USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of companies I and E, Sixth Regt., Illinois Volunteer Infantry from Whiteside County > Part 6
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
Excitement ran high and all over this broad land could be heard the ominous sound of war. The distant rum- bling became louder and more distinct, a cloud had risen on the horizon, very small at first but increasing with such rapidity as may well have been a warning to the Spanish people, but they were blind to everything. smarting from the defeats met with at the hands of the Cuban soldiers and they went doggedly forward to their own destruction.
War, war, war, go where you would one heard nothing but the talk of war. On every street corner groups of excited men congregated. In every village store and in every farm house the sole topic was war. The older ones relating incidents of the Civil War, de- scribing scenes of death and carnage, telling of hair breadth escapes and of deeds of valor performed by men wearing the blue or the grey. The younger men became more enthusiastic with each hour and anxiously awaited for the President to declare war and issue a call for troops.
In the quiet of the homes the father and mother would sit pouring over the daily papers, closely following every action of the officials at Washington, hoping against hope that the war clouds might clear away with- out the necessity of throwing our peaceful land into the turmoil of an armed conflict with the dark and treacher- ous people beyond the sea.
Not that they would withhold the aid which they knew our people would tender the intrepid Cuban sold- ier. Not that they feared the final result of such action. But they had passed through the ordeal years before and they knew the horrors of war and the distressing scenes brought about by it and their thoughts flew back-
91
OLD MEMORIES REVIVED.
ward to the dark days of 1861 and 65. Again they saw the father. husband or son marching away to face un- known dangers perhaps never to return. they heard the roar of the cannon as it belched forth its fiery flame and hurled its leaden messenger of death into the midst of the loyal men who rallied about the stars and stripes when danger threatened the honor of our glorious re- public. Closing their eyes they could again see it all. The mangled forms of the dead and dying lying all about. The wounded calling for succor and aiding each other. The scene is changed and they see long rows of trenches filled with the bodies of unknown heroes who had given their all for the love of their country.
Then came the search for missing loved ones. The mother looking for the son, the wife for the husband and father and the gentle timid maiden searching for her sweetheart. Perhaps he is found among the wounded. and again they may search in vain, at last to turn reluct- antly away, with a heavy heart, realizing their dear one lies in an unknown grave, sleeping side by side with hundreds of his brave but unfortunate comrades. "Mus- tered out." for him the last long roll has sounded. An- other scene presents itself. The return of the soldier. He comes slowly down the old familiar path. the wait- ing wife or mother hurries. with extended arms to greet him, she stops and her arms fall listlessly to her side, her heart stands still. overflowing with pride and love and sorrow.
There he stands, in faded blue, with white and haggard face. The empty sleeve or the crutch upon which he rests, speaks volumes or the hungry eager look and the wasted emaciated form may tell the story of weeks and months of prison life which was worse
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
than death. Can this be the man who, not long before, marched proudly away, so full of life and vigor and now stands before her as helpless as a child? He totters and is about to fall, she springs forward closing him in a long fond embrace and they find relief in their mingling tears.
This man to whom home and family were precious, this man who perhaps must go through life maimed and crippled, an object of pity to all his fellow men, broke home ties, turning from his loved ones with an aching heart, to sacrifice his all if need be on the altar of his country. And why ? Because that independent, liberty-loving spirit born in every true American, places the love and honor of his flag and his country before all else. There are no sacrifices he will not make, no dangers he dare not face when the hour of peril comes.
As the parents sat dreamily thinking of these trou- blesome days the full meaning of war and its many pain- ful scenes came forcibly to their minds. They realize that should the call to arms come, their sons will be among the first to volunteer, and their hearts are heavy with dread and anxious waiting. They will not put forth a staying hand. They will not detain them, but they will part from them with a full realization of what they may expect. The kind father, the gentle mother and the loving wife all had their doubts and fears and the suspense was very trying.
.
CAPT. W. F. COLEBAUGH, Commanding Co. I, Vol.
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THE MAINE DISASTER.
CHAPTER II.
