USA > Illinois > Reunion of the 86th Regiment Illinois Infantry, 1889 > Part 14
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
Please find enclosed one dollar for dues. Yours truly. J. C. ZILER.
Nortonville, Kan.
COMRADES OF THE 6TH: I have looked forward to this reunion with a good deal of pleasure, hoping to meet with you: but the circumstances are such that I can not. Hoping that you may have a good time, I remain. Yours in F. C. and L., A. P. STILLMAN.
Monroe. Wis., Aug. 25, 1893.
DEAR COMRADES OF THE SOTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY: As the command has gone forth to come to the reunion or write a letter. I will obey and try and write a letter.
While I have not been so situated that I could well attend the reunions. yet I have been with you in heart.
-
I remember the 86th as having many of the finer specimens of humanity. and may those of us who remain eling closely to the Joshua R. Geddings idea of the nobler manhood: for the individual makeup of life models the nation that shall remain. If the home has been fashioned after the higher stand- ard we may have confidence, but if it has been after the baser sort we may
P
29
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT
well stop and consider where we are. The old soldier is having his full share in fashioning the nation that is to be. I fear that there are many who do not realize this and do not always act as they shot-always for liberty. We have some up this way who seem to have forgotten their calling and have given away their part in the nation's makeup; so that when they visit their market town they will soon be found perched upon a beer keg, or filled with the besom of destruction. or both. I hope the old Stith has none such. but that they are an unbroken body of the nobler sort, which may well claim the nation's attention.
If in the few years that do remain we shall reverence none but our Creator and treat all honest nien as brothers and strive to the end that makes for peace, we may well conclude that we have not wholly lived in vain.
Believing that the secretary will have many letters to read, I will make this one short: and with kind regards for the members of the regi- ment, their families and friends, I bid you all a kind farewell.
JESSE D. HONEYWELL.
Lamar. Mo .. Aug. 20. 1893.
DEAR COMRADES OF THE 86TH: I regret very much that I am not able to meet with you on this. the thirty-first anniversary meeting. I have thought each year that the next reunion would find me with you sure. but when the time rolls around it is the same old tune. "Times too hard, " and this year we are getting a double dose.
Well. I am not like some old soldiers in Missouri. I didn't vote the democratic ticket.
I do not wish to tire you with a long letter. so I send my love to surviv- ing comrades. and in doing so my memory goes back to the bravery of those who fell in battle and now lie buried beneath the southern soil. That 27th day of June never passes without a vivid recollection of those death pens. old Kenesaw and Peach Tree Creek. Yours in charity and loyalty,
L. B. BICKFORD, Co. D.
P. S. Please find enclosed $1.00 in payment of dues.
St. Paul. Minn .. Aug. 25. 1893.
DEAR COMRADES: I had expected until recently that I should leave here tonight for Peoria and vicinity, and that I should have the pleasure of meeting with my old comrades of the 86th regiment on Monday next. This, I regret to say. I shall be unable to do, but trust that if I am still this side of the river and well, I shall have the pleasure of meeting you at the reunion of 1504.
Very truly yours, WM. FAULKNER.
30
SEVENTH REUNION
Chicago. Ill., Aug. 28. 1893.
C. W. MCKOWN AND COMRADES: It is not my privilege to be with you all this year. It is the first time that I have missed being with the 86th at our annual meeting.
I am still unable, on account of my continued sickness, to write a read- able letter, but I must write this much, that I am with you in spirit and shall endeavor to sing the closing song with you on the morrow, although I shall be on the train in the eastern part of Michigan at that hour. I am so weak yet that I had to stop here for two days to rest.
· I am unable to write more. Enclosed find $1.00 for my dues. God bless all my comrades,
Yours sincerely, JASPER J. BROWN, Co. A, 86th Ill. Inf. Hastings, Neb .. Aug. 17. 1893.
COMRADES, ONE ALD ALL: I wish I could see you all, but it seems 1 can not. It costs too much, as I am too far from home. It is my desire at some time to see you all face to face; but can't say when it will be. if ever. My heart is with you and I shall always remember the comrades of the old 86th. I still vote as I used to shoot.
Yours in faith, hope and loyalty. C. B. KEMPEL. Co. C. Hydesville, Cal .. Aug. 9. 1893.
