USA > Illinois > History of the Fiftieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war for the union > Part 40
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QUARTERMASTER HENRY KING,
Who enlisted in company F as private, November 25, 1861, and was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant in October 1863, later to R. Q. M., dating back to August 28, 1863, resigning at expi-
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HISTORY OF THE
ration ol his term of service, October 28, 1864, as shown by records of Adjutant General's Report.
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SURGEONS.
T HE regiment was fortunato in securing competent and faithful officers in this branch of the service, and men too, who were so devoted to the welfare of the regiment that although they were offered promotion and increased pay, would not accept. The history of this special department, and sketch of several of those connected with it, are told in a spe- cial chapter. We will only present this sketch of our Assistant Surgeon,
ALBERT G. PICKETT, »
Who was born December 24. 1826. In January 1839, entered Woodward College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated in medi- cine at the Medical College of Ohio, March 2nd, 1847.
Under the call for 500,000 volunteers, in July 1861, en- listed as a private in company A, Fiftieth Ill. Inf'ty. In the election of the Field and Staff, Ist Lieutenant Geo. W. Randall of company E, was elected Major and Dr. Pickett was elected to the position made vacant by Lieut. Randall's promotion.
December 18th, 1862, was appointed Assistant Surgeon, filling the place made vacant by the resignation of Assistant Surgeon Garner H. Bane.
Was with the regiment in its campaigns until the battle of Allatoona, Ga., Oct. 5th, 1864, where he was wounded, and so disabled as to be unable to go on the march to the sea. On October 31, 1864, he resigned and when able to travel, went home. Since the war he has been practicing his profession at Mattoon, Il1.
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
0 F the Non-Commissioned Staff, in detail, Sergeant Majors Hughes and Converse have already been accounted for. THEODORE GRIFFIN enlisted August 20, 1861, from Pulaski, Illinois, in company B. Was promoted to corporal and Sept. 15, 1862, detailed as clerk at headquarters, then promoted to Sergeant Major, and about the 8th of May, 1863, was detailed to assist in organizing a company of negroes for the 1st Ala- bama Infantry, A. D., of which he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant and left the Fiftieth.
He was succeeded by JAMES HENRY, who also enlisted in company B as 5th Sergeant, and served with the company until May 8th, '63, was then detailed for duty in the Adjutant's office. Re-enlisted as a veteran and, January 5th, 1864, was promoted to Sergeant Major and left the regiment in a few days to accept commission as Captain in the 111th U. S. C. T.
JAMES W. DEVANEY enlisted as 3rd Sergeant of company G; promoted 1st Sergeant ; re-enlisted as a veteran, was detail- ed for recruiting service in Illinois in December 1868, with Lt. Col. Gaines, and rejoined the regiment May 19th, 1864, and by Special Order No. 21, was promoted Sergeant Major. A suc- cessful recruiting officer he was detailed to recruit a company for the 1st Alabama cavalry September 20, and that was the last of him to our knowledge. On May 22, 1865, by Special Order No. 23, he was reduced to the ranks and assigned to com- pany G for duty ; having accepted a commission in the 1st Ala- bama cavalry -- this was done to correct the record. He was succeeded by CHARLES F. HUBERT.
Quartermaster Sergeant ANDREW J. RANSON, discharged for disability, was succeeded by SAMUEL E. HEWES who was born October 30, 1841, near Dallas City, Hancock county, Ills. His parents removed to Payson when he was an infant and here he lived until he enlisted in company C, October 80, 1861, on his 20th birthday, joining the regiment at Chillicothe, Mo. He was a clerk at the time and was at once detailed at regimen- tal headquarters, where he remained until promoted to Quar-
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HISTORY OF THE
termaster Sergeant, serving with the regiment until it left Cor- inth. At his request assigned to company K, and detailed for duty at General Dodge's headquarters, and later in the quarter- masters department at Nashville, Tenn., where he remained until a few days before his enlistment expired, when he report- ed to the regiment at Rome Ga., and was mustered out October 29, 1864, and was succeeded by HENRY KING. Since the war he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits, residing at Payson until 1890, he sold out his business and removed to Quincy; has been for several years a commissioner of the Sny-Levey Drainage Commission ; was selected as one of the committee on History to prepare this work, and his photo. can be seen in the committee group.
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ALBERT JORDAN now resides at Waverly, Mo .; was 21 years of age when he enlisted, a farmer and unmarried. Enlis- ting as a private in company E, September 12, 1861, was a Ser- geant in 1863, and detailed as Ordinance Sergeant; re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company, and on March 6, 1864, by Special Order No. 1, was appointed as Q. M. Sergeant, succeed- ing Henry King, who had been appointed R. Q. M. Was mus- tered out July 13, 1865, as Q. M. S. Received a commission as 1st Lieutenant of company Il but was not mustered.