With a single voice our people were urging the Washington government to make a decided stand to rec- ognize the Cuban revolutionists as belligerents and de- clare war if necessary. Cooler heads saw the folly of rushing madly into this conflict. If war must come. it was of the utmost importance that extensive preparations should be made and carried forward energetically. There must come a test of strength on the sea. The fleet of naval vessels was increased and put into condi- tion with all possible speed. These floating fortresses were of the newest designs and equipped with all the modern munitions of war, yet they were practically un- tried, and many were fearful of the outcome should there come a clash between these monster fighting-machines and those of the Spanish navy.
With every indication pointing to an early outbreak. an incident occurred which forced matters to a climax and brought our people to their feet with a bound. The first class battleship Maine, while lying in a friendly har- bor. bent upon a peaceful mission, was blown up from an external explosion, and more than two hundred and fifty souls were hurled into eternity, without a moment's warn- ing. These American seamen, lying asleep in their ham- mocks, all unconscious of the pending danger, were mur-
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
dered by a villainous hand and cries of vengeance were heard on every side, coupled with the sobs of anguish and distress from the lips of bereaved parents, wives and sweethearts. Our hearts went out to the dead and dying heroes and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, our people rose as one man and demanded satisfaction. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, yes and tenfold.
The Maine was blown up while lying in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, February 15th. 1898.
"A board of inquiry was appointed to investigate the cause of the explosion and proceeded to Havana and began its investigation February 2Ist. After an ex- haustive examination of the wreck, and after taking the testimony of witnesses and of experts, the board reported on the 2Ist of March that the Maine had been destroyed by the explosion of a submarine mine, but that it was unable to fix the responsibility upon any person or per- sons. It was evident that the cause of the disaster must have been from the outside."
Although this board of inquiry failed to point out the guilty ones, the American people were quick to decide the question in their own minds and no amount of argu- ment could induce them to think differently. They eagerly awaited the declaration of war and the beginning of hostilities that the men might shoulder their muskets and be off to wreak vengeance on the heads of this treach- erous foe who worked under the cover of darkness and "stabbed innocent men in the back." Our dislike for the Spanish was equal to that of the Cubans, and no power on earth could stem the tide or turn back the wave of righteous indignation which swept over this broad land.
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WAR DECLARED.
On April 21st, IS98, Congress declared war. U'nder an act of Congress. approved April 22nd, 1898, and is- sued April 23rd. the President made a call for 125.000 volunteers.
The following is an extract from a telegram receiv- ed by the Governor of Illinois from the War Department at Washington:
WASHINGTON, D. C., APRIL 25TH, IS98.
The Governor of Illinois-
The number of troops from your State under the call of the President, dated April 23. 1898, will be seven regiments of infantry and one regiment of cavalry. It is the wish of the President that the regiments of the National Guard or State Militia shall be used as far as their numbers will permit. for the reason that they are armed, equipped and drilled. *
R. A. ALGER, Secretary of War.
Previously. on February 17th, while the General As- sembly of Illinois was in extra session, it adopted reso- lutions, authorizing the Governor "to tender to the President of the United States all moral and material sup- port that may be necessary in this emergency to main- tain the proper dignity of our republic and the honor of the American flag."
"It will thus be seen that Illinois. through her pat- riotic Governor, was the first of all the Union to assure the President of the United States that the moral and material support of a great State was his. that Illinois. with all her treasures of men and money. with all her wealth of patriotic blood, was ready to support him. the honor of our conntry and the flag of our Union."
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
-From thy valleys and thy prairies, Illinois,
Illinois.
Illinois was the first state in the Union to mobolize its volunteer quota under the first call, the first to be mus- tered into the United States service; the first to report for duty at the volunteer camps and during each stage of the war, Illinois was represented in the van both on land and sea. History not only repeats itself but adds luster to a glorious name. Thus it was with Illinois in the Spanish- American War. Its citizen soldiery cast aside peaceful pursuits and adapted itself to the needs of war with an ease and brilliancy eclipsed by no other State in the Union. Its infantry organizations were within the arena of combat, both in Cuba and Porto Rico, while its sailors enjoyed a peculiar distinction on board the victorious vessels of war at Santiago, in which no other State shares.
