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 45
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On the 23d, the following correspondence took place:
HON. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.
Sir :- Being advised that you are receiving tenders of additional troops, I desire to tender you, for Illinois, thirteen additional regiments of infantry, most of them now ready to rendezvous; three additional regiments of cavalry, and one additional battalion of light artillery. Illinois demands the right to do her full share in the work of preserving our glorious Union from the assaults of high handed rebellion, and I insist that you respond favorably to the tender I have made.
RICHARD YATES. WAR DEPARTMENT, July 25, 1862.
GOVERNOR :
I have telegraphed to-day, accepting your patriotic offer of thirteen additional regi- ments of infantry, three additional regiments of cavalry, and one additional battery of artillery, advising you that, if you so desire, you can provide for and equip them, if you can do so with advantage, as respects economy and dispatch.
It is absolutely necessary that the officers should be capable and reliable men; and to this end the department wishes it distinctly understood that it will revoke the commissions of all officers who may be found incompetent for command.
You will please telegraph immediately to the Adjutant General, at Washington, where and when these troops will be ready to be mustered into the service, in order that an officer may be detailed for that duty, without delay.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
I appreciate the patriotie spirit of your people, as evinced in your noble offer, and doubt not that they will prove equal to every demand that may be made upon them in behalf of the preservation of our glorious Union.
I am, Governor, with high respect, Your obedient servant, SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.
Under this authority the 26th, Col. Loomis; 27th, Col. Buford; 28th, Col. Johnson; 29th, Col. Reardon; 30th, Col. Fouke; 31st, Col. John Logan; 32, Col. John A. Logan; 38th, Col. Carlin; 43d, Col. Raith; 46th, Col. Davis; 48th, Col. Haynie; 49th, Col. Morrison; 50th, Col. Bane, were raised. Also, the 3d cavalry, Col. Carr; 7th cavalry, Col. Kellogg, and the 6th cavalry, Col. Cavanaugh.
GENERAL CALL.
August 13, 1861, another application was made to the Secretary of War, to accept more troops, and, on the 14th, all restriction was removed, and all infantry regiments were authorized to be accepted, who were will- ing to enter the service.
On the 27th of the same month, authority was given to accept the 5th cavalry, Col. Updegraff, and, on the 5th of September, to accept the 10th, Col. Barrett.
On the 28th of September, the Governor was also authorized to accept the 12th, Col. Voss, and on the 27th of November, the 13th, Col. Bell. The last two regiments of cavalry were, however, limited to two battalions, . of four companies each; and. in the latter case, a battalion, authorized some months before by the War Department, and raised by Lient. Col. Hartman, was to constitute a part.
In addition to the thirteen regiments of cavalry, authorized in 1861, Capt. Marx recruited a company, under the auspices of Gen. Smith, for Thielman's battalion, and Major Thielman was commissioned as Major, with rank from November 1, 1861. His command consisted of his com- pany, nominally attached to the 1st cavalry, and now commanded by Capt. Marshner, and Capt. Marx's company.
Capt. Warren Stewart also raised a company, under authority of Gen. Fremout, of August 3, 1861. Four companies were also raised in connec- tion with the 27th, 29th, 30th, and 31st regiments (Gen. McClernand's brigade), commanded by Capts. Hutchens, Carmikel, O'Harnett, and Dollins. These four companies, and Capt. Stewart's, were subsequently organized as a battalion, and Capt. Stewart commissioned Major, with rank from February 1, 1862.
Another company was raised by Capt. Naughton, under authority from Gen. Fremont, to be attached to the 23d regiment, in September, 1861; but, after the battle of Lexington, was transferred, by the Governor of Missouri, and attached to a Missouri regiment, known as the "Curtis Horse," commanded by Col. Lowe.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
A company, known as the Kane County Cavalry, Capt. Dodson, was also raised. This company was raised for the 2d cavalry, but was never assigned to it. It was subsequently assigned to the 15th cavalry.
The company known as "Chicago Light Dragoons," commanded by Capt. Barker, was re-organized under the command of Capt. Shearer, and another company recruited, and have since been known as the " McClellan Dragoons." They were temporarily attached to a regiment of regulars. These companies were subsequently assigned to the 12th cavalry, Col, Voss.
