USA > Illinois > History of the Ninth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers. Pub. under the auspices of the Historical Committee of the Regiment > Part 20
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The different companies of the Ninth Regiment, Illinois Vo !- unteers. that had their full complement of men, were authorized to elect their commissioned officers by vote, and this had generally been done at the place where the majority of the company were recruited.
Each company was assigned its position in the organization of the regiment, in accordance with the date of muster into the serv- ice.
Company A was recruited at Rock Island. Il., and vicinity on or about September 1, 1861. mainly by the three gentlemen who were elected to be their first commissioned officers. viz. : Harry B. Burgh. Captain ; Wilham C. Blackburn, First Lieutenant : William M. Benton, Second Lieutenant.
They arrived in camp September 15th, and were mustered into the service September 15, 1501, and was the senior company of the regiment.
Company A was one of which the regiment wasalways proud, their captain being a graduate of a military school, and possess- ing the rare qualification of winning the good will and respect of those under his command, as well as that of his superior officers. His two Lieutenants were always popular men, and well qualified for their positions. The general make-up of the company was es- cellent,. always reliable, and I may truthfully say strictly military. and by their faithful attention to duty and every detail of camp and field service were looked upon as the model company of the regiment.
With the main body of the request an! in a jeanine
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HISTORY OF THE
battles and engagements, it was often called upon for special service, and in all cases and at all times was to be found a brave and gallant set of men, and when the regiment organized as a veteran regiment. Company A came to the front with the largest mumber of veterans of any company in the regiment, and with the new men who were then promoted maintained the high reputation al- ready established. The number of Company A at muster into the service was ninety-one, the whole number enlisted in the com- pany was two hundred and seven.
SKETCH OF CAPTAIN ILLIER.
David Hillier was born in Nova Scotia November 10, 198. At the age of ten he removed with his parents to Rock Island, Ill., from which city he orlista in Company A, Ninth Illinois Cavalry. September 1 1-01, and vitali complet was mustered in, September 18th, he was appointed First Sergeant, and served faithfully in that capacity until April lo, 1802, when he was propioted and con- missioned Lieutenant of Company A. Again, in the spring of 1865, he was pro moted Captain, but having previously tendered his resignation he was mit ered out of the service to date from. March 21, 1865.
Captain Hillier was a sokher of whom not only his own company, but all of the regiment was proud. A true soldier, brave as a lion, yet so kind and gentle in his manner that he was beloved by all. He served during all the years of the war, receiving a severe injury in the fall of his horse. An injury from which he suffered for over twenty years, and one which finally caused his death, June to. 1857, in the prime of a glorious manhood.
He was conspicuous in the army for his cool and daring Bravery and good judgment, an instance of which was displayed at Moscow, Tenn .. December 4, 1865, when in the hottest of the battle he, while in command of his Company. . found our Sergeant- Major Fitzpatrick severely wounded and bild from the effects of a shot in the head. Hewent down the river book ander & shower ! rebel ballets, and carried his wounded friend and comtrack oo bis lood. to mpde. of safety; and again, at La Fayette. Tenn., December 20, 153, when he with a little detachment of only about fifty men, mostly from Company A hold back the larger part of Forrest's command of four thousand math at Wolf River, and stubbornly fought them from early in the afternoon well intis the night, thereby saving a train of cars on the Memphis & Charleston Railway from Corinth to Memphis from capture, and the small garrison at Collierville from being gobbled up by Forrest's cavalry. These are but a sample of many deeds of during per- formed by brave, big bearted Dave Hillier.
After the war he returned to Rock Island. I., and was married in iste to Miss Kate II. Lingle, of Rock Island. In 1it he mmnovo! to Milwaukee, att engaged in the livery business, and returned to Rock Island in 158. and tagusol in the boot and shoe business. This was his verupation up to the time of his death. He was highly esteemed while living, and at the time of his der howEs nuich regretted by the pro leaving whom he had light in masala Miniy se and by his army comrades throughout the country.
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NINTH ELLINGLE CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.
SKETCH OF CAPTAIN BLACKBURN.
William C. Blackburn joined hi- fortunes with the Ninth Illinois, Cavalry from Rock Island, III., September 18, 1861, as First Lieutenant of Company .1. He was a splendid specimen of a soldier. Brave, daring and ambitions, Me entered into his new field with ardor. April 10, 1509, he was transferred to the staff of the regiment as Adujaut of the Second Battalion, which position le Alled acceptably, and while in command of Company H, at Gray's Bridge. Ark., May 28th received a slight wound while endeavoring to force a passage over the Cache River.