DEAR COMRADES: Last year I wrote you that I would be with you at the reunion this year, but alas, Grover postponed his financial policy until it will be too late for us to get the silver and reach Peoria by the 24th of this month.
Although I have a great desire to meet with you and see the big show. I am debarred for lack of funds. I had some laid away in the bank for this . purpose, but there came about a little scare and the officials of the bank took the ninety day limit. and I will not be able to get my money until September 15th, so will not go east this year.
Enclosed find one dollar for dues.
Yours truly, W. R. OGDEN.
THIRTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY
EIGHTH REUNION
OF THE
86ª REGIMENT
ILLINOIS VOL, INFANTRY
HELDIN
PEORIA, ILL. AUG. 27. 28. 94.
FAR AS KNOWN OF ALL SUONITORS
Ferran Illinois.
THIRTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY
EIGHTH REUNION
OF THE
86th REGIMENT
ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
HELD IN
PEORIA, ILL., AUGUST 27, 28, 1894.
ALSO, PRESENT POSTOFFICE ADDRESSES AS FAR AS KNOWN OF ALL SURVIVORS OF THE REGIMENT.
JOHN H. HALL, Commander, Peoria. Illinois. C. W. MCKOWN, Adj. and Q, M., Gitson, Knox Co., Illinois.
REPUBLICAN PRINT, KNOXVILLE, ILLINOIS.
----- IS94-
1A 040032-YTAIHT
PREFATORY:
The report of this reunion has been delayed to give time to correct our postal directory. The addresses of a number of comrades appear in this list for the first time. To those I will say I have surplus copies of the proceedings of all previous reunions except the first and second. If you desire them, write to the undersigned. I have a surplus of about twenty-five of our last badges. They are very beautiful-the nicest we ever had. Will send any comrade one ( until the supply is exhausted) for thirty cents in postage stamps. I do not believe any comrade would begrudge the cost after he saw the badge. The money will be credited to the treasury of the association.
- Commander Silliman's proposition to make this a portrait-souvenir edition did not meet with a hearty response; but, comrades, when you see the few pictures that are in this report, I presume most of you (like myself) will wish you had sent a photograph, Let us have three or four hundred portraits in next year's proceedings! What do "you all" say to that? My printer says he will furuish cuts just like these for one dollar or less each, if we will get one hundred or more.
At this reunion 94 members were present, just the same number as last year. Eighty-two paid yearly dues of $ each. One paid fifty cents. J. H. Brubaker paid back dues for 1892-93. William Dixon do for 1593. Dues of one dollar each were received at the reunion from the following absent members: Capt. Joe Major, W. E. Wrigley, J. M. Sabin, A. T. Sauger, Lieut. John Morrow, Julius Bridegroom, and C. E. Weidman for 1892, '93 and '9.1, $3.00.
Donations were received as follows: Col. Fahnestock $10.00, Mrs. Jennie Page, daughter of J. W. Bohannan, Co. D, $1.00, J. J. William's, 3Ist Reg't. Ill. Inf. $1.00; R. E. Richards, 125th Reg't. Ill. Inf. $1.00.
Twenty-eight surplus badges were sold at 25 cents each, making the total receipts at the reunion $114 50
The expenses were hall rent. 20.00
Martial music
17.50
Add the back debt as shown by my report of Aug. 27, 1891. 52.35
Total. S9.85 Leaving in the treasury only.
$ 24.65
The cost of printing the proceedings of this reunion, and postage on same, and printing and postage on programmes for the next reunion will probably be fifty or sixty dollars, so you can all see the necessity of paying your dues if you can afford it. We are in the guard house financially.
C. W. McKowy, Adj't. and Q. M.
64275
SEFGT. J. G. FARIS, CO. 8.
LIEUT. JOHN MORROW CO. K.
LIEUT. E. C. SILLIMAN, CO. C.
SERGT. J. H. BRUBAKER. CO. A.
......
CORP. CYRUS ROOT, CO. C.
CORP. H. B. SMITH, CO. G.
CORP. S. W. RILEA, CO. K.
CORP. J. C. ZILEF, CO. K.
கிராம்
1
COM. J. M. RUSSELL, CO. K.
