USA > Illinois > Reunion of the 86th Regiment Illinois Infantry, 1889 > Part 8
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The company's losses in their order were as follows:
A-J. C. Armstrong, G. F. Armstrong, and W. G. Armstrong, three brothers, all died in forty days, near the close of '62; E. R. Clark, Wmn.]Egbert, S. W. Grice, John Lehman, David Mohr, Morgan Snider, J. G. Stivers, E. F. Stewart, W. H. Trunnell, and Crozier Tomb. Total, 13.
B -- Thomas Hopkins, Daniel McVicker, Win, Schrod, and Jefferson Wait Total, 4.
C. James Bell, Leitilles Cumberland, E. H. Hutchinson, Isaac Hunt, and George Lemon. Total, 5.
D --- A. V. Johnson, W. E. Wilson, John Decker, Reinhart Banmau, George Beal. Arthur Cramer, Wm. Dufield, A. S. Graham, J. S Preston, and Charlton Wescott. Total, IO.
E -- Lt. J. D. Jameson, W. H. Fountain, W. B. Armstrong, Jas. Burwick, Wm. Burzell, W. V. Cooper, R. A. Galbraith, Jas. Mallon, S. F. Sides, and J. S. Schanck. Total. 10.
F -- J. W. Smithson, W. H. Halloway, Heury Hall, Johu 'Norris, Reece Turntine. Total, 5.
G-W. G. McBride, Felix Munroe, Henry Strawburg, Geo. Truet. Total, 4.
H-John Dolen, R. A. McConnell, A. M. Reed, Harrison Ramsey, Wm. Sharpneck, Hugh Start. Total 6.
I-J. W. Parker, B. J. Stebbins, J. W. Butcher, J. A. Chilson, Nathan Egmon, Barnum Fuller, H. P. Hill, Win. Row, J. A. Sayler, H. R. Sill, Geo. Turi, A. M. Tindall, J. M. Wells. Total, 13.
K. E. L. Smith, Sylvester Butler, Peter Dinsmore, Nelson Debord, Wm. Deal, David Gladfelter, Henry Hayward, G. A. Hare, Win. Potts, P. C. Reed, M. M. Sayles. J. S. Watson. Total, 12.
The total loss of the regiment from disease was $4, and nearly all of these died within the first seven months after enlistment-so different were the con- ditions of military, from civil life. Neither mother, wife nor sister, with loving hearts and tender ministries, stood beside the cots of these men in their last hours. With anxious thoughts of home and loved ones far away, they died. But whether in camp or hospital, true comrades did for them all they could, and bore them to their final rest.
The following died from wounds while in the service.
A. E. M. Herrick, W. F. Martin.
B. Malon Hunt.
C. I. W. Shade.
D. Thomas Cobb.
E. Capt. Edware Vanantwerp, Iram Murray, Andrew Doran, Andrew Nelig, B. F Smith.
F. Jesse Peterson.
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اجرة. بون كابية -٩٥ مند.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
G. Capt. W. B. Bogardus, David Birkett, J. W. Duvall, T. V. Everliart, G. W. Holman.
H. B. Foskitt, John Jenkinson.
I. J. L. Hayslip, John Jones.
K-Andrew Kellar, Henry Little and John McMillen. Total for the regi- ment, 23. Wounded in battle the lives of those comrades ebbed away like the tides-with what thoughts and feelings God only knows. 'No higher devotion to liberty and union could have been given.
Those who died in prison were: A-Eber Hotchkins, at Florence, S. C., and Frank Horn, at Andersonville, Ga. B-Alexander Bennett, also at Andersonville.
These were the most unfortunate of all our comrades, for to the loss of the sympathy and help of friends there was added cruelties unparalelled in the history of modern warfare. What sublime loyalty was that which endured such tortures rather than turn against our flag! Robert Chittick, also of Co. A was also a prisoner, but escaped and reached his home in time to die there.
The following were killed in battle:
A- - J. L. Bradford, M. W. Baue, C. A. Chenoweth, J. W. Grady, Thomas Dehority, Philip Dial, W. H. Howell, W. I .. Bradford, Fenton Sutton, Daniel States, Charles This. Total II-all of whom fell at Kenesaw.
B-Olsan Morgan, at Peach Tree Creek.
C-Jas. Sirlott, J. L. Eiston, C. C. Clark, Benj. Prentice, A. J. Rutherford. Total 5. All at Kenesaw.
D-G. R. Davis, Johin Kibler, at Kenesaw: A. F. Crane, F. R. Moore, at Rome; L. G. Frank, L. S. McCoy, at Peach Tree Creek. Total 6.
