USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 38
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The religious character of our regiment was never pro- nounced. The Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians had a respectable following. Free thought was quite prevalent and free religion and liberal religion had many followers. There were quite a number of Universalists at an early period, but as
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the wickedness of the rebellion fully developed, most of them bame believers in the hottest hell.
Our Chaplain, Dear Brother Bigger, as you all remember was a Presbyterian of the strictest kind, but his camp experi- enice made him more liberal. He was a good and true man and did excellent work among our sick especially in the hospitals. The boys all respected but often took liberties with him. He told me a little joke a sick boy got off on him once. He thought the poor boy was going to die and, with all solemnity approach- ed him, with a view of having a season of praver. After con- siderable talk. quoting from scripture the glorious rewards of those who die in the Lord, just as the Chaplain was kneeling for prayer, the boy turned his face to him and said, "look here, Chaplain. if you think I am going to die I'll tell you what I will do; I have but five dollars in the world, but I'll wager that that I don't kick the bucket this time." Then he pulled out of his pocket a letter from his mother and father urging him to keep up good courage, get well and come home on a furlough. "No sir! Chaplain. I'll not die by a jug full, I am going home, Chaplain, before I go to Heaven." He went back the next morning and the good fellow was better, soon was convalescent and on his way home. Dear, good man, he has gone to Heaven ; let us tenderly cherish his memory.
Now boys, inasmuch as the seal and yellow leaf of life is coming to us all, there are a few thoughts which I want to- press upon your minds :
First-That it is the duty of every honorably discharged soldier to connect himself with the G. A. R., because your name, company and regiment goes from them at once to the survivors rolls in the pension bureau, so if your affidavit is needed to aid some poor comrade in getting his pension. you can be found, The G. A. R. is now four hundred and twenty-four thousand strong, and is rapidly growing, and it now speaks with great authority to Congress, on all questions of legislation tending to aid the old soldier.
From our organization has already grown the Woman's Relief Corps and Sons of Veterans, as well as the Women of,
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the G. A. R., and Daughters of Veterans. These organizations are becoming so wide spread that no one need be without their benefits.
There are some soldier organizations that are expensive and exclusive, these are not of that class; and not one of the other organizations or societies in all our broad land exert such power in national affairs as the G. A. R. and its auxiliaries, and by keeping alive the memory of the experiences that bound us together as soldiers of a great war, they become our most valu- ble schools of patriotism.
Second-Let us bear in mind our historian. Let us keep our hearts in his work, in which each of us has a deep personal interest, and may know some important incident that ought to be recorded. Knowing, as we do, the man, we all know he will give us a most excellent and attractive book, which will be a lasting honor to us and to our children.
Let our future re-unions and future days grow better as we grow older, and may our last hours be inspired by the thought that we lived in and took so honorable a part in the grand achievements for our race as have fallen to the lot of our republic during the last half century.
Yours in Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. M. M. BANE, Late Colonel 50th Ills. Infty.
1890.
The Fourth annual re-union was held at Clayton, on Sep- tember 18th. A royal reception was tendered us on this ocea- sion. The Woman's Relief Corps and Sons of Veterans, aided by every citizen, old and young, did their best to show their ap- preciation of the honor conferred by our presence.
At 9:30 a. m. the assembly call was sounded at the G. A. R. hall, and once again the "Boys" of the old regiment as- sombled and fell in line under command of Col. Hanna, and, headed by the Clayton Drum Corps, escorted by the Sons of Veterans, marched to Lackey's.Grove, where an address of wel- como was delivered and short speeches made, after which a bus- iness meeting was held. On motion of Comrado J. J. Earl it
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was ordered that the wives of deceased members of the regiment be placed on the roll of the Association and admitted to all the privileges of the Association. The following names were then enrolled :
Alice Hughes. ... . . Burton, Ill. .. Widow of Horatio Hughes . Co C
Lucy A. Simmons. . Farmington, Iowa.
James Simmons. E
Adaline Chapman, Wayland, Kas
Samuel Chapman H
" Chorles Dodd B Hennie Dodd. . . Davenport, Iowa
Clementine Ross . . Camp Point, Ill.
.6 W. C. Ross. E
Mary Lasley Camp Point, Ill 16 J. P. Lasley E
Hester A. Fulton . . Quincy, Ill.