COM. W. R. GREENHALGH, CO. D.
1
COM. JULIUS BRIDEGROOM, CO. E.
COM. H. H. NURSE, CO. C.
.
CAPT. L. A. ROSS, CO. K., LOS ANGELES, CAL.
PRELIMINARY.
The Executive Committee met in Peoria, Illinois, July 26, 1894, and arranged the following
PROGRAMME:
I. Assembly call, by the old regimental band.
2. Call to order at 1:30 p. m , by Commander Silliman.
3. Prayer by Chaplain Wilson.
4. Reading minutes of previous meeting.
5. Reports of Commander, Adjutant, and Quarter Master.
6. Miscellaneous business and reports of special committees.
7. Election of officers.
8. Reading communications.
9. Adjourn to 7:30 p. m.
EVENING SESSION.
1. Assembly call by "Fife and Drum."
2. Call to order by commander.
3. Singing America, led by the Forrest Grove Quartette,
4. Reading death roll, and appointment of committee on obituary resolutions.
5. Music.
6. Recitation by daughter of the regimeut.
7. Address by Prof. Radford.
S. Singing by Forest Grove Quartette.
9. Stray shots on the skirmish line.
10. Adjourn.
SECOND DAY.
I. Assembly call at S a. m.
2. Call to order.
3. Prayer.
4. Music.
5. Recitation by daughter of the regiment.
6. Annual address by L. J. Dawdy.
7. Report of committee on death roll.
.S. Adjourn to 1.30.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
I. Call to order.
2. Music.
3. Unfinished business.
4. Installation of officers.
5. Singing, "God be with you till we meet again."
6. Adjourn at 3:30 p. m.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
EIGHTH REUNION.
The Eighty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry met in the Audi- torium of the V. M. C. A. building in Peoria, Ill., at 1:30 o'clock p. m., Aug. 27, 1894. and spent the first hour in visiting, registering, aud paying yearly dues. Fife and drum were a conspicuous attraction, and drew a large crowd of spectators.
At 2:30, Commander Silliman called the assembly to order, and one verse of "There is a land that is fairer than day" was sung. Then Chaplain Wilson offered prayer.
COMRADES IN ATTENDANCE.
Commander F. C. Silliman Adjutant and Q. M., C. W. Mckown Chaplain A. Q. Wilson
Vice Commander, Absent
FIELD AND STAFF.
Col. A. L. Fahnestock Adjutant L. J. Dawdy
Lieut. Col. D. W. Magee Fife Major A. P. Webber
Drum Major Sammuel Silze! COMPANY A.
A. C. Bullington
S. P. Cable
Peter Brubaker
John Varble J. H. Brubaker William Dixon
A. J. Diehl
W. J. Huber
COMPANY C.
Cyrus Root A. L. Jenkins
Ansel Crouch J. B. Ferguson O. D. Stowell
John Reynolds R. P. Gallup H. H. Nurse J. C. I.andstrom W. M. Jenkins
COMPANY D. William Graham
J. T. Morris
J. E. Robeson H. R. Darst
J. H. Watson J. J. Brown N. S. Haynes
COMPANY B.
5
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
Joseph Wrigley Jesse Frank
W. R. Greenhalgh Richard McCarthy
COMPANY E.
€
Abram Shurts Stephen Grady A. J. Kimble Henry Hasselton John Parson
COMPANY F.
Lieut. John Hall
COMPANY G.
Lieut. Martin Kingman James Trowbridge
H. F. Heiple
Ebenezer Wood
I. S. North
Daniel McCoy T. B. Lane
COMPANY H.
J. N. Place McKendree McNeal W. C. Stewart
COMPANY I.
Lieut R. W. Groninger
Lieut. J. L. Fahnestock
Lewis Krisher
Bernard Friess
Benjamin Erford Cyrus Johnston
David Shreffler
J. W. Tindall
A. H. Green
A. C. Tindall John Earnest
COMPANY K.
David Smith S. W. Rilea Patrick Byrnes J. 2 .. Slane
COMMANDER'S REPORT.
