discharge.
Company D, captained by David R. Mccutcheon, con- tained men from Eureka, Panola, Minonk and other Wood- ford county points, while company E, captained by Winfield M. Bullock, and later by William A. Davi- son, contained volunteers from Eureka, Metamora, Secor and Roanoke. The regiment was organized at Peoria
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and mustered into the service Aug. 28th, 1863. Leaving Peoria it went into Kentucky, where it remained until De- cember, when it joined Sherman in his expedition against Vicksburg. On the disembarkment of this army, the enemy was found strongly fortified on the bluffs northeast of the city. The regiment took a prominent part in the union at- tack. Sharp skirmishing took place during the day, and the soldiers remained under arms during the night. In the morn- ing they were ordered to retake the position of the previous day. They remained at the front until midnight, when they withdrew and with a battery from Chicago, covered the re- treat of the army. This withdrawal of the forces was so well planned that the enemy did not know of the retreat until it was accomplished. The 108th was highly complimented for its conduct in this conflict It also took part in the capture of Arkansas Post, after which the regiment moved to a point almost opposite Vicksburg. The months of February and March witnessed the death of 135 members of the regiment from disease, due to exposure and unsanitary conditions. During the two months of their stay opposite Vicksburg, they were engaged on the famous canal. One day during its occupation of Young's Point, the 108th received a command to go down the river on guard duty ; shortly after a second order came to go up to Milliken Bend to take part in a charge. The officers sent an inquiry as to which order to obey, and were told to follow the first while an lowa regiment was assigned to the charge. As soon as the enemy witnessed the preparations for attack, they charged the lowa regiment 'and half of them were killed. The 108th thus escaped practical annihilation by obedience of the first order. The last of April the iron-clad gunboat, La Fayette, carrying the 108th, ran the batteries of Vicksburg and reached the battlefield of Fort Gibson in time to participate in the vic- tory. It won honorable mention by its admirable conduct in the battle at Champion Hills. It later returned to Vicks- burg, and was engaged in various duties. It furnished heavy details of men for the heavy mortars of the boats,
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and a number of men were permanently disabled by the con- cussion from the discharge of the mortars.
Later it marched into Tennessee and took part in the battle at Brice's Cross roads. which resulted in a union de- feat, but the 108th was the last to leave the field. and then only when it had used its last cartridge and found it im- possible to gain a fresh supply. The regiment took part in the capture of Mobile, Captain W. M. Bullock being severely wounded in the siege. It was discharged from the service at Chicago, Aug. 11th, 1865.
Early in the spring of 1864. Illinois. Indiana. Iowa and Ohio tendered the president 85,000 one-hundred day men to to relieve the veteran soldiers from guard duty at our forts. arsenals and elsewhere. Illinois furnished thirteen regiments and two battalions of the above number.
Company C of the 139th regiment had the names of a number of volunteers from Eureka. It was under the com- mand of Dietrich C. Smith, and was mustered into service at Peoria. June 1st. 1864. and on the 8th of June. was moved to St. Louis. From there it went to Columbus. Ky., and later to Cairo, where it remained until August as garrison, a part of its duty being to guard prisoners. It took part in the pursuit of a guerilla party that had been preying on the neighboring country. September 25th. it was ordered to Peoria to be mustered out. but just at that time General Price was moving toward St. Louis, which was imperfectly guarded. President Lincoln ordered the 139th to that city. The time of enlistment had expired. but when the men understood the situation they willingly obeyed the order. President Lincoln commended the men highly for their patriotism in going to his command after the expiration of their time. The regiment was mustered out of the service after having been on duty five months.
Woodford county also sent loyal soldiers to the front in the cavalry regiments. Cavalry duties were quite severe as these soldiers were so frequently employed on scouting expeditions.