Under the general permission of Secretary of War, of Angust 14th 1861, the following regiments of infantry were anthorized: the 56th, Col. Kirkham; the 61st, Col. Fry; the 64th, Lieut. Col. Williams, being a bat- talion of six companies, known as " Yates' Sharp Shooters; " the 65th, Col. Cameron, verbally in November, and confirmed by War Department in December; 51st, Col. Cummings, September 20th; the 53d, Col. Cush- man, including squadron of cavalry and battery of artillery, September 16th; the 58th, Col. Lynch, September 25th; the 57th, Col. Baldwin, August 14th; the 54th, Col. Harris; the 60th, Col. Toler; 62d, Col. True, and the 63d, Col. Moro, known as the " Kentucky Brigade," were autho- rized by the War Department, subject to the governor's approval, October 3,1861.
In the summer of 1861, an informal permission had been given to raise an additional regiment of artillery. The most of the companies had been raised, and the authority was formally recognized and approved by the Secretary of War, January 2, 1862.
RECRUITING AGAIN STOPPED.
On the third of December all recruiting, except for regiments then organizing and for old regiments, was suspended by General Order No. 105, of War Department. Parts I. and II. of that order are as follows:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHIINGTON, December 3, 1861.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 105.
The following orders have been received from the Secretary of War:
I. No more regiments, batteries, or independent companies will be raised by the gov- ernors of states, except upon the special requisition of the War Department.
Those now forming in the various states will be completed, under direction of the respective governors thereof, unless it be deemed more advantageous to the service to assign the men already raised to regiments, batteries, or independent companies now in the field, in order to fill up their organizations to the maximum standard prescribed by law.
II. The recruiting service in the various states for the volunteer forces already in serv- ice, and for those that may hereafter be received, is placed under charge of general superin- tendents for those states, respectively, with general depots for the collection and instruction of recruits.
At that time, beside the six regiments of three months' men, the State had sent to the field over forty-three thousand men, and had then in camps of instruction in the State over seventeen thousand.
During the month of December, 4,160 more recruits were enlisted; all
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
squads and parts of regiments were consolidated, and the 45th, 46th, 49th and 57th were organized and mustered into service. The only incomplete regiments of infantry in the State, December 31st, were the 51st, Col. Cummings, at Camp Douglas; the 53d, Col. Cushman, at Ottawa; the 58th, Col. Lynch, at Camp Douglas; the 23d, Col. Mulligan, at Camp Douglas, reorganizing, and four regiments at Jonesboro', 54th, 60th, 62d and 63d.
On the first of January, 1862, it seemed probable that Illinois, having at that time furnished about fifteen thousand more than her proportion of troops in the field, would not be called upon or permitted to raise more, except to fill up the regiments last named, and snel as might enlist in old regiments. The exciting scenes of the year just elosed had taught a sad experience, and showed how unfounded were first expectations. The State, instead of being able to rest with the satisfaction of having done her whole duty to the country, was soon called upon to redouble her energies for new and exciting and more eventful realities.
In January, the 32d regiment, Col. John Logan ; the 45th regiment, Col. Jolin E. Smith, and the 64th regiment, Lient. Col. D. D. Williams, infantry, and the 10th cavalry regiment, Col. J. A. Barrett, were ordered to the field. In February, the 46th, Col. John A. Davis ; 49th, Col. Wm. R. Morrison; 57th, Col. Silas D. Baldwin; 58th, Col. Wm. F. Lynch, and 61st, Col. Jacob Fry, infantry; and 5th cavalry, Col. Wilson ; 9th cavalry, Col. Brackett, and 13th cavalry, Col. Bell; and seven splendid batteries of light artillery followed, commanded by Captains Sparstrom, Steinbeck, Keith, Rogers, Waterhouse, Silversparre and Bonton. The most of these troops reached the field in time to join the old regiments, and with them to participate in the battle of Fort Donelson, on the 15th and 16th of Feb- ruary.