Commander C. E. Silliman read his official report as follows;
COMRADES: Again thanking you for the honor of being Commander of this grand body of veterans, I present the following report. In assuming this
-
Addison Tanquary W. F. Speers " C. F. Hamilto:1 Orin Frisbey Joseph Carter
Capt. J. L. Burkhalter
Capt. S. L. Zinser G. W. Botham
Alexander Graham
W. H. Waughop
G. W. Furner
M. H. Cloud
H. B. Smith B. F. Whistler
Capt. John H. Hal! J. A. McFarland G. M. Moore J. W. Ewing.
A. S. Green H. R. Sliester Nelson Kelly
Elijah Coburn Archibald Smith A. J. Lair Edmund Kellar Heury Butler
-
151
6
EIGHTH REUNION
office I have used all possible exertion to make this reunion one of pleasure and profit to each and every member of the 86th Regt. Adjutant Mckown and myself have sent out letters and circulars urging a full attendance and full information regarding any changes in Postoffice etc. of all members. I also had a circular printed and a cut from photograph, making price of cuts $2,75. cut to be returned to owner, hoping to receive quite a number of the faces of old comrades to embellish the present years' proceedings. I have received quite a number, and have the promise of a goodly number more. The price is now down to $2,00 and possibly a shade less. Whatever it is the excess will be 1 returned to each one as soon as ascertained.
I would recommend the complete revision of our present roster, and the printing of it corrected, and in full, in the proceedings of the present year, and ask some member of each Company to be appointed to correct the roll of their Company for the adjutaut during this meeting. Many errors are found in the present roster, and it is very desirable to have it correct as possible.
I called the executive committee together July 26th, to arrange a pro- grame, Co. D and G were the only ones represented by members of the Com: Col, Fabnestock was there and the Adjt. and myself made out to represent half of the Regt. I wrote personal letters ao all the members. Let each Co. appoint a member that can and will attend. The railroad strike made it necessary to delay the time of meeting, and the effect of that disturbance and poor crops in parts of the west will lessen our attendance, yet I have a number of letters from men who long to be with us and can not.
I was appointed a committee on badges, which I purchased, and hope they meet your approval It has been the endeavor of your officers to make this a lively and enjoyable reunion, and the proceedings of this year a souvenir number. With your earnest support: and hearty approval we shall surely succeed. A further report of our labors will be received in report of the Adjutant, and correspondence read during the reunion.
ADJUTANT AND QUARTERMASTER'S REPORT.
Peoria, Ill., Aug 27, 1894.
Commander and Comrades: That our Association is one of the best organized and most successful Regimental Reunion Associations in the State there can be but little doubt. During the past year I have received requests for copies of our reunion reports from Prof. J. L. Pierson for the Princeton University Library; from Col. John P. Nicholson for the Gettysburg Battlefield Library: and from Gen. A. W. Greely for the War Department Library, Washington, D. C., showing that our association is known outside of our own state. The reports of our first and second reunions are now exhausted.
The effort to secure information for a new and corrected postoffice direc- lory has not, so far, been a success. Your resolution passed last year, requiring each comrade who does not attend a reunion to send his address to the Adju- tant has elicited but few replies.
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. 7
My financial account is as follows:
Dr.
Dues and donations received at reunion of 1893 $91 50
May 5 Vearly dues from Sylvester McMahon, Co. H 1 00
Aug 14 .. 15
66
.€ J. R. Moon. Co. F.
25
22 , S. H. Stillman, Co. C 1 00
23
.. W. H. Vining, Co. C 1 00
66 2.4
Daniel Cobb, Co. D 1 00
25
.. Major O. Fountain 1 00
25
66
.. Alfred Mckinney, Co. D I 00
25
Edward Breen, Co. G 1 00
Total .
99 75
Cr.
Aug. 29, 1893, hall rent . 20 00
29, 1893, martial music 15 00
29, 1893, badges 6 00
Oct. 27, 1893, C. E. Nixon printing 700 copies of reunion proceedings 37 50
27, IS93, Postage on same . 5 50
July 31, 1894, C. E. Nixon, 600 programmes 1 50
Aug. 27, 1894, Postage on same . 5 60
Aug. 27, 1894, E. C. Silliman, for badges 31 00
My salary for the year 30 00
Total .
Leaving a deficiency of $52.35.