On the promotion of Captain Bunch to a majorship. August 15, 1962. Tien tenant Blackburn was promoted Captain of his old Company A, and served with them in many a fight and skirmish. In the fall of 1864 when many of the officers were being mustered out of the service Captain Blackburn remained, and when the cavalry expedition of General Hatch left Memphis, Tenn., September 30, 1504, he was the senior oficer and was in command of the the regiment. Novem ber 24th, at Campbellsville, Ten., he was taken prisoner, by the enemy and Shf- fered at Meridian, Cahaba and Andersonville pri ons all the horrors that fell to the lot of our unfortunate captured soldiers. He rejoined the regiment again at Eastport, Miss., April 27, 1865, and mastered out of the service Mays, Ist.
Captain Blackburn was a very impetuous officer, brave to rashness, and of that imperious nature that could not well brook restraint.
After the war he returned to his old home in Rock Ishaal, and later was engaged in business in Chicago and then went West, where he died a few real- since.
SKETCH OF CAPTAIN DACK.
Christopher G. Dack enlisted from Comden. I .. September 1, 1861, in Con- pany A, of the Ninth, and in the organization of the company was made Ser geant. Ile served as a good, faithful soldier until January 1, 1861, when he re-colisted in the Veteran organization, and was promoted to be First Name al of his company and was promoted and commissioned First Lieferant Marche 98, 1865, and May 23 following, was promoted Captain of Company A, serving with them to the end of the war, and was mustered out of the service October al. 1865, af Selma, Ala.
Captain Dack was an excellent soldier, a brave man, and one who had the confidence and respect of his comrades, always on duty in his company, prompt and eficient. His bearing was that of the tried veterin.
After the war he returned to his old home at Rock Island, Il., which is his present address.
SKETCH OF LIEUTENANT BENTON.
William M. Benton at the opening of the War of the Rebellion, was attend! ing school at Knox College. Illinois, and in June, 1961, having finished his three years' course at that institution, he went back to Rock Island County, where be had been teaching school during vacations. Here be enlisted for the war, and added in recruiting a company for the cavalry service.
At the appointed ine the boys met at Rock 1401. 1 .Mer Wachsen
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IHISTORY OF THE
chosen Captain of the company. Messis. Benton and Blackand were compteat . for the position of the Lieutenant. Neither wished to take first place to the det. ment of the other, so it was left to the " hazard of a die." Blackburn wha om was elected First Lieutenant, Benton, Second. This company, from Rock !und was the first to arrive in Camp Fremont al became Congany A.
Lieutenant Benton was very much liked by his associates, and My riel disposition and frank, hearty maier made bim a favorite with all, med he ted hold with much enthusiasm in perfecting the drill of his company, and the vai- ous duties incident to camp life, until the regiment was thoroughly con ped and ready for the field. He accompanied the Ninth to St. Louis, theneed to Filed Kuob, Mo., finally uniting with Gener Curtis, Started on Be menteralle mnoch to the Mississippi river. Lieutenant Benton was selected to cany disiden from General Curtis to the Commander of the Department al St. Louis, leavinge General Curtis tent at & P. M. in company with Peter Heffron as orderly, and Sergeant Hamer ou a night and day ride of two hundred and twenty five miles through an enemy's country. This ride was ma ic rapidly, and Lieutenant Benden. reported at St. Louis with his dispatches in safety, having Skillfully evadel rally dangers that beset him on this important mission.
Later when it became known that General Curti ' army bad reached the Mis- sissippi River, they rejoined the com and ut Holds.
Shortly afterword General Benton, of Indiana, who had recently been given a General's commission for gallantry at Pea Ridge, offred Lieutenant Benton : position on his staff. This would take him out of the line of promotion but he cared less for that than leaving the boys, who had joined the service with hinein Company A, but after numerous conferences, finally decided that daty leading in that direction, he accepted the position, and for the next two years he sought the fortunes of war as Aid-de-camp, Quartermaster and Offinance Ofici an cres. sion required with General Benton.
First in an expedition down the river to Laconia in Southern Arkabesund west to the borders of Southern Texas, returning to Helder it was found a. S. Louis had become alarmed, fearing an invasion by then del General Mernefte.
General Cortis dispatched some sixteen thousand the open der Gegend Desno son, General W. P. Benton commanding one of the brigales to Geneviese on Line river below St. Louis, thence west ahnost to the Kansas line.
