USA > Illinois > Reunion of the 86th Regiment Illinois Infantry, 1889 > Part 7
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On the 30th we had a thunder storm, and the enemy endeavored to shell us out but failed to accomplish it.
July Ist the $6th again took the front line. The enemy now commenced throwing stones at us and occasionally a coru dodger. Our men would cry out, "for God's sake throw stone but not these hard corn dodgers," then sail a hard tack over to. them saying, "damu you take that, Uncle Sam feeds his soldiers on good bread," and the reply would come back, "Yanke throw over some more." This day a soldier from the 21 brigade, with a small tin bucket in his right hand, marched from our lines and passed over the rebel works. I supposed he was a spy and ordered the men to shoot him, but he got over safe. In a short time the rebels yelled over to know why we sent that damned fool over ? The man was insane. We were tunneling under the enemy's works and intended to blow them up on the 4th of July, and charge over and have an old fashioned celebration. We had five men wounded this day.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
July 2d the 52ud Ohio again relieved us. Col. Dillsworth and myself made an arrangement to create a stampede at two o'clock at night and try and draw the enemy's fire and charge over their works before they could load their guns. About one o'clock all became so quiet I told the colonel the enemy were gone. Just then a voice from the enemy's works yelled over that the enemy was gone and said, "may I come over?" We told him yes, and then went over and found the works deserted. We had two wounded this day. B. Friess and Casper Gladfelter, our commanders, were immediately notified, and the army was up and waiting for daylight so as to move on the retreating rebel army.
We fought six days aud nights, losing, in the 85th regiment alone, one hundred and eight men and officers. We had the honor of breaking the rebel lines and forcing them to abandon their position an I works that they deemed impregnable.
. In the illustrated Century of Aug. ISS;, Confederate Joseph E. Johnston in his reply to General Sherman, admits, that at one point near Kenesaw moun- tain, seventy-five yards in front of Cheatam's line a party of felerals finding themselves sheltered by the form of the ground held their position. The cor- rect version is the rebels made a mistake in their engineering and put their works over the crest of the rilge in place of on top, an'I we took advantage of their mistake and remained there to keep them company, and the music of ten thousand rounds of minnie balls sent over to thett every twenty-four hours with the aid of the small glass attache I to the breech of the musket sent fear and death to many a confederate soldier.
In conclusion, comrades, you may well feel proud that you were soldiers of the 86th regiment. The flag of your country was never disgrace l while under your protection and never went down but once and that at Kenesaw mountain, Georgia, but Sergt. A. J. Deihl went down with it severely wounded, when Private Win. A. McGinley of Company H rescued it as it lay close to the rebel works. He flaunted it in the face of the victorious rebels all battere 1 and torn by the enemies balls, but it floated over our del until the enemy were driven from their works and our victory complete. We servel with our brigade under Col. Daniel McCook at Perryville, Kentucky, under Generals Sheridan and Thomas at Nashville, under Rosecrans and Gordon Granger at Chickamauga, under General Jeff C. Davis and Morgau at Atlanta and to the sea, under Get. D. B Fearing to Washington City, D. C., all able commanders.
Now let us never forget the heroism and bravery displayed in all the bat- tles in which this noble old regiment was engaged We stool by each other on the long marches, through sickness and death like a band of brothers. Let Ils continue so to the end and when we call to mind aud relate the brave deeds . of our dead comrades that gave up their lives at Kenesaw, let us drop a tear to their memory. And today you have the proud consolation that you done your duty in crushing out one of the greatest rebellions and defended a government that has blessed us and our fathers. We have sustained the flag of our country and today it is respected by all civilized nations of the earth.
In a few years we will cross to the other shore and meet our comrades
20
THIRD REUNION
again. Hoping we may meet again, God bless you all-good bye.
Sergeant A. S. Proctor, who was to respond to"Our Flag" was not present.
Gen. D. W Magee responded to "Chickamauga." He gave a brief descrip- tion of the general battle and a full account of the part taken by our brigade particularly by; our regiment. He spoke without notes. An effort was made to induce him to write his address for publication herein, but he declined to do so.