This is not fulsome praise. but simply what history will chronicle when the events of the war and the hero- ism of each component body of the American army, are viewed in the light of a well balanced judgment.
Illinois' ready response to the call for volunteers was an inspiration in itself. The massing of an army of over 8,000 citizen-soldiers at the State rendezvous with- in twenty-four hours after the call was flashed to every community and village of the State, was a feat unsur- passed.
Each regiment responded "Ready" without asking any conditions, what the rations would be, without thought of the trials, discomforts and inevitable hard- ships of soldiers in the field. It was the buoyant, strong and healthy manhood of the State which spoke in ac- cents of patriotism that could not be doubted. Behind
GOODICIL B. DILLON, 1st Lieut. Co. E, Vol.
97
ILLINOIS' READY RESPONSE.
this great army of citizen-soldiers which Illinois offered as its first contribution of fighting material to the gov- ernment, stood an army. nondescript, undisciplined, but fired by patriotic zeal, all evincing with one accord, eagerness to bear the standard of Illinois into every field of battle. This was the provisional army which rallied as if by magic in every village, town and large commun- ity in the State.
The States of the union which had as many troops right in the centers of conflict. upon which the eyes of the world were focused. may be counted on the fingers of one hand. By far the larger portion of the first army sent out in response to President McKinley's call for 125,000 volunteers. took the oath to join federal service with many years of State militia service to its credit. These men knew how to handle their guns, understood the manual of arms and maintained a standard of dis- cipline which was a rarity in most volunteer troops. The professions, trades and occupations which the vol- unteers of Illinois abandoned to defend the honor of the nation and help liberate the victims of Spanish misrule, embraced every imaginary calling from the highest to the humblest.
Little wonder then that the State of Illinois is proud of the men who represented her in the war with Spain.
In the trenches before Santiago, or on the warships with Sampson and Schley, making forced marches across the Island of Porto Rico, skirmishing with the Spaniards or guarding the yellow fever hospitals, in camp as well as in the field the men from Illinois-in- fantry, artillery, cavalry, engineers and marines-acquit- ed themselves with credit to their state.
And if those in one regiment or detachment or
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
branch of the service apparently acquired more honor and fame than those in another, it was merely because their opportunities were greater. So far as it was per- mitted them, every man displayed the courage and forti- tude that combine to make the hero, and every one did his full duty to his country. In honoring them Illinois honors herself.
In considering these matters, it should be borne in mind that the most soldierly qualities may be found in camp as well as on the field of battle: that while $15.60 a month may pay a man for acquiring fame for himself under fire, it requires a large measure of devotion to country to accept it without protest as full recompense for the irksome and thankless duties of garrison or camp life. The men who passed the summer in camps, drilling and preparing themselves for the duties it was expected would devolve upon them later, have to add dissapointment to whatever else they may have endured. Their opportunity did not come, and the tendency of the world is to overlook the devotion and courage that do not border on the sensational.
TO THE VOLUNTEERS OF ILLINOIS.
Troops the nation called one day, Men of valor, strong and steady; Ere the echo died away Illinois had answered "Ready."
While the call was yet resounding, Came the boys from bench and stool; From the town and farms surrounding, Eager students in war's school; Boys from every walk and station, Sons of parents rich and poor, Stirred to righteous indignation By the suffering at our door,
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VOLUNTEERS OF ILLINOIS.
Death and danger all unheeded, Fearing neither sword nor ball, Three and four fold more than needed Answered to the nation's call; Every youth cur thanks deserving For a duty nobly done, Faith and purpose most unswerving, Though no field his daring won.
In the camps and on the ocean, Braving Cuba's tropic heat, Proving ever their devotion, Knowing nothing of defeat; All they had thus bravely tendered, Here and there death claimed a boy Freely but with tears surrendered By the State of Illinois.
*
Troops the nation called one day, Men of valor, strong and steady; Ere the echo died away Illinois had answered "Ready."