Returning to the Mississippi, the command Was ordered to report to Gipreis! Grant at Milliken's Bendl ahove Vicksburg, where it became merged in the Thirteenth Army Corps.
Lieutenant Benton went through that entire campaign, participating in nearly all the battles in Mississippi, including the assault on and the size of Vicksburg.
The Thirteenth Army Corps was transferred to the army of General Binks General Benton in the meantime having been promoted to the command of the First Division, formerly under Genera! E. A. Carr.
At New Orleans Lieutenant Benton was detailed on a commission for the exchange of prisoners, and with General Franklin met a like commission from General Dick Taylor, Bear New Iberia, where. after complete labor, 5 500
Returning to New Orleans, crossed the Gulf of Fals Cavie, and Imme) at the western end of Metagorda Bay on the southern const of Texas, vins kin tioned here some time, thence to Brownville on the Rio Grande, back to New Of leans and took part in the Red River campaign initier Coweral Books, after which General Benton was placed in command of Bet and West Brom Route. Here Lieutenant Benton was placed in charge of the cotton going in and out, sokolso of the pass department over some seventeen roads, leading out from the disney and down the river to New Orleans and up as far as Caire. He had here the tailed assistants.
At this place Lieutenant Benton had the opportunity to make a " buckel of money." but like a true soldier he resisted the temptation and came away with clean hands and an honest conscience.
While at Baton Rouge, he was offered the coloneley of a colored regimer! that was being organized at Port Hudson, but his health being inmpb 4 by ilm constant exposure in the line of duty, he declined the hovor.
friend, Governor Yates, recommending the Lieutenant to a field ofice in cons of the Illinois regiments where there should be a vacancy, but be never pay out. it. preferring if he served his present connection to return to his own regiment . 18 company.
After serving something over three you're he was not found out at Mimgli- Tenn., October 19. 1564, where he remained in business til Isis, wink lw 1 moved to Chicago, where he has since resided.
His present address, Jess, in Millard Avenue Station, Chicago, Il.
SKETCH OF LIEUTENANT EBERHART.
John R. Eberhart enlisted at Rock Island, 11. September 1. 1501, 50) \ assigned to Company A, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, under Captain H. B. Borgh s.r. ing constantly with the regiment until January 1. 1504, when he was dirconst !. with the rank of Sergeant: re-enlisted as a veteran in Company A. das ponented to be First Sergeant, and commssiomed Second Lichterdet, May Bour, mi sem promoted to be First Lieutenant of Congomuy 1, Nit inhos Cavalis, Vi ab
Lieutenant Eberhart was constantly with the regiment during The whole period up to September S. 1865. Having tendered bis rienation Job 100. the same was accepted Septembers, 1865. He was it all the euganeaoff his company, ever ready for duty, and brave and active in the discharge of tipo same. He won the respect and esteem of all with whois Re envie in contact
After his discharge from the service, he returned to Ilmais. His address, May, ISSS, is Reynolds, Iil.
SKETCH OF LIEUTENANT WEBSTER.
George l'. Webster enlisted into the United States service, September 1. 1991. at Edgington, Ill., in what afterward became Company 1, Ninth Plinoks Cavalos Heserved till January 1, 1864, when he re-enlisted asa veteran, and was progurte i Sergeant of his company, and was again promoted and commissioned to be ery
nancy of his complex and was mustered ong 1 15
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HISTORY OF THE
Lieutenant Webster was with the regiment, from first to last, over four years, and was a brave, reliable soldier, ready for duty at all times, and with bis com pany in all skirmishes and battles in which they were engaged. A man who was esteemed and liked by all.
Since the war he has been in the vicinity of his old home, and his present a !- dress is Des Moines, Iowa, 1858.
SKETCH OF LIEUTENANT CASTOR.
Henry H. Castor enlisted from Mercer County, III., September 1, 1861. in Company A, of the Ninth, and re-enlisted as a veteran, January 1, 1964, was promoted Sergeant, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant of his com pany, October 4, 1865, and was finally mustered out at Selina, Ala., October 31, 1865, and returned to Springfield, IN., with his regimert, where he received his final payment and discharge.
Lieutenant Castor was one of the bravest soldiers in our regiment. A mon afraid of nothing, always anxious and eager to be on duty, and with his company constantly in all the scouts, skirmishes and beatles. A notable incident is related. when on the 22d of February, 1961, he had a hand-to-hand encounter with a rebel Major in which he succeeded in worsting his enemy, an I captured the Major with horse and equipments.