The Daughter of the Regiment recited '. Death of John A. Logan." It is a great pleasure to hear her eloquent recitations.
It now being time to adjourn, Gen. Magee was requested to form all pres- ent into line and by breaking files from the right and passing to the left every body shook hands with everybody else, then the doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," was sung and the reunion ended. I shall not attempt to portray the feeling that filled each heart just at that time. It is easier im- agined than described.
During the reunion there hung in front of the commander's desk a beauti- tiful blue satin benuer ou which was worked in bullion the inscription: Head- quarters 86th Regsment, Ills. Vol. Inft .; 3rd Brig', 2nd Div., 14th A. C. The banner was designed and worked by the son and daughter of Col. Fahnestock; and apart from its usefulness is a beautiful work of art.
POST OFFICE ADDRESSES,
The following is a list of new' postoffice addresses and the changes in the old list as far as known:
FIELD AND STAFF.
Adjutant I .. J. Dawdy . Peoria, Ills.
Com. Sergt. W. J. Longfellow Farlington, Kas.
COMPANY A.
Lieut. A. W. Stewart Normal, Ills.
COMPANY B.
Lieut. Nelson McVicker . Huron, Dak.
Sergt. A. J. Diehl Bellville, Kas.
Corp. Z. C. Worley . Clay Center, Kas. Joseph Bennett . . Clearfield, Iowa.
John Giffin . . Marysville, l'a.
W. R. Ogden Hydesville, Cal.
J. W. Smith San Fernando, Cal.
Joseph Warren Harlan, Ia.
COMPANY C.
S. H. Canterbury Beverly, Ills.
W. J. Bland .
New Philadelphia, Ohio.
John Bland .
Hutchinson, Kas.
G. W. Colwell
Lone Tree, Iowa.
R. P. Gallop Griswald, Ills.
J. A. Jones Pearl. Pike Co., Ills. C. E. Weidman . Edelstem, Ills.
I .. J. Wilson, mustered out June 6th, 1865 . Lawn Ridge, Ills.
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THIRD REUNION
COMPANY D.
S. D. Love . . Seward, Neb. W. E. Wrigley 211 S. Hoyne Ave., Chicago, Ills. COMPANY E.
Lieut. H. W. Wilson Parsons, Kas.
Sergt. William Callen Omaha, Neb.
G. E. Johnson . 1407, Brooklyn Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
J. H. Culton . Omaha, Neb.
Jacob Crosmar .
Tripp, S. Dakota.
Henry Grife .
Barnes City, Iowa.
T. J. Summer Minonk, Ills.
COMPANY F.
C. W. Mckown 207, Ellis st., Peoria, Ills.
John West . . Dahinda, Ills.
COMPANY G.
Sergt. H. H. Kellogg Windham, N. Y. Ira E. Crosby Magnolia, Minn.
Ebenezer Wood . Rockville, Mo. COMPANY I.
L .. S. Sprague . Breeds, Ills.
E. A. Morphew Petersburg, Ills.
COMPANY K.
S. W. Rilea Englewood, Cook Co., Ills.
DEATH ROLL.
Names not published in previous roster. Company B-Sergt. J. F. Renoad, R. T. Mills, froze in an Iowa blizzard. W. H. Thompson. M. V. Bordine. Company C-Corp. J. N. McCulley. Oct. 21st, 1890, Valley Falls, Kau. Company E -William Organ. Company G-Corp. John Lameson, March 5th, 1890, Inman, Neb. G. D. Bracken. ! Sgo, Peoria, Ills. Youpaay I-Corp. W. F. Simpson, 1890, London Mills, Ills.
TWENTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY.
FIFTH REUNION
--- OF THE.
EIGHTY-SIXTH
REGIMENT. ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, HELD IN-
Peoria, Ill., August 27 and 28. 1891
Present Postoffice Addresses, as far as known, of all Survivors of the Regiment.
