USA > Illinois > Ogle County > The history of Ogle 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 history of the Northwest, history of Illinois etc > Part 39
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April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter, at Charleston, Sonth Carolina, Major Anderson, U. S. A., commandant, was fired upon by rebels in arms. Al- though basest treason, this first act in the bloody reality that followed was looked upon as mere bravado of a few hot-heads-the act of a few fire-eaters whose sectional bias and freedom hatred was crazed by the excessive indul- gence in intoxicating potations. When, a day later, the news was borne along the telegraph wires that Major Anderson had been forced to surrender to what had first been regarded as a drunken mob, the patriotic people of the North were startled from their dreams of the future -- from undertakings half completed-and made to realize that behind that mob there was a dark, deep and well organized purpose to destroy the government, rend the Union in twain, and out of its ruins erect a slave oligarchy, wherein no one would dare question their right to hold in bondage the sons and daughters of men whose skins were black, or who, perchance, through practices of lustful natures, were half or quarter removed from the color that God, for His own purposes, had given them. But they "reckoned without their host." Their dreams of the future-their plans for the establishment of an independent confederacy -- were doomed from their inception to sad and bitter disap- pointment.
Immediately upon the surrender of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln- America's martyr President -- who, but a few short weeks before, had taken the oath of office as the nation's chief executive, issued a proclamation eall- ing for 75,000 volunteers for three months. The last word of that proc- lamation had scareely been taken from the electric wires before the call was filled. Men and money were counted out by hundreds and thousands. The people who loved their whole government could not give enough. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school-house-every calling offered its best men, their lives and fortunes in defense of the government's honor and unity. Party lines were, for the time, ignored. Bitter words, spoken in moments of political heat, were forgotten and forgiven, and, joining hands in a common cause, they repeated the oath of America's soldier statesman: " By the Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserved!"
The gauntlet thrown down by the traitors of the South in their attack upon Fort Sumter was accepted-not, however, in the spirit with which insolence meets insolence-but with a firm, determined spirit of patriotism and love of country. The duty of the President was plain under the con- stitution and the laws, and above and beyond all, the people from whom all political power is derived, demanded the suppression of the rebellion, and stood ready to sustain the authority of their representatives and executive officers.
386
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
April 14, A. D. 1861, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, issued the following
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The laws of the United States have been, and now are, violently opposed in several states by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way, I there- fore call for the militia of the several states of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, to suppress said combination and execute the laws. I appeal to all loyal citizens to facili- tate and aid in this effort to maintain the laws, the integrity and the perpetuity of the popular government, and redress wrongs long enough endured. The first service assigned to the forces, probably, will be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the Union. Let the utmost care be taken, consistent with the object, to avoid devastation, destruction, interference with the property of peaceful citizens in any part of the country ; and I hereby command persons composing the aforesaid combination to disperse within twenty days from dale.
I hereby convene both houses of Congress for the 4th day of July next, to determine upon measures for public safety which the interest of the subject demands.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States.
WM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the rebellion. Nor were ten times that number. The war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush out and subdue the monstrons war traitors had inaugurated. But to every call, for either men or money, there was a willing and a ready response. And it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enongh, patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. Such were the impulses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the North, among whom the sons of Ogle made a conspicuous and praise- worthy record.
The readiness with which the first call was filled, together with the embarrassments that surrounded President Lincoln in the absence of suf- ficient laws to authorize him to meet the unholy, unlooked for and unex- pected emergency-an emergency that had never been anticipated by the wisest and best of America's statesmen-together with an underestimate of the magnitude of the rebellion and a general belief that the war could not, and would not last more than three months, checked, rather than encouraged, the patriotic ardor of the people. But very few of the men comparatively speaking, who volunteered in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers for three months, were accepted. But the time soon came when there was a place and a musket for every man. Call followed call in quick succession, until the number reached the grand total of 3,339,748, as follows:
April 16, 1861, for three months 75,000
May 4, 1861, for five years 64,748
July, 1861, for three years. 500,000
July 18, 1862, for three years 300,000
August 4, 1862, for nine months
300,000
June, 1863, for three years
300,000
October 17, 1863, for three years. 300,000
February 18, 1864, for three years
500,000
July 10, 1864, for three years 200,000
July 16, 1864, for one, two and three years.