John Fulton D
Emma A. Cyrus . . Quincy, Ill
16 J. M. Cyrus
Deliah Riley . Chetopa, Kas M. H. Riley " E
The History matter was discussed and the committee in charge urged to push the work of soliciting orders for the book and data for the work. A number of letters were read from absent comrades. . The roll of companies was called and some ninety responded "Here." The old officers were re-elected. This concluing the business session. Orders came from the Presi- dont . of the Relief Corps to "fall in for grub." This order was obeyed with unusual promptness, for the old boys had not forgotten their fondness for the pork and beans, and with the refrain of-
"Beans for Breakfast, Beans for Dinner. Beans for Supper, Beans, Beans, Beans."
They marched from the grove and were escorted to the "Bean Table," or more properly speaking, to the banquet hall, for a banquet it was indeed.
A vote of thanks was tendered the good, loyal ladies and good people of Clayton. In the evening, as a grand finale, a campfire was held, and never was an opera house so crowded, nor feast of song and speech so grandly rendered, as on this occasion.
1891.
At Camp Point, October 20th and 21st, occured the Fifth annual re-union. This was held in connection with the 78th
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Illinois. Ample preparations were made for a large gathering. and all who came were royaly received. Space forbids' an ex- tended report of all that occurred. Suffice to say the roll of the regiment shows ninety-six present for duty. The old offi- cers were elected excepting Vice President J. W. Anderson was chosen. The business meeting was the best we ever had. The principal subject for consideration being the publication of our History. As no real business methods had ever been adopted or plans perfected, a committee was appointed to draft a plan of operation. This committee submitted, in substance, the following :
I. To raise a guarantee fund to be drawn on and paid should the committee fail to secure sufficient funds from other sources to complete the work.
II. To place the price of the book at $2.00. Of this amount $1.00 should be paid at time of subscription, balance when book was ready to deliver.
On the adoption of the committee's report the papers for guarantee fund were drawn up and some $230 subscribed, sub- sequently increased to $320. The subscription books were opened and some eighty subscribers paid in their money, thus placing a fund to start the work. The following committee was appointed and instructed to proceed :
O. H. COULTER, Chairman, Topeka, Kas.
C. F. HUBERT, Secretary, Fowler, IIl.
G. C. BARTELLS, Treasurer, Camp Point, III.
S. E. HEWES, Quincy, III.
F. C. WARD, Table Grove, III.
J. W. Anderson of Clayton, and Cols. Bane and Hanna, as members ex-officio.
The following names of widows were added to the roll :
Margaret P. Scarborough. . Quincy, Ill. ... Widow of Luther H. Scarborough, C Retta Julian Carthage, Ill .. " E. P. Julian B
A. Austin Lincoln, Neb. . 66 " A. Austin I
S. A. Leach Loraine, Ill ... " E. Leach A
L. E. Julian Carthage, III. . " R. B. Julian B
J. M. Jordan Quincy, 111. .. . . . " James M. Jordan A
H. Conner Coatsburg, Ill. " Henry Conner D
J. B. Duffy Dallas City, Ill J. B. Duffy F
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Letters were read from absent comrades, also a letter from W. E. McCreary of Emporia, Kansas, late of the 81st Ohio, transmitting the original report of the committee ap- pointed to award the prize at the Louisville drill.
The former officers were re-elected excepting that Lieut. J. W. Anderson of company B, was elected Vice President.
The good people of Camp Point prepared a most elegant dinner and supper. The afternoon exercises were held in the fair grounds and greatly enjoyed. We here present the follow- ing lines, dedicated to the Fiftieth Illinois, that were read at a small re-union held at Camp Point, about 1870:
THE GRAND ARMY.
How happy, comrades, 'tis to meet And join a while in converse sweet With those we know are true and brave And risked their lives our land to save.
Many years in peace have passed away, And we are here this gladsome day, Though not in battle's stern array, But in friendship, as a token
Of our brotherhood not yet broken, And to mark those lines and traces That time has written on our faces; To hear of each one's Weal and woe, As through life's journey on we go.
Ahl now our number's not complete, For many a one with weary feet Has trod life's jonrney to a close And is sleeping now in calm repose Until the final call is given From the ramparts high in heaven,
When all the quick and dead shall rise To answer roll call in the skies.
