USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 39
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
General Dodge is a member of Lincoln Post, Council Bluff's, Iowa, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a mem- ber of and was one of the first organizers of the Loyal Legion. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., at Council Bluffs, Iowa, of the Union League Club of New York, of the United Service Club, the Coney Island Jockey Club, and the Boston Club of New Orleans. He is president of the Norwich University Asso- ciation of New York, a member of the Military Service Institu- tion of Governor's Island, and many other noted institutions.
He was a delegate at large from Iowa to the National Re- publican Conventions at Philadelphia, Chicago and Cincinnati, and has taken an active part in every Presidential election dur- ing, and since, the campaign that resulted in the election of President Lincoln.
In 1854 he was married to Miss Annie Brown, and three children have adorned his home, viz .: Lettie, Ella and Annie. And thus surrounded with all that can make life blessed, ho looks back upon the years with their full measure of duty well performed, and turning looks forward into the years to come, each of which shall bring to him a harvest, the ripe fruitage of his faithful sowing.
COLONEL MOSES M. BANE
W AS born in Athens county, Ohio, November 30th, 1827; removed to Miami county with his parents, when he was ten years of age-locating on a farm resided here as a farmer until 21 years of age, when he became a school teacher -then taking up the study of medicine and surgery, under the instruction of Dr. G. Volney Dorsey, of Miami county, Ohio. Attended Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, graduating at that institution in the year 1848, and soon after married the daughter of Richard L. Howard, Professor of Surgery of the College. Immediately removed to Payson, Adams county, Ill., and entered into the active practice of his profession; taking a great interest in the exciting political times preceding the
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war. Before the war was twice elected to the Illinois Legisla- ture, as a Douglas democrat. Was a strong supporter of th- Union, and in 1861, actively engaged in organizing and prepar- ing for the field, the Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, receiving a com- mission as its first Colonel, from Governor Yates.
A good officer; brave beyond question, he left his right arm at Shiloh and was severely injured in. the side, entirely preventing his return to his profession. Partially recovering. he returned to the regiment in August and a short time there- after was assigned to the command of the 3rd brigade. A care- ful and successful leader he proved, and a close friend of Gen- eral Dodge.
Returning to their homes as veterans he overtook the regiment at Quincy and assumed command, issuing Special Order No. 4, Janary 25, 1864, granting leave of absence to the officers, and Special Order No. 5, February 27, 1864, detailing Lieut. Kitchen of company I, to take charge of all recruits not mustered, and stragglers and enlisted men belonging to the regiment, left behind, and bring them forward with as littl- delay as possible.
This constituted his last service with the Fiftieth. Re- turning with them to Lynnville, Tenn., he again assumed com- mand of the brigade, and continued in the field until, on ac- count of his wounds and impaired health, he tendered his res- ignation, which was accepted June 11th, having served two months less than his original three years term. He was relieved by General William Vandever.
Colonel Bane has always been the friend of the soldier, believing that all who honorably wore the blue are fully enti- tled to the care of Uncle Sam. . He has served in several impor- tant positions since the war, and under the Harrison adminis- tration, was employed in the Land Offiec at Washington, where he now resides.
Mrs. Bane died a few years after the war, and his second wife died in 1891, leaving two sons.
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
COLONEL WILLIAM HANNA.
T HE subject of this sketch is of Scotch-Irish descent, born in Lexington, Indiana, June 23, 1838. He was left an orphan when less than ten years of age, with no support but his own ready hands and indomitable will. For several wars he worked for his board, clothes and a few months school- ing at the district school. While yet a young man he took up the studies for the ministry, but failing health compelled him to give it up. While yet in his teens he drifted to Camp Point, Adams county, Illinois, where his sterling business qualities, perseverance and natural kindness and generosity soon won for bim a place in the hearts of all who knew him. At the begin- ning of the war he was engaged in a prosperous business. When the call was made for "three year", men, he assisted in organi- zing Co. E of the Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, at Camp Point, and was made Captain of that company.
March 27, 1863, he was commissioned Major; July 18 1864, Lieutenant Colonel, to succeed Lieutenant Colonel Gaines ; later received a commission as Colonel, to date from June 11, 1864, the date of Colonel Bane's resignation, but the regiment being reduced in numbers, he was not entitled to be mustered as such; he was afterwards breveted Brigadier General. A thorough disciplinarian ; no decision was made which was not actuated by the strictest justice. his whole soul wasgiven to the cause in which he was engaged, and to the welfare of those who had been placed in his charge, his tender watchful care was never relaxed. Often on the march he would dismount and give his horse to some sick and footsore boy, with a kind word of encouragement ; so manifest was his love for them, that those who duty compelled him to punish, felt no resentment, but only stronger love.
