USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of companies I and E, Sixth Regt., Illinois Volunteer Infantry from Whiteside County > Part 2
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Following the resignation of Lieut. Brearton in March 1883, Charles F. Montague was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, resigning in May 1884, being succeeded by Sergeant E. B. Humphrey in June 1884; Captain Quackenbush resigned in April 1884, Lieut. Cole suc- ceeding him in the command of the company; W. F. Colebaugh was elected Ist Lieutenant in January 1884 and was promoted to the rank of Captain upon the re- signation of Captain Cole which occurred in March ISS5, Henry Griffiths being elected Ist Lieutenant in April.
September 5th, 1885, the company was an attrac- tion at the Morrison Fair. While in attendance at the Sterling Fair, one week later, it first met the Chicago Zouaves and after witnessing their fancy drill, decided to organize a corps. This consisted of twelve finely drilled men and a Captain. They soon attained a degree of ef- ficiency and precision in the intricate, silent drill which they adopted, which would warrant their appearing in public, and they rarely failed in giving general satisfac- tion in their performance. After an appearance in Clinton, Ia., where they had been secured as an attraction at a celebration, the Clinton Daily News had this to say regarding them: "Following the Rifles, a company of Zouaves from Morrison, Illinois, gave an unique drill. Attired in their novel uniform, they attracted much atten- tion and gave an interesting drill, performing their various
N. J. COLE, Capt. Co. I, III. N. G. Showing style of uniform worn in the 80's.
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ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
movements with much rapidity and precision. In re- tiring from the field, the company made a charge upon a fence, some twelve feet in height, erected in the centre of the park, which they scaled with but little effort. The front rank. upon reaching the barricade, stooped their heads and those following mounted upon their shoulders and from there grasped the top of the fence and were over in a twinkling. This was continued until only one man remained below. How this man would get over was quickly settled by two comrades above lowering a gun, which was grasped, and he was drawn up over, amid loud applause. This closed the finest military drill ever seen in this city, if not in the state of Iowa."
This will give the reader an idea as to what consti- tuted a part of their performance and the success they attained in delivering it. The expenses for maintaining such an organization were rather more than was anticipa- ted, and after a season or two, with varying success fi- nancially, they disbanded. Another corps was formed la- ter but was of short life, meeting with the same difficul- ties as the former corps, in securing financial support.
April Ist, 1886, Captain Colebaugh and 2nd Lieut. Humphrey resigned. Two weeks later the company was ordered to East St. Louis and was on duty there during the Martin Iron strike. It entered this service with depleted ranks: not more than twenty-five enlisted men and one commissioned officer, Ist Lieut. H. H. Grif- fiths. An election of officers was held shortly after its arrival upon the scene which resulted in the selection of Lieut. Griffiths as Captain: T. S. Beach Ist. Lieut., and John M. Colebaugh, 2nd Lieutenant. Lieutenant Beach, who was Sheriff of Whiteside County at the time, had been serving as a private, The St. Louis
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
experiences were varied and many. One of the boys, through nervousness and over excitement, ran his bayo- net through a stray pig which was rooting about the guard line and then deserted his post, thinking the steel had entered the heart of some rioter, who had been in- tent on taking his life. In all probability fresh pork was a necessary adjunct to the bill of fare for some days following. The company also charged and captured a cannon (?) in following its line of duty. This it retained as a trophy of the exploit, and is with the company to- day, very few of the men knowing how or where it was secured. The service at this riot covered a period of fif- teen days, from April twenty-first to May fifth, and on it's return it first realized how lightly the services. of the National Guard were valued. The State generously meted out to each the mere pittance of forty nine cents per diem, corresponding with the pay allowance of the regular army. Serious trouble was narrowly averted by the State as the enlisted men of the Illinois National Guard strongly objected to leaving good positions, com- manding good salaries, to stand guard and perform other irksome duties during riots or other disturbances for the pay of the regular army man, and the troops from all over the state protested so strongly that the Legislature took the matter up and it resulted in a material increase in their salary while on such duties, fixing a rate of two dollars per day for all enlisted men. This timely action taken by the State overcame the then present dif- ficulties and produced a very salutary effect on the State troops. Their conduct and soldierly bearing, together with the yeoman service performed when called for duty, was considered worthy of recognition by the people, to whom the memories of the soldier life of the Civil War
Camp Lincoln, Springfield.