Brave boys, our work has been well done; Our glorious Union still is one; Still o'er the land and o'er the sea Floats our banner proud and free; No rent in all its folds is made, Each stripe is there, each star is stayed; From California's golden shore
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To where Atlantic's billows roar: From northern pines, where flerce winds blow Along the Mississippi's flow To that great gulf of Mexico, All wild and free is our eagle's flight, Untamed by storm of treason's might; But still our thoughts will wander o'er Those battle fields all red with gore, Where we have fought, and side by side Rolled back the storm of Ireason's pride.
Fort Donelson we'll not forget, Where first the rebel foe we met; For three long days we battled there, . And suffered more than most could bear ·Amid a storm of snow and sleet That served for many a winding sheet A glorious victory gained complete.
On Shiloh's fields we won a name And added luster to our fame; 'Twas there the rebel Beauregard · Led treason's host, and striving hard * To drive us back e'en to the shore Where Tennessee's bright waters roar, Himself was forced to feel defeat And hasten back in his retreat.
'Twas there our gallant colonel fell- An armless sleeve the story tells. And many comrades fuli as brave Found on that field an honored grave; An honored grave, for a nation weeps, For those who on those hillsides sleep.
At Corinth, too, our best regards We tendered to their Beanregard; He left the place with scarce a fight, Acknowledged thus our matchless might. Next time they met our boys in blue Van Dorn and Price and Lovell too, Their hosts combine, but strove in vain To take the stronghold back again. How well they fought, the heaps of slain, Scattered o'er that battle plain, Speaks better than my words of song,
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The praise that to the brave belong.
At Cherokee the Third Brigade
Right valiantly the battle stayed Till Dodge came up with his command And rescued thus our gallant band 'Twas ours to share in that brave deed Of flanking Dalton and to lead The rebels from their works so strong To fight us on a fairer ground.
At Allatoona's mountain pass, Where Corse was our Leonidas, With but a handful brave and true,
Whipped Hood and all his rebel crew; Then forward like the wheels of fate We opened wide Atlanta's gate, And pouring through with hearts of glee We followed Sherman to the sea.
Then northward turned our steps once more
Towards Potomac's noted shore:
North and South Carolina, too Trembled as our boys marched through;
Columbia felt our martial tread,
And Raleigh shook with fear and dread, As the blue coats marched along
With laugh and jest and many a song --
Whipped Johnson. Cheatham and Hardee;
Then heard that Grant bad conquered Lee; Then turned for home we hastened back, Along the railroad's dying track To meet our loved ones face to face, And clasp them in our warm embrace. E. D. Roz. Co. C. 50th Ill. Inf.
In the evening a great campfire was held in the Rink. Thus closed the fifth annual re-union. 1892.
On Sept. 22nd, Comrade L. R. Collins of company F, re- siding at Macomb, was appointed Aide-de-Camp and instructed to arrange for our Sixth annual re-union on Oct. 6th, at Ma- comb, this being the time and place of holding the Military Tract re-union. So well did Collins perform this duty that when our boys arrived they found the Fiftieth headquarters
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well established, and ample arrangements for all. A large num- ber of comrades who had never attended our meetings were present. The old officers were re-elected. The History com- mittee reported progress and many new subscribers were added to the subscription list, and the addresses of a large number more were secured for our roster.
1893.
1 The Seventh annual re-union met at Golden, Oct. 18th.
This is the home of Col. Hanna, and here gathered the largest number of the "Blind Half" that had ever been together since the muster-out, and to say that they were royally received don't tell the story. The Colonel. who keeps the largest store in Golden, had told his custom- ers that during the re-union no business would be done at that stand but re-union busi- ness, and thus it was made headquarters and the boys told to help themselves to anything they wanted, from cigars to threshing machines. and they did. A general re- ception and address of wel- come was tendered in the beautiful grove ; a number of good speeches were made, and songs were sung. In the mean time preparations were going MRS. WM. HANNA. on in another part of the town for the biggest dinner ever served in Adams county.
You know, boys, Col. Hanna always did believe in keep- ing his command well filled, and on this occasion he proposed to demonstrate to the boys that he was still in command. To those who were not there we simply say that after 1000 meals had been served for dinner and supper, there was wagon loads of the best grub you ever saw, left.