E -- John Graham, at Rome.
F-J. A. Freemole, C. W. Cpp, J. M. Wilson, at Kenesaw; W. J. McCol- lough, John Vogler, at Rome; RileyGeorge, at Averysboro; Silas Smith, at Jonesboro. Total 7.
G-Benj. Rickard, at Perryville; J. W. Small, C. A. Parker, Amos Schreeve, at Kenesaw; J. E. Hodgeson, at Bentonville. Total 5. (Daniel Haines by accident, near Loudon, Tenn.)
H-R. H. Marshall, Jesse Zimmerman, at Kenesaw; J. J. Alger, at Peach Tree Creek. Total 3.
I -- Philip Bausen, Samuel Bitner, F. M. Samson, Peter Wolgamot, at Kene- saw; Ezra Selick, at Chickamauga: Benhamn Boggs at Rome; J. M. Glasford, at Jonesboro. Total ;.
K -- Alexander Buchanen, at Kenesaw; I. L. Smith, at Buzzard's Roost; H. A. Andrews, Capt. J. F. French, C. E. Alter, at Bentonville. Total 5.
The total of the regiment killed in battle was 51, of whom 31 fell at Kene- saw-a name that shall be indelibly engraved in the memory of every member of the eighty-sixth as long as mind shall endure. Comrades brave and true, farewell. Your courage dared to do, your patriotisin to die for the land and flag you loved so well. Peaceful be your sleep in a sunny clime-cleansed from slavery and treason. Perennial the flowers that shall bloom upon your graves. Sacred your deeds undying in our hearts forever.
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Those who were wounded and died after discharge or muster out were the following:
A-Lieut. S. T. Rogers. C-J. B. Selders, Henry Clawson. D-Horatio. Westcott. G-James Roberts, O. P. Easton. H-Robert Foster. I-John. Cromwell, Josiah Green, James Weaver. K-J. A. Russell. Total II.
Those who were prisoners and died after muster out were: E. E. McPeak, of Co. A; Alfred Reeder, of Co. F; and A. W. Peters of Co. H and J. W. Bo- hanan of Co. D were both wounded and prisoners.
Died from disease since resignation, discharge and muster out: Belonging to the regimental staff there were eight; to Co.A, nine; to B, nine: to C, eleven; to D, eleven: to E, eight; to F, fifteen; to G, nine; to H, eight; to I, seven; to K, ten. Total 105.
Our death summaries are as follows while in the service: Killed by acci- dent, 1; prisoners and died after escape, 1; died in prison. 3. died from wounds received in battle: 23; killed in battle, 51; died from disease, 84. Total 163. Since leaving the service, 124. Whole number deceased, 287.
Such is the brief mortuary record of our comrades who have gone before us. Their marches are ended, their last battle has been fought, their arms laid by. Neither life nor death with thetn was in vain. Their unselfish services and heroic sacrifices were voluntary offerings to the cause of freedom and national unity. The flag they followed through all the vicissitudes of war is still the emblem of one country and all the rights of men. The mentory of their doing and their dying will be green in our hearts in all the years to come. Henceforth America must be not only the synonim of opportunity, but of human progress as well: for the seeds of all good have been made more fruitful by the blood of the mighty host of heroic dead. Oh, mighty nation, "home of the free and land of the brave," move thou forward, under the guidance of the Almighty Ruler, to a higher, nobler destiny.
After the reading of Comrade Hayne's address, "Marching through Georgia" was sung with spirit and energy.
Then Homer H. Zinser, a son of Capt. Sol. Zinser, recited very eloquently "The Drummer Boy of Mission Ridge."
Singing :-- John Brown's Body.
Comic recitation by the Daughter of the Regiment.
This was followed by several extemporaneous addresses by comrades; some relating funny incidents and anecdotes, some told of hardships and privations; some of melancholy incidents; thus mixing the gay with the solemn, the frivolous with the serious and the joy with the sorrow.
The following communication was received and read;
Peoria, Ill., Aug. 27, 1891.
To the members of the goth, Ills. Vol. Infantry, their comrades and friends in reunion assembled, Greeting :- The members of Col. Wmn. A. Thrush Camp, Sons of Veterans at their regular meeting tonight send you greeting, and welcome you to our city.
W'e assure you as Sons of Veterans we will ever guard the country which you
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
have saved, and in the coming years, defend the principles for which you fought.
We rejoice to know you have lived to enjoy the fruits of your victories, and to see a country united and free, which shall ever stand a's a monument to your labors.
While your comrades are rapidly joining the majority across the river, where no "reveille" shall arouse them, you may rest assured the cause for which they fought and died, shall ever be kept green by a grateful people.
