USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
SEVENTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Allen, Alonzo E., Franklin.
Harvey, Asa M., Franklin. Neiver, George W., Franklin. O'Neil. Aaron, O.
Timothy, Charles D .. Franklin. Vanorsdale. Emanuel, Franklin.
EIGHTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
Smith, Legrand, Somonauk. Warner, Henry H., Victor. Potter. Nelson, Victor. Dale, Arthur, Victor.
NINETY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Shepherd, David N., Malta. Kelly, Patrick, Malta.
NINETY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
OFFICERS.
Thomas W. Humphrey, Franklin.
PRIVATES.
Arbuckle. Benson B., Kingston.
Bell. George M .. Kingston.
Brainerd, Eli, Kingston.
Garland, W. H., Franklin.
Gleason. Charles II., Kingston.
Heckman. John, Kingston.
Hudson, Hiram, Kingston.
Lankton, Abry, Kingston.
Morrison, John, Franklin.
Mullen. Charles C., Genoa.
Perry, William P., Kingston.
Potter. Henry L .. Kingston. Randall, Melvin A., Franklin.
Robh. Washington. Kingston. Robbins. James S., Kingston.
Russell. Sylvester S., Kingston. Saum. William M .. Kingston.
Walter. William H., Genoa. Ward. Joseph H., Franklin. Wilkie, David. Kingston.
ITardy, Sanford. Genoa.
THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH.
Sketch of the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers, from its Organiza- tion in the Fall of 1862 Until its Final Dis- charge from the United States Service in 1865.
In response to the call of President Lincoln for six hundred thousand more men to aid in putting
218
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
down armed rebellion against the National Gov- ernment. the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Illinois Infantry Volunteers, was formed, em- bracing ten companies, of which six were composed of volunteers from De Kalb and four from Da Page counties respectively.
We have given the record of this regiment more complete because the only full account of the rec- ord made by this gallant body of De Kalb county boys has been given by H. L. Boies in his History of DeKalb County.
There are regimental histories of the other regi- ments which are before us, so it is with pleasure that we acknowledge our dependence upon Mr. Boies' history for this account of the 105th Illi- nois Volunteers ..
The men were enlisted iu July and August, 1862. and went into camp at Dixon, Illinois, on the 29th day of the latter month. where they ren- dezvoused until the preliminaries incident to effec- tive organization were gone through with. All the line officers were elected by the unanimous vote of the respective companies and each of the field and staff officers received every vote in the entire regiment.
The regiment was mustered into service Septem- ber 2, 1862, with nine hundred and fifty-four men. Colonel Daniel Dustin having been by its wisdom and with enthusiasm elected and welcomed as its commanding officer. The colonel entered the serv- ice in August. 1861, in the Eighth Illinois car- alry. as captain of Company L, which was raised in De Kalb county. He had been promoted major and served with his regiment in the campaign on the peninsular.
For lieutenant-colonel and major the One Hun- dred and Fifth selected Henry F. Vallette of Du Page county. and Everell F. Dutton, of De Kalb. the latter having been first lieutenant of Company F in the Thirteenth Ilinois Infantry. volunteers, which company also recruited in De Kalb county in April, 1861. Ile had been promoted captain of his company in August. 1861. and was with the Thirteenth in all the severe marches through Missouri and into Arkansas under General Curtis. Lieutenant-Colonel Valletie had not before been in the service. Lieutenant-Colonel Vallette and Major Dutton are in stature something over five and six feet respectively: the former of light frame. the latter large and command-
ing. Both are active in their movemente the major being particularly noted for those qualities characteristic of the dashing soldier.
The regiment was mustered in by Captain Barri, of the regular army, at Dixou, as before indicated. Companies 1, C, E, G, H and K being recruited from De Kalb county and companies B, D, F and I from Du Page. The following were the officers mustered at the time of organization :
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel Daniel Dustin
' Lieutenant colonel Henry F. Vallette
Major Everell F. Dutton
Adjutant William N. Phillips
Quartermaster . Timothy Wells
Surgeon Horace S. Potter
Assistant surgeon Alfred Waterman
Chaplain Levi P. Crawford
COMPANY 1.
Captain Henry D. Brown
First lieutenant . George B. Heath
Second lieutenant Robert D. Lord
COMPANY B.
Captain Theodore S. Rogers
First lieutenant Lneius B. Church
Second lieutenant Willard Scott, Jr.
COMPANY C.
Captain Alexander L. Warner
First lieutenant George W. Field
Second lieutenant Henry B. Mason
COMPANY D.
