USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 2
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CHAPTER XXII.
The Gaine and the Losses of the Campaign-Plans for the Future-A Skirmish near Stone Mountain-Deaths by Disease-Gen. Hood takes the Initiative-A Race to the Rear-Passing Familiar Ground-In Sight of the Rebel Army-Allatoona - The March to Rome-Delays for want of a Little Bridge-Calhoun, Resaca and Dalton-On the Flank of the Enemy -- Alternate Brief Rests and Heavy Marches Southward to Gayle-ville-A Week in Camp with Abundant Rations-Last Days with Gen. Sherman. 100-10$
X
HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Parting with Gen. Sherman-Abundance of Forage -- A Rapid March Northward- Crossing the Chickamauga Battle Field -- At Roseville and Chattanooga-West- ward by Car --- The Trip to Ations-Anxiety a- to the sirgabon-The Rebels Near-Fording Elk River-The March to Pulaski-Ragged but Resolute-En- trenching Again-Paid Off 409-114
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Rebels Advance - Pulaski Evacuated-A Short Sleep-Refieres on the Road-1 Trying Night March- \ sombre Thanksgiving-Columbia Reached-Again Ont- Banked-spring Hill-Close Proximity to the Enemy-A Halt on the Ridge-The Battle of Franklin-Another Night March-Arrival at Nashville-Two Nights on the Front Line -- The Army Reinforced-Waiting for the Battle 415- 1 1
CHAPTER XXV.
The Siege of Nashville - Reinforcements Arrive-Heernits Received - Citizens Building Breastworks-The Country Anxious-Reason of Delay-An Ice storm -The Weather Grows Milder -- The Battle Begin -- First Day & Work-Important Gains-Night on the Battle field-The Second Day's Battle- - A Charge on the Skirmish Line -Long Hours Under Fire-A Gallant Charge-Four Guns and Many Prisoners Taken-A Glonon- Victory-Incidents of the Battle-The Gains and the Lo-se: - The Casualty List ... 405-149
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Pursuit of Hood-The Pontoon Train Mussent-A Halt at Franklin-Condition of Affairs in the Village -- A Stern Chase-Delays at Rutherford's Creek and Duck River-Last Volley at the new-Plundering in the Mud-How Christ- max passed-Waiting for Rations-Forward Again-The Enemy Escape : Across the Tennessee-Krankis Achieved in the Campaign-Gen. Thomas' Congratula-
450-156 tory Order
CHAPTER XXVII.
New Year's Day Celebrated -- The March to Huntsville-Going into Winter Quarters -The Army Dispersed-Incidents of the Stay at Huntsville-How Brick and I.nm- ber were Obtained-Drill and Dre-> Parades Restined-Changes and Promotions -Bollenbach's Capture and Escape-Music in Camp-A sermon that was not Enjoyed-Winter Amust ments-The Division Reviewed-Rumors of a Move-
457-401 ment
CHAPTER XXVILL.
Leaving Winter Quarters-By Rail to East Tennes-ce-A Glimpse of Parson Browu- Jow-Arrival at strawberry Plains - Russellville - Visiting school - Dancing Parties-Scouting Experiences-Captain Sizemore and His Methods-Glad News from the East-Richmond is Taken-Lee and his Army Surrender-How the News was Received-The Celebration at shield-' Mill --- A Huch on the Camp- The Appalling News of Lincoln's Assassinatior-Its Effect on the Soldiers . 462 430
CHAPTER XXIX.
Again at Russellville-Ordered to Nashville-Camp Harker-Beside the Cumber- land-Camp timor -- The Good News Continges-Changes and Promotions- Grand Review of the Corp -- Torch Light Parade-Preparing for Min-ter-Out- Gen. Kimball's Congratulatory Order-The Recruits Transferred-Good Bye to Tennessee -- The March to New Albany -- Cattle Cars or Pa -- enger Coaches ?- Colonel smith es. the Railroad Authorities-Arrival in Chicago ... .40-1-0.