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Company G of the Fourth Cavalry was made up of numerous Woodford county men. It was under the com- mand of Harry D. Cook, until his promotion, when he was succeeded by Elijah H. Baker. The greater portion of the recruits came from the region of ElPaso or over the line in McLean county. The regiment was mustered into the ser- vice September 26, 1861, having been organized by Judge T. Lyle Dickey, of Ottawa. It went to Springfield, where it received arms, which were left in their cases until Cairo was reached. In December, 1861, a reconnoissance of Columbus was ordered and the Fourth Cavalry became the advance of the movement. It took part in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, and April 6th and 7th, participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. After that victory it was kept pretty busy scouting the front. It went with the army against Corinth. The time between that and the arrival of the regiment at Vicksburg was spent in scouting. It was mustered out of the service at Springfield, in November, 1864. When it left Cairo to enter the field it numbered 1,100 men, when it came back it had but 340.
In October, 1861, Robert G. Ingersoll, of Peoria, and Bazil D. Meek, of Eureka, received permission to organize a regiment of cavalry, made up of recruits from Woodford, Tazewell, Peoria and other neighboring counties. It was mustered into the United States service Dee. 20, 1861, but remained in Camp Lyon, Peoria, until Feb. 22nd, 1862, when the regiment broke camp and marched to Benton Barracks, near St. Louis. The first experience under fire was at Pitts- burg Landing. The regiment was on duty between Pitts- burg Landing and Corinth up to the capture of that place. The eleventh saw hard fighting at Bolivar, Tenn., Corinth and Iuka, and during the winter of 1862-'63 Col. Ingersoll, with several others, was captured and paroled. The entire history of the regiment was one constant activity, moving from place to place, taking part in a great number of move- ments and battles. Bazil D. Meek, one of the organizers, was Lieutenant Colonel, and after the resignation of Inger-
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soll, owing to his parole, Mr. Meek acted as colonel for a time, resigning his position in 1863. The close of the war brought joy to the hearts of the members of many Wood- ford county homes, and all rejoiced that the long, weary war was over, but there were many who went out who never returned, and the tribute of a grateful nation can never be too fully given to the valiant, sacrifieing soldiers of the eivil war.
Tears for the grief of the father, For a mother's anguish, tears ; But for him that died for his country, Glory and endless years.
-HOWELLS.
At home the loyal patriots, who were prevented from go- ing to the front by one reason or another, banded themselves together in a League, known as the Loyal Sons of America and gave moral support to the cause of the Union in every way possible.
Woodford county also proved loyal in other ways as well in the great Civil War.
Black Hawk War.
The settlers suffered but little actual trouble from the Indians, altho the Black Hawk war produced a feeling of dread among them. The conflict with the rebellious chief was farther north than Woodford. Black Hawk had watched the encroachments of the whites with a jealous eye, and when the Indians were asked to yield the region of the mouth of the Rock river, he refused to obey, and in 1831 made his open defiance. The first campaign was without bloodshed, but the second, in 1832, was far more serious. There were constant rumors of impending dangers that kept the pio- neers in a state of unrest. Henry B. Meek, of Walnut Grove, was captain of the Home Guards and was called to gather twelve men for the conflict with the Indians. He is said to have been at the plow when the command eame and immedi- ately set about the task of raising men. Among those who were in this war from Woodford county are found the
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names of John and James Benson, JJonathan Baker, John E. Davidson, Thomas A. MeCord, Jesse Oatman, Allen Patrick, William Blair, John and Robert Bird, JJosiah Moore and James Phillips.