With love for home, country and our flag, Thrush Camp No. 25, trust your declining days may be full of pleasure and enjoyment, and your meetings be very profitable.
IST LIEUT. F. W. WILLIAMS. CORPORAL, G. C. POWERS.
Committee.
Lieut. Henderson moved the communication be extended on our record. Carried.
Lieut. Silliman moved that the Adjutant in behalf of the 86th Regt. in reunion assembled thank Camp Thrush Sons of Veterans for their kind recog- nition, and assure them that the spirit of the old soldier's devotion to our country and its fiag has worthy defenders in the noble sons. Carried with a cheer.
With Miss Dawdy at the piano, more music and singing followed, after which a motion carried to adjourn till eight o'clock tomorrow morning.
· SECOND DAY.
This session of the association opened by singing "America", followed by prayer by comrade A. Q. Wilson; then the "Red, White and Blue" was sung. after which Lieut. E. C. Silliman delivered the following
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212 7THOIS
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
Commander and Comrades :- Another year has passed and in reunion we meet again. Not all, for some have served their time and have been mustered out. Kingsley and MeCully and Corbin and others have followed Sherman on the march beyond the sea. As Memorial Day comes annually around, we who are left, more tenderly than ever scatter flowers of their graves. Memories become more sacred, and the nearer we come to the last grand battle, the more sacred becomes the ground beneath which the ashes of our heroes are buried.
Methinks today I can see in a vision pull back for a moment the curtain that hides futurity, and as I catch a glimpse of the other shore, I see Col. Irons, Maj. Thomas, the old patrioch, Capt. Magarity; the gallant French, Bogardus: Vanantwerp, the Siniths, Sirlott, Bitner, yes, all the boys from many fields are there and welcome Kingslep; I seem to see a camp ground and floating above the white tents are banners, each bearing the one word "Peace". And today our boys are looking earthward, they seem to be sending an angel messen- ger to the 86th; I read the message-"Peace on earth, good will to men." `Tis thus memories of the past span the unknown and link us fraternally .with our army of the dead, described by Carleton as lying.
By the edge of the Atlantic, where the waves of freedom roar, And the breezes of the ocean chant a requiem to the shore. On the nation's eastern hill tops where its corner stone was laid, On the mountains of New England, where our fathers toiled and prayed. 'Mid old Keystone's rugged riches which the miner's hand await,
'Mid the never ceasing commerce of the busy Empire State. With the country's love and honor on each devoted head Is a band of noble heroes, is our army of the dead.
When the years of earth are over, and the cates of life are done. When the reign of time is ended and eternity begun. When the thunders of Omniscience on our wakened senses roll And the sky above shall wither and be gathered like a scroll: When among the lofty mountains, and across the mighty sea The sublime celestial bugler shall ring out his reville, Then shall march with brightest laurels, and with proud victorious tread To their station up in heaven, our Army of the Dead.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
Comrades, my remarks today may seem wandering and disconnected; the only apology offered is, that soldier's reunions deal with incidents and events covering wide grounds. Viewed in many ways, the incidents given, and de- ductions made at these times are not for a critical public, and comrades are always lenient. I wish to call your attention to a few incidents of the past, not forgotten by many, yet the better for review. There were heroes and heroines at home as well as in the field. Our fathers and mothers did heroic work, else how could the great Sanitary Commission have accomplished such grand results.
Has any Peorian forgotten the noble work of Mrs. Brotherson, Tyng, Riggs, Weis, and their gallant band who worked so faithfully for us during the war? What department of our army was maned with better soldiers than these ? What was true of Peoria was duplicated all over the north. The women at home were a band of heroes; there were some in the armuy too. Have you heard of brave Bridget Deveds of the Ist Mich. Cav., who served with her husband during the war and was wounded in the thickest of the battle? Madam Turchin of the 19th Ill., who rode at the head of the regiment when her husband was sick, and who was loved by the soldiers? Who has not beard of Dorathea Dix in the Eastern hospital .? And Mother Bickerdyke, worshiped as the guardian angel of Sherman's army; and Clara Barton, who since the war, has organized the order of the Red Cross in every nation of the earth, until it is ready today as an organized charity to render immediate assistance in case of war or pestilence? These names shall go down in history as heroes, if not cut in granite or engraved on stately monuments.