Immediately after the battle of Fort Donelson, over ten thousand prisoners of war were sent to Camp Douglas and Camp Butler, and the State was called upon to guard them with such troops as were then at these camps. The 23d and 65th regiments of infantry, and the 12th cavalry reg- iment, and two or three artillery companies, were at Camp Donglas; the 53d infantry at Ottawa, and two companies of artillery at Camp Butler. Neither of these regiments were full. The 12th cavalry was ordered to Camp Butler, and the 53d infantry to Camp Douglas.
In March, the 53d, 56th and 60th regiments of infantry and three more batteries of artillery, commanded by Captains Bolton, Cheeney and Coggswell; and in April, the 62d and 63d infantry took the field, leaving in the State only the 65th (fully organized); the 23d (fully re-organized); Phil- lip's battery, and 12th cavalry; all doing guard duty at these camps.
RECRUITING FOR OLD REGIMENTS.
On the 3d of April, the War Department directed a discontinuance of the recruiting service, as established December 3d. The officers detached
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
on that service were ordered to rejoin their regiments, and superintendents directed to disband their recruiting parties and close their offices. The State having been directed, in December, to suspend recruiting, except to complete corps then commenced, and such corps having been filled, the entire recruiting in the State may be said to have closed on the 3d of April, 1862.
The system of recruiting for old regiments, under the State Superin- tendent, appointed by the War Department, was in operation during January, February and March; and with a large detail of recruiting officers, but three hundred and fifty-one recruits were enlisted. At first it was sup- posed that want of success was on account of recruits not being allowed to enlist for particular regiments; but this objection was removed on the 11th of January, and yet these officers met with but little success.
On the 1st of May, the following order of the War Department was promulgated :
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE. WASHINGTON, May 1, 1862.
GENERAL ORDERS, ¿ No. 49.
Upon requisitions made by commanders of armies in the field, authority will be given by the War Department to the governors of the respective states, to recruit' regiments now in service.
By order of the Secretary of War,
L. THOMAS, Adjutant General.
On the next day the following requisition was made for recruits to fill up old regiments:
HEADQUARTERS DEP'T OF THE MISS., PITTSBURG LANDING, Tenn., May 2, 1862.
HIS EXCELLENCY, RICH'D YATES, Governor of Illinois, Springfield.
GOVERNOR :
I am authorized to call upon you for recruits to fill up the volunteer regiments from your State in this army.
Many of them have been reduced, by disease and recent battles, very far below the min- imum standard. A detail from such regiments will soon be sent to you for recruiting serv- ice, and it is hoped that you will give the matter your immediate attention.
Very respectfully your ob'dt serv't, H. W. HALLECK, Major General Commanding.
On the 6th of June, however, the plan of December 3d was reinstated by the War Department, and invalid or disabled officers, necessarily absent from their regiments, were directed to be detailed for that duty whenever they were able to perform it.
A communication from Colonel Morrison, superintendent for this State, shows, that from the 5th of July to the 22d ultimo, two hundred and four officers had reported to him, and during that time 2,753 recruits had been enlisted and forwarded to their regiments, making an aggregate, from January 1st to December 22d, 1862, of 3,121. More than sixty per cent. of these recruits were enlisted during the excitement in August and September.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
EXCITEMENT IN MAY.
On the 25th of May, 1862, the following dispatch was received from the Secretary of War:
WASHINGTON, May 25, 1862.
GOVERNOR YATES:
Intelligence from various sources leaves no doubt that the enemy, in great force, are advancing on Washington. You will please organize and forward immediately all the volunteer and militia force in your State.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
In two weeks the 67th, Col. Hongh, the 6Sth, Col. Stuart, the 69th, Col. Tucker, the 70th, Col. Reeves, the 71st, Col. Gilbert-infantry, for three months service, were in camp. The 23d, Col. Mulligan, and Rourke's battery, left for Annapolis, June 12th; the 65th, Col. Cameron, June 21st; the 12th cavalry, June 27th: the 6Sth, July 6th; Phillips' battery, July 12th, and the 71st, for Columbus, July 27th. The 67th, Col. Hough, and the 69th, Col. Tucker, were assigned to duty at Camp Doug- las, and the 70th, Col. Reeves, at Camp Butler.
LAST CALLS.
On the 17th of May a regiment was called for, for particular service, and on the 30th the Secretary of War informed the governor he would accept all three years' men who wished to enlist, and all volunteers and militia for three months who had before then offered their services, and who had so far perfected their organization as to be able to report for orders at certain places named, by the 10th of June.