Commissary Sergeants JAMES DEBALL and JOHN W. FISH- ER both passed out for disability, and GEORGE WALKER succeed- ed. He enlisted in company C, August 20, 1861, as a private ; was detailed as a clerk in the Commissary Department, and re- enlisting as a veteran was promoted Commissary Sergeant, where he served until mustered out.
Of our principal Musicians ADAM S. CARPER was dis- charged for disability. CLARENCE D. POLING, drum-major, and DAVID H. WORMAN, fife-major, both enlisting in company A. Re-enlisted and mustered out together. Quiet and unassuming soldiers, they did their duty thoroughly and. modestly, and deserve great credit for their efficiency and attention to duty.
THE REGIMENTAL BAND
Enlisted at the organization ; was found more entertaining than
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
beneficial, and orders were issued to reduce to one for each brig- ade, and on the 25th of April 1862, it was mustered out.
- COMPANY A.
fAS recruited at Marcelline and Mendon, Adams county, by Edgar Pickett and H. P. W. Cramer respectively, rendezvousing at Camp Bane, Marcelline, August 11th, and by the 13th of same month had moved to Quincy. Being the first company to arrive at Camp Wood, for the Adams county regiment, were assigned a position by William Swarth- out, then in charge of the camp, on what proved to be the right of the regiment, and was given the letter A. A few days later the company organized by electing Edgar Pickett, Captain ; H. P. W. Cramer, 1st Lieutenant; Sergeant Moody, 2nd Lieutenant and the non-commissioned officers as may be seen in the com- pany roster.
August 20th was mustered into the State service by Col. John P. Loomis, of the Governor's staff, and into the U. S. ser- vice September 12th, by Captain Pitcher, U. S. A.
By the 5th of November, while at Chillicothe, Lieutenant Cramer, who had been left at Camp Wood to recruit, rejoined the company with recruits to fill it to its minimum number of 101. Was sent to Cameron with companies D, E and G, Nov. 22, under Major Randall-faring bountifully on pork, chicken and honey. The company being quartered in a bowling alley found plenty of amusement rolling ten pins. The changes in company officers in company A, like all other companies, began to occur, and while at St. Joseph the following order was re- ceived :
HEADQUARTERS 50TH ILLINOIS REGT., St. Joseph, Mo., Dec. 7th, 1861. To Captain Edgar Pickett, Com'dg Company A:
You will transfer the men you have in your company, over the maximum number of one hundred and one
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HISTORY OF THE
men, (101), to T. D. McGillicuddy, company K, 50th Regiment Ills. Vols., and report the same to these headquarters.
(Signed ) T. JEFF BROWN, Adjutant.
And then Capt. Picket tendered his resignation, to take effect February 5th, 1862.
While on the cars January 25, 1st Lieutenant Barrett of company G, was placed in command of this company as Cap- tain per Special Order No. 16, by Colonel Bane, and relieved at Pittsburg Landing per Special Order No. 24, April 23rd, 1862, by Capt. Smith, commanding regiment, Lieut. Cramer being on detached duty.
The company followed the fortunes of the regiment in all its marches and engagements except the Towncreek expedi- tion, at which time it was on detached duty at Red Tank, eight miles west of Corinth, doing guard duty. Here the boys fared well, trading their surplus coffee and sugar to the natives for butter and eggs. While the mothers were bartering the butter and eggs some of the boys were making love to the girls.
One day receiving by mule train from Corinth, two kegs of beer, the boys declared they were not dry, but the oftener the cup was passed around the dryer they got, until their hilar- ity became so boisterous that by midnight the natives in the vicinity of camp thought that they were being treated to a re- turn of their rebel friends, who had formerly occupied the same . canip.
The days of 1863 rolled by and we find that 41 of the original 101 had re-enlisted as veterans, to which may be added 49 recruits including the under cooks. 31 of the original num- ber and 29 recruits, 60 in all, were mustered out July 13, 1865. Of the total number of 147, 4 were killed in action, 6 died of wounds, 16 of disease, 23 wounded, 15 discharged for disability. 4 to accept promotion in other bommands. 19 stoten bottles were discharged Sept. 27, '64, and 9 deserted.