There were other citizens not soldiers, who acted well their part, and should go upon record. I remember one who still lives in Peoria, who in those days was willing to run his legs off at the beck and call of the ladies of the sanitary work. He was an enthusiastic black republican: the trio he banked on was Natt. Griswold, Enoch Emery and Bob Ingersoll. It was Mark Aiken, who could seem to stnell a disturbance in the air when there was going to be a battle, and he, next to Euoch Emery, knew it the Arst telegram. One incident in Mark's career is a sufficient illustration of his interest in war matters. It was Sunday night, the citizens of Peoria had been to Church-Mark included - the minister had earnestly prayed for the success of our armies, the mothers' and wives' responses were fervent: the church closed and the congregation returned to their homes. Mark seemed to smell the battle afar off and says to himself, "I'll go down and see Enoch a minute and see what Grant's a doing." About the time of his arrival at the Transcript office a shout rang out from the editorial room, "Lee has surrendered!" Mark stood for a moment like the statue of Powers' Greek slave. The transformation was instantaneous, then he shouted "Hallelujah!" took out his silk handkerchief, wiped that high fore- head of his and started for the church. It was locked, but the bell must ring. A window gave him entrance, he climbs that dark stairway and grasps the bell rope and the joyous peals of that old bell tolled by Mark Aiken in the dead hour of the night, first told the silent citizens of Peoria that the war was almost over. The door stood open and hundreds came running to know the good news. Instinctively all knew it was victory somewhere. Wives, mothers
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FIFTH REUNION.
and children all received the same stentoriau reply from Mark-"Lee has surrendered and the war is over," and from all came the same fervent prayer, "Thank God." Crowds gathered in the street; Mark Aiken still held the fort and rang the bell. Will he never quit? But its peals rang out louder and more joyous as inspiration at sight of the surging masses inet his eye. They tell himn: "Stop, Mark, everyone knows it." Not he, it is the supreme hour of his life. Finally Enoch says: "Boys, go tell Mark that Bob is going to make a speech, and that will fetch him." At this announcement Mark dropped the bell rope and rushed madly for the court house square proclaiming loudly "Lee has surrendered, the war is over, Hallelujah!" Part of this statement is credited to Mrs. Grundy, I only vouch for the spirit of it.
Day by day we see prragraphs in the papers from all over the land, saying some old and honored citizen is dead, and stating the grand work he did in war times. I omitted to mention a class of woman I would not forget. You 86th boys remember the quiet presence of the Sisters of Charity who were in our hospitals at Nashville. You saw them doing some little kindness for some of your comrades, or if requested, kneeling in prayer at the cot of a dying soldier. Ever since those days I have honored them in their quiet work, more than I con express. These poetic lines best express our trioufe to woman's work in the war:
Great is the brave Commander, With foemen 'round him slain. But greater far and grander Is she who can sooth a pain. Not till selfish blindness Has clouded every eye, Not till mercy and kindness Have flown back to the sky. Not till a heart that is human, In this world beats not Shall the kind deeds of a waman Be ever by man forgot.
The heads sprinkled with silver threads assembled here are not here as a mutual adiniration society, nor is that the purpose of the old soldiers meeting anywhere, the New York Herald and its allies to the contrary, notwithstanding. Our government of late has been generous, if not fully just in pensioning soldiers. The millions scattered throughout the land have soothed the suffer- ings of many comrades and their widows and orphans, and I fail to see where the country has been impoverished thereby, but all of you can see daily its manifold .blessings.
The few years we live should be spent in one grand effort to implant in the minis of those who follow us the spirit we feel for the institutions of our country, the veneration we have for its flag with all the rights and principles it convers. Each year we look around us and see the onward strides in every line of thought, see the sciences untangling the many tangled skeins of mystery and weaving them into fabrics of use and beauty, see art advancing until beauty seems to grace the cottage and palace alike, see learning within the reach of all, see the home sacred as in no other nation.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
Do you not feel that your work in saving this, the foremost nation in every line of advancement, has been a noble one, and can the soldiers be justly proud ? The sequel of the conflict in which you were engaged, and the effect of its solution has now changed the traditions of the world. Liberty has raised her statue upon the American continent to stay forever; slavery is banished from the world. The Czar of Russia, the most despotic monarch in existance, trembles on his throne and suffers a thousand deaths in one short life.
England is slowly but surely approaching the disestablishment of royalty. Victoria with the grandest record of any queen that ever lived, wields a scepter which is already in the custody of the people. Then dies in England the last monarch and Liberty's statue will be erected upon the British throne. Then will be the fruition or the Magna Charta granted by King John and stifled by royalty for six centuries. The triumph of American Liberty alone makes this possible. Brazil a republic, Mexico restored from anarchy, France in line, Germany and Italy with their immense armies eager to arbitrate all questions of difference, where a few years ago might made right. Religious and political liberty is advancing in the East to a sure and final result and the great power behind the throne is the wonderful advancement from a weak colony to a ruling nation of this republic.