Since the war Lieutenant Castor has made his home in the West, and his ad- dress is Stromsburg, Neb., 1855.
WILLIAM F. CRAWFORD
was born July 17, 1855, in Utica, Ind., and came with his parents to limi- in 1843. On the death of his father he went back to halina, and there canned money by working on a farm to secure a good common sekpal education, and in the year 1853 again came to Illinois and settled in Edgington, Rock Island County, where he engaged in farming.
He was married in October, 1556, to Miss Mary E. Pierce, and has sis obil- dreu -- one daughter and tive sons, three of whom will enst thei. fra vote for President this fall, 1588. He enlisted at Edgington, Il .. September 1, 1971, ahol in the muster-in of Company A. Ninth Illinois Cavalry, was appointed Sompart of his company, serving as a true and faithful soldier until the expiration of his term of service, when he was unstered out as First Serpent.
Comrade Crawford was always well thought of by his comrades and all who knew him. He was brave, and ready at all times to perform his Inll share of duty. and was ever in the front rank when fight or hard service was to be performed. After his muster-out, September 28, 1864, He returned to Ilmois and engaged in his old-time occupation of farming, and has been for many years, in addition in his large farming operations, handling stock and in the grain business both at his farm and at the railroad station. He is also a member of the State Legislature, and has the Republican nomination for a second term, which is equivalent to an election in his strongly Republican district. He has also been for many years superintendent of the Sabbath school in his town, and receives and maintains the esteem and respect of all those with whom he comes in contact Thi intheme i always on the side of that which he considers the right.
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NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.
Comrade Crawford's residence has been for many years at Taylor Ridge, 100 which is his present address.
SAMUEL R. VANSANT
onlisted in the Ninth Thiais Cavalry, Company A. September 1, 1861, at Rop! Island, Ill., at the early age of seventeen, and as he was a nung? and his Lehet was desirous of his receiving a first-class education, young Saratel hol constar- able difficulty in gaining his father's content to his joining the emmy, but when Captain Burgh raised his company he reluctantly consumed to be Minyes!
Comrade Vansant was one of our brave, reliable, con ception soldiers, will carried with him in his army life the same nially habits that were intural to himy at home.
When he returned, after three years service in the cause of hiscompany having been promoted Corporal of his company, he came back with the seller honest, truthful, honorable nature, only broadened and deepened by Lits como with others and the experience of the world. After his return hoe heet ological at the American Business College, at Hudson, N. Y., and theo attended Kons College at Galesburg, IL., during his sophomore you.
Soon after leaving college he went into bu iness with his father at Le Cido. Iowa, builling and repairing steamboats, then buin a mute ber of rafthoats, ini has been operating them ever since. They built the first boat with live poker exclusively for the business, and named hor the . J. W. Vansti!" He les 100g interested in some fifteen steamboats, and is at the present time president of the "La Claire Navigation Company," and the Mansuit & Mismo Towine d \n. igation Company," and in that large business keeps up with the times, and my modern improvements.
Comrade Vansant is a strong Republican, and represent. his ward in der Democratic city of Winona in the council, and was the candidate of his parle ler mayor last spring, when he reduced the Democratic majority by seven hundred
He was married in 1868, and Los one son named Grauer, And soy. MAI . 000 older I think more of old army friends, Nothing is too good for the old cold. in my opinion."
He has been for many years a rosider: of Winmia, Min., vbrfre he Menin sa active, busy life, highly respected by all who know him.
N. G. VANSANT
enlisted in the Ninth Ilir ois Cavalry, Company A, ut Roel Islam!, ID . F.romano 9, 1861, and served with his company as a good soldier faithfully until the abor of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment at Seling, Ala., OGaber :1. 1865.
Soon after his return from the war he entered college and graduated with good standing in 1820.
For eight years he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and then parchi ed at ma near Sterling, and has been engaged in farming operations for a number of yourty
He is now. 1898, president of the Whiteside Comay Sunday school kommts- tion, and Junior Vice Commander of "Will Robinson Post No. 224." of Sterling I. A man of blanches life, and highly e tremed by all wine know Iam if present address i- Rook Falls, 11.