CHAPTER XXX.
Chicago's Welcome-What the Newspaper- said-Reception at the Sanitary Fair- George C. Bates' Address-Colonel Hicks' Response-Gen. Sherman Speaks- What Hon. John Wentworth and Judge Bradwell Said-Cheers for the Soldiers- Cheers for the Ladies-Cheers by and for Everybody .451-4:00
CHAPTER XXXI.
At Camp Douglas-Two Deaths When Almost Home-Settling Up - Paid Off and Disbanded-The Last Good Bye -- The Receptions-At Waukegan-At Warren- At Galena.
CHAPTER XXXIL.
Prisoners of War-Two Men Captured at Franklin-Two Captured from Hospital- Captain Rowan Attempt- to E-cape-Capture of the Wounded at Chickamanga- Companie- Cand !i surrender on Mission Ridge-Fate of the Prisoners-Per- sons) Nurratives of Survivor -. .... 502-540.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Captured at Buzzard Roost-Narrative of Harrison Mesamer-The Captures at Resacu-Narratives of Myron J. Brown, Corporal Wiliam D. Lewin, First ser- geant Thomas J. Smith, Richard Spencer, Lewi- Miller -- Captured at Keneraw Mountain and Atlanta-Albert Barney's Narrative-Captured at Franklin. . . 511-3-5
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Companies C and H on Picket-Withdrawal of Army-Anxious Moment ?- No Relief - Preparations for Defense-More Fightmz-The Capture-March to Dalton- Trip to Richmond-Separation of Officer- sud Men -Libby Prison -First Day in Prison-Who were There-The Early Morning Roll Call -- Old Ben-Rations- Boxes from Home-Occupation and Amusements-Traitors in our Mid-1-1 Night In Prison-Attempts at Escape-Gen. Morgan in Libby-The Conception of the Successful Tunnel-The Working Parties-Discovery by the Writer- The Passage Through the Tunnel-In the Streets of Richmond-In Company with Rebel Soldiers - Experience of successive Nights -- Assistance from Negroe -- Passage of the Chickahominy-In Our Lines-Reception-Home and Regiment
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Pioneer Battalion-Causes Leading to Its Organization-Nature of the Service Required-A Building Blown U'p-Building Bridges and Foris-A Reconnois. sance-How Swan Fond was Crossed-The Cumberland Pontoon - A Valuable Invention-Building Block Houses-Formally Transferred -The Roster . . . . . 024-632
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Notes from an Old Diary-A Middle Tennessee Scouting Expedition-How the Seonts were Fooled by a Rebel-Jeff Davis' Feat Discounted-A Very Tired Man and a Bad Government Mule-An Incident at Moccasin Point-Corn Doled out in Spoonsful-Color Corporal Robison-How He Lost un Arm-Hi- Hospital Experience-The Ambulance Corps-Wounded Men, and Who Carried Them- Fidelity and Courage of the stretcher Bearers-Poem by. A. R. Thain .. .... 634-64?
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Letters from Home -- How the Mail Reached the Ariny -- The Mail Carrier's Welcome -- Dangerous Trips-Past the Skirmish Line -- A Target for Rebel Pickets- Personal Experiences. 650-055
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
The Covington " Can-Can"-The Adjutant's Bug-A Buglet's Bad Break -- A Horse Down Cellar-Early Potatoes-An Unexpected Meeting-Corporal Malone's Salute -Here, Ring !- The Cleveland Girl .650-001
CHAPTER XL.
The Field and Staff-Personal Sketches-The Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers-Who They were and What They Did-Whereabouts and Occupations of the survivors-Shoulder Straps and Chevrons .665-678
CHAPTER XLI.
