The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 44

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Murray, Williamson & Phelps
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Illinois > Adams County > The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 44

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McLean.

28,580

6779

1370

5409

Menard.

9577

2187

584

1603

Mercer.

15,037

3452

1516

1936

Monroe

12,815

3787

441

3346

Montgomery.

13,881

3135

953

2182

Morgan.

21,937

5603

1882

3721

Moultrie

6384

1374

470

904

Ogle.

22,863

5656

1972

3684

Peoria.

36,475

7633

1958

5675

Perry.

9508

2148

839

1309

Piatt

6124

1599

699

900

Pike.

27,182

5571

2168

3403

Pope.

6546

1735

651

1084

Pulaski

3904

1076

401

675

Putnam

5579

1236

331

905

Randolph

16,766

3674

922

2752

Richland.

9709

2120

858

1262

Rock Island.

20,981

4607

1863

2744

Saline

9161

1911

750

1161

Sangamon

31,963

77077

2186

5521

Schuyler

14,670

2939

1065

1874

Scott ..

9047

2076

764

1312

Shelby

14,590

3750

1122

2628

Stark .

9003

2080

856

1224

St. Clair

37,169

8356

1371

6985

Stephenson

25,112

5359

1397

3962

Tazewell.

21,427

4600

1423

3177

Union

11,145

2080

908

1172

333

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Vermillion.

19,779

4865

1813

3052

Wabash .

7233

1334

423

911

Warren.

18,293

4024

1422

2602

Washington.

13,725

3012

749

2263

Wayne.

12,222

2412

1048

1364

White.

12,274

2650

1194

1456

Whiteside.

18,729

5062

1408

3654

Will.

29,264

5848

1772

4076

Williamson

12,087

2238

1031

1207

Winnebago

24,457

5343

1630

3713

Woodford.

13,281

3510

1184

2326

Total.

1,704,323

391,319

115,123

276,196

NOTE .- Enrollment lists of the counties of Saline and Warren not received. The figures given opposite each are in the proportion returned from other counties of same population.

In ten days from the first call over ten thousand had tendered their services, and in addition to a part of the force sent to Cairo, more than our full quota was in eamp at Springfield.

There being no serviceable arms in the arsenal at Springfield, an unsuccessful application was made to Brigadier General Harney, at the arsenal at St. Louis. Application was also made, on the 19th, at the arsenal in New York, and a messenger dispatched to Washington to obtain them. As these troops were to be mustered into the service of the United States on the 19th, more than our full quota having been tendered, application was also made for a mustering officer, and, on the 22d, Captain Pope arrived to perform that service. There were volunteers enough and a surplus on that eventful 19th of April, 1861, but the want of arms had become painful and alarming.

CAIRO EXPEDITION.

On the same day the following dispatch was received from the Secre- tary of War:

WASHINGTON, April 19th, 1861.

GOVERNOR YATES :

As soon as enough of your troops is mustered into service, send a Brigadier General with four regiments, at or near Grand Cairo. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.

The importance of taking possession of this point was felt by all, and that, too, without waiting the arrival and organization of a brigade. Accordingly, the following dispatch was sent to Brigadier General Swift, at Chicago:

GENERAL SWIFT:

SPRINGFIELD, April 19, 1861.

As quick as possible have as strong a force as you can raise, armed and equipped with ammunition and accoutrements, and a company of artillery, ready to march at a moment's warning. A messenger will start to Chicago to-night.

RICHARD YATES, Commander-in-Chief.

At eleven (11) o'clock on the 21st, only forty-eight hours after this dispatch was delivered, Gen. Swift left Chicago with a force of 595 men and four six-pounder pieces of artillery. Capt. Houghtaling's bat- tery, of Ottaway; Capt. Hawley's, of Lockport; Capt. McAllister's, of Plainfield, and Capt. Carr's, of Sandwich, did not arrive in Chicago in 1

334

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

time to join the expedition, but followed it.the next day. The expedition consisted of the following forces:

Brig. Gen. Swift and Staff.

Chicago Light Artillery, Capt. Smith ..

150

Ottawa 66

Capt. Houghtaling 86

Lockport " Capt. Hawley 52

Plainfield

Capt. McAllister

Co. A, Chicago Zouaves, Capt. Hayden.

Co. B, Capt. Clyborne.

83 Capt. Harding's company ..

Turner Union Cadets, Capt. Kowald.

Lincoln Rifles, Capt. Mihalotzy.

Sandwich company, Capt. Carr

102

Drum corps.