500,000
December 21, 1864, for three years. 300,000-3,339,748
To the credit of the county, be it said, there was no draft. To each and every call above quoted, there was a liberal response. Of the offerings
B. F. Sheets.
OREGON
389
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
of men and money made by this people during the great and final struggle between freedom and slavery, it is the purpose now to write.
April 30, 1861, the board of supervisors being in session, Hon. James V. Gale, a member of the board presented a resolution relating to the crisis and the duty of the people, which, on motion, was referred to a special com- mittee of three-Messrs. Norton, Frisby and Hitt.
May 1st, that committee reported as follows, which report was unani- mously adopted :
WHEREAS, The President of the United States has made known to the people of the United States through his proclamation that rebellion against the government and laws of the United States has been undertaken, and is maintained by certain States of the con- federacy, and that to suppress the same the armed forces of the State of Illinois will be required, therefore,
We, the board of supervisors, for, and in behalf of the citizens of the County of Ogle, State of Illinois, endorsing fully the President in his efforts and desires to suppress said rebellion and preserve the Union, and to protect the State of Illinois, and the County of Ogle, do hereby appropriate the sum of $5,000 to be paid in orders on the county treasury, as follows, to-wit:
To every commissioned officer, non-commissioned officer and private, raised in the said County of Ogle, and received in the service of the United States, or under the order of the Legislature, or Governor of the State of Illinois, the sum of five dollars per month, to commence from the date of the acceptance of said company either in the United States forces or under the order of the State Legislature or Governor of the State of Illinois; Pro- vided, however, that such sums shall in no case be paid to any officer or private unless at the time of such enrollment in any such company, he shall have a family depending on him for support; and, Provided, further, that said family shall need the said sum for their absolute support, which necessity shall be certified to by the supervisor of the town in which said officer or private may reside at the time of said enrollment.
And provided, further, that for the purpose of this order and to entitle the parties to the benefits thereof, it shall not be necessary that said officer or private shall be a married man, but if he have a mother, or brother, or sister, depending upon him for support they shall be considered his family within the meaning of the order.
It shall be the duty of the supervisor of each town, whenever application shall be made by any persons entitled to receive benefits from the provision of this order, to make certificate that said applicant is entitled to the same, and to what amount, and, which cer- tificate, endorsed by the town clerk and one justice of the peace, where the applicant shall reside, shall be sufficient evidence to the county clerk, who, thereupon, shall issue county orders to the amount of said certificate so endorsed, for the benefit of said applicant or his family, and pay it over to him, or them, or their order.
It shall be the duty of each supervisor, on application of such soldier or his represen- tative, as may be entitled to the benefits of this order, to issue his certificate for the relief of such applicant until such soldier shall be discharged from duty.
The tocsin of war was sounded. Meetings were held in all the town- ships, at which stirring and spirited addresses were made, and resolutions adopted that admitted of bnt one interpretation. The spirit of the people in the early days of the war, is very clearly reflected in the following pre- amble and resolutions:
WHEREAS, It becomes American citizens to know no political law but their country's welfare; and whereas, the flag of our country has been insulted, and the laws set at defiance by formidably organized bands of lawless men whose avowed purpose and overt acts are high treason against the government, therefore, resolved,
1. That in the present endangered state of our country we will ignore all party differ- ences and distinetions and will unite in rendering all the aid within our power, to the Federal Executive in executing the laws and defending the honor of our national flag.
2. That we recognize the form of government formed by our fathers-and baptized in their blood-as the best in the world; the birthright of American citizens, and to be given up but with our lives.
3. That we are unalterably for the Union of the States, one and inseparable, now and forever.
With such a spirit, and guided and directed by such patriots as: R. C. Burchell, H. A. Mix (now deceased), John V. Gale, E. F. Dutcher, Hugh
390
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Rea, B. F. Sheets, Joseph Sears, James V. Gale, Albert Woodcock, of Oregon; John S. Kosier, Amzie Johnston, Dr. Clinton Helm, of Byron; P. B. Boyce, John A. Huges, of Rochelle; Morton D. Swift, of Polo; Prof. Pinckney and S. M. Hitt, of Mount Morris; there was no wavering, if there had been a disposition to waver. The people were united in senti- ment and prompt in action.