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HISTORY OF THE
S. D. CLELAND.
was born January 29, 1542, aud emigrated with his parents to the West in the fall of 1542. His father was a minister, and was faster of the Presbyterian church in Davenport one year, and at Rock Island for the rest For years ; then removed to Edington township of Rock Bland, where young $ m put in his time doing chores, and the usual things that fall to the lot of the sm 1. but ambitious boy on the farm, and attended the districtschool, and later attendleri a select school, and in 1861, was preparing to enter college, when the call for volunteers caused him to enlist in Company A, Ninth Hinduis Cavalry, w. her. as a good soldier, and one that faithfully performed his every duty, he waspro- moted to a sergeantey, and re-enlisted as a veteran, January 1, 1804, serving with the regiment but a short time, when he was placed on detached service. Mich 19, 1865, was discharged by special order of General E. R. S. Canby, and my -- tered as Sergeant Major of the sixty-first United States Colored troops, and on examination was promoted to be Second Lieutenant of Company 1, of that roli ment on September 5, 1865, and was Acting Adjutant the most of the tiene till December 30, 1865, when he was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., and vas sent to Memphis, Tenn., for final payment and discharge, being paid to January 2, 1866, when he left the United States service, and returned to the old tam.
Mr. Cleland was married January 27, 1807 to Miss Salenda E. Fisher, and they have three children, Fanny F., Pant C. and Blanche.
He spent several years on the farm, then went to Muscatine, Iowa, in busi- ness for two years, and for many years has been a traveling salesman.
Comrade Cleland is and always has been a strictly, choral upright mou. Ho has many friends, and the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.
His present home and address, June, 1858, is Rock Island, Ill.,
GEORGE M. KELLER
enlisted in Company A of the Ninth, September 1, 1861, as Bugler, and served com- year in that capacity, when on account of theken health he wes detailed in the regimental hospital, where he remained as assistent till the close of his time years' service.
Returning to Rock Island county. 10., in 1801, ko engaged in fanoite, a! the same time pursuing the study of medicine.
In 1870 he was appointed enumerator, and took the United States census for Rock Island county. He was married in 1871 to Miss M. E. Boyer, and in 1974 graduated in medicine at the Iowa State University; practicol hi profesion in Rock Island till the fall of 1878. when he moved to Anthony, Harper County, Kan., where in the fall of 1879 he lost his wife, leaving him with one child, Harry W. Keller, then six years old.
In the spring of 1856 he moved to Santa Fe, Kan., where he has since resided, having an extensive practice.
He was elected in the fall of 1587 the first Representative in the Legislature front Haskell county, and is now, in connection with his practice, editor mnul manager of the Haskell County Republican at Santa Fe, Kan.
FRANK C. BRENER
was born in 1848, and emigrated with his parents to Poch [Pond, HE when, for
NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.
years of age, and at the age of sixteen enlisted in Company A, of the Ninth, Wines the youngest soldier in the compriny, and perhaps in the regiment.
He participated in the battle of Guntown, Miss., Jime 10, 1864, mal uit Huy ricane creek, Tupelo and Nashville, Tenn., and was promoted Corporai, lovite served with his company as a brave ami competent soldier from the three of Dif- enlistment to the muster out of the Ninth. He was di-charged :of Spring.p.d. B !. November, 1965.
Since the war Comrade Bruner has chosen the ministry for his profesion was educated at Westfield College, Ilinois, and united with the Iindi Confer ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1874, was stationed at Monticello, HA .. for some years, and (June, 1885) is pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Beardstown, JII.
He received the degree of A. M. from his alma mater in Jest, and isa phong man of fine intellect, uncommonly brilliant as an orator, and of pleasing address. " Long may he wave."
Sergeant George Ferguson enlisted at La Meille. September 1, 1861. nulotoyol out September 23. 1864: resides at Glidden, lowa.
Sergeant Richard B. Hubbard enlisted from Edgington, September 1. 1001. mustored out September 23, 1864; address, Pasadena. Cal.
Corporal Wilford Shadrack enlisted at Drury's Landing, September 1 1-01
Corporal James Kinney enlisted Rock Island, September 1, 1861; mustered owa September 23, 1861: address Rock Island, III.
Fritz Gall enlisted Rock Island, September 1, 1861; promoted Farrier; di- charged May 1, 1862.
Corpora! Alfred Axtell enlisted from Drury's Landing, September 1, 1.01; veteran; mustered out July 20, 1865; prisoner of war: address, Ilinois City, ID.
Hiram Barlow enlisted Rock Island, September 1, 1861; mustered out Fry tember 23, 1864.
William. H. Bates enlisted Rock Island, September 1, 1851 ; veler af med out October 31, 1865.
Lewis Banchner enlisted at Rock Island, September 1, 18til; died June 2, 1 3
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