Total 908

Capt. Campbell's Ottawa Independent Artillery, with about twenty men and two six-pounder cannon, joined the force about April 28th.

This expedition, indifferently armed with rifles, shot-guns, muskets and carbines, hastily gathered from stores and shops in Chicago, arrived at Big Muddy bridge, on the Illinois Central Railroad, at five o'clock, A. M., April 22d, and detaching Capt. Harding's company at that point, arrived at Cairo at eight o'clock the following morning. The batteries were unprovided with shell or canister, but slugs hurriedly prepared-and some of which were subsequently used at a critical time, and with terrible effect, by one of these batteries at Fort Donelson-answered the purpose of all.

COL. B. M. PRENTISS TAKES COMMAND.

This command was reinforced, on the 24th, by seven companies from Springfield, under the command of Col. Prentiss, who relieved Gen. Swift, except as to that portion-who did not desire to muster into the United States service-commanded by Captains Harding, Hayden and Clyborne, who returned to Springfield on the second of May, to join a regiment organizing here. These last companies, however. arrived too late, and were mustered out of the State service, with allowance of one month's pay, under an act of the Legislature then in session.

The importance of an early occupation, by our forces, of Cairo, was not over-estimated. Situated at the confluence of the Ohio and Missis- sippi rivers, and commanding the navigation of these waters, its possession in a strategical point of view, was absolutely necessary to our safety. The State governments of Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky, were controlled by disloyal men. Gov. Magoffin had, on the 16th of April, said to the president, in reply to his call on that State for troops: "Your dispatch is received. In answer, I say emphatically, Kentucky will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her sister Southern states." Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, on the 18th, in reply to the call upon his State, said, "Tennessee will not furnish a single man for coercion;" and on the same

335

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

day Gov. Jackson, of Missouri, said, " Requisition is illegal, unconstitu- tional, revolutionary, inhuman, diabolical, and cannot be complied with."

By taking possession of this point, at so early a date, our forces were enabled to prevent a traffic with the rebellious States in contraband prop- erty. This traffic was being actively carried on between Galena and St. Louis, with towns on the Mississippi below Cairo. The execution of the following telegraphic order was the first arrest made to this traffic:

SPRINGFIELD, April 24, 1861.

COL. B. M. PRENTISS, Cairo : The steamers C. E. Hillman and Jolin D. Perry are about to leave St. Louis, with arms and munitions. Stop said boats, and seize all the arms and munitions. RICHARD YATES, Commander-in-Chief.

On the evening of the 24th and morning of the 25th, as these boats, bound for southern ports, neared Cairo, Col. Prentiss directed Capt. Smith, of the Chicago Light Artillery, and Capt. Scott, of the Chicago Zonaves, to board them and bring them to the wharf. His orders were executed, and large quantities of arms and munitions of war were seized and con- fiscated. Though this seizure was not expressly authorized by the War Department, the act of seizure and subsequent confiscation was approved. Further shipments were all forbidden, soon after, as appears from the fol- lowing dispatch:

GOVERNOR YATES:

WASHINGTON, May 7, 1861.

Circular has been sent to collectors forbidding shipments intended for ports under insurrectionary control. Stop such shipments from Cairo.

S. P. CHASE.

The Legislature having met on the 23d of April, proceeded at once to provide for the organization of these six regiments, and, on the 25th, an " act to organize six regiments of volunteers from the State of Illinois and provide for the election of regimental officers and of a brigadier general," was approved and became a law. Under the old militia laws of the State a company of infantry consisted of one captain, one first, one second, and one third lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer, and not less than forty-six nor more than one hundred and sixteen rank and file. A regiment consisted of one colonel, one, two or three majors (as the case might be) the senior to be lieutenant colonel, with a regimental staff, to be appointed by the colonel, to consist of one adjutant, who should act as regimental judge advocate, one quartermaster, one paymaster, to rank as captains, respectively; one surgeon and surgeon's mate, one sergeant major, one quartermaster sergeant, one drum major and one fife major.

The regulations of the Secretary of War for organizing these regiments required each regiment to consist of one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, one major, one adjutant, (a lieutenant,) one regimental quartermaster, (a lieu- tenant,) one surgeon, one surgeon's mate, one sergeant major; one drum major, one fife major, ten captains, ten lieutenants, ten ensigns, forty ser-

336

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

geants, forty corporals, ten drummers, ten fifers and six hundred and forty privates.