The pen could be employed for months in sketching the uprising of the people, the formation of companies, and telling of the deeds of valor and heroism of the " Boys in Blue " from Ogle County There is material here for volumes upon volumes, and it would be a pleasing task to collect and arrange it, but no words our pen could employ would add a single laurel to their brave and heroic deeds. Acts speak louder than words, and their acts have spoken-are recorded in pages already written. The people of no county in any of the states of the freedom and Union-loving North made a better record during the dark and trying times of the great and final struggle between freedom and slavery-patriotism and treason-than the people of Ogle. Monuments may crumble; cities may fall into decay; the tooth of time leave its impress on all the works of man, but the memory of the gallant deeds of the army of the Union in the war of the great rebellion, in which the sons of this county bore so conspicuous a part, will live in the minds of men so long as time and civilized governments endure.
The people were liberal, as well as patriotic, and while the men were busy enlisting, organizing and equipping companies, the ladies were no less active. Committees were appointed to look after the necessities and to secure comfort to the families of those who enlisted. The spirit of the resolutions of the board of supervisors, adopted May 1, 1861, and care- fully fostered by the board throughout the years of the war, pervaded the entire community, which was divided into committees, and each committee assigned a duty. And right nobly did each committee do its work. There were no laggards, no niggardliness. Men and money were given by tens and hundreds and thousands. No one stopped to count the costs. The life of the nation was at stake, and the people were ready to sacrifice all, EVERY THING, for the preservation and maintenance of the Union --
" A union of lakes, a union of lands- A union that none can sever- A union of hearts, a union of hands, The American Union forever."
It would be interesting to record the money contributions-voluntary, as well as by means of taxation-made by the people during the years of the rebellion, but that would be impossible. Of the former, no accounts were kept. People never stopped to reckon the cost, or to keep accounts of what they gave. When ever money was needed for any purpose, and pur- poses and needs were plenty, it was given and paid on demand. There were no delays, no excuses, no "days of grace," no time for consid- eration demanded. People were ready and willing. Husbands and fathers abandoned homes and their comforts, wives and little ones for the dangers of tented fields of battle, assured that, in their absence, plenty would be provided for their loved ones. Because of this knowledge, their dreams were none the less sweet, nor their slumbers less refreshing, even if their beds were made upon mother earth, and their covering only that of the starry dome above.
391
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
While it is impossible to make even an approximate estimate of the amount of money provided by voluntary contributions for war purposes, it is almost as impossible to arrive at the actual amounts provided by the public authorities by means of taxation-some times for the reason that the accounts were indifferently and loosely kept, and some times because of the seeming reluctance of parties (as in the case of township clerks) who ought to possess the knowledge, to impart it for preservation in printed pages of history. When the compilation of this work was commenced, each of the several township clerks was solicited, by printed circulars, to send the gentlemen in charge of the work the amounts provided by their respective townships for war purposes such as the payment of bounties, benefit of soldiers' families, etc. Out of the twenty-four township clerks, only five responded. These five were, R. W. Sheadle, White Rock; A. S. Hodley, Flagg; George M. Reed, Nashua; O. S. Dentler, Scott; M. D. Swift, Polo. The amounts provided in these townships were as follows :
Flagg
$11,036 64
Nashua
1,200 00
Buffalo
11,000 00
Scott
11,500 00
White Rock
8,500 00
Total in five townships $43,236 64
It would be a much pleasanter duty to complete the showing by town- ships than to stop with those quoted. But, for reasons already stated, it is beyond the writer's power. These figures, even now, would be an inter- esting souvenir-in years to come, invaluable as facts for reference.