It was but a day's travel to the point where depredations were being committed, and it was not known how soon the Indian forces might fall upon the unprotected settlers. The people were on their guard. In the vicinity of Walnut Grove, the dogs one night kept up a constant barking about the home of Mr. Watkins, and the family feared that Indians were skulking about the woods, altho no attack was made. This anxiety led him, together with Joseph, Daniel, Henry Meek and others to take their families south to the vicinity of Little Mackinaw, in the Railsback settlement, where there would be less danger. As soon as they had brought them 10 a place of safety, the men returned to protect their homes and stock. A party stayed at night in a log barn belonging to Daniel Meek and watched lest there be a night attack. It was composed of Noel Meek, Joseph Meek, Jonathan Baker, John Kellum. William Blair and Daniel Meek. They were armed with rifles and were prepared to give the enemy a warm reception, should any attack occur, but they had no opportunity of showing what could be done. The feelings of the settlers were being constantly harrowed by reports of what the Indians had done. On one occasion they were reported to have captured two young girls north of here. So great was the excitement over the late of the girls and so deep was the anxiety for their safety that a ransom was offered and accepted for their release. The settlers in the vicinity of Greene township were also considerably dis- turbed and left their cabins to seek safety in the more thick- ly settled region of Walnut Grove. The soldiers, who were in the war from this county, were only in the service a short time, being enrolled May 4th, at Bloomington, and mustered ont May 27th, 1832 at the mouth of Fox river, 130 miles from the place of enrollment. No lives were lost among them. They were under command of Captain Robert .MeChuire, of
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McLean county. After a severe defeat Black Hawk was finally captured, and the war ended. All the fighting had taken place in the region of the Rock river. This war put an end to the trouble with the Indians in this part of the country. From that time forward the whites had undisputec possession of the land. Black Hawk himself went to Fowa and in time built him a house and settled on a farm, where. he died at the age of 72 years.
Mexican War.
Woodford county was not greatly affected by the Mex - can war, and was not so largely represented in that cor .. fliet as might have been expected. As in all other wars ine : were valiant and unflinching in their performance of dut .; , ever ready for service, whatsoever that might be.
Spanish-American War.
The Spanish-American war also found volunteers from Woodford county, altho the actual enlistment was smaii. yet there were many ready to volunteer at once should the need become manifest.
Of those enlisted, the name of Captain Kerriek is mo ;.!. prominent. By faithful service he rose to the lieutenancy of Company D of the Second linois Infantry. On July 25th, 1899, he was commissioned captain of Company F of the Thirtieth Illinois Infantry. Since the close of the war ho has remained in the regular army and is now stationed #t ,az wand, where he has done excellent service, in !bc coast defence.
CHAPTER XIII.
Storms and Epidemics.
W OODFORD county has been comparatively free from serious storms and epidemies, yet there have been epidemies in its history that wrought havoc among the people and there have been storms that have carried destruction with them. In 1849 the cholera broke out and claimed numerous victims. All
the horrors of the great plague were the pioneers. The agony of the sufferer, the isolation he had to endure, and the gloom of the silent burial by night were all present . In 1852 a second outbreak of the dread disease occurred. Among those taken from the prominent ranks of settlers was Ben. Major, founder of Eureka College. The loss of life was more serious than in the previous epidemies.
Storms.
As has been observed the early settlers endured mueh from severe winters and great storms. The winter of 1830- '31 will always be remembered in history as the year of the great snow, causing widespread suffering, but the winter of 1836-'7 witnessed a storm that wrought even greater de- struction to stock and caused at least two deaths in the county. It was in mid-winter and the weather had been unusually mild. Suddenly it turned bitterly cold. Stoek that was any distance from shelter was frozen before it could be reached. A Mr. Butler and his daughter in Part- ridge township were caught by the storm and before they could reach a place of safety both had been frozen to death. Their bodies were not found for several days and then they
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were frozen so stiff as to render it necessary that they be put in large boxes for burial when the weather would permit.
Wind storms have also wrought havoc in the county at various times. It has been visited by several storms that have swept everything before them, and have left paths of ruin behind them. Fortunately the territory covered by these has been limited, yet they have left a record of destruc- tion that is heart rending.
The first great storm occurred in 1858. It occurred May 13th, toward evening. It had been threatening during the day, but toward night a heavy wind began blowing from the west. It lulled a few minutes and the worst of the storm seemed passed, when the wind suddenly shifted to the north and blew a hurricane. It was not a tornado but a strong wind blowing with unexampled fury. It was wide- spread in its destruction and all parts of the county suf- fered from its ravages. Trees were uprooted or broken off; barns were destroyed; houses moved from their foundations or destroyed, and stock was injured. It is impossible that any adequate account of the actual damage can ever be given, so broadcast was its destruction.