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ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
were yet clear and vivid, and who realized that the ser- vices of the men who stood ready and willing to go where duty called in the cause of justice and good gov- ernment, should not go unrewarded. From this time the State troops have steadily improved in efficiency.
1st Lieutenant Beach resigned in January 1887, and William Brearton, who had returned to Morrison, to reside, was commissioned Ist Lieutenant to fill the vacancy. Previous to this and shortly following his second enlistment, Lieut. Brearton had been appointed Regimental Commissary Sergeant, which position he held at the time of receiving his commission. Cap- tain Griffiths resigned in April 1888, William Colebaugh again succeeding to the command of the company, re- taining his commission until the expiration of his term of service, three years. 2nd Lieut. John Colebaugh re- mained with the company until 1889, his commission expired in April of this year, and Harry T. Guffin was elected to the rank which he vacated.
Looking backward a few months, we find our neigh- boring city, of Sterling, had been deeply interested, for some time past, in the forming of a company of State Guards. Let us leave company I for a brief period and follow the fortunes of the boys of our sister city.
SAUK VALLEY COLLEGE
89574
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
CHAPTER III.
COMPANY E.
Company E was organized and mustered into the State service at Sterling, Ill., in the spring of 1888. Some years previous a company of militia had existed there, known as the "Sterling City Guards." This organi- zation disbanded some five years prior to the organiza- tion of Company E., and military matters remained very quiet for a time until the subject of forming a company of State Guards was taken up and agitated by a number of citizens of the town, among whom were John W. Niles, Dr. Frank Anthony and T. S. Beach. These men were chiefly instrumental in organizing and developing the company and devoted considerable time to the work in order to secure a desirable membership of young men, and in various ways building the foundation in such a manner as to interest the towns-people in the future of the company, permanently securing the location of this company of National Guards.
John Niles saw service in an Iowa regiment through- out the Civil War. The knowledge thus secured proved to be most valuable and he was naturally looked upon as the leader in the work.
Dr. Anthony, a life long resident of Sterling and widely known as a physician of more than ordinary
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ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
ability and Thos. S. Beach, ex-sheriff of Whiteside coun- ty and an ex-member of Company I of Morrison, with the hearty co-operation of a number of other influential citizens, added their combined efforts in bringing the venture to a successful termination. Not long after the idea originated, the desired membership was secured and Colonel T. Ewert, Assistant Adjutant General of the State came to Sterling by request to administer the oath and on March 24th, 1888. the following company was mustered into the service.
Captain, John W. Niles.
Ist Lieutenant,
Thomas S. Beach.
2nd Lieutenant,
Frank Anthony.
Ist Sergeant
JohnA. Haberer.
2nd Sergeant,
Lewis F. Eisele.
3rd
Walter N. Haskell.
4th
Goodicil B. Dillon.
5th
Samuel T. Mangan.
Corporal,
Charles S. Hall.
Frank D. Ely.
James F. Criswell.
66
Orville P. Bassett.
Private
Angell, William E.
Adair, Ambrose.
..
Burke, Harry T.
Bickford, Joseph M.
Boyers, Joseph.
66
Crawford, Robert G.
Connor, John R.
Cook, Ward W.
6.
Cochrane. Albert G.
Cushman, John W.
Grimes. Frank A.
.
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
Private
Hoover, Harry G.
Hills, Edward O.
Hess, Albert H.
Howland, Harry T.
66
Haberly, Frank F.
Haskell, William W.
66
Johnson, J. Stanley.
Kline, John L.
Lawrie, William F.
66
Llewellyn. David.
Mangan, William F.
Mangan, E. J.
Mangan, R. L.
Myer, Adam B.
.6
Osmer, Sydney C.
66
Rock, Edwin S.
66
Stoddard, Fred R.
Shumaker, Charles N.
Smith, Jesse.
Van Horne, E. Burt.
66
Woods, Rollin H.
Woodworth, Clarence
Williams, Albert A.
..
Williams, B. Frank.
Winters, James C.
The company was designated as E and attached to the Sixth Regiment. Each member immediately put a shoulder to the wheel and made every effort to estab- lish a degree of efficiency, second to none in the regi- ment, in which they were more than successful.