The good work of the board of supervisors did not end with the appro- priation of $5,000, as provided in their resolutions of May 1, 1861, but was continued from time to time, as occasion and necessity demanded, until the sum of $120,070 was raised and paid out under county authority. Now, in time of national peace and tranquility, this sum seems enormously large; and if the assessment of that amount for purposes of public improvements was submitted to a vote of the people, it would be voted down by a very large majority. Adding this sum of $120,070 to the $43,236.64 provided by the five townships of Flagg, Nashua, Buffalo, Scott and White Rock, and we have a known total of $163,306.64. To this may be added at least $60,000 for voluntary contributions and the nineteen townships not reported, and we have an estimated grand total of $223,306.64, provided by the people of Ogle County to aid in the suppression of the rebellion.
RECAPITULATION.
By Board of Supervisors. $120,070 00
five townships.
43,236 64
estimate for nineteen townships not reported, etc. 60,000 00
Estimated grand total $223,306 64
The world never witnessed such an uprising of the masses, such a unanimity of sentiment, such a willingness to sacrifice meu and money, as was shown bv the people of the states of the north from the time the rebels fired upon Fort Sumter in April, 1861, until the surrender of treason's army in 1865-and no county in all the northern states made a bolder, clearer or better record than Ogle.
Having thus noticed the spirit of patriotism that fired the hearts of the sons and daughters of Ogle, the sacrifices and readiness of the wealthier
392
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
classes and of the taxpayers to sustain the Union, we come now to the volun- teer soldiery. And of these what can we say ? What words can our pen employ that would do justice to their heroic valor-to their unequalled and unparalleled valor ? Home and home comforts-wives and little ones, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers-were given up for life and danger on the tented fields of battle-for exposure, disease and death at the cannon's mouth. They reckoned none of these, but went out with their lives in their hands to meet and conquer the foes of the Union, maintain its supremacy, and vindicate its honor and integrity. We can offer no more fitting tribute to their patriotic valor than a full and complete record, so far as it is possible to make it, that will embrace the names, the terms of enlistments, the bat- tles in which they engaged, etc. It will be a wreath of glory encircling every brow, and a memento which each and every one of them earned in defense of their country's honor, integrity and nnity.
OGLE COUNTY VOLUNTEERS.
ABBREVIATIONS.
Adjt
.Adjutant
inf
infantry
Art.
Artillery
kld
.killed
Bat
Battalion
Lieut
Lieutenant
Col.
. Colonel
Maj.
.Major
Capt
Captain
m. o ..
mustered out
Corpl.
Corporal
prmtd.
. promoted
Comsy
Commissary
prisr
- prisoner
com.
commissioned
Regiment
cav.
cavalry
re-enlisted
captd
captured
res ..
resigned
desrtd
deserted
Sergt
Sergeant
disab
disabled
trans
transfered
disd
discharged
vet.
veteran
e.
enlisted
wd.
wounded
excd
exchanged
hon discd
honorably discharged
George P. Jacobs, commissioned Commissary of Subsistence with the rank of Captain, February, 1863, and served throughout the war.
15th Infantry.
The Fifteenth Regiment Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Freeport, Illinois, and mustered into the United States service May 24. 186r-being the first regiment organized from the state for the three years' service. It then proceeded to Alton, Ill., remaining there six weeks for instruction. Left Alton for St. Charles, Mo .; thence by rail to Mexico, Mo. Marched to Hannibal, Mo .; thence by steamboat to Jefferson Barracks; then by rail to Rolla, Mo. Arrived in time to cover Gen. Siegel's retreat from Wilson's Creek; thence to Tipton, Mo., and thence joined Gen. Fremont's army. Marched from there to Springfield, Mo .; thence back to Tipton; then to Sedalia, with Gen. Pope, and assisted in the capture of 1,300 of the enemy a few miles from the latter place; then marched to Otterville, Mo., where it went into winter quarters Dec. 26, 1861. Remained there until Feb. 1, 1862. Then marched to Jefferson City; thence to St. Louis by rail; embarked on transports for Fort Donelson, arriving there the day of the surrender.
The regiment was then assigned to the Fourth Di- vision, Gen. Hurlbut commanding, and marched to Fort Henry. Then embarked on transports for Pitts- burg Landiog. Participated in the battles of the 6th and 7th of April, losing 252 men, killed and wounded. Among the former were Lieutenant-Colonel E. T. W. Ellis, Major Goddard, Captains Brownell and Wayne, and Lieutenant John W. Puterhaugh. Captain Adam Nase, wounded and taken prisoner. The regiment then marched to Corinth, participating in various skirmishes and the siege of that place, losing a number of men killed and wounded.