H. P. W. Cramer of Mendon, organized part of the com- pany at his home; consolidating with the Marcelline Guards was elected Ist Lieutenant. Feb. 5, '62, promoted to Captain,
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ETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
and was most- st Rome, Ga., Sept. 15, '64, having faith- fully served === == John S. Es of Mendon, was 30 years old when he
·alisted, ma. -E La by trade a carpenter. Enlisted on the 12th day off 1561, as a private and was promoted to 1-t Sergeant -Zing Henry Bissell. Here-enlisted as a vet-
Fran, was p Ond Lieutenant July 26 and after the
resignation ce ₣isell was promoted to 1st Lieutenant to date from Sets É: was soon after detailed as A. R. Q. M., and furnished == t-ss k and bacon to the boys on the march to the sea. At BacterBle, N. C., March 20, 1865, he received a commission as Circais, to date from Sept 15, 1864, rejoined his company and wie centered out with the regiment July 265.
Capt. Whenan is one of the sufferers of the famous foot race. The cercade Bard march of May 18 to 20, 1865, recorded m page 891. 512 nad much for him, and after having passed safely through a 3- vicissitudes of camp life to that time, has since best I bezstant sufferer from that folly-only a few days ago. Je CS Es was borne to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Q === Ele treatment. He has lived in Mendon since the war, woz. is Les trade. Serseu sav. elected 2nd Lieutenant at the organiza-
tem of the car succeeded Lieut. Cramer as 1st Lieutenant. Il health ve been his portion of army life, and after the compa: -6 the regiment in June, 1868, ho resigned
#14 was Sa Er Ist Sergeant Heury C. Bissell, who had Ima promised - cod Lieutenant when the others had been ad-
waneed. He ---- E with credit and was mustered out Sept. 20, 04 at Rozs. rt. E-parting for home in company with Capt.
Cramer and La Fargeded by Levi Wright, who had been Cor- 15 Lieutenant and mustered as Ist Lieuten- when dead for some years,
total. Sor Wuant. H+ It is : pose to deal with the general movements companies, for the history of the regiment is
and history histor lo the roster will be found the company and Gagree, an account of what became of each arpose here to deal with the personel of
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HISTORY OF THE
the membership of the companies, and in this our data and assistance from those who still live is so meagre as to almost warrant a failure to begin with.
In taking up the company rolls of those who enlisted when the companies were first organized, we can only speak of a very few whose names and faces are called up by reason of some incident in our soldier life, or since our return. It will be our endeavor to especially mention those who have contributed to this work.
John M. Borts of Mendon, or The Doctor, as our cooks were called, will be remembered for his neatness and the savory messes he prepared. He was company cook until the regiment took the field for more active service, necessitating the dividing up of the company mess into squads. A good soldier; was wounded at Allatoona and promoted to Sergeant for bravery. Discharged May 15th, 1865, on account of wounds.
Ben. Brook, the baker at St. Joe, veteraned and mustered out, disabled, May 23, '65.
John Clark will be remembered for his sharp, shrill voice, as John Clark the hunter, having, while the company was at Red Tank, killed a deer; also mentioned in Special Orders No. 13 and 22, while H. C. Cecil is mentioned in No. 32 and both excused from duty.
Samuel G. Cooke, a farmer, aged 26 and single when he en- listed at Mendon, Ills., October 14, 1861, as a private ; was pro- moted to Corporal at Chillicothe Mo., Oct. 1861, and to Sergeant at Clarksville, Tenn., Feb, 1862. November 22, '62, with Cy. Bal- lard, Chas. Knox & Ben. Mcore, was detailed in the Pioneer corps. Was wounded on the 14th of Feb. '62, at Donelson, on the right shoulder by a spent grape shot. October 4th, 1262,
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
with another Sergeant, captured six prisoners. Discharged June 7. '64. at Rome, Ga., to accept 1st Lieutenantey in com- pany A, 44th U. S. C. T., and assigned to command company I, same regiment, holding the same until the close of the war. Was captured at Dalton, Ga., Oct. 13, '64, with the command ; transferred from the Department of the Tennessee to Depart- ment of Cumberland, by order of Major Gen. O. O. Howard, and discharged on account of disability the 9th day of June, 1865. He now resides in Branford, Connecticut, and is engaged in fruit raising.
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Then Mike Gibony, the mocking bird, who could imitate the birds by whistling. He was mustered out a veteran and a Sergeant.
John E. Haiston, or Hoboken, now of Albany, Ind., one of the first enlisting from Marcelline, and a veteran. At Alla- toona, fearing that Colonel Hanna would not succeed in climb- ing the hillside. rushed to his side to assist him; observing which Gen. Corse inquired if the Colonel was hurt. Soon after the General and Colonel Hanna were wounded. This is fast in John's mind, for he declares that a few days later he was appre- hended in destroying a picket fence, and was about to be pun- ished when Col. H., who could not see it that way, interfered and John was excused.