It is admitted by those familiar with the affairs of the Sixth that this company has always retained a very desirable position in the ranks having been well officer-
BRIG .- GEN. CHAS. FITZSIMONS, Commanding First Brigade,
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ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
ed and fortunate in securing desirable members. The Wallace Hall which was located on the present site of the Masonic Temple was secured as a drill room and for a short time was the home of the company, later remov- ing to the old skating rink where it remained about two years when the present armory was leased and afterward purchased, remodeled and enlarged, making a one story drill room forty feet in width by one hundred feet in length with a two story front. This building is located north of 4th, on Locust street.
During the first few years, each member was asses- sed $2.00 membership fee and an additional sum annual- ly. The receipts from this source being added to the company fund account and in this manner they were en- abled to secure the necessary amount with which to meet the running expenses, avoiding the embarrassing situation of an accumulation of unpaid bills, and placing themselves on a substantial footing financially. It is quite evident to a close observer that company E has been very fortunate in almost every manner from the first. As before stated, its members have devoted a great deal of energy in attaining a very creditable degree of proficiency in military tactics. They have from the first been very careful in the selection of both commis- sioned and non-commissioned officers and in addition, they early secured and retained the respect of their 7
home people, which means more to, and has a greater degree of influence with the Guardsmen than the gener- al public may be aware of. At any time could be found a half dozen or more Company E boys attached to the regimental commissioned or non-commissioned staff, thus placing them in a situation whereby unwonted fa- vors were easily secured and taken advantage of to the
.
30
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
benefit of the individual members of the company which were highly appreciated and gave an added interest to the work, creating a feeling of good fellowship between the company members and the regimental officers, a very pleasing situation for all concerned. The general condition of the company has remained normal during its entire history, giving but few opportunities for a great amount of noise to be made at any certain period, yet producing a coveted condition of affairs and reflect- ing credit on the officers and men alike.
Target practice has always been considered a very important factor in establishing individual records in the company. During the first few years it was un- able to secure a suitable range, and was compelled to purchase its own ammunition. The only site avail- able was the old base ball park located in the northern part of town. This was leased for a short time, but the range being limited to 100 and 200 yards it was handicapped to such an extent as to make it necessary for it to procure a more desirable location which it did the following year. This range was fitted up at the expense of the company and was located about three miles east of town on the banks of Rock river, the full 1000 yard practice being available, making it one of the best rifle ranges in the State, and for a number of years was used more or less by the neighboring compan- ies. The shooting done on the old 200 yard range re- sulted very unsatisfactorily and a number of the company went down to Sublette, Ill., where was located a 1000 yard range, and B. F. Williams here secured the first dec- oration as "Sharpshooter", and Major Lawrie, then a pri- vate returned an "Expert." Since procuring the 1000 yard home range a large number of the members have
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ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
qualified as "Marksman,";"Expert," and "Sharpshooter" in addition to these are a jhalf dozen or more "Distin- guished Sharpshooters" among whom are B. F. Wil- liams, Major Lawrie, Captain Eick, S. T. Mangan and Sergt. John Cushman. Captain Eick deserves special mention in connection with marksmen of Illinois. His skill in the handling of a rifle has placed him in the front ranks among the expert marksmen of the United States and he possesses numerous decorations which he has won in competitive shoots. For several years he has been Regimental Inspector of Rifle Practice with rank of Captain, and during this time he has been the coach for several teams of marksmen who have entered the com- petitive contest for the "Washburn Trophy" which is still held in the office of the Adjutant General of this State subject to be contested for by the states of Minne- sota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois.
The decoration of a Distinguished Sharpshooter in the National Guard places the holder on an equal footing with the Sharpshooter in the Regular Army when considering qualities of a marksman.
The rifle butt on the new range was destroyed by the wind in the early 90's. rebuilt by the company and equipped with steel frame targets by the State. In 1899, fire destroyed the butts and on account of a shortage of funds they have not since been repaired.
Upon the company's return from Camp Lincoln in 1888, the citizens of Sterling presented it with a large silk flag which has since been used as the company colors and at the present time is in the hands of the W. R. C. who are replacing the white silk stripes which had become badly tattered in the thirteen years of service.
From the period of the muster in of Company E,
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
it has joined fortunes with Company I, and with the exception of the affairs personal to members of the indi- vidual companies they have been as one. Captain Niles resigned the command of Company E in December 1888, 2nd Lieut. Anthony succeeding him. The resignation of Lieut. Beach had occurred in November, the vacancy thus caused being filled by the election of Sergt. Lewis F. Eisele. Upon the promotion of Lieut. Anthony, private W. F. Lawrie was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. Lieut. Eisele's resignation occurred in October 1890, following which came the advancement in rank of Lieut. Lawrie to that of Ist Lieut., Sergt. Walter N. Haskell succeeding him as 2nd Lieutenant.