On the 6th of July another call of three hundred thousand was made by the President. It was at first intended to credit on this call those States for any surplus which they had furnished. It was not known at the time what our surplus was. On the next day the Secretary of War called upon Illinois for nine more regiments, " being a part of your [our] quota under the call of the President." Before these regiments were filled, however, and on the 17th of July, Congress enacted that whenever the President should " call forth the militia of the States, to be employed in the service of the United States," he should specify in his call the period for which said service should be required, not exceeding nine months, and the militia so called should be mustered in and continue to serve during the period so specified. The fourth section of the act authorized the president. for the purpose of filling up old regiments, to accept the services of one hundred thousand volunteers, for a period not exceeding one year.
Three hundred thousand militia, to serve for a period of nine months, unless sooner discharged, were called for August 5th. The order of the Secretary of War, making the call upon this State, assumed that a draft would be necessary; and, in anticipation that the States would not be able to contribute their quotas of the call in July for three years' service, announced that if any State should not by the 1Sth of August furnish its
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
quota of the three years' volunteers, the deficiency would be made up by a special draft from the militia. Two days after this order, to-wit., August 7th, notice was given that unless the enrollment of the militia had been commenced, to have it done immediately, at the expense of the general government.
These vigorous measures gave hope of a speedy termination of this terrible war. The people of the State received the announcement with the wildest excitement and most unbounded satisfaction. Messengers and committees from every portion of the State hastened to the Capital, demanding that, as they were ready to perform their share of the work of saving the government, that they should not be drafted so long as they were willing to volunteer. This condition of things was promptly com- municated to the War Department, and the assignment of our quota, under both calls, urgently requested. The next day it was announced that our quota, under each call, would be 26,148, but as Illinois had furnished 16,978 in excess of her quota of those in the field, the total quotas under both calls was 35,320. Application was made hourly from the different counties in the State, to ascertain what their quota was, and immediately on ascertaining from the War Department what it was, the announcement was made through the public press. Still, in the minds of some, there appeared a question as to whether volunteers for three years would be accepted in lieu of militia. This was quickly settled, liowever, by a tele- gram on the 8th, from the War Department, that all volunteers would be accepted until the 15th of August, for new regiments, and all after that time for filling up old regiments, and that all volunteers enlisted before the draft (August 18th), would be credited on those calls.
On the 9th of August, from returns made to the adjutant general of Illinois, he informed the public that there would be no draft. This was upon the strength of the dispatch from Washington that our quota was 35,320. The records now on file show that the announcement thus made was not premature, and that the information thus communicated was cor- rect. On the evening of that day, however, the Assistant Adjutant Gen. U. S. A. telegraphed that it had been decided, in fixing the quota of volun- teers, not to regard those in the field before the call, leaving our quota, under both calls, at 52,296, notwithstanding our previous excess of 16,978.
To raise either 52,296, or 35,320 volunteers (with perhaps the excep- tion of one thousand who had enlisted between July 7 and August 5), but thirteen days were allowed. The floating population of the State who would enlist had already done so. These new volunteers must come, if come at all, from the farmers and mechanics of the State. Farmers were in the midst of their harvests, and it is no exaggeration to say, that inspired by a holy zeal, animated by a common purpose, and firmly resolved on res- cuing this government from the very brink of ruin, and restoring it to the condition our fathers left it, over fifty thousand of them left their harvests
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
ungathered-their tools on their benches-the ploughs in the furrows, and turned their backs upon home and loved ones, AND BEFORE ELEVEN DAY'S EXPIRED THE DEMANDS OF THE COUNTRY WERE MET, AND BOTH QUOTAS WERE FILLED! ! Proud indeed was the day to all Illinosians when this extraordi- nary announcement was made that the enlistment rolls were full. And when the historian writes the record of these eventful days of August, 1862, no prouder record can be erected to the honor and memory of a free people than a plain, full narrative of actual realities.
