USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 31
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The Daily National Democrat edited by William T. Dowdall, was at that time a leading democrat paper published at Peoria. It did not publish its account of the proceedings in court on the 8th of January, but deferred it until the next day so as to be able to write out its hastily taken notes at greater length. It reports Mr. Johnson as saying: "In the winter of 1860, when a member of con- gress, and when the country was on the verge of Civil war, Mr. Kellogg pre- sented to that body a plan of compromise for which he was severely censured by his constituents, and a convention called by them publicly demanded his resigna- tion. I here declare to you that he was unjustly censured on that occasion. Before taking the step he did, he went to Springfield and was closeted with President-elect Lincoln all night, and, at the suggestion, request and approval of Mr. Lincoln he offered his compromise measure in congress. I know this to be true. I was then in the legislature at Springfield, but it was deemed improper to state the facts at the time. Mr. Kellogg was made the conductor that carried out that lightning which blasted himself. While Mr. Lincoln lived, Mr. Kellogg was sure of recognition and reward, and, had he lived, that recognition would have been continued. With heroic bravery he marched to his duty, though he could not but foresee what risks he ran in its performance."
No one who knew Mr. Johnson would doubt his word on such an occasion. and on a subject of so great importance. Neither can it be doubted that we have in the foregoing extracts one from a republican, the other from a democratic paper, a substantial report of what he said. In corroboration of this is the fact that Mr. Johnson's office was within two blocks of each of these papers, they being the leading papers of the city, read by every one, and no word of dissent appeared from MIr. Johnson or any other person in Peoria. It is more probable that the account published in the National Democrat underwent his personal revision.
The interpretation placed upon his words by those present was well voiced by Lucien H. Kerr, who in the legislature next preceding had represented this district in the senate, who said: "In the explanation that has been made by Mir.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN Taken at Peoria, October 16, 1854
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Johnson, justice has been done to Judge Kellogg. At the time he stepped forward it was necessary for the safety of the country that Mr. Lincoln should stand uncommitted. The mind of the nation was deeply moved and nothing but blood seemed to satisfy the demands of the crisis. Kellogg stepped into the breach. He knew it would be his political death, but he died politically for his country as heroically as the soldier who faces and braves the sword or bullet of his enemy. And he went down to his death and made no sign. He kept it all within his own bosom. Knowing he had been maligned he raised no voice. This is the last, the greatest, the highest tribute to his memory.
Mr. Alonzo M. Swan, a life-long citizen of Canton and the historian of the city, in a communication to a friend gives a long statement of the occurrence from which the following extracts are taken. "Republican statesmen in the north who foreseeing the terrible cost of human life and sacrifice that would follow war, were hopeful it might be averted. Among this number were Simon Cameron and William H. Seward, already slated for positions in Mr. Lincoln's cabinet.
The Hon. William Kellogg arrived in Springfield on Sunday morning, January 20, bearing confidential communications from Messrs. Cameron and Seward to Mr. Lincoln. These communications were of so grave a character that Mr. Lincoln summoned David Davis. *
* The Hon. Joseph Gillespie, State Senator from Madison county,
* David (William) Butler, then State Treasurer of the State of Illinois, and one or two others to consider the communications of Cameron and Seward. At this conference a new series of compromise resolutions were submitted which Cameron and Seward proposed should be introduced in the house of representatives at Washington by Mr. Kel- logg. These resolutions were on similar lines to the already rejected Crittenden resolutions, but it was argued by their authors that, even if they were rejected, they could furnish an argument for the north that the south had the olive branch extended, not only by Crittenden, a border state statesman, but by a radical republican from Mr. Lincoln's own state, and, therefore, it might be inferred, representing his own views."
"Just before midnight Mr. Kellogg came to my room (at the Cheney House) and awakened me saying that he wanted to talk to me. I was from Canton, Kel- logg's town, and had been placed, by his arrangement, in charge of the political editorials of the "Galesburg Free Democrat," the leading republican paper of his district, and was considered a protege of his. Kellogg was evidently worried and paced back and forwards for several moments before he spoke, when turning sud- denly to me he said 'Swan, I have agreed to-night to dig my own political grave- a grave so deep that when I am buried no political archangel can ever resurrect me.' He then went on to tell me that he had been sent by Cameron and Seward, by Mr. Lincoln's suggestion, to show the resolutions he afterwards offered to Mr. Lincoln for his approval and suggestions, as to any changes he might desire. These resolutions had been under discussion all the afternoon and evening, and had been modified in some particulars and amplified in others by Mr. Lincoln's own hand. Said Kellogg, 'I have not the slightest confidence in their efficiency. Their only possible effect I believe will be to bury me politically. If I lived in Washburn's district it might be different, but you know how radical Galesburg is, and Knox county controls the fourth district.' I asked him why he proposed to introduce the resolutions knowing, as he did, the personal consequences. 'I love Lincoln' was his reply, `and he has asked me to sacrifice my personal ambition for my country's sake and I cannot resist him.'"