The law provided that " in token of respect to the Illinois regiments in Mexico," these regiments should be numbered seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven and twelve; and that when organized they should be known as the " First Brigade Illinois Volunteers." Under the provisions of this law they were organized and mnstered into service and ordered to duty as follows:

The Seventh, Colonel Cook, was mustered at Springfield, April 25th, and ordered to Alton the 27th.

The Eighth, Colonel Oglesby, was mnstered the same date, and ordered to Cairo the 27th.

The Ninth, Colonel Paine, was mustered at the same place, April 26th, and ordered to Cairo May 1st.

The Tenth, Colonel Prentiss, was, with a part of his command, ordered to Cairo, April 22d, and was, on the 29th, mustered at Cairo.

The Eleventh, Colonel Wallace, was mustered at Springfield, April 30th, and ordered to Villa Ridge, May 5th.

The Twefth, Colonel McArthur, was mustered at Springfield, May 2d, and ordered to Cairo, May 10th.

On the completion of the organization of these regiments several liun- dred volunteers were left unprovided for. Most of the companies arrived in camp with over one hundred men. Seven hundred and eighty, rank and file, was the maximum allowed by the War Department, and, among the most touching and painful incidents, indicating the patriotic fervor of our people at that time, noticed in the preparation of these troops for the field, was the rejecting from their companies these surplus volunteers. Strong men, who had left their homes at an hour's notice to enter the service of their country, wept at the disappointment of being refused admission to their companies on muster day. Provision was made of one month's pay for them, and they filed their rolls and were mustered out of service of the State.

TEN REGIMENTS OF INFANTRY AND ONE OF CAVALRY.

In anticipation of a call for more troops by the General Government, and in addition to liberal appropriation bills to enable the State to be placed on a war footing, the Legislature, at the same session, authorized the acceptance, for State service, ten regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and one battalion of light artillery.

The third section of that law provided that one of such regiments might be raised out of volunteer companies then in Springfield, and one regiment from each of the nine Congressional districts theretofore estab- lished in this State. The fourth section provided that all persons volunta- rily enlisting in said regiments or battalion, before being tendered or

337

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

accepted as a company, or in regiments, should severally pledge them- selves, if called upon, to tender their services to the General Government.

The fifth section provided that, as soon as arms could be provided, they should be put into encampments, by regiments, at their regimental headquarters, within the Congressional district in which they were raised, and should be held in camp for thirty days, for the purpose of instruction and discipline, unless sooner demanded by the United States for actual duty.

The tenth section provided that, as soon as ten companies should be formed into a regiment, an election should be ordered for regimental officers.

This act took effect May 2d, and on the next day the president issued his proclamation, calling for 42,032 volunteers, to serve for three years, unless sooner discharged.

Over two hundred companies immediately tendered their services. The inessenger who had left Washington with an order for arms in the St. Lonis arsenal had arrived, and, notwithstanding the arsenal was closely watched by secessionists in St. Louis, a plan was secretly adopted and executed, and on the morning of the 26th of April a steamboat from St. Louis arrived at Alton, with about twenty-one thousand stand of arms on board, which were forwarded to Springfield the same day.

May 6th controversies about tenders were settled and regiments ordered into camp. The regiment from the first Congressional district was ordered to rendezvous at Freeport, May 11; the regiment from second at Dixon, May 9; the regiment from third at Joliet, May 11; the regiment from fourth at Peoria, May 13; the regiment from fifth at Quincy, May 9; the regiment from sixth at Jacksonville, May 11; the regiment from seventh at Mattoon, May 9; the regiment from eighth at Belleville, May 11; and the regiment from the ninth at Anna, May 16. The regiment from the State at large, composed in part of companies in Springfield, were, on the 11th of June, ordered into camp at Chicago on the 13th of June.

These ten regiments of infantry, and one of cavalry, and a battalion of artillery, were immediately tendered to the General Government, but on the 3d of May the following reply was received, refusing to accept cavalry :

GOVERNOR YATES :

WASHINGTON, May 3, 1861.

In reply to yours of the 2d, I am again obliged, at the solicitation of Gen. Scott, to decline acceptance of cavalry. Adjutant General Thomas is clear in his opinion that they cannot be of service adequate to the expense incurred by accepting them.

SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.

No decisive reply was received in relation to infantry until the 15th, when the following dispatch was received:

338

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

WASHINGTON, May 15, 1861.

GOVERNOR YATES:

The quota of troops from your State, for three years or during the war, under the second call of the president, is six regiments. The plan of organization contained in Order No. 15, has already been forwarded you by mail. As soon as the regiments are ready the mustering officer sent to your State will muster them into service, who has already been instructed to do so.

SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.

In a letter, dated the next day, the Secretary of War said:

It is important to reduce rather than increase this number, and in no event to exceed it. Let me earnestly recommend to you, therefore, to call for no more than twelve regi- ments, of which six only are to serve for three years or during the war, and if more are already called for, to reduce the number by discharge.

A messenger was immediately dispatched to Washington to urge upon the Secretary of War the importance of accepting the other four regiments -as they were all raised and the most of them actually in camp-and also to conclude an arrangement which had previously been suggested by the Secretary of War, of re-organizing the six three months' regiments for three years' service. The result was that the other four regiments were accepted, and on the 28th of May an arrangement was made that the three months' regiments might be mustered into service for three years, immediately, provided four-fifths of them were willing, and if the remain- ing fifth declined they were to be immediately mustered out of service. This proposition was declined at that time by the three months' regiments. A change of climate, bad water and poor clothing had sent many to the hospital, and the result was that out of 4,680 who enlisted in the 7th, Sth, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th regiments, but about 2,000 subsequently re- enlisted at the expiration of their term of service in July following.

The 13th regiment was mustered at Dixon, July 24th, under Col. Wyman; the 14th at Jacksonville on the 25th, under Col. Palmer; the 15th at Freeport, May 24th, under Col. Turner; the 16th at Quincy, May 24th, under Col. Smith; the 17th at Peoria, May 24th, under Col. Ross; the 18th at Anna, May 28th, under Col. Lawler; the 19th at Chicago, June 17th, under Col. Turchin; the 20th at Joliet, June 13th, under Col. Marsh; the 21st at Mattoon, June 15th, under Col. Grant; and the 22d at Belleville, June 25th, under Col. Dougherty.

The refusal on the part of the Secretary of War to authorize the gov- ernor to accept more troops caused several thousand of our best and impa- tient volunteers to leave their State in May, June and July, and enlist elsewhere. Denied the privilege of serving their country in regiments from their own State, they sought other fields of usefulness. Many whole companies entered Missouri regiments. It is estimated by those whose opinion is entitled to credit that more than ten thousand Illinoisans left their own State and enlisted in regiments of other States.

In several eases application was made to the governor to have regi- ments, a large majority of which consisted of Illinoisans, recognized as Illinois regiments. To provide for these cases the War Department on the

339

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

21st of February decided that " whenever a regiment is composed of com- panies from different States it will be considered as belonging to the State from which the greatest number of companies was furnished for that regiment." Under this order the 59th regiment, formerly 9th Missouri, and the 66th, formerly known as "Birge's sharp-shooters," were reclaimed, and there are other similar instances.

The " Plan of Organization," referred to in the dispatch of the 15th, was promulgated in General Order No. 15 of the War Department, May 15, 1861, and provided for raising thirty-nine additional regiments of infantry and one regiment of cavalry, making a minimum aggregate of 34,506 officers and enlisted men, and a maximum aggregate of 42,034 officers and enlisted men, as heretofore stated. Each regiment of infantry was to consist of one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, one major, one adjutant, one quartermaster, one surgeon, one assistant surgeon, one ser- geant major, one quartermaster sergeant, one commissary sergeant, one hospital steward, two principal musicians and twenty-four musicians for band. Each company to consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one first sergeant, four sergeants, eight corporals, two musicians, one wagoner, and not less than sixty four nor more than eighty- two privates-a minimum company being eighty-three, and maximum one hundred and one.

CAVALRY.

The cavalry regiment authorized by the law of the special session, May 3, 1861, was formed by the acceptance of companies as provided by the law.

The companies reported at Camp Yates previous to the passage of the law and known as the " Chicago Dragoons" and " Washington Light Cav- alry," commanded respectively by Capts. Charles W. Barker and Freder- ick Schambeck, were immediately organized and mustered into the State service; and subsequently, on the 10th day of May, three companies were accepted from that portion of the State lying south of the Ohio & Missis- sippi Railroad, viz: Capt. Orlando Burrell, "White County Cavalry; " Capt. James Foster's "Gallatin County Cavalry; " and the " Centralia Cavalry," commanded by Capt. R. D. Noleman.

In view of the great expense of this arm of the service and the further fact that the State did not need more than five companies for its own defense, the governor declined organizing the full regiment until the services of the same should be required by the Government.