These are the results of your steadfast principles of liberty; are you not well repaid ? There was a time when, to be a Roman was greater than to be a king. Comrades, I would today rather be one of you old soldiers looking back upon these results of a life work than own the emoluments of a dozen kings, I want to say that the laurels that crown the head of a loyal citizen of this republic won during the trials of the last thirty years, should allow them to rest in peace content that they have probably lived in the grandest age the world has or ever will know.
I am more prond than ever todey to be an American citizen; and knowing that I was a soldier and helped settle principles that have brought such grand results. I confess that pride almost becomes vanity.
Comrades, let us ever be proud of our part of this drama. We have earned the right, and I pray you do not fail to impress upon the coming generation, the part they must play in its future welfare: instruct them as they are called upon the stage "to not forget their lines, " and to remember while life shall last, and dying, transmit to future generations the sacred trust handed down to them by us -- the priceless boon of liberty and a sacred love for the glorious flag of our beloved Republic.
From time to time during the forenoon John H. Latham and George S. Earl favored us with some excellent music on a piccolo and piano.
In these records we must not forget Drum Major Samuel Silzel aud fifer, James Shreffler. They are always with us at the reunions, and with their in- struments call us together as iu days of yore, and if there is a balk or brake anywhere along the line, they are always ready to fill in the space ; and if their music is not quite as high toned as Gilmore's band it is more precious to us,
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because it not only carries sounds to our ears but carries something to our hearts. Ah, that something! Those old memories of more than a quarter of a century ago. Forget our old regimental band ? No, never.
As arranged on the programmme, Norman's quartette, of Lexington, Ill., was to have been with us, but owing to sickness in their ranks they could not come.
Capt. J. L. Burkhalter was not present to respond to "The old Third Brig- age."
Comrade A. P. Webber spoke as follows of .
OUR ABSENT COMRADES:
Mr. Commander: In being assigned this topic, I wrote to one in each company, absent far from us, thinking they might help me out. And in read- ing to you those responses might interest you more than my individual ser- mon. But I find some of our absent ones not unlike a few of our nearer home soldiers-inclined to find fault with Uncle Sam. I am happy to know that said spirit does not aunoy us, in at least our reunions. And I think that should our absent ones meet with us annually, that they would with us manifest a more liberal spirit. Who could imagine a more miserable being than a dis- contented union soldier. Should the late war have left us in the condition that our rebel soldiers are in, we could in that case all wish to be on the far- away absent list. Then let the record remain, No grumbling in the Eighty- sixth.
Mr. Commander, please allow me a little digression. I think it in very bad taste for the non-combattant in this late day to seriously object to some of our soldiers drawing pensions on the ground of immorality. Had that objection been raised at the time of our enlisting. that such characters were unworthy to bear arms in defence of our country, there would have been some consistency, but we were taking places that they might have otherwise been called upon to fill, but with all of Uncle Sam's caution to get only the best, occasionally a man would slip in that was not a perfectly pure shouting Methodist. Mr. Commander: I think we will rule the objection out of order. Many of us do not draw any pension, and I for one do not propose to lay awake nights growl- ing at Uncle Samuel. It is well known that the great mass of our soldiers were men of very limited means when they enlisted. An aged citizen recently re- turned from a trip through Kansas, Nebraska, etc. And he says that it looks as though nearly every other man out there is a soldier. And that they are drawing pensions (our absent ones. )
And the common citizen has to be content to look on and see the soldier boys getting their justly earned dues. And we all fully know how extensive the total failure of crops were in the west where most of our absent ones are. And while the soldiers credit is good who is drawing his pay from Uncle Sam, the citizen and his family must go hungry and poorly clad. Yes, the union soldier is cared for better than the soldier of any other country.
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And this citizen friend of mine, though having a record of being a leader ,
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of the K. G. C.'s during the war, said he thought it would be a pretty nice thing if we could all draw pensions. Now, Mr. Commander, I call this a pretty good showing, especially for our absent ones in those very destitute states, es- pecially for the past year, and, further, Mr. Commander, allow me to suggest for the benefit of the majority of our regiment, that the move made by a comrade at our last reunion, that the regiment furnish suitable badges for our reunions was highly commendable, that motion carrying unanimously, greatly relieved many of no little embarrassment.
At our last reunion there was a strong prevailing opinion that we should not publish our proceedings as extensively as formerly, and our last report was so very meager that I have been compelled to virtually ignore the same, and consult proceedings of previous report.
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