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
During the dinner Mrs. Hanna acted as master of cere- monies. and when the boys had got well started in the engage- ment she proceeded to deliver to each one a souvenier of the occasion in the shape of a Cob Pipe branded "10 Rounds." accompanied with a package of smoking tobacco, on the wrap- per of which, on one side, was inscribed "7th Annual Re-union - 50th Ills. Inft'y, Golden. Ills .. Oct. 18th. 1893." on the reverse side the badge of the 15th A. C., "knapsack and 10 rounds."
The business meeting was held in the afternoon at the Town Hall, handsomely decorated for the purpose. The History committee made its report and presented sample pages of the book already in print. They reported difficulty in secu- ring proper data, and asked that the members of the associa- tion assist in this matter. Additional subscriptions were re- ceived ; many comrades, after seeing the character of the book, placed their orders for additional copies. A committee on res- olutions in memory of deceased comrades was appointed, also a general committee on resolutions.
The report of the committees were adopted and other routine affairs attended to. when the election of officers took place. The old officers were re-elected as follows:
COL. WM. HANNA, President. Golden, III.
J. W. ANDERSON, Vice Pres .. Clayton. IN.
G. C. BARTELLS. Treasurer. Camp Point. Ill.
C. F. HUBERT, Secretary, Fowler. Ill.
The association has collected the names and post office address of 504 members of the regiment and 20 widows; to do this has cost an endless amount of correspondence.
This re-union closed as have all former ones, by a grand campfire, but this one outdid all former ones. We will only mention one of the special features of this meeting. Among the songs that were sung was one by the John R. Woods Post, G. A. R. quartetto, of Quiney led by Comrade Beers, entitled the "Mule Song."
As they closed with the words "Here's your Mule," Mrs. Hanna pulled a string which held a roll that hung at the top of the stage front. when down rolled a large canvass on which.
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was a well executed and correct picture of "Whatis it," or our little mule, so well remembered by all the old boys. And then such a yell as the boys set up as they repeated, "that's our mule sure enough, look at that jaw," &c., and thus closed the most eventful gathering ever held by the association. Many were the warm hand clasps as the good by's and God bless you Colonel and Mrs. Hanna, and the good people of Golden, were said.
GENERAL GRANVILLE M. DODGE.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
IT IS our purpose under this heading, to give a brief sketch of the Field and Staff Officers of our regiment. We have also included the sketch of General Dodge, under whom tho roziment served as division and corps commander. The General always took a deep interest in the regiment when in the field, and in its members since the war, and has rendered valuable . assistance in this publication. In many instances the sketches presented are incomplete for the reason that the necessary data could not be obtained.
GENERAL GRANVILLE M. DODGE.
B RIEFLY told, the history of the life of Gen. Dodge pre- sents itself as a magnificent type of American manhood. He was born April 12, 1831, in Danvers, Mass., obtained a university education at Norwich. After his graduation, went west, locating at Peru, Ill., where he engaged in city and land surveying. When the Chicago & Rock Island railroad was started he was employed as a civil engineer and while in this work he made a written prophecy of a great Pacific road, and indicated its line across the continent.
From 1853 to 1861 he was chief engineer of the explora- tions out of which grew the line of the Union Pacific, and dur- ing the same time he was actively engaged in building the Mis- sissippi & Missouri River railroad from Council Bluff's, Ia., east.
In 1856 he organized and equipped the Council Bluffs Guards of which he was elected Captain, and in April, 1861, he tendered its service to the Governor of Iowa, it being one of the first companies in the State to offer for service under the
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call for troops for the suppression of the rebellion, but the offer was declined for the reason that the Governor considered it im- portant for the safety of the frontier not to draw any troops from the western border of Iowa. When the 1th Iowa Infantry regiment was organized the Council Bluff's Guards joined that regiment as company B. In the spring of 1861 Governor Kirk- wood appointed Captain Dodge upon his staff and accepted his individual services, sending him to Washington, and there by his energy and zeal he obtained what the members of Congress could not get for the State, viz., 6,000 stand of arms with am- munition.
The War Department, recognizing his push and ability, offered him a Captaincy in the regular army, which he de- clined.
The Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, telegraphed Gov- ernor Kirkwood of lowa, requesting that Captain Dodge should be given a commission as Colonel of an Iowa regiment. Gov. Kirkwood immediately responded, making him Colonel of the 4th Iowa Infantry and authorized him to immediately recruit and complete the organization of the regiment at Council Bluffs, and in two weeks' time Colonel Dodge was leading it against the rebels in Northern Missouri.