There is George W. Haworth, mustered in at Chillicothe, one of Lieut. Cramer's recruits ; he soon took down with typhoid fever followed by measles, and received a furlough. Rejoined the regiment August Brd, 1862. At Corinth, October 3rd, was wounded in the right forearm, got a sick leave from the regi- ment to St. Louis, where he was discharged January 25, 1863. February 24. 1864, concluding to try it again, he re-enlisted in company A. and at Allatoona caught it in the face and mouth. The ball entered through the left cheek, cut his tongue half off and breaking his right lower jaw off, passed out under his right "ar. That stopped him from biting hard-tack and he got an- other leave of absence to Quiney, to live on spoon victuals. From here he was sent to Louisville, Ky., where he rejoined the
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HISTORY OF THE
company and was mustered out with the boys. He now lives at Hartford, Warren county, Iowa.
Mordecai Harding enlisted August 20, 1861; was in the battle of Fort Donelson. Went home shortly after with leave on account of dangerous illness of child, resulting in its death. Failing to return to his regiment until the summer of 1863 at Corinth, he was dropped from the rolls as a deserter. After re- maining in camp for some time he returned north and enlisted in the 1st U. S. Cavalry; was in the battle of the Wilderness, and wounded on the 7th of May 1864, and on the 22nd of De- cember following received his discharge at Carlisle Barracks ou account of Surgeon's certificate of disability. His discharge is signed by Major W. B. Royal commanding regiment, and bears certificate of good character. It will thus be seen that by sub- sequent service he offered condonation for failure to report back to his company at the expiration of his leave in 1862.
Rufus K. Joy comes next to mind; an elderly man who never could learn to keep step. At last found his place, where he could serve his country acceptably, was detailed by Special Order 47, Oct. 23, 1862, as ambulance driver. Tenderly he cared for the sick and disabled boys in his charge until he was discharged, Sept. 27, '64.
Elijah Kendall, called Doc., from having passed off a good joke on Surgeon Kendall, and noted for the marvelous stories he could tell. Enlisted in September, '61; wounded at Corinth; veteraned and promoted to Corporal; was a color guard at Allatoona, and can be seen in the flag chapter; was mustered out with the regiment. Resides now at Fowler, III.
Zeke, his brother, was a genius, a recruit, nick-named by Col. Hanna, "Black Jack," will be remembered as one of the favored ones; excused from duty by Special Orders No. 22 at Raleigh, and 32 at Louisville, for clean gun and soldierly ap- pearance. Zeke was a case, sure. At Washington orders were to have shoes and equipments blacked and in good order for dress parade; when the regiment formed on the 29th of May, Zeke was there in good order, even to his feet, that were nicely blacked-asked why he came out in that way, he said,
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
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"orders were to black our shoes, and these are the only ones I have."
C. S. Lindsay, or Band Box, was born in Washington co., Pennsylvania, April 22, 4842; moved to Ohio with his parents in 1849, stopping awhile in Wheeling, Va. Moved to Adams county, Ill., near Mendon, and run an engine for Fletcher's mill. Enlisted in 1861; April 15, '62, promoted to Corporal, and was detailed on special duty in the Signal corps. In the spring of '64 was reduced to the ranks at his own request, to enable others to succeed him, and was discharged as a Private at Rome, Ga., Sept. 27, 64, at expiration of term. For several years has been a magistrate and pension agent at Arkansas City, Kansas.
Following him we recognize John P. Randolph, whose photo. appears in our flag chapter ; he resided at Woodville, en- listed at Mendon in August 1861, and early came to the front as one of the best drilled members of company A; promoted to Corporal he was honored by being selected as color guard in the first regular detail for that purpose; soon was promoted Ser- geant, and at Goldsborough was so proficient in the tactics that he was detailed by Special Order No. 18, as Drill Sergeant of the regiment. Assisted by the Sergeants and Drill Masters of the different companies the many recruits received at that time were put to their metile ; he was again detailed, June 15th, by Special Order No. 30, as Drill Master to the regiment, and in the short time allowed them to July 1st, they were sufficiently versed in military evolution to participate in the great prize drill. Sergeant Randolph is by nature a pleasant companion ; was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of company A, but on ac- count of reduced number of men in the company was not mustered, and was mustored out as I'st Sergeant. Ho now re- sides at Brunswick, Mo., and is Superintendent of Brunswick Fair Association.