He was in all the battles and engagements in which the regiment took part; his clear voice calling them to follow, never bidding them go where he feared to lead. He was severely wounded at the battle of Allatoona, Ga., October 5, 1864, and on account of this wound was unable to go on the campaign to the sea, but rejoined his regiment at Savannah, Ga., January
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11, 1865, and participated in the march through the Carolinas and the final battle at Bentonville, and was present to witness the surrender of the last army of the southern confederacy. So perfect had the regiment become under his command that on March 30 its camp was pronounced in the best condition of any in the division, and that on the grand review in Washington it received great applauso, and at Louisville, Ky., won the prize banner as the best drilled regiment in the 15th Army Corps, (the boys claim, in the western army.) On the drill ground, after its conclusion, he was presented with a magnificent sword, as a token of esteem from his fellow officers and men. The banner and sword are greatly cherished by him, and at all our re-unions are looked upon as well earned trophies of our cam- paign days. Just after the prize drill Gen. Logan wished to have Col. Hanna commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in the regular army and his reply was, characteristic both of the com- rade and soldier; "If I can take the "Blind Half" into the reg- ular army with me, I will accept."
Col. Hanna's home is at Golden, Adams county, Illinois, where he conducts a successful mercantile business; has been postmaster a number of years, is an earnest Grand Army man, member of Post No. 312, Dept. of Ill., and was Aide-de-camp on Commander-in-chief Alger's staff, always the same kind, noble, brave and generous Col. Hanna.
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LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIAM SWARTHOUT
R ESIDED at Quincy, III., was 39 years of age, married, and a mechanic, when he enlisted, on the 12th day of August, 1861, in the Fiftieth. He had, in his boyhood days, re- sided near West Point, and was somewhat acquainted with mil- itary affairs. Was appointed by Gov. Yates to superintend the location and care of Camp Wood, and on the election of officers in the regiment was elected to be its Lieutenant Colonel.
The instructions received at his hands at this camp and camps Bane at Hannibal, and Prentiss at Chillicothe, Mo., were
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
a brief and particular that the boys of the first enlistment never have forgotten them.
At Shiloh he was severely wounded, captured and would have been removed from the field by the enemy if able to go. By the 28th of May, was returned to the regiment and in com- mand. He remained with the regiment until the middle of November, 1862. when he obtained leave of absence on account of ill health and returned home; returning in the spring of 1863, and April Sth announced at dress parade, that on account of ill-health, resulting from the wound and other troubles, he would have to leave us.
Not forgetting the boys, and proud of the reputation al- ready acquired. Mrs. Swarthout and sister made and sent the regiment a pair of beautiful guidons.
Col. Swarthout was a good commander and liked to have everything in military order. He was afflicted with the same kind of blindness that some of the other officers were, as will be explained by the following: "The boys of '61 and '62 will remember how noisy they got to be at night, and that at taps in the camp south of Corinth, the cry would spring up, "lights out! lights out!"
Orders were issued against any unnecessary noise being made in camp, and that all lights must be extinguished at the sound of taps. Notwithstanding this order, for several nights, "lights out" was yelled time and again at top of voice, from different parts of camp. One night the Colonel stationed him- self in the company street of F; at taps all light disappeared. Suddenly he saw a glimmer in a tent in company D, and start- ed for it just as a sergeant lifted the tent and yelled at the top of his voice, "lights out!"-one of company F replying in a loud voice. The Colonel said, "Sergeant is that you?" "Blow it out-blow it out, Jim!" said the sergeant's chum in a terri- fied tone, "there's the Colonel !" "Never mind blowing it out," said the Colonel .. "we will blow it out to-morrow." But it proved-possibly the night was so dark that he could not see who it was any way-nothing more came of it, and the order (31)
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was observed afterwards." Since the war the Colonel has resi- ded in Quincy.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL THOS. W. GAINES
AS born in Botetourt county, Virginia, on the 25th day of March, 1827. In childhood moved with his parents to Roanoke county, where he resided and received a common school education. At 19 he volunteered in Captain James F. Preston's company of grenadiers, in the 1st Virginia regiment, and served about nineteen months in Mexico, until the close of the war. The regiment returned to Virginia and was mustered out at Old Point Comfort.