Captain Anthony relinquished command of the company late in the year of 1890. At this time he re- ceived the appointment of Assistant Surgeon with the rank of Captain and on February 27th, 1891, was pro- moted to Surgeon of the regiment and commissioned a Major. This position he retained for more than eight years resigning on August 2nd, 1899. No appointment was made to fill this vacancy until December 29th, 1900, when Major Anthony was prevailed upon to again accept the commission.
Lieut. Lawrie was commissioned Captain; 2nd Lieut. Haskell promoted to the rank of Ist, and Sergt. G. B. Dillon, 2nd Lieut. Captain Lawrie was twice re-elect- ed, retaining command of the company until January 5th 1899 when he was elected Major of the regiment and placed in command of the third battalion. Lieut. Hask- ell and Dillon retained theirrespective rank for a period of nearly four years. In the month of October, 1894 Ist Lieut. Haskell tendered his resignation and Lieut. Dillon succeeded him, Edwin S. Johnson being elected 2nd
COL. GEORGE M. MOULTON, Inspector General.
33
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
Lieut., resigning in April 1897, when J. Frank Wahl was commissioned as such.
In the spring of 1898, Lieut. Haskell organized a company of volunteers which was a part of Gen'l Clen- denin's provisional regiment, but was not called into act- ive service.
-
-
iví
34
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
CHAPTER IV.
Returning to the affairs of Company I, it is found several changes have occurred in the commissioned offi- cers. Upon the expiration of his term of service as 2nd Lieut .. in April 1889, John Colebaugh severed his con- nection with the Guard and during the following month Harry T. Guffin was commissioned to this rank. In May 1890 he was promoted to Ist Lieut. following the termi- nation of the commission of Lieut, Brearton, resigning in June, 1891.
Captain Colebaugh's commission expired in May 1891. Sergt. Milford Johnson succeeding him,his resig- nation occurring in April 1892. Sergt. Merritt Stowe was elected Ist Lieut. in July 1891 and Captain in June 1892, resigning in October of the same year.
Sergt. S. Wellington Baker was commissioned 2nd Lieut. in May 1890, his resignation being accepted in July 1891, the election of A. Rollin Baird to fill the va- cancy thus caused occurred in August. Lieut. Baird re- signed in April 1893, and Harry Guffin was again elect- ed 2nd Lieut. in May. S. W. Baker was elected Ist Lieut. in June 1892 and resigned in June 1893, 2nd Lieut. Guffin succeeding him in July 1893.
Upon the resignation of Captain Stowe in 1892, William Colebaugh was for the third time commissioned Captain, remaining in command of the company until Oc- tober 19th, 1895. Ist Lieut. Guffin was elected Captain, resigning in June, 1896. Following the promotion of
35
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
2nd Lieut. Guffin to the rank of Ist Lieutenant, came the election of George H. Kentfield, who was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in July 1893, resigning March 20th, 1894, Edward C. Lawton succeeding him in April and elected Ist Lieutenant in May 1895.
Following the election of Captain Guffin, Walter H. Clark was then commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and retained this rank until June 1896 when he resigned and Charles Puddifoot was elected in his stead. Lieut. Puddifoot al- so tendered his resignation in June 1897, his successor being Ernest J. Weaver. Lieutenant Weaver resigned at Camp Tanner, May 14th, 1898.
Upon the resignation of Captain Guffin in 1896, William Colebaugh was once again placed in command of the company serving in this capacity throughout the Spanish-American War.
The company accepted an invitation from Company C of Galesburg and was present at a reception given to President Harrison in that city on October 8th, 1890. The President was attending a reunion of his Brigade of Civil War veterans which was held there at the time.
In drawing a comparison between the general con- dition of the two companies during the first six years of the existence of each company, we find following closely upon each other that seventeen commissions had been is- sued to as many officers in Company I and during this same period from April 22nd, to June 8th, 1882, the command of the company fell to the lot of a Sergeant, an unproductive and undesirable condition of affairs, which took a large amount of hard work and considerable time to overcome.
Referring to the records of Company E covering the same number of years, it is found a total of eleven
36
"HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
commissions were issued.