Captain Amos C. Graves
First lieutenant William II. Jeffries
Second lieutenant Luther L. Peaslee
COMPANY E.
Captain Thomas S. Ferry
First lieutenant Marvin V. Allen
Second lieutenant Albert C. Overton
COMPANY F.
Captain Seth F. Daniels
First lieutenant Samuel Adams
Second lieutenant Porter Warner
COMPANY G.
Captain John B. Nash
First lieutenant Richard R. Woodruff
Second lieutenant .John M. Smith
COMPANY H.
Captain Eli Hunt
First lieutenant James S. Forsythe
Second lieutenant Charles G. Culver-
219
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
COMPANY I.
Captain
Enos Jones
First lieutenant William O. Locke
Second lieutenant .Augustus H. Fischer
COMPANY K.
Captain Horace Austin
First lieutenant Nathan S. Greenwood
Second lieutenant Almon F. Parke
The men were here inducted into the A. B. C of the service by the officers, according to "tac- tics," taking the first position of the soldier and going through the first exercises of squad drill.
About the time the boys began to experience the sensations peculiar to raw recruits, just entering on a change of life and diet, the regiment was or- dered to Camp Douglas, Chicago, where, from the Sth to the last of September, it was busily en- gaged in securing clothing, camp and garrison cquipage. While at Camp Douglas the regiment was numerously visited by its friends, who came to see how the boys looked "in camp," and to ex- change a few more words of parting.
The regiment was presented with a beautiful stand of colors, by Hons. T. B. Bryan and H. C. Childs. of DuPage, upon wnose folds were in- scribed, in golden letters, "Strike together"-words destined to become actualized in the conduct or the men before the enemy.
On the 30th of September, 1862, under orders from the governor of Illinois, the regiment left Chicago for Lonisville, arriving there October 2d. At Jeffersonville, Indiana, the men were armed with the "Austrian rifled musket," an inferior weapon. Reporting to General Dumont. the regi- ment was attached to a division then under his command and to a brigade under the command of Brigadier General W. T. Ward.
At this point the trials and hardships of active soldiering began. as the boys of the new regiment were immediately called upon to execute a forced march to Shelbyville. Ky .. carrying knapsacks heavily stuffed, four days rations in haversacks. musket in hand, and sixty rounds of ammunition. Leaving Louisville on the day following their ar- rival at that point. the regiment arrived at Shei- byville on the 4th of October. having marched about thirty-six miles in twenty-four hours. For green troops who had never marched a day or an hour before, this was a hard beginning. Although only the first, it was the last march of some of the
men. Left Shelbyville on the 8th and entered Frankfort at 4. a. m. on the 9th. The movement was made with the entire division.
The 105th (and the division) remained at Frankfort seventeen days, during which time it was engaged in guard and picket duty, with oc- easional slight skirmishing with the enemy, per- forming drill duty daily. and exeenting a counter raid upon John Morgan and his command, march- ing to Lawrenceburg and returning to Frankfort, a distance of about twenty-eight miles in about twenty hours.
Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky, was an in- teresting point to the soldiers who were so fortu- nate as to rest there. It is situated on the east bank of the Kentucky river, sixty miles above its entrance into the Ohio. The site of the town is a deep valley. surrounded by precipitous hills. The river flows in deep limestone banks, the quarries of which yield a fine stone or marble of which many of the houses are built. It contains a State-house, Court-house and other official buildings, with many handsome private dwellings and a population of some three or four thousand. In the beautiful cemetery, near the city, are the graves of many of Kentucky's prominent dead; many soldiers of the Mexican war. and the tomb of Daniel Boone. the old pioneer.
IFere the regiment became thinned out somewhat by diseases peculiar to camp life. Many had to be left behind when the regiment moved on for Bowling Green, which it did, together with the division. on the 26th of October. arriving at that point November 4th. The boys still unused to military duty, and poorly prepared to endure 1 forced march of so great length, were, neverthe- less, rushed through on foot-as from Louisville to Shelbyville, with heavy loads-a distance of 154 miles, in ten days. The weather was warm and the roads dusty during the latter part of the march, which added greatly to its trials. Think of a column of troops, already jaded, with ex- hausted and chafed bodies. literally enveloped in dust, so that one man could not see three ranks ahead of him. much less distinguish one comrade from another !