At 28 years of age he emigrated to Adams county, Ills., married, and at the breaking out of the rebellion, having had some military experience, with the assistance of others, recruit- ed a company in readiness for an expected call for more troops. The call for 300,000 more men found him ready, and the com- pany being recruited to the required number he was elected its Captain and received his commission to date from the 12th day of September, 1861. Served with the company until April 6th, '62, when the Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel being wounded, the Major being absent and he being the senior Captain present assumed command of the regiment, and continued so through- out the battle by request of the officers then present.
On the morning of the 7th he was placed, with the regi- ment, in front of the line of artillery, to the left of the Corinth road, when an unaccountable panic arose in front, resulting in a stampede, which was promptly checked by him moving, on his own account, the regiment across the track of the stampede. For this praiseworthy act he was complimented on the spot by General Grant.
October 9th, 1862, he was promoted Major, and on the 12th of May, 1863, was notified by telegraph that he had been commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, to succeed Col. Swarthout. to date from March 27th. On the 27th of June, owing to ill health,
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
he obtained leave of absence for twenty days. On the 16th of September he returned and on the 30th was assigned to duty as provost marshal for the district of Corinth. On the march to Lynnville, Tenn., he was taken sick and went around by boat, joining us at Lynnville. Was ordered to Illinois on recruiting service in December, 1863, and upon returning with the regi- ment from veteran furlough, was appointed provost marshal at Pulaski, Tenn. On account of continued ill health, and disease settling in his eyes, he was unable to proceed on the campaign, but joined the regiment at Rome, Ga., and reluctantly tendered his resignation on the Sth of July; notice of its being accepted was received on the 24th, and on the 25th he bade farewell to the regiment and departed, broken in health and with the loss of one eye, a worthy representative of the "Blind Half Hun- dered."
After the war he was elected Treasurer of Adams county serving with credit, and in 1870 emigrated with his wife and four children to Clarksville, Texas, where he served the people as Postmaster during President Harrison's administration, and now resides.
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LIEUTENANT COLONEL MERVIN B. CONVERSE.
U INMARRIED. Enlisted at Avon September 10th, as Second Sergeant of company G, and May 5th, 1862, was promo- ted Sergeant Major. July 13th, 1863, promoted to 1st Lieutenant of company G, he was detailed in November 1862, as Acting Adjutant, serving as such until August 25, 1864, when he resigned and September 11th, 1864, was relieved. by Lieut. S. W. Blystone of company F. Upon retiring he was tendered a testimonial by the Colonel for the faithful and respectful man- ner in which his duties had been discharged. Re-entered the service as R. Q. M., March 9th, 1865, and received a complimen- tary commission, July 1st, 1865, as Lieut. Colonel, but was not mustered.
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HISTORY OF THE
MAJORS.
G' EORGE R. RANDALL and Samuel R. Glenn, was our first and second Majors. Of the first we have little to say. Of the second, that he was promoted from Captain of Co. H, and was in command of the regiment at various times until mustered out after the battle of Corinth, to date from October 9th, 1862, and was succeeded by Captain Gaines.
MAJOR HORACE L. BURNHAM.
IN 18C1 Horace L. Burnham resided at Payson, was married 1 and blessed with two lovely children, a boy and girl. As a carpenter and builder, was engaged in building a house in Payson for Mr. Large. When the news of the first gun being fired upon Fort Sumpter reached Payson he threw down his tools, employed others to complete the work and immediately went to work with Captain W. M. Gooding to raise a company for Uncle Sam. In a short time part of a company was raised and a Union formed with T. W. Letton, Captain of the Quincy Cadets, who joined them with near twenty men, making enough to form a company. Capt. Gooding tendered the service of the company to the authorities and obtaining camp equipage went into camp at Payson for a few days. Some days later notice was received that the company had been accepted, and it was directed to proceed to Camp Butler. Later this was counter- manded.