C. W. XISKOWY. Adjutant. So; this Street, Peoria, Illinois,
....
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TWENTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY.
FIFTH REUNION
- OF THE- -
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
-HELD IN- --
Peoria, Ill., August 27 and 28, 1891.
-ALSO
Present Postoffice Addresses, as far as known, of all Survivors of the Regiment.
C. W, MCKOWN, Adjutant, 207 Ellis Street, Peoria, Illinois.
KNOXVILLE ILL. REPUBLICAN PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT.
---- IS91 .-
ГЛУМИА НТИЈИ-УТИЛИТ
1
Dear Comrades of the Eighty-sixth:
This will be the end of my services as your Adjutant. Having served you in my weak way for four years I feel that it is no more than right and just for me to resign and let some one else take a turn. There is vastly more work connected with the office than any one, who has not had similar experience, would be likely to suppose; too much entirely. I think, to require of one . person continuously.
That my work has been imperfect no one knows any better than I do. In some cases it was impossible to secure information; in other cases information obtained, proved afterwards to be incorrect. Then add to that, printers' errors and my own mistakes and you will have plenty of imperfection. If injustice has been done any one I am truly sorry, and assure him or them it was not intentional. I have the consciousness of feeling that I did the best I could.
I desire to take this opportunity of bidding each and every one of you a kindly good-bye, as secretary, but hope we may have the pleasure of meeting in many happy reunions.
"Not ours the vows of such as plight Their troth in sunny wrather, While leaves are green and skies are bright, To walk on flowers together. "That thorny path. those stormy skies, Have drawn our spirits nearer: And rendered'us by sorrow's ties, Fach to the other dearer. "Friendship born in hours of joy and mirth With mirth and joy may perish; That to which darker hours gave birth Still more and more we cherish."
I have surplus copies of the proceedings of all previous reunions, any comrade who has not received them will be supplied on application.
C. W. McKowy, Adjutant, No. 207 Ellis St., Peoria, Il1.
PRELIMINARY.
The Exective Committee of the Association of the Eighty-sixth Regiment, Illinois Infantry Volunteers, met at the Peoria House, June 25, IS91, aud ar- ranged the following
PROGRAMME
for the Twenty-ninth Anniversary of the regiment:
I. Call to order by Commander.
2. Prayer.
3. Music-Coronation-by Regiment.
4. Reading minutes of last meeting.
5. Report of officers, Commander, Adjutant, and Quarter Master.
6. Report of Committees.
1- Election of officers.
S. New business, reading communications, etc.
9. Adjournment.
EVENING SESSION-ASSEMBLE AT S P. M.
I. Call to order.
2. Song by Norman's Quartette.
3. Memorial address by Comrade N. S. Haynes.
4. Song by quartette.
5. Recitation by Daughter of the Regiment.
6. A grand hand shake and visit for half an hour, to conclude with song -- Sweet Bye and Bye-by all present.
SECOND DAY, AUGUTS 28.
I. Assembly call by Old Regimental Band at 9 a. m.
2. Call to order.
3. Song by Norman's Quartette.
4. Prayer by Chaplain.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
5. Music-America-by regiment.
6. Annual address-by Lieutenant E. C. Silliman.
7. Song-by quartette.
8. Recitation-by Daughter of the Regiment.
9. The Old 3d Brigade, Captain J. L. Burkhalter.
10. Our Absent Comrades-Comrade A. P. Webber. Adjournment.
AFTERNOON- CALL TO ORDER 2 P. M.
I. Song-Quartette.
2. Chattanooga-What it Cost-Lieutenant A. W. Stewart.
3. Our Flag-A. W. Belcher, "Company H."
4. Impromptu Speeches, etc.
in Tustallation-New Commander.
6. Song -. God be with you till we meet again. Adjournment.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
FIFTH REUNION,
The Eighty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry met in reunion in the Young Men's Christian Association building in Peoria, Ill., August 27th,' 91, at 2 o'clock, p. m.
Commander L. J. Dawdy called the meeting to order.