Carefully scanning the roster of commissioned of- ficers of both companies, and by drawing the contrast more sharply, the reader will find the issuing of the com- JA missions to Company E officers was the result of nearly a:as many promotions, while the unequal number credited ... to Company I was caused mostly by resignations. This has a deeper meaning than appears on the surface, tak- Bring ing into consideration that a resignation usually indi- cates dissatisfaction . somewhere, while the changes 01.57 brought about by the promotions show a more settled. normal condition, which not alone affects the officers and : enlisted men of the company, but also secures the con- fidence of the citizens with whom they come in contact. This confidence once lost is difficult to regain and is 1 very likely to result in gradually losing interest in the affairs of the company and procuring a release at the first A opportunity ...
: !. Following the records on down through the entire life: of each organization, they show that a total of thir- teen Captains commissions have been issued to company I during the twenty three years of its existence, the pres- ent commander holding number thirteen, but happily he is not superstitious. ... ..
: /, Fifteen commissions were issued to Ist Lieutenants and eighteen to 2nd Lieutenants covering this same peri- od, a total of forty six commissions in the twenty three years, or an average of one commissioned officer every six months.
Company E has in the thirteen years, been com- manded by four different Captains, seconded by "six Ist Lieutenants and eight 2nd Lieutenants, in all eighteen officers, making an average of one officer for each nine
. ..
4
-
-
FORKISON
4
-
Group of Co. I boys at Camp Lincoln, 1895.
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ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
months. The number of resignations occurring in Com- pany I shows a total of twenty-six as compared with eight in Company E.
It does not necessitate the mind of a "Sherlock Holmes" or the imaginative power of a Jules Verne, for one to draw a few modest conclusions regarding the ef- fect of the varying conditions and numerous changes which the records show have existed in the one compa- ny compared with the apparently even tenor of the life of the other.
In drawing the above comparisons, the writer has endeavored to give the reader the facts as they appear in the official records of the two companies. The object in producing them in this manner is to explain why the early history of Company E appears more brief and possibly, uninteresting, than that of Company I. Com- pany I was mustered into the service ten years in ad- vance of Company E, and this, when the Illinois Nation- al Guard was comparatively in its infancy.
Ten years brought numerous radical changes in the regulations causing more or less trouble and dissatisfac- tion in the Guard throughout the State and naturally made it extremely unpleasant for the members of the different companies individually, until matters became more settled. All of these difficulties were arranged quite satisfactorily prior to the muster in of Company E, and aside from this there appears to have been an un- usually thorough understanding between the officers and men of this company with few unpleasantries arising among themselves, consequently their path has been a comparatively smooth one with but little up hill business connected with it. On the other hand, Company I has passed through some very trying and serious periods.
38
HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
For a time, everything would move along smoothly enough and the sun would shine on it, then would come a slump as sudden and disastrous as the ruin wrought by the corn king "Phillips" when he squeezed the shorts until they begged for mercy.
The dissolution of Company I has been seriously considered more than once, and Fut for the intercession of influential friends, who came forward at the last hour, would in all probability have been a thing of the past ere this. All of these happenings make history, and gives an added interest to the work of securing the data covering the periods of the company's varying for- tunes.
The annual tour of camp duty at Camp Lincoln has always found Company E present with a full quota of men where they were given an opportunity to show the progress made yearly and compare their success with that of other troops present.
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ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
CHAPTER V.
The regular routine of drill at home, and at camp was continued some time without a break of any sort, barring the lightning changes sometimes made in the officers of Company I. The first incident of interest oc. curred on the return from Camp Lincoln in 1892. The train bearing the troops made a brief stop near Beards- town. Within view of the boys was a melon field of some twenty or thirty acres .- The sight of a melon al- ways appeals to the heart (or stomach) of a soldier and he is never contented to see them lying about, without- in some manner being able to secure one or more. With melons in sight, comes the thought of a "lark" and the soldier who procures the largest number with- out expense to himself, is envied by all of his comrades. For this reason, few. if any fruit venders dare venture to make a trip through camp with a load of them as they soon become acquainted with the intoxicating effect it has on the soldiers .- As the train slowed down and came to a standstill, several hundred pairs of eyes were glued on the neighboring fields. Some one said "mel- ons" the word was passed through the train in half the time it takes to tell it. But how to get them was a serious matter as guards were posted at each car door with instructions to allow no one to pass in or out un- less he be a commissioned officer. The boys could not look for aid from the officers in this matter, but for some cause the officers had other important business about
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