The five additional companies were, however, designated in compli- ance with law, and mentioned in special order of May 16, 1861, raised at points named, by the following officers: Capt. John McNulta, Blooming- ton; Capt. A. C. Harding, Monmouth; Capt. John Burnap, Springfield; Capt. J. B. Smith, Knoxville; Capt. Paul Walters, Hillsboro.

340

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

On the 21st day of June, 1861, the president accepted the services of ten companies of cavalry for three years' service, unless sooner discharged, and the companies previously accepted by the governor were assigned to form the " First Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Cavalry," and under direc- tion of the War Department were equipped and mustered into the United States service.

The Chicago Dragoons, Capt. Barker, were first ordered to Cairo, and thence, by order of Gen. McClellan, transferred to his command in West- ern Virginia, but, upon declining to enter the three years' service, were ordered back to Chicago and mustered out of service in the month of Sep- tember, 1861.

Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, commanded by Capts. McNulta, Foster, Mitchell, Smith, Walters, Bnrnap and Palmer, were with the 23d, Col. Mulligan, engaged at the siege of Lexington, Missouri, and with other United States forces taken prisoners of war on the 20th of September, 1861.

By order of Major General John C. Fremont, then commanding the Department of the West, the enlisted men of these seven companies were mustered out of service on the Sth day of October, 1861, but by order of the president were reinstated and declared as continuously in service, and by order of the War Department, dated December 21, 1861, the regiment was reorganized at Benton barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, during the month of December, 1861, but only continued in service a short time because of difficulties arising in relation to large numbers of its members not having been properly exchanged.

Capt. Oscar Huntley's cavalry company, raised in Winnebago county, under authority of General Fremont, was assigned to this regiment at the time of its re-organization at Benton Barracks, but not mustered out of service, as it was not involved in the affair at Lexington.

The battalion of artillery, authorized by the law of May 2d, was not organized as such. Company " A," Chicago Artillery, Capt. Smith, (after- wards Capt. Williards,) Capt. Houghtaling's Artillery, and Capt. McAl- lister's Plainfield Artillery, formed a part of General's Swift's expedition to Cairo, in April. Capt. Hopkins' Springfield Artillery was also ordered to Cairo, in April, and all remained in the service. They were first mus- tered into the three months' service, and afterwards into the three years' service. Capt. Houghtaling's battery was first mustered into the three months' service, as Company "F," 10th regiment; Capt. McAllister's, as Company "K," same regiment, three months' service, and Capt. Hopkins', as Company "I," in same regiment. Company "B," Capt. Taylor, Chicago Artillery; Capt. Davidson, Peoria Artillery; Capt. Madison's battery, and Company " A," Chicago Artillery, re-organized under Capt. Willard, were accepted under this law as batteries. These seven batteries nd Capt. Campb ( Il's Ottawa battery, were mustered into service, and their

341

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

organization protected by an acceptance from the War Department of an additional battalion of artillery, in July.

INDEPENDENT REGIMENTS.

These regiments of infantry, to-wit: Nos. 7 to 22, inclusive, which the Governor had been authorized to raise, were, in June, either full or nearly so. In May, June and July, the following regiments of infantry were authorized by the Secretary of War: 23d, Col. Mulligan ; 24th, Col. Hecker; 25th, Col. Coler; 33d, Col. Hovey; 34th, Col. Kirk; 35th, Col. Smith; 36th, Col. Greusel; 37th, Col. White; 39thi, Col. Light; 40th, Col. Hicks; 41st, Col. Pugh; 42d, Col. Webb; 44th, Col. Knobelsdorf; 45th, Col. Smith; 47th, Col. Bryner; 52d, Col. Wilson; 55th, Col. Stuart; 4th cavalry, Col. Dickey; 8th cavalry, Col. Farnsworth; 9th cavalry, Col. Brackett, and the 11th cavalry, Col. Ingersoll, by General Fremont.

All these regiments were speedily filled, and on the 2d of July, the governor was authorized to organize the Second Cavalry, Col. Noble.

In answer to frequent applications to accept more troops from this State, the Secretary of War, on the 16th of July, returned the following answer:

WAR DEPARTMENT, July 16, 1861.

Sir :- No more troops will be accepted by this Department till authorized by Congress. Your offer will be filed, and receive attention at the proper time.

Yours, respectfully,

SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.

HON. RICHARD YATES, Springfield.

NEW CALL.

On the 21st of July, the memorable battle of Bull Run was fought and lost, and on the next day Congress authorized the President to call into service five hundred thousand troops.

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The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 44

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Murray, Williamson & Phelps Number of Pages: 1254

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Murray, Williamson & Phelps
Number of Pages: 1254