The night before they started upon this march a furious snow-storm visited Frankfort and neigh- borhood, making the pulling down of tents and the packing of camp equipage in the morning, a cold
220
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
and cheerless task. The troops left Frankfort in three inches of snow, but with confidence in their ability to endure any hardships after undergoing the severities of the forced march from Louisville to Shelbyville. Leaving Frankfort on the 26th, ss before mentioned, the command moved about twen- ty miles and camped at Salt river. On the ?1th. passed through a small place called "Dogwalk." On the 28th, passed through Johnsonville, and Chaplin Hill, camping at Sugar Grove. Passed through Bloomfield and Bardstown on the 29th, camping one mile beyond the latter place. Reach- ed New Haven on the 30th, and on the 31st passed near Hodgkinsville, and the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. November 1st, reached Bacon Creek sta. tion, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, leaving the sick and sore to be sent forward by rail. November 2d, passed through Mumfordsville and crossed Green river. camping at Ilorse Cave. Thc Cave was numerously visited by the soldiers and pronounced a very interesting natural curiosity. It lies deep down in the bowels of the earth, with 3 round entrance like the mouth of Jonah's Whale. In its interior is a stream-a deep, small, silen! vein of pure water, coursing beyond the vision of the seers of Horse Cave village. On the 3d. passed near the famous Mammoth Cave. camping within a day's march of Bowling Green. Arrived a; Bowling Green on the 4th, camping at Lost River. several miles southwest of the town. A small stream. losing itself in the broad mouth of an- other of Kentucky's underground passages, was the scene of this encampment.
As already indicated, this was a hard march. The officers and men endured it with commend- able patience, arriving at their destination ex- hausted and footsore.
HIere the regiment remained one week. drilling daily. On the 9th, the division was reviewed by Major General Rosecrans. Riding up to the 105th during the review. the General, after being saluted, said : "Men of the 105th. when you go into battle, fire deliberately and aim low. Remember. that it each of you hits a man you will kill and cripple a great many. It is a short lesson, and I hope you will remember it."
The boys enjoyed the brief rest at this point, and under direction of their good Colonel and faithful officers, rapidly improved in the school of the soldier.
IJere we had an opportunity of entering and exploring Lost River Cave. One day a party. equipped with candles and matches, penetrated far into the interior. crawling through circular open- ings to its series of chambers. or tracing the mean- dering passage which holds in everlasting embrace the little river that is "Lost." The chambers near the entrance to the Cave are oblong. with arched ceilings. and barely admitting a man in uprigat posture. They are empty and unornamented. But the passage in which the stream flows is broad, and high enough to admit the tallest man, the ceiling in dome-like form, rising in many places so high as to render its outlines scarcely visible without the aid of strong lights. For two hundred vards the party picked their way, now and then climbing over rocky places, and on bare ground treading the narrow shore. The sound of voices vibrated with thrilling effect in the deep recesses (ť the dark cavern.
The pleasant encampment at Lost River ende.l on the morning of November 11th, the division having been ordered to Scottsville. the county seat of Allen county. a small town of about two hun- dred inhabitants. The regiment arrived on the evening of the 12th, and camped near the town. Until the 25th. the regiment remained at this point. engaged in drill and guard duty. Here the troops were required to turn out at 5 o'clock in the morning and stand at arms until sunrise. This was a precautionary practice.
The boys by this time spent nearly all the money they had received on entering the service. and were compelled to use postage stamps as currency. In trading with the most ignorant of the natives about Scottsville. they passed old stamps and labels for money. For instance. a "one cent" pain killer label, from a bottle of Perry Davis' or anybody else's specific, would pass quite readily for a "one dollar." Thus many secured the luxuries of the country thereabouts, such as pies, cakes, eggs, or anything else eatable.
While here. the 105th. together with a section of a battery, executed a sort of mock battle, the for- mer manoeuvering and charging before the latter while firing blank cartridges. The battle was spirited. and admirably conducted by Colonel Du :- tin and the commanding officers of the battery.
The first changes among commissioned officers
221
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
occurred November and December, 1862, as fol- lows:
Captain Horace Austin, Company K, of De- Kalb, resigned November 26th, First Lieutenant Nathan S. Greenwood, of Clinton, succeeding as captain.
Adjutant William N. Phillips, of Wayne, Du, Page, resigned December 2nd; Sergeant Major David D. Chandler, of DeKalb, succeeding as adju- tant.
Chaplain Levi P. Crawford, of Sandwich, De- Kalb, resigned December 24th; Daniel Chapman succeeding as chaplain.
Second Lieutenant Robert D. Lord. of Geneva Company A, resigned December 11th; Sergeant William R. Thomas, of Sycamore. succeeding as Second Lieutenant.