After the evacuation of Corinth, the regiment marched to Grand Junction; thence to Holly Springs; back to Grand Junction; thence to Lagrange; thence to Mem- phis, arriving there July 21, 1862, and remained there until September 6. Then marched to Bolivar; thence to the Hatchie River, and participated in the battle of the Hatchie. Lost fifty killed and wounded in that en- gagement. Then returned to Bolivar; from thence to Lagrange; thence, with Gen. Grant, down through Mississippi to Coffeeville, returning to Lagrange and Memphis; thence to Vicksburg, taking an active part in the siege of that place. After the surrender of Vicksburg, marched with Sherman to Jackson, Miss .; then returned to Vicksburg and embarked for Natchez.
Marched thence to Kingston; returned to Natchez; then to Harrisonburg, La., capturing Fort Beauregard, ou the Washita River. Returned to Natchez, remained there until Nov. 10, 1863. Proceeded to Vicksburg and went into winter quarters. Here the regiment re- enlisted as veterans, remaining until Feb, 1, 1864, when it moved with Gen. Sherman through Mississippi. Oo Champion Hills had a severe engagement with rebel Carney. Marched to Meridan; thence south to Eater- prise ; thence back to Vicksburg. Was then ordered to Illinois on veteran furlough. On expiration of furlough joined Seventeenth Army Corps, and proceeded up the Tennessee River to Clifton ; thence to Huntsville, Ala .; thence to Decatur and Rome, Ga .; thence to Kingston, and joined Gen. Sherman's Army, marching on Atlanta.
At Allatoona Pass, the Fifteenth and the Fourteenth Infantry were consolidated, and the organization was known as the Veteran Battalion Fourteenth and Fif- teenth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and numbering 625 men. From Allatoona Pass it proceeded to Ackworth, and was then assigned to duty, guarding the Chatta- nooga & Atlanta Railroad. Whilst engaged in this duty, the regiment being scattered along the line of road, the rebel, Gen. Hood, marching north, struck the road at Big Shanty and Ackworth, and captured about 300 of the command. The remainder retreated to Ma- rietta, were mounted, and acted as scouts for Gen. Van- dever. They were afterwards transferred to Gen. F. P. Blair, and marched with Gen. Sherman through Georgia.
After the capture of Savannah, the regiment pro- ceeded to Beaufort, South Carolina ; thence to Salka- hatchie River, participating in the various skirmishes in that vicinity-Columbia, S. C .; Fayetteville, N. C .; battle of Bentonville-losing a number wounded; thence to Goldsboro and Raleigh. At Raleigh, recruits suffi- cient to fill up both regiments were received, and the organization of the V teran Battalion discontinued, and the Fifteenth re-organized. The campaign of Gen. Sherman ended by the surrender of Gen. Johnsun. The regiment then marched with the army to Wash- ington, D. C., via Richmond and Fredericksburg, and participated in the grand review at Washington, May 24, 1865 ; remained there two weeks. Proceeded, by rail and steamboat, to Louisville, Ky .; remained at Louisville two weeks. The regiment was then detached from the Fourth Division, Seveoteenth Army Corps, and proceeded, by steamer, to St. Louis; from theace
Regt
re-e
394
OGLE COUNTY WAR RECORD.
to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, arriving there July I, 1865. Joined the army serving on the Plains. Arrived at Fort Kearney Angust 14 ; then ordered to return to Fort Leavenworth September 1, 1865, where the regi- ment was mustered out of the service and placed en route for Springfield, Ill., for hnal payment and dis- charge-having served four years and four months.
Number of miles marched 4299
Number of miles by rail. 2403
Number of miles by steamer 4310
Total miles traveled 11,012
Number of men joined from organization 1963 Number of men at date of muster-out. 640
Adjutant Chas. F. Barber, com.Oct. 26. 1861. Resigned June 2, 1863.
Adjutant George Q. Allen, com. June 2, 1863. Term expired, re-entered service, 144th Vols.
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