COMPANY A-The First Company-Nearly Filled in July-Officers Elected-Swords Presented-The First to Reach Camp Fuller- Early Experiences-Again In Galena-Good-by Again -- Final Move to Rockford-The Letter "A" -- Detached at Harrodsburg -- On the Skirmish Live ar Tringe-The First Anniversary-The Battle Casualties-A Long List of Killed and Wounded-Present Whereabouts of the Survivors -- Sketches of the Officers and Men. ... 679-703
CHAPTER XLH.
COMPANY B-How it was Recruited-The Organization at Hainesville-Three Times Sworn In-Incidents in the Early Days-Man Afraid of Ilis Knapsack-For: Mitchell-Promotions -- Ante-Battle Losses -- Casualties at Chickamanga -- Subse- quent Losses -- " Gns" Bollenback's Capture and Escape- Company statistic --- A Proud Record-The Complete Ro-ter 704-728
CHAPTER XLIII.
COMPANY C-Can Lake County Fill Another Company ?- The Affirmative Answer- Officers Chosen-Temporary Rendezvous at Wankeran-Sword Presentations- Of for Rockford-Chosen a- Color Company -A Promise to be Prompt-Sent to Fort Shaler-Recruits from Rebeldom-Quartered in a Church-School-day Ex- periences Revived-Terrible Losses at Chickamauga-Almost Blotted Out- Subsequent Casualties-Some Statistics. :29-752
xii
HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
CHAPTER XLIV.
COMPANY D-How and Where it was Recruited-Headquarters in Waukegin-The Millburn Ladies' Sopper-Offers and Soldiers-Beechwood Battery-A Trip to Camp Chase-Deaths and Promotions-Eight Men Killed-The Wounded-The Recruits-Company Statistics-Biographical. .653-773
CHAPTER XLV.
COMPANY E-The Apple River Company-How it was Recruited and Organized- Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers Elveted-A Sword to the Colone !- Ou Provost Duty at Harrod-burg -The Terrible Death-Roll at Chickamauga -- Almost Unparalleled Losse --- Twelve Men Killed or Mortally Wounded in One Engage- ment-Ofher Losses -- Mocca-in Point Duties-Detached on Lookout Mountain- Subsequent Casualties-Some Statistics-Personal Sketches .774-691
CHAPTER XLVI.
COMPANY F-Rapid Recruiting-Where the Men were from-Their Are and Nation- altty- Officers Chosen-Captain Green aspires to the Colonelcs -Mustered lu- . The First Man Killed-Battle Lo-se -- Two Men Die in Prison-Ten Deaths in Hospital-Forty-five Recruits reach the Company-Changes among the Officers- Company Statistics-The Roster.
CHAPTER XLVII.
COMPANY G-Two Companies where One was Expected-The Election of Officers- Sworn into the service -... Bully for the Boy with the Glass Eye "-In Tents at Rockford-Appointment of Non-commissioned Oficer -- The Captain is Made Lieutenant Colour !--- An Out -ider Cho-en to Fill the Vacancy-Sword Presents- tions-A Case of Assault and Battery-Thank-giving Dinner at Harrodsburg- Subsequent Changes Among the Officers-The Company's Long Casualty List- Seven Times Wounded-Facts and Figures-Answers to the Roll-Call. .. . . . . 810-541
CHAPTER XLVIIL.
COMPANY HI-Eastern Jo Davies- Connty's Response-Ninety-one Men in Six Days- Voting for Otherr. - Parting with Friends Rockford Rations-Trading Men with the bad-A sword for the Captain-Firs: Blood for Company H-The Chick- amanga Record -A Kommen' E-cape and are Captured- Thirty-two Never Again in Ranks-The Atlanta Cargavgn- losses along the Live-Nashville-Recruits Arrive-A Former Lientes att Retire- as a Private-Reinforcing Russellville- A Worthy Tribute-Somt Company Statistics .. 842-56%
CHAPTER XLIX.