First Lieutenant Richard R. Woodruff, Com- pany G, of Sycamore, resigned December 24th : Second Lieutenant John M. Smith, of Burlington, Kane County, succeeding as first lieutenant.
Captain Eli L. Hunt, Company K, of Sandwich, resigned December 17th; First Lieutenant James S. Forsythe, of Somonauk, succeeding as captain.
Captain Enos Jones, Company I. of Milton, Du- Page, resigned December 17th : First Lieutenant William O. Locke, of Addison, succeeding as cap- tain.
In the above instances, promotions were made according to rank in the filling of vacancies.
On the 25th moved to Gallatin, Tennessee, ar- riving on the 26th. Gallatin is a pleasant place, of about two thousand inhabitants, the county seat of Sumner county, on the Louisville and Nash- ville, twenty-five miles north.
The brigade to which the regiment was attached embraced the following regiments: 20th Indiana, 105th, 102d, 129th Illinois and 29th Ohio. About the 10th of December, the brigade was ordered into winter quarters at Gallatin. except the 105th. which on the 11th moved to South Tunnel, six miles north of Gallatin, relieving an entire brigade of Ohio troops, under command of General Stead- man. Here the regiment remained until the 1st of February, 1863, except Company A, Captain Brown, which was stationed during the winter at a railway bridge half way between the tunnel and Gallatin, during which time constant scouting dutv was performed. Much sickness prevailed. and many deaths occurred. The camp was located on
high, but soft ground, near the mouth of the tun- nel-really on the side of a mountain, whose lofty summit overlooked the camp and railway station to the north. This position was the scene of much suffering, and varied and wearisome duties. The regimental Surgeon H. S. Potter, and Assistant Surgeon George W. Boggs, though among the best medical officers of the department, could hardly stem the tide of disease, which seemed to sweep through the camp at times with the fatality of an epidemic. The chief Surgeon himself narrowly es- caped death by disease.
First Assistant Surgeon Alfred Waterman had been assigned to the smallpox hospital, at Bowling Green, immediately after the arrival of the regi- ment at that point. This was the scene of his own severe illness, as well as important service. Re- mained there until about the 18th of February, 1863, when he returned to the regiment, then at Gallatin. IFe escaped the horrors of South Tun- nel, but not the horrors of Bowling Green, which seemed to be all hospital and nothing else. The regiment lost a few men there.
Right here let us remark concerning the chief surgeon of the 105th, and the assistant surgeons. that in the exigencies of every situation they were found to be men of sterling integrity and large capacity. Surgeon Potter was a gentleman of fine sensibilities, and on all occasions manifested a will- ingness to go to the end of his powers of endur- ance in order that nothing it was possible for him to do might be left undone.
First Assistant Surgeon Waterman, an officer of stronger physical powers and great activity. af- terward became chief surgeon, filling up the meas- ure of his duties in whatever sphere he was called to act.
Second assistant surgeon-afterward first assist- ant-George W. Boggs, a young officer of decided skill, filled his position in the most creditable manner.
Grim death bore away from that mountain height at South Tunnel many a gallant soldier, and some friends visiting the regiment from homes in the North, arrived after their boys had been buried. Henry S. Kingsley. an honorable and talented young member of Company F. Captain Daniels' company, died of typhoid fever. His father. Rev. Mr. Kingsley, hearing of his sickness. came all the way from Cook county, Ill., to Galla-
222
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
tin. Tenn., only to learn that his boy was dead and buried some hours before his arrival.
The regiment was ordered back to Gallatin, February 1, 1863, where it remained with the bri- gade until the last of May. On the 14th day of March. Companies, D. F, Il and G were detailed as provost guard, and performed that duty eredit- ably. making friends of the citizens of Gallatin by their steady habits and good behavior.
Up to this period-May. 1863-the regiment had lost 205 mnen. died and discharged on account of disability. But for the exposure and the severe marches it had undergone. the larger portion of those who died and those discharged, would have been numbered among the effective force of the organization.
During the six months stop at Gallatin and the Tunnel. ending the 1st of June. 1863. the regi- ment performed a great amount of hard labor. constructing earthworks, scouting. clearing the country of bushwhackers, gathering forage, horses, etc .. and capturing rebels. Major Dutton had charge of all the scouts-fifty from each regiment of the post-riding night and day for weeks through the country, at one time ( May 19). mak- ing quite a capture of prisoners on the south side of the Cumberland River. attended with a skirm- ish, during which a Lieutenant Record. of the 20th Indiana, was wounded. At another time the Major captured. and brought in, seventy-eight bales of cotton. from across the river. fifty horses and mules. and several rebels.