ELLIOTT FLOWER.
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
CHAPTER III.
From the hour that the news was received that war had been declared. excitement increased. The men of the National Guard were speculating on the probabili- ties of their being called to the front. There appeared to be but little room for doubt in this matter, yet it was very uncertain until the company commanders received orders to increase the ranks of the 'enlisted men to the ยท maximum, eighty-five, and to prepare for a hurried de- parture on receipt of orders to move. Shortly after twelve o'clock on the morning of April twenty-sixth, Captains Colebaugh and Lawrie received telegraphic instructions from Colonel D. J. Foster to report with their companies at the State Fair Grounds, near Spring- field, not later than noon of April twenty-seventh. The Illinois National Gaurd was to motolize at this point for war service.
This brought matters to a crisis and a long list of emergency men was added to the register of the regu- lar enlisted men of the companies. They came from all directions, on foot, on horseback and by train. They came from the farms, and country towns surrounding, from the schools, the stores and the professions until there was room for no more, all eager and anxious to don the blue that their fathers wore a generation back.
E. C. LAWTON, 1st Lieut. Co. I, Sixth Ill. Vol.
101
FAREWELL TO HOME.
On sober thought it was a serious matter and to many it meant a battle within themselves, but whatever mis- givings were brought to the fore they were thrust to one side and the single idea of taking a place in the ranks, side by side with loyal friends, was kept con- stantly before them.
With their names once entered on the roll, none but a coward would flinch from the duties which were be- fore them, regardless of their nature. This thought gave them courage to look the situation squarly in the face and to part with their loved-ones with a sense of fulfilling a duty which they felt was theirs although it might mean a long and possibly last separation. The instinct for fair treatment was aroused within them and they were spoiling for a fight, not a disgraceful slug- ging match but an honorable meeting with the foe they had learned to dislike so heartily, where the whole world stood by as judges and right and justice would triumph.
Naturally, the home towns of the two companies of National Guards became the central points for the con- gregating of the many citizens of the county. As the day wore on the crowds increased to unparalelled proportions with amazing rapidity. The moments and hours passed quickly, and the hour for departure was close at hand before it was fully realized. The good- byes were yet to be said, and many a friend almost for- gotten in the hurry and excitement came forward with outstretched hands and although no outward sign was visible, true friendship could be read in the hearty clasp of the hand and gazing straight into each others eyes, they saw something there which strangely impressed them and they knew that the good-byes and good-wishes
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
which were being said, were not thoughtlessly given. but came from the heart.
Not for years had there been such a gathering of the citizens as occurred in these towns on that memorable day. Young and old, rich and poor alike. jostled each other in an attempt to secure a point of vantage. Men there were in those lines who were among strangers. yet they were quickly made to see that every one was their friend. The events occuring in those fleeting mo- ments were indelibly stamped upon the minds of all who were present, and to the volunteer, it marked the be- ginning of an epoch in his life, the picture of which, Father Time, wielding his ever ready sickle, can not dim, and in after years, in reflecting on the past. he may, in imagination, wander back to those days and feel truly thankful that it was his lot to be among the fortun- ate ones who could in no other manner give proof of their true Americanism. Hundreds more there were ready and willing to serve their country but at that time there was no room for them and they could do nothing but remain at home.
Not the least conspicuous among the throng were the veterans of the war of the rebellion. Old men with bent forms and locks of silvery grey, the hand of time resting heavily upon them were made young again; they stood erect and their eyes shone brightly. while their thoughts wandered back to the days of their youth and they imagined they were again in the ranks wearing the blue. They seemed to hear the stirring notes of the martial music as it pealed forth from fife and drum and they were once more among the "fields of cotton and of cane," fighting over the battles of nearly two score years ago where oft times brother met brother and
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THE OLD VETERAN
father met son in a desperate struggle for supremacy.