COMPANY I -Ten Days' Recruiting-A Change of Plans-Full to Overflowing- Officer- Chosen-Enzabeth Leads the Van-to Camp at Galena-Non-Commis- sioned Oficer- Appointed -Age and Nativity of the Men -- Their Occupations- The Captain made Majer Rockford Reached -- At John's Hill Battery-Other Detached Service-Lager in Battle-The Company Recruited - Changes and Promotions-The Number a: Muster-out -- Record of the Members . 869-857
CHAPTER L.
COMPANY K-The Eastern Par : Jo Diviess County Raises Two Companies- Warren, Rush atd Nora Fill one to Overflowing- Officers Chost G-Warren the Headquarters - Flag Presentations -sent to Rockford --- The Captain Chosen Colonel-A Private Em te : ( spain -- "K" is the Letter Drawn-Occupying Fort Shaler - First Experience with a Rebel shell - Chickamauga Losses-Other Casualties .886-911
CHAPTER LI.
The Unassigned Recruits -- A Few Errors Noted-Boys Who Never Reached the Regiment-A Roster the most Remain Incomplete-Statistical. .912-913
CHAPTER LII.
The National Cemeteries-Bion the Grave. of the Dead are Cared for-Identifying the Remain --- Extrac: . fr. for dist I. por -- Brief Description of the Grounds -A List of the " Kaman . Det, with Pace of Interment-Losses Sustained by 914-923
INDEX TO MAPS, ETC.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Battle Flags of the Regiment .. Frontispiece
On the way to the Right at Chickamauga .. 176
Escaped Prisoners of War Crossing the Diascon River 60S
Libby Prison. 593
272
Nashville, Battle of. 464
Rocky Face Ridge, Battle of.
304
Ross House
160
MAPS.
Chickamauga Battle Field. 192
Franklin Battle Field
439
Nashville Battle Field.
4-48
Marches of the Regiment
vi
PORTRAITS.
Bangs, Ambrose A 720
Bangs, George A. 368
Bater, Henry. 352
Carver, Frank 848
Barnes, George F 848
Castle, Alfred S 720
Barney, Albert 752
Champion, Myron B. S18
Bean, William S 688
Beck. John K. 400
Benson, Daniel. 913
Berg, Christopher H. €38
. Besley. John W. 352
Clark, John M
768
Biddlecom, Charles O. 816
Clark, Samuel. 352
Clarkson, Theodore F 256
Cleveland, Major It 720
Cole, James. 784
Cole, Perrin P.
913
Blodgett, Edward A 96
Blodgett, Jared O. 416
Conklin, Jeremiah. 919
Blowney, Benjamin G. 816
Cook, Arthur 704
Bollenback, Gustavus 720
Bray, Thomas B 640
Brown, Myron J.
Bryant. Lewis H 496
Buck, Otto J. 688
Burge, Albert A.
912
Burnett, Alexander 848
Darby, Joseph.
656
Burnett, George H 365
Byers, Frederick W 672
Champion, Thomas E xvi
Clarke, Isaac L. 39
Clark, Hiram. 496
Clark, James H 384
Black, James E 896
Blackler, Johu. S32
Blockler, Thomas 832
Blodgett, Asiel Z. 752
Collier, John H
752
Corbin, John A. 336
Cowen, Christopher C. 896
Cruver, John H. 920
Cullen, Richard C.
. Cutler. Henry H 496
Davison, Peter
SIS
Lookout Mountain, Battle of.
Cadwell, Loyal 416
xiv
HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
Davis, Thomas .. 336
Dean, Harmon S. 896
Demmon, Leroy 336
. Devlin, Michael. 753
Dimmick, Daniel W 78-4
› Dittmar, Adam
. Doolittle, Leonard S 496
. Dombski. Henry
704
Donahue, James 416
Douglas, Isaac MI 752
Douglas, Robert J 256
Drew, Walter. 816
Lamb, Nahum 384
. Lee, John C. 640
: Lehmann, George. 832
. Lewin, William B. 352
:Linklater, Jerry H 256
752, 768
Loughlin, William M 624
MeClellan, William 480
McCredie, James G. 780
McDonald, William W. 880
McMillen, Malcolm.