The next afternoon Mr. Kellogg called up Swan in the hall of the house of representatives and, together, they called upon Mr. Lincoln (who then occupied the governor's room in the state house .- McCulloch), who said, "I know how you feel, Kellogg, about those resolutions, and the personal results to you; but I promise you I will stand by you in the future, no matter what may come." Mr. Lincoln did not appear to believe that the resolutions would lead to any compro- Vol. I-14
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mise, but did believe they would furnish a justification for any future action in defense of the Union which he might be called upon to make.
Mr. Swan then speaks of the convention at Peoria, which he says was held to demand his resignation, but at Mr. Lincoln's personal request. a few prominent men succeeded in preventing the passage of such resolutions, although resolutions were passed, and speeches made roundly denouncing his action. He concludes by saying: "True to his promise, Mr. Lincoln stood by Kellogg, appointing him chief justice of Nebraska after his term in congress expired, and giving him more appointments in the first distribution of patronage than were received by any other congressman from Illinois."
These statements, however plausible they may appear, seem at first to be irreconcilable with what Mr. Lincoln wrote to Seward on the same day Kellogg first presented his resolutions in congress. In a letter of February I, he says to Seward, "On the 21st ult. Hon. W. Kellogg, a republican member of congress of this state, whom you probably know, was here in a good deal of anxiety for our friends to go in the way of compromise on the now vexed question. While he was with me I received a dispatch from Senator Trumbull at Washington, alluding to the same question and telling me to await letters. 1 say
now, however, as I have all the while said, that on the territorial question-that is, the question of extending slavery under the national auspices-I am inflexible. I am for no compromise which assists or permits the extension of the institution on soil owned by the nation. And any trick by which the nation is to acquire territory and then aflow some local authority to spread slavery, is as obnoxious as any other. I take it that to effect some such result as this, and to put uis again on the high road to a slave empire. is the object of all these proposed compromises. I am against it."
These sentences doubtless express Mr. Lincoln's real sentiments. They were also the sentiments of Judge Kellogg up to the time of his apparent desertion of his party on the occasion of the introduction of these compromise resolutions. According to Mr. Swan they continued to be his sentiments even after he had resolved to take the course he did. The letter to Mr. Seward was doubtless written for perusal by others besides himself, as a spur to keep his friends in line. But there are times in a man's public life, as well as in war when strategy is justifiable. Lincoln was firm in his belief, but had doubtless apprehended that in view of the horrors of internecine war and possible disunion compromise might be resorted to before he should reach the presidential chair. If one was to come, that of Crittenden seemed the most likely to be adopted. It is possible that offered by Kellogg was intended as a flank movement, to eliminate some of the objectionable features of the former, and to make a fair divide between north and south of the common territory, while it might remain under territorial governments, and to apply the doctrines of popular sovereignty to it when ready for admission. Even if Cameron, Seward and Lincoln were all concerned in it, it is not to be considered as a backing down on their part, but simply as a plan by which in the event of an offer of compromise the slave power should gain as little advantage as possible. In the meantime it was of the utmost importance that the name of neither of them should publicly appear as connected therewith, but Kellogg should stand alone-a scape-goat as it were to bear the burden. In this view it was proper for Lincoln to write to Seward as he did. It is possible the latter might have had little acquaintance with Kellogg, and yet he may have been chosen as the bearer of confidential dispatches between Cameron and Seward at Washington and Mr. Lincoln at Springfield. Subsequent events show that Mr. Lincoln never lost confidence in Kellogg, but that the latter was holding a valuable appointment under the president at the time of his assassination. Pos- terity will therefore be justified in believing what Mr. Johnson and Mr. Swan have stated, without imputing insincerity, or duplicity to Mr. Lincoln or a want of adherence to principle on the part of Judge Kellogg. In their struggles to save the country from a gigantic rebellion, which at that time seemed almost certain
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to result in the dissolution of the Union the wisest statesmen were at their wits end and many of them may have done things which posterity may have con- demned, but whatever the verdict of posterity may be as to the wisdom of Judge Kellogg's course, none can impugn his patriotism or the sincerity of his motive's on that occasion. If he was not faithful to his party, as party fealty is under- stood, it was because his country stood nearer to his breast than his party. If he was misjudged he meekly bore his reproach rather than betray the confidence reposed in him by the great martyr. In any event this movement of his formed one of the most interesting episodes in the political history of that most exciting period.