Hezekiah O. Stovall. While at Lynnville we were annoy- ed by a guerrilla by the name of Dunk Cooper, who, with one or two fellows, would attack our foragers and dash away. The
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following, regarding his capture, is from the pen of Major J. H. Fitzgibbons, published in the Western Veteran :
"In March, 1864, Col. Mizner, then in command at Co- lumbia, Tenn., determined to use every means in his power to capture or kill this Cooper. A reward was placed on the man's head, and scouting parties-I had command of one-were sent into the mountains to find them, but all without effect.
"Col. Mizner sent a foraging detail to Swan creek early in the month, and along with the wagons was a bright young fellow named Stovall, a private of company A, Fiftieth Illinois infantry, who had been provided with a good mount for this particular work. There were twenty troopers of the 7th Penn- sylvania with the wagons, and Stovall, with six of these, were searching for fodder over Swan river when they unexpectedly came on four men dressed in butternut, leisurely riding towards the mountains.
"As soon as the men in butternut saw the men in blue they straightened up, put spurs to their horses and were away at a gallop. The troopers emptied their carbines and two of the guerillas fell, the other two increasing their speed unheeding the cry to surrender.
"'I believe one of those fellows is Dunk Cooper !" shout- ed Stovall.
"The fugitives overheard him, for one of them turned in the saddle and yelled back as he fired: "Yes, cuss you uns, I'm Dunk Cooper! Follow at your peril !"
"Unheeding this threat Stovall, who was the best moun- ted of the party, drew his revolver, gave full rein to his horse, and dashed after the two outlaws. He soon left his compan- ions far behind, but to use his own language, he "wanted Dunk Cooper" and didn't care whether he was alone or not.
"Cooper and his companion dashed up the rough bed of a creek, but about a mile beyond the point where he was dis- covered his horse fell. Before the guerilla could remount Sto- vall was on him, shouting "surrender !"
"Cooper's companion reined in and raised his pistol to fire, but a shot from Stovall's revolver sent him reeling from
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FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
his horse, and then the young Illinoisan was alone with the desperate outlaw.
"Cooper tried to get out his pistol, but the hammer caught in his belt. Then he drew a long knife and made for his determined enemy. He was scarcely two yards away when Stovall fired again, the bullet cutting along the outlaw's scalp, bringing him to the ground.
"I had come down from the hill with fifty men to Swan creek, with the feeling that all the cavalry in the army could not capture Dunk Cooper. When I saw young Stovall coming back to the wagon with two prisoners, and one of them was the wretch who had led me such a long ride and who kept me awake for many an hour planning his capture. On this occasion the gallant young Illinoisan proved to be the right man in the right place."
George Tuxford, a nervy fellow about 21, only a recruit, but his life was laid down for his country's flag-without a murmur. He was wounded in the leg at Allatoona, and to save his life amputation was performed close to the body. He lived only a few hours, and requesting his comrade to write to his father of his misfortune, passed to the great beyond.
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COMPANY B.
T HE foundation on which this company was organized was made in 1857, by the organization of a company of State militia, known as the Clayton Guards. Robert Campbell was Captain, John W. Smith, 1st Lieutenant; H. E. Horn, 2nd Lieutenant and James W. Anderson, 1st Sergeant. This com- pany was uniformed and armed with Harper's Ferry flint-lock muskets, and drilled in Scott's tactics, under John W. Smith. The principal duties it performed was to accept invitations to large gatherings, as a drawing card. Military companies not being plentiful at that time their appearance was one of great interest. The first county fair at Mt. Sterling will be remem-
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bered by the elderly people as one in which their presence proved a financial success.
In the fall of 1858 an invitation from the committee of arrangements at Mt. Sterling to act as escort to Abraham Lin- coln was accepted, and the members of the Clayton Guards had the honor of attending him from the Parker House to the stand in the grove at the north part of town. At this time they little thought they were escorting the future President of the United States and the Commander in Chief of the army.
During 1859 and '60 the members of this company began to realize that war was at hand, and resolved to stand by the Union. An effort was made to hold the organization together, but without success, for at the first call for troops a part of the company enlisted and continued to enlist until but few remain- ed. Then K. K. Jones of Quincy, appeared and demanded the muskets for the protection of Quincy from invading foes; this was refused until an order from the Adjutant General of the State was received. Then, disarmed and discouraged, the num- bers became more reduced until all that were left of the Old Guard was Smith, Horn, Harbison, Elias Orton and Anderson.
By arrangement with Capt. J. W. Smith, the leader, and Dr. Bane, authority was given to recruit a company for the Adams county regiment, then organizing at Quincy ; this was about July 20. and by August Ist it was full and in rendezvous at Clayton, reaching Camp Wood on the 13th, and being the sec- ond company to arrive was called company B.
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