720
Madden, Loughlin 450
Malone, Edward 656
Markley, Watson 480
: Marshall, George Martin, Charles 672
S80
Mason, Judson A
400
Miller, Charles J 832
Miller, Lewis. 336
Miller, Renben 416
Montgomery, Caleb. 768
Montgomery. Henry R 363
Moore, George W 672
Moore, Thomas E SSO
Morley, William G. 640
Mowers, Peter. 416
Murray, Edward 480
Murrie, James 480
O'Hara, Berzelus 768
O'Herrin, James 816
Palmer, George. 816
Palmer, Joseph. 400
Hollen. John H.
Hooker. Gen. Joseph 240
Howard, Gen. O. O. 240
.
Farnsworth, Hiram W 400
. Ferguson, George G.
468, 864
. Finley. Timothy
.786
; Fleming, Peter
G84
Gage, Henry II. $4, 544
. Garrett, Richard
Gillmore, Evangelist 843
Gillmore, Myron 368
, Gleason. Henry
912
Gleason. Isbon S. 610
Gove, Joel. 720
Grabham, John 784
. Graham, Edward. 896
Granger, Dighton 704
-
, Gray, Elihu D. 920
Harriman, Henry J S96
. Hastings, Henty F 864
Hastings. Walter W 752
Havens, Jame- O.
> Hickcox. James. 400
Hicks, George .. 80
Partridge. Addison B 64
Partridge. Charles 1. 528
Payue. Henry C ...
480
Irwin, William 800
James, David. 336
. James, James Edward 689
. Jeffers, Stephen. 672
Johnson, Andrew 864
. Kimball, Gen. Nathan 240
Knopf, Christian 636
Ladd, John. 832
. Drury, Edwin.
284, 560
Drury, Walter E 912
, Dwyer, Thomas W
650
Earle. Charles W 512. 608 : Lott, Austin E.
· Efinger. Martin
: Ellis, Charles 768
Evans, Mo.es 679
. Farnsworth. George M 400
Inawalk
XV
INDEX TO MAPS, ETC.
Payne, Samuel B. 420
l'enwell, Marcellus J. 864
/ Pepoon, George W 144 Stanley, Gen. D. S. 2.10
Perry, William MI.
Phillips, Charles 640
Phillips, George N 656
Pierce, Byron G. 672
Pierce, Joseph L. 128
Pocklington, Thomas
Pollock, John K. 786
Pomeroy. Cyrus W 112, 120
Pooley, John H .. 784
Powers, Warren E. 704
Quinn, Francis P 880
Rector, Oscar. 786
Rers, Chester J. S64
Richardson, Halsey H 784 Triggs, John 892
Rider, William F. 352
Rivenburg, Lovett S.
Rix, Edward 763
Robinson. John Quincy 800
Rose, Deloss. 3×4
Rowan, Charles E 500
Sallee, James MI. 864
Sammons. Charles F 736
Savage, Joseph 496
Saulsbury, David
920
Scace, William B
320
Schaefer, John G. 208
Scott, Aaron 384
Scott, William H Son
Serviss, Beri
Whaples, William H 336
Wheeler, William II. 656
Whitaker, Gen. Walter C. 940
Whitcomb, Oscar E. 504
. Whitmore, William D. 36>
Shupe, Leri. 012
Simms, Nelson R 400
Simpson, Edward. 658
Smith, George E., Jr 256
Smith, John C. 18
Smith, Mrs. J. C.
56
Smith, Thomas J
. Smith, Willard V.
Sprague, William E. 781
Stahl, John .. 800
Steedman, Gen J. B.
Stewart, George L. . 332
Swanbrough, John W 416
Swindells, John. 752
. Tarpley, John P 880
, Tate Ebenezer. 658
Taylor, James M. 736 Taylor. John Y. 736
. Taylor. William F 224
. Thain, Alexander R. 256
Thain, Richard S. 256
Thomas, Gen. Geo. H. 240 . Thrasher, John G. 656 Townsend, Edward E. 896
Traut. Wallace V 920
. Trumbull, Rollin H 368
Umbienstock, Michael, Jr ... 376
, Van Dervort. H. S 848
Vincent, John 685
Vincent, William.