Having recruited the company to the proper number by the admission of T. W. Letton and his men, Lieutenant Burn- ham accepted the position of 2nd Lieutenant; was with the company through all the moves and marches, participated at Donelson and Shiloh, and through the seige of Corinth. On July 10th, '62, Capt. Gooding having resigned Lieut. Burnham was commissioned Captain and served at the battle of Corinth Oct. 4, where he received a severe wound, completely disabling his right arm and shoulder. March 20, 1863, Captain Burnham
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
was detached from the company as permanent Post Officer of the Day at Corinth. June 10 was appointed Provost Marshal for the Post of Corinth. November 4. 63. as Provost Marshal of the left wing of the 16th A. C .. by order of Gen. G. M. Dodge with whom he served on the Atlanta Campaign, until the Gen- oral was so severely wounded that he had to go north for treat- ment, being relieved by General T. E. G. Ransom, with whom Captain Burnham continued to serve until the fall of Atlanta, being continuously at the front he participated in several hard . fought engagements. At Dallas, July 4, in the flank movement for the possession of Kennesaw, and July 22, when MePherson fell, again at Jonesboro, where Hood made his last stand, and down to Lovejoy's Station.
The left wing of the 10th Corps being dissolved Septem- ber 22, '64, Capt. Burnham was ordered to report to Gen. John M. Corse, commanding Ith division. 15th A. C., formerly the 2nd division, with whom he served on the march to Savannah. Here, December 28, 1804. at his request, he was relieved from duty and rejoined the regiment. taking with him this beautiful testimonial from his brother officers:
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HEADQUARTERS 4TH DIVISION, 15TH A. C., ) Savannah, Ga .. December 28th, 1864. )
Captain H. L. Burnham of the 50th Illinois Inft'y Vols., Provost Marshal of this division, having been relieved from duty in that capacity to assume command of his regiment- such being the unanimous request of the officers therein-it is therefore resolved
1st. That we, the staff of the 4th division, in the retire- ment of Captain Burnham, lose our most active, faithful and competent member ; an officer whom we highly esteem and will seek to emulate.
2nd. That the thanks of the staff are due and hereby tendered to Captain Burnham for his uniform kindness, no less than for his shining example : and one and all, in fullest confi- dence, offer him our best wishes for his success in the field with the gallant regiment.
&rd. That a copy of these resolutions be furnished Capt
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Burnham, and to the command, and that the Acting Assistant Adjutant General cause the same to be placed on file with the records of the division.
L. CARPER, Capt. & Ass't Adj't Gen. CHARLES RATTERY, Capt. & Acting Ass't Insp't Gen. M. R. FLINT, Capt. & A. A. D. C. W. B. GUTHER, Capt. & A. C. M. BEN. S. BARBOUR, Capt. & Chief of Out Posts.
A. W. EDWARDS, Capt. & Act'g Ass't Adj't Gen. H. B. BENJAMIN, Capt. & A. A. A. M.
J. T. LARKIN, Lieut. & Act'g Ord. Officer.
H. T. ANDREWS, Lieut. & A. C. S,
The Lieut. Colonel commanding the regiment was severe- Jy wounded at Allatoona Pass and was at this time absent with leave on that account, and Capt. Burnham, on January 1, 1865, assumed command until the 14th, when Lieut. Col. Hanna re- turned and assumed command. Feb. Sth at. Moll's Station, near Little Salkahatchie Swamp, he was again detailed as Pro- vost Marshal to Gen. Corse. On the 29th of March he was mus- tered in as Major of the regiment, with rank to date from July 18, 1864. He served with Gen. Corse as Provost Marshal until July 11, when he was relieved and rejoined the regiment for muster-out.
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ADJUTANT THOMAS JEFFERSON BROWN
W AS the first of the four Adjutants the regiment had dur- ing its service. He enlisted in company C, and was promoted at the organization of the regiment. He was a good soldier, but owing to poor health resigned April 28, 1862.
ADJUTANT THEODORE W. LETTON,
Now residing at 1846 Kimbark Ave., Chicago, Illinois, who past his 21st birthday about the time the Fiftieth was organized. He had for several years previous been Captain of the Quincy Cadets, a military organization of the best and most promising young men of Quincy, and when he joined Capt. Gooding and
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Lieut. Burnham at Payson, he brought about twenty of the members of this company with him. When the organization, which afterwards became company C of the Fiftieth, was com- pleted, he was elected 1st Lieutenant and served with the com- pany through the battle at Fort Donelson with credit, and at Shiloh was in command of the company most of the first day. "and until about o'clock that night. The next morning he was detailed to act as Adjutant and performed the duties of that position during the remainder of the battle and for some days afterward.