The Gallatin printing office was placed in charge of Private Ogden Whitlock of Company F. 105th, by Major Scarritt, provost marshal under General Paine. post commander. Private Whitlock acted as post printer. turning out a large amount of Goverment printing in the shape of job work. and together with Sergeant J. E. Harroun, of the 102d Illinois. as senior editor. and Privates Bell and Patrick, of the 102d. and Company 1. 105th. respectively. published a well-filled and well- edited six column weekly paper ealled the Courier, which enjoyed a circulation of 1.200, having many northern exchanges, and receiving complimentary notices from such papers as the Indianapolis Daily Journal, Gazette, Weekly Chicago Covenant, Syca- more Republican, Wheaton Illinoian. Nashville Tenn .. Daily Union. Elgin, Ill., Gazette. Salem. O., Republican, Aledo. Ill .. Record and many other
prints : also a sarcastic notice from the Louisville Journal.
We have not yet mentioned the fact of the disso- lution of Gen. Dumont's division to which the regiment was assigned at Louisville. On the 7th day of December. 1862. the 39th brigade, which was in the division. and commanded by Colonel Moore, of the 104th Illinois Volunteers, was cap- tured at Ilartsville, Tenn. This event seemed to disgrace. or at least, was disastrous to the division. as immediately thereafter, one brigade-the 40th -was assigned to General Reynolds, and Ward's brigade assigned to General E. A. Paine. com- mander of the post at Gallatin.
Lieutenant Colonel Vallette filled the position of provost marshal for some time at Gallatin, and Captain A. C. Graves of Company D. had charge of provost guard.
Many of the officers and men received leave of absence from that point, visiting their homes and returning to the regiment, bearing letters and packages to those who remained with the eom- mand.
Second Lieutenant Wm. R. Thomas, promoted from first sergeant, Company A. was assigned to the position of A. A. G .. on Staff of General W. T. Ward, commanding the brigade, then called the Sth. a position which he filled with credit to him- self, reflecting honor on the 105th. Ile was after- ward confirmed as a staff officer by anthority of the president of the United States, which posi- tion he retained during the remainder of his termi of service.
First Lieutenant L. B. Church, promoted from second lieutenant Company B. afterwards pro- moted to captain-was detailed on the staff of General Ward as A. D. C., and subsequently on the staff of General Paine. as A. D. C., which po- sition he assumed to the entire satisfaction of the commanding officers in particular and the com- mand in general. Lieutenant Church was an officer and gentleman of more than usual popular- ity. on account of his uniform conviviality and his wonderful talent for singing. He has charmed the senses of thousands in and out of the army by his magic voice. To the 105th he was a tower of strength: as a natural born singer. he pos- sessed in ample measure the power to soothe and thrill with concordant sounds the spirits of its every member. Stand him on a barrel in the
223
PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
streets of Gallatin or in any of the camps, and he would bring every regiment and every detach- ment within the radius of a mile inside the circle of his song vibrations. "The Sword of Bunker Hill," "Red, White and Blue," "Old Shady," and other popular airs were rendered with great en- ergy and effect.
The 105th was distinguished for its musical characters-perhaps more than any other regiment in the whole department. Colonel Dustin, Lieu- tenant Colonel Vallette, Major Dutton, Assistant Surgeon Waterman, and Lieutenant Heath, of Company A, were singers also. They participated in the exercises of a grand concert given at Galla- tin by a combination of singers and musicians of the Sth brigade, on the evening of April 22, 1863. The entertainment was a splendid affair, and had to be repeated the second evening following. The Gallatin Courier in making an extended notice of the concert of the 22d, said: "The entertainment was a highly successful one in all respects, and will be remembered as one of the brightest inci- dents in the army, long after the scenes through which we are passing have flown." Among the line officers and enlisted men there were also many singers, and good musicians.
The Regimental Band, with Drum-Major Mor- rel Fuller and Fife-Major Walter Van Velzer at its head, became justly noted in the army for clever manipulations on the drum and fife. Be- ing expert performers on the violin also, these gentlemen added its charms to the list of "regi- mental blessings." By means of industrious appli- cation during their term of service. they advanced to a stage of development which gave them de- cided character as individuals and made the regi- ment proud of them as its principal musicians. The entire company of musicians attained to a high degree of efficiency, the band as a whole be- ing excelled by none, and above the average in all respects of most regimental bands in the army.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.