Rev. H. D. Clark offered prayer.
The Regiment sung Coronation. By motion, reading minutes of last reunion was dispensed with.
COMMANDER'S REPORT.
Commander Dawdy reported as follows:
Comrades: I have no formal report to make. I am greatly pleased to see so many old comrades at the opening of these exercises. It indicates that there is a growing interest in our annual reunions; and while I hope this may ! more enjoyable than any previous meeting, so too, do I hope that each future gathering may be more enjoyable than the one preceding it. To this end, it is hoped that each comrade will give us his assistance to make it a grand good time.
The procuring of this ball - the finest in Peoria -for the place of meeting, was made possible by the generosity of one of our comrades-namely, Lieut. Martin Kingman.
In the matter of dues, I am of the opinion that some of our comrades are hardly able to pay dues. Being in limited circumstances, the expense of attendance is all that they can afford, and yet they desire to meet with us. Now I wish to say to all such -and especially if there be any present today- that your past services eutitle you to a free and full inheritance with us in all ver love feasts. We are not here for the purpose of raising money, but to Kather the harvest of enduring friendship; to recall the memories of that long
7
EIGTH-SIXTH REGIMENT.
ago, when in the morning of our manhood, we stood shoulder to shoulder with those of our comrades who are now camping on the other side of the dark river. For these purposes are we here, and for none other, and every man who ever stood up in line of the gallant old S6th Regiment, and answered to bis name is entitled to meet and share with us, without money and without price.
While the business to be transacted is necessarily formal, yet it is not intended that any cold formalities shall prevent anyone from having a splendid good time.
Again I ask the hearty support of all, and hope that each one may go away from this meeting fully resolved never to miss another reunion of this old regiment.while he lives.
ADJUTANT'S REPORT.
Commander and Comrades: As instructed by the resolution you passed last year, I wrote to the State Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commison- ers, reque ting them to secure a reduced rate for those attending our reunion .. Their reply was that they "could not, in an offical capacity, ask the railroads to reduce their fares for any organization." But the chairman, Mr. J. R. Wheeler, made a personal effort in our behalf, and introduced the matter to Chairman Finley of the Western Passenger Association, who offered a one and one-third rate for the round trip, providing we would guarantee one hundred or more to attend by rail over certain roads. As some of the roads over which part of our comrades would come, were not included, of course we could not give the required guarantee, so the effort was a failure.
I had the proceedings of our last reunion printed, and mailed a copy to each address in our Post Office List. Several copies were returned to me by the postal service showing that our mailing list is somewhat imperfect. Possibly something might be done to improve it. The list has been revised and cor- rected from time to time, in accordance with the best information obtainable; but there are errors yet.
My finnancial account is as follows:
CREDIT.
Printer's bill for Soo copies proceedings of 4th reunion .$28 00
Freight and drayage on same 50
Postage 6 25
Stationery 25
Total 35 00
Cash received of Quartermaster John H. Hall. :
DEBTOR. $35 00
Respectfully, C. W. McKowy, Adjutant.
The treasurer, Capt. John H. Hall. was not present and no report from him was received.
Commander Dawdy reported a bill as follows:
$26 00
Badges
Printing programms. I 25
8
FIFTH REUNION.
Five hundred envelopes 5 60
Telephoning 15
Total 33 00.
The above bill was paid by quartermaster pro tem, John McGinnis, out of cash collected by him as yearly dues.
Lieut. E. C. Silliman moved that each company select a man to act on a. committee to nominate candidates for officers for the ensuing year. Carried.
The following comrades were selected:
Co. A -- Jo Major. Co. B-J. W. Huber.
Co. C-C. Root. Co. D -- Frank Hitchcock.
Co. E -- W. Speers. Co. F -- R. C. Walter.
Co. G -- M. H. Cloud.
Co. H -- J. W. Ewing.
Co. I-David Shreffler. Co. K -- S. W. Rilea.
Col. Fahnestock moved that the commander elect (who ever he may be); appoint the executive committee. Carried.