In the winter of '60 and '61, the editor was attending college in Monmouth and was a member of a debating society which discussed the question whether the south would actually go to war or whether they were only attempting to intimidate the north. The editor was very sure that they had too much sense to go to war and debated on that side of the question so earnestly as to become almost intemperate in his language. In a very short time after that he was wearing a blue uniform of the United States Volunteers, which uniform he continued to wear for more than three years. * *
The above article was submitted by Colonel Rice to Mrs. James, the daugh- ter of Judge Kellogg, and she told him that it gives the true history of the Kellogg Amendment.
It was submitted to William T. Dowdall, who is mentioned in the article, and Mr. Dowdall, in a letter states, that in the year 1866 Judge Kellogg, while chief justice of Nebraska, under appointment from Lincoln, related to him the whole history of this proposition of compromise and that his statement fully agreed with what is set out in this article by Judge McCulloch, that Kellogg came from Washington at the request of Seward and Cameron, who had draughited the resolution along the lines of the Crittenden Resolution, eliminating some of the most objectionable clauses, and Mr. Kellogg was authorized to say to Lin- coln that they approved and endorsed the resolution under existing circumstances and Kellogg, at their request, informed Lincoln fully of the situation in Wash- ington and that Lincoln made a few amendments to the resolution and urged Kellogg to introduce it; that Lincoln conferred, in Springfield, with Judge Joseph Gillespie and with E. G. Johnson, who was then member of the legislature from Peoria, and that Lincoln at that time promised Kellogg that he would stand by him and give him some appointment worth more than a seat in Congress ; and that it was thoroughly understood at that time that no one whatever was to be in any way made responsible for the offering of the resolution except Kellogg himself ; and that Lincoln also suggested to Kellogg that he was then already elected for a term of two years in Congress and that before that had expired, public sentiment might be so changed that his proposition of compromise would be approved by his constituents.
The editor is informed by Colonel Dowdall that the article published in his paper quoted by Judge McCulloch was submitted to Mr. E. G. Johnson and had his approval before it was put in type and that when printed Mr. Johnson called at the printing office and bought a number of copies of the articles to send to his friends.
CHAPTER XXI
THE CIVIL WAR-PRESIDENT LINCOLN CALLS FOR SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND MEN AND PEORIANS RESPOND LOYALLY AND HEARTILY-PARTY LINES ARE DIMMED AND PRACTICALLY ALL ARE FOR THE UNION-ROBERT G. INGERSOLL TENDERS HIS SERVICES AND BECOMES COLONEL OF A REGIMENT-COMPLETE LIST OF PEORIA'S HEROES-OTHIER WARS -- SOLDIERS MONUMENTS.
Notwithstanding the threats of the south that it would sever its connection with the Union in the event an anti-slavery president was elected, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated on the 4th day of March, 1861, great precautions having been taken to guard him from the ruthless hand of the assassin. Even at this time some of the slave-holding states had seceded and the inauguration of Lincoln but precipitated the "irrepressible conflict." On the 12th day of April, Fort Sumter was fired on by the vanguard of the southern army at Charleston, South Carolina, and the whole civilized world was notified by that traitorous action that civil war was on in the United States.
The duty of the president was plain to him, as he saw it under the constitu- tion, and immediately after this taunting insult had been paid the flag, on the 14th day of April, Lincoln issued a proclamation calling upon his countrymen to join with him to defend their homes and country and vindicate her honor. The call of the president was for 75,000 men and on the 15th of April, Governor Richard Yates issued a call for the convening of the legislature. Measures were there and then taken to meet the wishes and demands of the president and within . ten days after the call for troops, 10,000 men of the state of Illinois had volun- teered their services to their country and millions in money were at the command of the government from patriots in various parts of the state. Only six regiments could be accepted at this time, but, anticipating another call, the legislature authorized the raising of ten additional regiments and more than the requisite number of men to fill them at once offered themselves. In May. June and July seventeen regiments of infantry and five of cavalry had been raised and at the close of 1861 Illinois had in camp 17,000 troops and 50,000 in the field,-15,000 over and above her full quota.