As these long to be remembered scenes flitted rapid- ly before them their hearts grew warm and the patriotic fire which burned so fiercly in their breasts long years ago but which had slumbered for a generation, was re- kindled and flamed up with renewed strength and vigor; they. for the moment, forgot their surroundings and looking beyond the swaying crowds saw many familiar faces the memory of which the lapse of time had dimmed. Tender recollections flooded their minds and they were lost to the bustle and activity about them un- til awakened from their dreams with a start as the com- mand "attention" rang out sharp and clear and the eager boys, soldiers of another generation. fell "quickly into line to receive their final orders before boarding the awaiting train.
The old soldier cast a critical eye down the line of youthful faces and mentally repeated. it is well for them that they know not what may be before them and he thanked God that Mason and Dixons Line has been swept away and if go they must and should their lot bring them to an honorable death on the field of battle they were taking no chance of being laid low by the hand of one of their own flesh and blood. There was but one sentiment among the people; not two but seventy millions of souls with but a single thought. No more substantial evidence of this fact could have been established than did Congress, when. without a dissent- ing voice. it voted fifty millions of dollars into the hands of President McKinley as an emergency fund in prepar- ing the troops for the field. Not alone was this proof of the sentiment of the people as to the action they considered necessary but it also bore witness of the
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
implicit faith and confidence which they placed in the man at the helm.
After the final preparations were made and all in readiness, those boys, in whose keeping was placed the honor of Whiteside county, in this test of strength with a foreign foe, marched out into the night and down the street through the living lanes to the depot; the crowds cheering themselves hoarse in an effort to show their appreciation of the offering made by the boys in line in thus voluntarily placing their slight aid at the disposal of the government. As they drew near the station the crowds became more dense and it was a difficult matter to make ones way through the throng. For numbers and enthusiasm no such gatherings had been witnessed since the days of the Civil war.
With but a few moments at their disposal the boys bade their friends and relatives a last farwell; the mothers, sisters and wives, smiling through their tears, admonished the departing soldiers to remember the homes they were about to leave and those about them; the sweethearts, forgetting their natural timidity, turned blanched faces upward to the quiet, thoughtful visages of the youthful soldiers to receive the parting caresses and breathing words of encouragement into each others ears, they separated; the kind fathers and brothers ill at ease yet cheerfull, grasped the outstretched hands and in the glare of the nearby arc lights, in a low but earnest tone, cautioned the volunteers to do their duty as soldiers fearlessly; that unlooked for trials might come and in the dark hours for them to remember that the eyes of the folks at home were upon them and their hearts with them always; that in the history of our country many high examples of the faithful, patroitic
J. FRANK WAHL, 2nd Lieut. Co. E Vol. Later, Capt. Co. E, III. N. G.
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BOARDING THE CARS.
soldier shone forth and should the occasion demand it, much would be expected from the volunteer soldiers of 1898; they placed every confidence in their courage and abilities and would eagerly await their triumphal home coming, certain that they would bring with them such records as would establish new marks in history of the qualities of the American Volunteer soldier.
The clanging of the engine bell was the singal for the waiting soldiers to board the cars and amid the wild cheering of the throngs they were off.
Company I with three commissioned officers and eighty-five men left Morrison at ten o'clock on the night of April 26th, Walter Burritt, Quartermaster Ser- geant of the first Battalion accompanying them; arriving at Sterling twenty minutes later they were joined by company E with three commissioned officers and eighty men, also the Sixth Regiment Band. with John Prestine, Chief musician and Fred Forbes, principal musician. Regimental Surgeon, Frank Anthony, Cap- tain Ben Eick, Regimental Sergeant Major, Ned John- son and Hospital Stewards John Kline, Fred Brown and Howard Geyer, of the Sixth Regiment, all of Sterling also boarded the special train here. .
Leaving Sterling at ten forty-five p.m. we were again enroute. Little time for serious consideration and thought had been given us. Now that we were alone and away from the excitement which had prevailed for some time previous to our departure, the countenances of many of those in the half lighted cars grew serious as the full realization of what might be before us dawned upon them. There was not the slighest indication of fear, but scanning the faces of our comrades, a resolute look was readily discernable which bespoke of deter-
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