While the committee were out the assembly indulged in music and singing- On their return the committee recommended --
For Commander -- Albert Belcher.
For Vice Commander -- Joseph Wrigley.
For Quartermaster-Capt. John H. Hall.
` The report was accepted and the nominees duly elected by acclamation. The adjutant then read the following cablegram:
Lucerne, Switzerland, August 27, 1891.
I .. J. DAWDY, President S6th Regt. Ill. Vol. Inft. Ass'n., Peoria, Ill.
Dear Comrade :---- While absent in body I am with you in spirit. Extend' to all old comrades of the 86th my best wishes. I will ever remember the 27th day of August, being the anniversary of our muster into United States service in 1862. As I look back over the thirty years since the commencement of the great civil war and think of the dear comrades that were with us, and that have gone on before, I cannot but think of how rapidly those now living will be called to follow. I know you will have a good time and trust that our anni- versary will be kept green in our memories, and that we may continue to celebrate the same so long as two or more of us are left.
MARTIN KINGMAN.
Quite a number of letters from absent comrades were read, from which here are a few selections:
Omaha, Neb., Aug. 21, IS91.
Comrades of the S6th Ill. Inft .:-- As I was a member of Co. E I would be pleased to meet with all the old comrades, and would be there, but circum- stances will not permit. I wish all comrades a happy greeting and a goce time .. J. H. CULTON. 3815 North 21st St., Omaha, Neb.
Mt. Ayr, Iowa, August 20, 1891.
Comrades :-- Thinking of the reunion of the S6th, brings up many reminders of terrible times as well as some pleasant endearments. Twenty-eight years.
ـشد ك
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9
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMEFT.
ago we were on the eve of the great battle of Chickamauga when blood and carnage reigned, where our old 14th corps held the terrible line on that fearful Sunday. Our jolly trip through Georgia going as we pleased, living on the fat of the Confederacy-taking our port in the Carolinas, the grand review in Washington, and home. But now we are old, and what is the nation doing for us? How are they fulfilling their promises of caring for the old veteran ? Dolling out a small stingy pension. Had it not been for us standing between the bond holder and Lee and his army the boud would not have made good wall paper. Uncle Sam ought to make our pay as good as the bond. Give all a liberal pension and make our pay equal to coin or its equivilant. Give the prisoners of war a good stipend for their sufferings. Look well after our widows and orphans and then we will feel like standing before danger again in our country's need. I regret that I am unable to be with you. I am away past the three score and ten line, and age, tells on an old soldier. My good will and kind regards to all.
Your old comrade.
JOHN G. FARIS.
Farlington, Kas., August 19, '91.
A. P. WERBER,
Dear Comrade :- Your letter did find me, and nothing would please me better than to be at Peoria on the 27th and see how portly many of you have grown since you get your own beef and hard ¿tack. Vet I fear many com. rades have found more vinegar in the battle of life since we disbanded at Chicago, than I issued to them from Uncle Sam's abundance.
Our only daughter has been sick for over seven months, with small hopes of recovery, so this time at least, duty will keep me at home. Hope you will enjoy the meeting of other comrades. As ever,
WM. J. LONGFELLOW.
Havanna, N. Y., August 25, '91.
Dear Comrades of the Sith Regt :- Once more your happy celebration is drawing near: yet I shall not be present only in spirit. But I shall be with you in heart, in gratitude that so many of you are spared by a good Providence, to meet again, rejoicing in the fellowship of Loyalty and Patriotism -To all- especially my old comrades of Co. G .- I send my best greeting and wishes. May you have a glorious time, and many meet once more under the dear old flag of our saved Union. Hoping to meet with you in '93 if my life should be spared, I remain your true comrade,
H. H. KELLOGG. Eureka, Kas., Feb. 21, '91.
C. W. McKowy.
Dear Comrade :- As I have a little leisure this morning, I will proceed to acknowledge the receipt of the report of the fourth reunion of a part of the old 86th Regt., of which I have the honor of being a member, and I assure you it gives ine great pleasure to look over its pages and note the words of good cheer that it contains, and to know that the words fell from the lips of my comrades
1
10
FIFTH REUNION.