152 10
Respectfully submitted, C. W. McKowy, Adj't. and Q. M. On motion of Capt. Hall, the report was accepted and adopted.
Comrade A. C. Bullington moved that the resolution passed two years ago, making the oldest sou of any comrade elligible to membership in this Associa- tion, be repealed. After some discussion, and it was ascertained that no son had yet become a member, the motion carried unanimously. Comrade H. H. Nurse moved that each company select a member of the committee to nomi-, nate offisers for the ensuing year. Carried. The following were selected:
Co. A-J. B. Varble Co. B-A. J. Diehl
Co. C-H. H. Nurse Co. D-J. T. Morris
Co. E-W. F. Speers Co. F --- John Holl
Co. G-W. H. Wanghop Co. H . J. N. Place
Co. I-Bernard Friess Co. K-S. W. Rilea
Col. Fahnestock moved that the new commander, whoever he may be, appoint the Executive Committee. Carried.
The committee on nominations recommended the following which was adopted and the parties declared duly elected!"
Commander -- John H. Hall, Peoria, Ill. ; Vice Commander-L. S. North, Washington, INl.
Adjutant and Quartermaster-C. W. Mckown. Gilson, III. Chaplain-A. Q. Wilson, Secor, Ill, Annual Address-S. W. Rilea, Englewood, Ill.
1
---------------------------
A. P. Loveland, Co. F 1 00
THOL
8
EIGHTH REUNION
Alternate-John Holl, Galesburg. Commander Hall appointed the following committees:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. -
Co. A-Joe Major
Co, C-E. C. Silliman
Co. E -- A. Tanquary
Co. G-S. L. Zinser
Co. I-A. L. Fahnestock
Co. B-A. J. Diehl Co. D-Wm. Graham Co. F-L. J. Dawdy
Co. H-J. W. Ewing
Co. K-E. Coburn
COMMITTEE ON MUSIC.
for the next reunion: McKendree MoNeal, Samuel Silzel and A. W. Belcher.
Letters and communications were received from the following comrades: Major Orlando Fountain: Capt. Jo Major, H. C. Baker. and L. D. Graham, of Co. A .; R. T. Mills, Co. B .; W. H. Vining, and S. H. Stillman, Co. C .; Daniel Cobb, W. E. Wrigley, Alfred Mckinney, and L. B. Bickford, Co. D ; G. W. Ramsey, Co. E .; Lieut. A. P. Loveland and J. R. Moon, Co. F .; Edward Breen, Co. G .: Sylvester McMahon, Co. H .; J. W. Smith. J. C. Zilzer, W. H. Blanch- ard, W. W. Potts, and John McGinnis, Co. K.
After reading communications, adjourned to 7:30.
A performance not on the programme, but just as interesting nevertheless, was carried out by our old time color sergeant, A. J. Diehl He shipped a mounted cannon from Henry, Illinois to Peoria and at proper intervals during the reunion caused it to belch forth tremendously. His act was highly ap- preciated by the old guard.
The Forest Grove Quarteette could not fill their engagement on account of sickness. 1
EVENING SESSION.
Right well did fife and drum do their duty in the "Assembly Call."
The auditorium was filled to overflowing by veterans, sons of veterans, the relief corps and visiting friends.
Commander Silliman called to order and made a very neat welcome ad- dress to the visitors who honored us with their presence. He assured the ladies of the Relief Corps that the old boys had not forgotten their many kind- nesses toward us in war times, and told the sons of veterans that in them was the old soldier's hope. He commended the flag to their care with the advice that if any man attempt to trail it in the dust, shoot him on the spot. He urged the citizens to study the history the old soldiers made, support the government and keep the flag at the masthead.
With Miss Nora Shockley, of Peoria, at the piano and led by Miss Nora
1-1
IO
EIGHTH REUNION
Miss Radford and Miss Shockley sang "Brave boys are they, gone at their country's call."
The Daughter of the Regiment recited, in her very impressive and dra- matic mauner, " The Battle of Mission Ridge," and an encore, "The country folks listening to the city choir."
Commander Silliman spoke of the charge on Kenesaw mountain, and of two brothers, J. L. and W. D. Radford, of Co. A, who were killed there. He then introduced another brother, Professor B. J. Radford, of Eureka College. The Professor delivered a very instructive and highly interesting address.