Vose, Samuel F 416
Wait, George. 704
Ward, Norman P. 864
Webb, Chase E. 736
Wells. Thomas E 720
Wetherly, Hirant. 920
Sheffield, Daniel 1 672
Shepard, Benjamin F $16
Sherman, Gen. W. T 240
Shupe, Dennis. 336
Whitney, Allen B. . 920
Whitney, Hamilton C. 704
Whitney. Joseph C. 352
Winfield, George W 920
Woolsey, Whiting C. 850
Wright, Josiah II. 400
. Young. Orson V 256
.
-
250
THOMAS E. CHAMPION.
COLONEL AND BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL.
AMOHIT
CHAPTER I.
Events Leading to the War -- The Slavery Question-The Missouri Com- promise-Fugitive Slave Laws Enacted-The Difficulty of Enforcing Them - A Supreme Court Decision - Anti- Slavery Literature --- Lincoln's Election a Pretext for Rebellion-Preparations for War at the South-The Great Conspiracy-Secession Ordinances Passed- The Guns of Sumter Echo Through the Land-The Response at the North - Alternate Victories and Defeats -Advantages Gained-A Crisis Reached in the Summer of 1862-A Second Grand Uprising at the North-A Half Million Enlistments in Two Months.
TO THE general historian must be committed the task of relating. in detail. the events which preceded and cuhninated in the War of the Rebellion. And yet, in a work of this character, there seems to be an appropriateness in outlining these events, and also in narrating, briefly, the work under- taken by the armies of the Union during the year and more that intervened between the firing upon Fort Sumter and the organization of the gallant Regiment whose history these pages are intended to set forth. Hence this opening chapter.
There had grown up in the Nation two civilizations. Be- ginning with the introduction of negro slaves into the Virginia colonies the people of the North and South had grown apart. At the North there was a general adherence to the principles laid down in that clause of the Declaration of Independence, which recites that " All men are created free and equal." In the South the black man was regarded, not merely as a con- venience, but as a necessity as well, and was looked upon as belonging to an inferior race whose province it was to serve. In that seetion custom came to sanction this idea, and the great majority of the people acquiesced in the laws which were enacted for the protection of Slavery, and which bound more tightly, year by year, the fetters of the black man. True, there was even at the South an undertone of disapproval, many quietly expressing regret that the institution had gained a foot-
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2
3 19
chroiup
HISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
hold upon the then new world, but few were bold enough to advocate either an immediate or gradual emancipation of the unfortunate chattels. Indeed there was but little toleration of sentiments of this character, and, for many years, neither the press nor the pulpis in any of the Slave States dared express other feelings than those of approval of the system. Visitors from the North were not allowed to advocate their anti- slavery principles publiely, and abolition newspapers found little countenance or patronage in any community where there. were slaves.
In Congress there was ceaseless discussion of the vexing problems growing ont of this troublesome question. In 1820. there was great excitement over the admission of Missouri as- a slave State. Slavery already existed there, being pro- tected under the terms of the treaty ceding to the United States the Louisiana territory, from which Missouri had been carved, and Congress refused to prohibit or abolish it, quiet- ing, in a measure, the consciences of enough of those who had a voice in the matter to secure a majority in Congress for the bill by attaching to it a clause which declared that there should be no extension of slavery into any of the territorial posses- sions of the United States north of latitude 36: 30', which was the southern boundary of Missouri. This was known as the .. Missouri Compromise." and timid politicians hoped that it would forever set at rest the slavery question. But such was not to be its effeet. Slaves were continually escaping from their masters, and being aided on their way toward Canada by the liberty loving people of the North. Slave-owners com -. plained at this, and demanded the enactment of laws for the. protection of their slave "property." Their demands were complied with, and in 1850 the Fugitive Slave Laws were. enacted. The enforcement of these laws was a difficult matter. however, as public sentiment at the North did not sustain. them, and the Supreme Courts of some of the States gave decisions in favor of persons who were sought to be prosecuted for their violation. These enactments were the theme of almost constant disenssion in the halls of Congress, and in the newspapers of the day. In 1854 Kansas and Nebraska were-
-
281
19
THE DRED ScorT DECISION.