I hope that the day is not far distant when I may be able to meet with you; nothing would give me more pleasure. Yours in F. C. and L.,
G. W. RAMSEY.
Los Angelos, Cal., Aug. 22, '91. Dear Comrade McGinnis :- I write you, sending a warm fraternal greeting to all the beloved comrades of the 86th, and my best love to the dear old boys of "K."
L. A. Ross.
The foregoing will give those who have not attended our reunions, a pretty good idea of the kind of letters we so gladly receive each year.
DEATH ROLL.
The following were reported as having died during the past year.
Co. B-Lieut. J. C. Kingsley. Co. C-I. N. McCulley.
Co. B -- Walter J. Bordine. Co. D-John Kleffner.
Co. G-Madison Corbin.
Co. K -- J. T. Potts.
Co. K-Harrison Young.
The commander appointed L. S. North, J. H. Brubaker, and Cyrus Root committee on death roll.
The association then adjourned to meet at S o'clock p. m.
EVENING SESSION.
Called to order by Commander Dawdy.
The exercises opened by singing "America".
The commander announced that Comrade Haynes, who had been appointed to deliver an address, was not present, and requested the adjutant to read the following lette:
Silver Cliff, Col., August 22, 1891.
COM. L. J. DAWDY, Peoria, Il1.
Dear Sir and Comrade :- I cannot get home in time for our reunion, and so enclose the address which the boys requested me last year to prepare. It has been written "on the road" since leaving home ten days ago, and so prob- ably has some errors. This I regret, but it is the best I could do under the circumstances. May God bless you all in your reunion.
Yours truly, N. S. HAYNES.
Commender Dawdy then appointed the Daughter of the Regiment to read Comrade Haynes' address, which she did in her eloquent manner;
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01
MEMORIAL ADDRESS,
Commander and Comrades :- The strongest desire of the human heatt isto live. All that a man has will he give for his life. We are all reluctant to go out of time permanently, before we think our work is done. Extinction of conscious being, to be as though we ne'er had been, to drop into the shoreless sea of oblivion -- against such reflections the human heart instinctively revolts. Nor can we contemplate with any feeling of pleasure the probobility that when we shall have gone out of these walks of mortality, we shall be soon and wholly forgotten. Will sweet memories of us be cherished by those who shall live here after we are gone? Will our names be spoken an l our lives remembered ? Will gentle hands plant and care for flowers on the mounds that shall mark our sleeping dust ? Will loving hearts come ever and anon and drop there a tear? Assured of these things, we will more cheerfully surrender in life's last battle to the universal conqueror, and more willingly go into that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns. It is in harmony with and in response to these universal sentiments of our common humanity that we are now met. This home is sacred to the memory of our dead comrades. Midst the busy scenes of life, we pause to recall the faces that we beheld in our boyhood, and to speak particularly of those we shall meet liere no more. They were our companions in the days of darkness and trial, and we treasure their memories as a mother her lost children.
The facts herein used are obtained mainly from our published roster, and while probably not exact, yet are as accurate as painstaking care can make them.
It may be well to state here, that of our regiment there are still living eighty-eight who were wounded in battle, ten who were prisoners of war, and seven who were both wounded in battle and were prisoners. In addition to these, there are still living about 325 who were mustered out with the regiment June 6, 1855, and about 241 who resigned or were dischargel or transferred before that date. Such are the facts according to the best information obtain- able. As the years go by and these pass away, those who survive, in our annual reunions will speak their names and recall their services and sufferings.
12
FIFTH REUNION
The following is the list of those who died of diseases while in the service :
First in the list was the first in rank, our honored colonel, D. D. Irons, who, after protracted illness, passed away at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 11, 1863. He sleeps in Springdale, near this city. His memory we will ever revere. Soon after, and in the same city, Quartermaster Sergeant J. C. Adams also died.
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