It is not our province to bestow fulsome praise, or write glowing enlogies, but when we remember what we all witnessed in those days- when we remember the unselfish and patriotic impulse which animated every soul-and the universal liberality of those who were either too young or too old to enlist, to aid those who were eager to join their brethren in the field-when we remember the holy ardor which aged mothiers and fair daughters infused into husbands, sons and brothers-we say when we remember these things we cannot but feel justified in departing from the dull routine of statistics, and bestow upon the subject this passing notice.
On the 14th of Angust the time was extended for filling up new regi- ments from the 18th to the 22d, and for old regiments to the first of Sep- tember. The extension for this State was not necessary, for the muster- rolls show that before the 19th of August our quotas, as last established, were filled. Yet on this same day, August 14th, the War Department, by General Order No. 105, announced that unless old regiments should be filled by the 1st of September, a special draft would be ordered on that day, and the governor informed that it required 34,719 to fill up those regiments. In view of this state of things it was determined that if the War Depart- ment should insist that Illinois should be required to raise this additional force of 34,719 to fill up old regiments, it would be useless to attempt to raise them by volunteer enlistments. On the 21st of August, therefore, General Militia Order No. 1 was issued, directing an enrollment of the entire militia of the State. This was deemed necessary to meet any con- tingeneies that might arise, and be prepared for a draft in case one should be still demanded.
Immediately after the call for nine regiments in July, nine camps were established, one in each of the old Congressional districts of the State, for the temporary rendezvous of those regiments, but with the intention of removing them, as soon as they should be full, into the principal camps of instruction at Chicago and Springfield for permanent organization and instruction.
There was, however, in the State, barely enough camp and garrison equipage for these regiments, and consequently an additional embarrass- ment presented itself to provide for those called August 5th. The State was soon full of volunteers. All had left their business and some of them were without homes. The general government was unable to supply tents, and
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
there was not time to erect barracks to accommodate half of them. Such, therefore, as were not supplied were directed to remain at home or seek temporary quarters as best they could, and await orders.
And still another difficulty grew out of the want of clothing, and especially blankets. All the resources of the government were taxed to supply the immense army organizing throughout the country, and, con- sidering the immense amount of supplies required, and the suddenness of the emergency which had called out these volunteers, their wants were met with very commendable promptness. In most of the counties of the State there were fair grounds at the county seats. In many counties the sheds on these county fair grounds were repaired and occupied by companies and regi- ments until quarters could be prepared for them at the general camps of instruction. Several regiments, however, who were unable to obtain quarters at the principal camps, moved from these neighborhood rendez- vous directly to the field.
Six of these new regiments were organized, mustered, armed and clothed, and sent into the field in August; twenty-two and Board of Trade battery, Capt. Stokes, and Miller's battery, in September; thirteen in October; fifteen, beside the Springfield light artillery, Capt. Vaughn, and Mercantile battery, Capt. Cooley, in November, and three in December, making an aggregate of fifty-nine regiments of infantry and four batteries, consisting of 53,819 officers and enlisted men. Beside this, 2,753 were, during about the same time, enlisted and sent to old regiments under the direction of Col. Morrison, U. S. A. State Superintendent. Add to these 1,083, 14th cavalry; 386, Camp Butler; 156, Elgin battery, Capt. Renwick; 135, Henshaw's battery, and 83, Capt. Adams, cavalry company of the 15th regiment, makes the grand total under the last calls, 58,416, or 6,119 more than our quotas under the last calls. The excess furnished by this State, as reported by the Secretary of War, August 8th, was 16,978, which, added to the surplus under the last calls of 6,119, makes the total excess, as officially ascertained, 23,097.
APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS.
The 10th section of the law of April 25, 1861, provides for the organ- ization of the first six regiments, declares that at all elections for company and regimental officers, every enrolled man of the company or regiment should be entitled to vote, and none others; and that at the election for brigadier general for said brigade, all commissioned officers should be enti- tled to vote, and none others; and that all elections should be by written or printed ballots.
The 11th section declared that the provision of that act should only apply to the six regiments therein provided for.
These six regiments were organized and officers elected and commis- sioned, as therein provided. It was organized by the State and accepted by
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
the general government as an Illinois brigade. Col. Benjamin M. Prentiss was elected brigadier general, commissioned by Governor Yates, and mus- tered into the United States service May 18, 1861, with rank from May 8, 1861.
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