The president, in July and August, 1862, called for 600,000 more men, and August 18 was set as the limit for volunteers, after which a draft would be ordered. Before eleven days had expired, men came from the fields, shops, stores, offices and other places of business, to the number of 50,000, showing by their promptitude the patriotism of a great state and of its people. On the 2Ist day of December, 1864, the last call was made. It was for 300,000 men and Illinois responded generously, although her quota had been overdrawn to a great extent.
In the meantime the citizens of Peoria and the country were heartily and enthusiastically in sympathy with the president in his efforts and determination to put down rebellion in the states and save the integrity of the Union. There were mass meetings, pole raisings, patriotic speeches on rostrums, in the pulpits and on the street corners. Democrats vied with republicans in expressions of condemnation of the spirit of the southern confederacy and party affiliations were forgotten by the thousands of loyal men who fell over each other in their
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eagerness to sign their names to the muster rolls. Hon, William Manning, one of Peoria's eminent lawyers of the day, an ardent Douglas democrat, declared himself for the Union, the constitution and the flag. At a great meeting of citi- zens presided over by the mayor, William A. Williard, William B. Whiffen, a democrat, was made one of the secretaries. The Democratic Union announced its policy as being unequivocally for the maintenance of the federal union and Robert G. Ingersoll, then a brilliant young Peoria lawyer and up to that time a democrat, offered to raise a regiment of cavalry 1,000 strong. This offer was not available, but shortly after a cavalry regiment was organized and Ingersoll was made its colonel.
The board of supervisors appropriated $10.000 to equip her volunteer soldiers and provide for the families of those needing assistance. Many offers from influential and wealthy men were made to provide for families of volunteers and it seemed to be in the nature of a competition among the men of affairs to see who could do the most for the Union cause.
The first departure of volunteers from Peoria was on the 24th day of April. 1861. On this day Captain Dennison's company of "National Blues" entrained for Springfield, their departure being witnessed by a mass of men, women and children. To the depot the "Blues" were escorted by Captain Norton's company of volunteers, the Peoria Zouaves and the Emmet Guards, each of which was headed by a brass band. On the following day the company was made a part of the state militia and finally it was mustered into the United States service as Company E, Eighteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. Richard J. Oglesby, who was afterwards three times governor of the state and United States senator, was commissioned as colonel of the regiment. Of the thousands of men sent to the front from Illinois, many of whom never returned, Peoria contributed a generous share. But the tales of the war have been oft told and countless volumes contribute to the history of the great conflict, which make it superfluous to go into details in this work. The well-filled shelves of Peoria's libraries will furnish all that may be desired on the subject. Following is a complete list of names of the brave men, who fought for their country's honor and integrity, , from Peoria county :
EIGHTH INFANTRY. COMPANY E. Captain.
Charles E. Dennison, April 22, 1861. Lieutenants.
First, John Wetzel, April 22, 1861 : second,
Charles Proebsting, April 22, 1861. Sergeants. First, Lloyd Wheaton, April 25, 1861.
Robert Wilson, April 25, 1861. Alexander Jackslfalusy, April 25. 1861. Frederick A. King, April 25, 1861. Corporals. Charles Reiss, April 25, 1861.
Snyder, David D., April 25. 1861.
Roehrig, Antony, April 25, 1861.
Caldwell, Samuel. April 25. 1861.
Musicians. Pierce, Henry C., April 25, 1861. Watton, Henry, April 25, 1861. Privates.
Enlisted April 25. 1861. Anderson, Irwin; Bahb, Timothy; Bohn, John; Brauns, Otto; Carner, Law- rence; Christ, Carl M .; Commensenusicb, David; Fairke. Otto; Forrester, Asa B .: Frazer. Chastaise S .; Fry, Charles G .; Gray, William H .; Garsuch, Noah H .; Gilliard. John P .; Gindele, Francis: Gruse, Gustavus; Gingrich, Jacob: Gillig, Charles E .; Gaup, William; Greenleaf, Henry B .; Hetzel, Frederick: Hahle, Charles; Harrison. A. Y .; Hurd, George W .: Humphries, Tames; Irons, Charles D .; Tackel, Amandus; July, Basil; Keener. Henry II .; Karl, Joseph; Kluge, Gustavus; Kolmbuck, Rey- nolds; Kellogg, John H .; Kuehnle, Joseph: Law-
son, Benjamin; Loomis, Andrew; Lutz, Ilenry;
Miller, Rodolphus; Martens, Frederick: Molden- hower, Ernest; Martin, Otis P .; Mund, August; Moehl, Emil; McCormick, Seth; Niglass, Ignatz; Nofziger, Jacob; Oberhauser, William; Pluffer, Charles HI .; Rollaman, Oscar; Schutte, Otto; Stutsman, Xavier; Schroeder, Louis; Schuman. Fred- erick; Thomas, Jacob; Voris, Robert: Van Braner, John; Wills, Charles; Wetzland, Julius; Wetzland. Gustavus; Wasson, James T .; Wrage, Henry; Wil- son. Joseph T .; Zindle. George; Zeidler, William.