At the same time ho recruited Dodge's Battery, known in the Iowa Roster as the 2nd Iowa Battery. It was among the most distinguished batteries in the campaigns of Vicksburg. Atlanta and Nashville. He did not wait for the Government to slowly clothe and equip his regiment, but pledged his own credit for this purpose.
In August 1861 he reported with his regiment and bat- tory to General Fremont, at St. Louis and was ordered to Rolla. Missouri. He was soon assigned to command of that impor- tant post. When the army of the southwest was organized at Rolla under General S. R. Custiss, Colonel Dodge was assigned to the command of the 4th brigade, 4th division of the army of the southwest and led the advance in the capture of Springfield, Missouri. He took a prominent part in the cavalry charge at Sugar Creek, and in the celebrated battle of Pea Ridge his brig-
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ade fought for three days, the 6th, 7th and 8th of March, 1862, and in the desperate battle of the second day saved Curtis's army from disaster.
Three horses were killed and a fourth wounded under him, but when the order came to retreat Colonel Dodge bravely fought on. and simply sent back word that to retreat was ruin.
Colonel Dodge was seriously wounded in this encounter but remained in command of his brigade until the end of the battle. His cool headed fighting and full appreciation of the situation helped to win a great victory. A grateful government upon the recommendation of Major General Halleck for his services on this field immediately promoted him to the rank of Brigadier General.
November 15, 1862, General Grant assigned Brigadier General Dodge to the command of the 2nd division of the Army of the Tennessee, then stationed at Corinth, Miss. July 7, 1863, to the command of the left wing of the 16th Army Corps, with headquarters at Corinth. General Dodge here displayed his high qualities as an administrator and as a fighter.
On July 27, 1863, General Grant recommended the pro- motion of General Dodge to be a Major General of Volunteers, This was speedily complied with.
In the fall of 1863 he moved with his corps under Gen- eral Sherman to Middle Tennessee and supported twelve thou- sand men and six thousand animals for ninety days from the supplies obtained in the country.
Making his headquarters at Pulaski, Tenn., he also re- built and opened the road from Nashville to Decatur, rebuild- ing the entire line including some 188 structures.
He commanded the 16th Corps in the field during the Atlanta campaign and was seriously wounded in front of At- lanta, August 19, 1864; recovering from his wounds he reported to Gen'l Sherman November 1st, 1864. Sherman did not con- sider him able to undertake the arduous duties of the March to the Sea, and he was assigned to the command of the Depart- ment of the Missouri.
July 21, 1865, General Dodge was assigned to the com-
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mand of all the United States forces serving in Kansas, Colo- rado, Nebraska, Utah, Montana and Dakota, west of the Mis- souri river, and personally taking the field in command of these troops, fought in the Indian campaigns, organizing three columns, penetrating the country from the Arkansas river on the south to the Yellowstone on the north, and following the different tribes day and night, winter and summer, until they were all conquered, or made to sue for peace.
After completing the Indian campaign, General Dodge, on May 1, 1866, at his earnest request, was relieved of his com- mand, and on June 1, 1866, his resignation was accepted. In the bill for placing a certain number of Generals of volunteers in the regular army for life, General Grant selected General Dodge as the head of the list of Major Generals of volunteers to be made Major Generals in the regular army.
This incomplete sketch is but a shadow as compared to a full story of the military life and action of this gallant man.
In 1866 he was sent to Congress to represent the 5th Iowa congressional district. He was urged to accept a second term, but positively declined.
As Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific railroad he made plans for the great iron bridge which spans the Missouri river at Omaha. In 1870 be resigned his position as Chief Engineer of this road after having successfully completed the construc- tion of this greatest National Highway.
In 1871 he was appointed Chief Engineer of the Califor- nia & Texas Construction Company. In 1880 he organized and become president of the Pacific Railway Improvement Co., also in June the same year, he organized the International Railway and Improvement Co., and built the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad from Fort Worth to Taylor, Texas, and other lines. From that time on to the present he has been actively engaged in great railroad and other public works, always at the head.
On the death of General Sherman he was unanimously elected president of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee. He was also elected vice-president of the Grant Monument As- sociation, and president of the Grant Birthday Association.
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