With Miss Shockley at the piano, Miss Radford sang, "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground."
The meeting then adjourned, after which Comrade Jesse Sawyer took a flash-light picture of the members.
SECOND DAY.
The Martial Band, Frank Anderson, fifer, Samuel Silzel of the 86th and Frank Ash of the 77th Ill , snare drummers, and J. A. Wonder of the 47th Ill., base drummer, were on hand early, and Sergeant Diehl gave attention to the cannon at proper intervals during the day.
The morning session was opened at 8:30 by singing "We shall meet on that beautiful shore," led by Chaplain Wilson.
Prayer by Elder N. S. Haynes.
Then the comrades sang "Marching through Georgia. Miss Jones gave a comic recitation which was very amusing.
Adjutant L. J. Dawdy delivered the following
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
Comrades of the 36th Regiment, Ladies and Gentlemen:
My highest ambition today is to fulfill your expectations. Since the war, more has been said and written concerning that part of our history than on any other subject. Newspapers teem with the speeches of orators of every grade, great writers have drawn pen pictures of every historic event of the war period until it looks as though nothing which is new can be added and nothing that is old is worth telling again.
It is unnecessary to tell you, who were in the fray, the story of your ex- periences. Many of them have been put on canvas and others have been woven into drama and song, grave historians have given you startling figures and many of the great generals, on either side, have given record of the facts as they saw them.
The hero of Appromattox spent his declining days recording the facts of his campaigns that they might be read after his final surrender at Mt. McGregor. Therefore it seems to be a waste of time for me to attempt to tell . you anything new on this subject.
The history of every nation is made at mighty cost. No nation ever grew to greatness and renown peacefully; but though trials, fear, and blood it must
II
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
press upward, and these incidents of its progress involve all classes of the nation's people. No nation has been an exception to this hard rule of struggle and pain in its developement.
Those who undertook to organize a republic on these shores, suffered all these trials, tribulations, and hardships and nearly every generation, since the beginning, has had a chance to show its devotion to our country and our flag.
The first struggle was made by men whose education and teachings repre- sented the best thought and aspirations of the liberty loving people of every land.
You can never understand the greatness of the American political idea until you see how in 1775 it drew from every page of heroic history words which should be used in the mighty struggle. There was the story that had been written on the pages of the history of the Hageunats of France. There, also, was the history of the Scotch- Irish. They had their grand memories of John Knox They remembered, also, their own heathery hills and their songs of freedom. There were the Swedes of Deleware who had decended from the soldiers of Gustavus Aldolphus, whose fathers and grandfathers had died on the battlefield. There, also, stood the Cavalier who had fought with the Puritans of England. He had settled in Virginia, and had brought over with him his elegant manners; he too, was touched by this great American idea Thers in Pennsylvania was the Quaker with his broad understanding, his deep spiritual eye and his earnest longing for liberty. There, also, in New England was the Puritan, the child of those who came over in the May Flower, bearing with them the sacred memories for which Cromwell fought and John Elliott went to prison. In these assembled representatives mentioned stood the hope and best sspirations of men of the previous thousand years. With these repre- tentative energies and power united the great American idea of self govern- meut began. Thus was the republic established. Although compromises were made to satisfy conflicting interests, all agreed that Americans could govern themselves. The great problem after independence was gained, was, how could order and government be brought forth and at the same time incarnate this great American idea. Then it was that the constitution of these United States came forth. The constitution of the United States, my comrades, is the record of a noble Americanism. Nothing like it had ever been made before, and nothing equaling since. Yet in its compromises those men saw something which, in the coming years, future generations might not understand. They had fought for independence with a loose confederacy behind them and they wanted no confederacy. They had stood face to face with the proudest monarchies of Europe and they wanted no monarchy; they knew of its strength and its weakness: but as they stood there they reflected as to how it would be. Then it was that they battled for a nation just as they did at Monmouth and Yorktown. They battled for an organized commonwealth of the states, and no man can so far do their genius discredit as to suppose for a moment that they believed in a joint stock company or corporation of states called a con- federacy. It was for a nation that they gave their lives and their thought.
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.