Near Eureka the house of Jacob Felter was destroyed. The building was not entirely finished, and was probably not as strong as it otherwise would have been, yet it was near enough completion to enable the family to live com- fortably in it. Mr. Felter had gone out during the lull to look after his stoek, and the side of the house fell on him. His feet extended from under the wall and his wife tried to raise it from his body, but was unable to do so. When it was raised from him he was dead. Another death occurred as a result of the storm, Mrs. Otto, residing near Secor, be- ing killed by it. In Clayton township Mrs. Susanna Tallyn had a thrilling experienee, and a narrow escape from death, She still remembers with horror that terrible night with its dangers. Her husband was outside looking after the stoek when the storm came up. They were also living in a house
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that was not completed, yet it was regarded perfectly safe. The storm destroyed the house and caught Mrs. Tallyn be- tween the wall and the stove in such a manner that it was . necessary to cut her clothing away before she could be re- moved. She and three small children were in the house together when the storm came, but as if by a miracle none of them were seriously injured. Mr. Tallyn, who was on the outside, was injured by having one of the out buildings fall on him. William Worthington, who lived near Mr. Tallyn's also suffered damage from this storm, while the house of Dolphus Forney was one of the many blown from its foun- dation. The night following the storm was one of fear and dread. It continued, tho less fiercely, during the night, and with the morning came a full revelation of the havoc it had wrought
The second great storm occurred October 19th, 1875. This time it was a fierce tornado, which crossed Roanoke and Clayton townships, doing vast injury to property and causing consternation among the people. This storm was first seen in the vicinity of Washington, and had the appear- ance of a great revolving mass of clouds in the air. There were abundant evidences of impending danger should it come to the ground. It did not come down, however, until it reached Woodford county, in the neighborhood of Roanoke township. It struck the Bingham school house and dashed it to pieces. School had just been dismissed and but for the foresight of the teacher, who just succeeded in getting the children outside the path of the storm, some of them would undoubtedly have been killed. It destroyed the house of E. E. Bingham, the family escaping by going to the cel- lar. At Thomas Marshall's, part of the house was destroyed, and a great stone in front of it was moved several feet. The storm took its course toward A. C. Bullington's house. Here the building was dashed to pieces, and Mr. Bullington and children saved themselves by elinging to the hedge. The Jeter school was next in its course and was broken into a thousand pieces. A part of the blackboard is said to have
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been found in Minonk township. C. II. Waldron's house was destroyed as was also Gideon Jeter's barn. Mrs. Char- lotte Stimpert's house was destroyed. All the family but Philip succeeded in getting into the cellar. Ile was carried some distance with the house, but was finally dropped without serious injury. Mr. Stimpert still has a vivid recollection of the storm and its results. He remembers that they had four wagons, two of which were new, and the storm took the spokes out of every wheel but one. The front part of one wagon was carried a half mile. The house of Mrs. Mary de Freise was destroyed, and she was injured. George Leonard's house suffered the common fate, as did also Mr. Snyder's home. He was the only one killed in the county as a result of the storm. The barn and trees about Henry Memmen's place were blown down, and Wait Uphoff's house was completely destroyed.
The storm was not wide, the main track of it being little over a hundred feet in width. Corn, which was just ready for husking was blown to the ground, and husking was done with great difficulty. There were numerous freaks of the wind in its wild flight across the prairies. At George Leonard's the baby was picked up and left on a straw stack, practically uninjured but with its clothing torn from its body. Posts were drawn from the ground and carried a distance and dropped with their pointed ends downward with such force as to drive them into the ground as solidly as if they had been set there by the hand of man. A stove in which there was fire was picked up and set on a straw stack, setting it on fire. A molasses bucket was picked up at the home of Thomas Marshall and carried to Samuel Bally's a mile away and the lid still remained on the bucket. Several horses were killed by having rails driven thru their bodies. A quilt from A. C. Bullington's was picked up near. Minonk.
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