SEVENTH INFANTRY. COMPANY B. Sergeant.
Dred. Richard W., enlisted February 24, 1865. Corporals. Protsman, Jacoh C., enlisted February 24. 1865. Smith, William, enlisted February 20, 1865. Conroy, Aaron, enlisted February 20, 1865. Bunn, William C., enlisted February 23, 1865 : promoted sergeant.
Privates.
Bauman, August, enlisted February 21, 1865.
Bristol. James. enlisted February 21, 1865.
Bristol. Cyrus, enlisted February 20, 1865. Cornell, George, enlisted February 3. 1865. Crowe. Isaac, enlisted February 23, 1865.
Curtis. Anson H., enlisted February 23, 1865.
Ely, Nathan J., enlisted February 20, 1865. Falconer, Thomas, enlisted February 20, 1865.
Gandell, Charles, enlisted February 23, 1865. Graves, Jasper, enlisted February 23, 1865. Gray, John, enlisted February 23, 1865.
Gifford, John B., enlisted February 20, 1865; pro- moted corporal.
Haslench. Joseph. enlisted February 21, 1865. Hunter, Ahner M., enlisted February 23. 1865.
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Harlow, Moses, enlisted February 23, 1865. Hinkle, William A., enlisted February 24, 1865. Isenburg, Samuel D., enlisted February 23, 1865- Jordan, John, enlisted February 23, 1865. Johnson, Edgar, enlisted February 20, 1865. Kampmier, William, enlisted February 21, 1865. Keller, Thomas, enlisted February 23, 1865. Keppel, Frederick, enlisted February 23, 1865; promoted corporal.
Keyser, Dennis E., enlisted February 23, 1865. Kistner, Paul, enlisted February 24, 1865.
Lorins, Julius, enlisted February 24, 1865. Lorins, Eugene, enlisted February 24, 1865. Nicholas. William, enlisted February 23. 1865. Regan, lIenry, enlisted February 23, 1865. Shiplen, Henry F., enlisted February 24. 1865. Scoville, John, enlisted February 24, 1865. Sarver, Benjamin, enlisted February 20, 1865. Sessler, Emile, enlisted February 24, 1865. Teufel, Christian, enlisted February 23, 1865; promoted corporal.
Teufel, Andreas, enlisted February 23, 1865. Wagener, August, enlisted February 21, 1865. Yans, Charles, enlisted February 20, 1865. Yates, John C., enlisted February 20, 1865. Young, John B., enlisted February 23, 1863.
COMPANY E. Private.
Brannen, Henry, enlisted July 25, 1861.
COMPANY G. Private. Houston, Francis, enlisted March 24, 1865.
EIGHTH INFANTRY. Major.
Lloyd Wheaton, commissioned July 25, 1863; pro- moted lieutenant colonel, September 23, 1865; pro- moted colonel but never mustered; mustered out as lieutenant colonel May 4. 1865.
Adjutant.
Frederick A. King.
Sergeants.
Voris, Robert, enlisted July 25, 1861; transferred from Company E, July 25. 1861; reduced and re- transferred October 1, 1862. Martin, Otis P., en- listed July 25, 1861; transferred from Company E. October 1, 1862; reduced and retransferred No- vember 18, 1862.
Hospital Steward.
Keener, Henry II., enlisted January 5, 1864; transferred from Company E, March 14, 1864; mus- tered out May 4, 1866.
COMPANY H.
Recruit. Stead, William, enlisted February 1, 1864.
Transferred from Seventeenth Infantry. Campbell, William, enlisted February 15, 1864. Cross, William, enlisted February 2, 1864. Snyder, James, enlisted December 23, 1863-
Transferred from Eleventh Infantry. Fleck, Martin, enlisted September 30, 1864. Miller, Anton, enlisted October 7, 1864.
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