organized as territories, and. notwithstanding the terms of the Missouri Compromise, the bill by which they were created declared that they might be admitted as States, with or without slavery, as the people should determine. Immediately the slave-holders attempted to colonize this western region. A counter movement was undertaken, hundreds of men going West from New England, resolved to rescue these territories from the grasp of the devotees of Slavery. The excitement was intense, and numerous personal encounters resulted. In the home of every man sent to Kansas from the East there was understood to be a Bible and a Sharpe's riffe, provided at the expense of a Massachusetts society organized for the purpose. it was said. At length freedom won, the people of Kansas voting, by a large majority, that the State should be "free." But so strong was the opposition of the slave-holders, that it was several years before Congress would permit it to become a full-fledged State.
The Dred Scott decision, which came a few weeks follow- ing the exciting Presidential campaign of 1856, heaped ready fuel upon the political fires. Dred Scott was a slave who had been taken to Illinois and Minnesota and held in bondage for two years in each State. He had married a free woman of color, and two children had been born to them. At the sug- gestion of his anti-slavery acquaintances. Scott brought suit for his own freedom. Judge Taney, of Maryland. then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. rendered a decision in which he enunciated the doctrine that the negro "had no rights which the white man was bound to respect," and declared him still a slave, notwithstanding his involuntary residence in a free State for a period of four years or more. Not only this : he declared that the right of property in human beings was dis- tinctly affirmed in the Constitution of the United States, and that there was no authority whatever by which slavery could be prohibited in the territories. He went even further, and declared that Seott had been lawfully held as a slave in the free States, and would have been so held had his master gone there with the intention of taking up a permanent. instead of a tem- porary. residence. No decision from the Supreme Bench ever
20
ILISTORY OF THE 96TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
before caused such intense excitement throughout the country or led to such universal discussion. The people of the South saw in it an opportunity to make slavery National, and were highly elated. Throughout the North it was very severely criticised, and quite generally condemned. James Buchanan had just been elected President, and both branches of Con- gress were overwhelmingly Democratic. But public sentiment at the North was being roused to an extent not anticipated by the upholders of slavery. In the newspapers, in the debating societies. in church conferences, everywhere, this remarkable decision was made the theme of discussion.
Meantime. " Uncle Tom's Cabin " and other works of kin- dred character. in which the horrors of human slavery were painted, had been gaining wide circulation at the North, and the anti-slavery sentiment was growing stronger and stronger day by day. In 1858 occurred the memorable contest between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, who were candi- dates for the office of Senator of the United States from Illinois. The former argued, not for immediate emancipation. but for curtailing the slave power by forbidding the extension of slavery into the territories. The latter claimed that the people of the territories should decide for themselves whether or not they would have slaves, and argued that the Dred Scott decision was well grounded and should be sustained. Joint debates between these rival statesmen were had at many points in Illinois, and great crowds gathered to hear the all- absorbing questions of the day discussed. The speeches of these able debaters were published and sent broadcast through- ont the land, attracting wide attention. At the election in November of that year a Democratic Legislature was chosen in Illinois, and Mr. Douglas secured the Senatorship. But the speeches of Abraham Lincoln and other anti-slavery ora- tors were having their effect. At the same time the Southern leaders became more confident,-nay more, defiant .- and seemed to think that they had obtained a hold upon the Nation that could not be thrown off. Viewing it from the standpoint of these later years, however, it would seem that they were merely acting a part in a great conspiracy, for in
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