Adjutant Brown having become incapacitated for duty, Lieut. Letton was, on or about the 28th of April, commissioned as Adjutant, and served with the regiment in that position un- til November, 1862, when he was detailed as Acting Ass't Adj't Gen'l of the 3rd brigade, 2nd division, 16th army corps. He remained with the brigade in that capacity until after the cap- ture of Rome, Ga., in the spring of 1864, when Gen. Wm. Van- dever, who was placed in command of all the troops there de- tailed him as Acting Ass't Adj't Gen'l on his staff. He remain- ed in this position until the expiration of his term of service.
Adjutant Letton was a brave and efficient officer, and a man of excellent habits. In the regular course of promotion he should have been Captain of company C, succeding Captain Gooding. Lieutenant Burnham desired him to accept the po- sition, but he preferred to remain as Adjutant and, therefore, Lieut. Burnham received the promotion.
It is with pleasure that we recall the brilliant services rendered by him at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and the battle of Corinth, while with the regiment, in assisting to rally and hold in tact our lines, whenever the tide of war seemed to set against us; and also at Lay's Ferry while acting as Ass't Adj't Gen'l of the brigade.
He is now General Manager for the United States, of the Prussian National Insurance Company, with offices at No. 315 Dearborn street, Chicago, Illinois.
On the resignation of Adjutant Letton, company & was honored by the selection of
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ADJUTANT WALTER S. WOOD, .
who served until April 14th, 1865, when, owing to ill health, he resigned and returned to his home, where he soon afterwards died. The next was
ADJUTANT CHARLES F. HUBERT.
The subject of this sketch was born in Beverly. Mass .. January 9, 1843. When 13 years of age removed with his par- ents to Beverly, Adams county. Ills., and became a farmer, receiving a limited edu- cation at the district school. Wasof slen- der build and delicate health. At the first sound of war was ready and early endeav- ored to enlist with Captain Harvey, after- wards Governor of Kansas. but was reject- ed on account of his frail appearance. A few weeks later, Sept. 25, '61. aged 15 years and 8 months, found him a soldier in the part of company D that was recruited by H. C. Cusick. Served with the company in all its moves: at Corinth was slightly wounded by a splinter knocked from a tree by a shell fired by the guns of battery B, while in the charge of the 52nd Illinois to retake them ; was rendered nearly deaf by the roar of the artillery. In November was detailed as Headquarters Orderly, serving as such until the 20th of Septem- ber, '64, when he was assigned to duty as Sergeant Maior: Ser- geant Major James DeVany having been detailed to recruit a company for the 1st Alabama cavalry. Served as Acting Ser- geant Major until May 22nd, '65, when he received his appoint- ment; this would have been issued before had it not ten for the fact of the command starting out on the march through Georgia before reports from Sergeant Major DeVar hai been received. Was promoted to Adjutant June 20:3. 195. and mustered out with the regiment July 18th, 1865. a veteran: 12- turned home and endeavored to farm for a few ves 'and then entored mercantile pursuits at Fowler, Ill., whereh;
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
He is a P. C. of Post 542, G. A. R., Department of Ill., has been Postmaster for four terms and is Secretary of Re-union Associ- ation and History Committee.
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QUARTERMASTER WILLIAM KEAL.
W M. KEAL, our first Quartermaster, was born in Welton, Lincolnshire, England, in 1815. Emigrated with his parents to America, in 1882, locating in Salem, Co- lumbiana county, Ohio. Married to Miss Mary Ann Righter, February 19, 1838; removed to Adams county, Ill., in 1855, stopping one year in Quincy, then moved to Payson, where he resided at the outbreak of the war. He was considered a mem- ber of the company raised at Payson, and his name is borne on its original rolls as Private William Keal. Upon the formation of the regiment at Camp Wood he was directed to take charge of the Quartermaster's department, and at the election of offi- cers was elected Quartermaster, serving with fidelity until the fall of 1863, when during a wind storm, while caring for the property in his charge, was struck upon the head by a piece of timber, rendering him unconscious until the next day, and unfit for the duties of camp life; ho therefore tendered his resigna- tion which was accepted and he was mustered out August 28th, 1863. and returned to his home, the service thereby losing a good officer and a christian gentleman.
Returning to Payson he took up his trade of carriage trimmer. Later established a general store in Payson, and served three terms as Postmaster, and also thirteen years as Justice of the Peace. Finding this service too severe for his physical condition he resigned and moved to Quincy in 18S0, where he now resides. He was succeeded by
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