DeKalb County, Illinois - Chapter 7: The Resurrectionists (2 of 2 so headed), 1868 (part 3 of 8)

The march to Alexandria was one of the most difficult in our experience. We were everywhere surrounded by streams swollen by the long-continued rains till they had become impassable torrents. The bridge at Cedar Run had been burned by the enemy, but we connected a few floating timbers, so that, by unremitting labor, we got our numerous sick men across, and then the regiment was marched to the Junction, where the stream was forded with difficulty ; and we proceeded as far as Owl Run, which we found could only be crossed by swimming. A part had succeeded in gaining the opposite shore, when Lt. Col. Gamble gave the order to countermarch, as it was impossible to get our baggage across, and dangerous for the troops. The scene of a thousand horsemen floundering in the turbid water of a rapid and dangerous stream was one that we never desired to see again. Back we turned to our former camp, which we reached as the rain had turned into snow, and in the midst of darkness. To add to our discomforts, we found that the slight means of shelter which we had there provided, by piling up logs, driving stakes and fastening on them our rubber blankets, had been appropriated by other troops, and nothing but destitution greeted us. We built fires with difficulty, gathered snow to make coffee, and sat up all night, trying to dry our clothiug. Notwithstanding our desperate situation, which was increased by our being short of rations, an universal shout of joy went up when we received the news of the capture of Island No. 10, and we were inspired with fresh courage. Next day the storm still raged, and weary and exhausted, with scanty rations and no shelter but our blankets, the horses shivering as if they would fall in pieces, our distress was extreme.

old Bull Run battle-field, but finding that stream still too dangerous to cross, we encamped on that memorable ground, amid the bleaching bones of our fallen braves. Next day, after several abortive efforts to cross, we found a rickety bridge, over which we passed, and moving through Centreville and Fairfax C. II., reached Alexandria. It was just one month since we started out, with good health, high spirits and admirable equipments. We had marched hundreds of miles, endured untold hardships, and now returned, jaded and exhausted, two hundred less in number.

In Alexandria Ave took our old quarters, and commenced to recruit, preparatory to our peninsula campaign. Here we again had difficulty with the new Military Governor, Col. Viele, an abusive, intemperate man, which was ended by Col. Farnsworth ordering his guard to shoot him if he attempted to abuse or interfere with his command.

On the 24th our regiment embarked for the voyage to the peninsula. Two steamboats, one steam tug, and twenty transports were required for our conveyance, and we made a large fleet by ourselves. Anchoring each night for greater safety, it was not till the 27th that we arrived at Shipping Point, our place of disembarkation, where an immense fleet of all kinds of vessels made a scene of life and animation long to be remembered. Our turn to land did not come till the 29th, and was not completed till the 1st of May. The horses were pushed overboard and swam ashore, and the stores and men passed on a dock formed of canal boats. The country was all low, and the water we used came from springs that were overflown at high tide. It was very poor and brackish, and numerous cases of diarrhoea were caused by it among our men.

The army was now stretched across the narrow peninsula, between the 'York and James rivers, besieonno- Yorktown. Zig-zag trenches were dug at night, in which our men lay during the day, and earthworks were constructed at intervals, mounted with heavy guns. The cannonading was constant

On the morning of May 4th the enemy evacuated Yorktown, and our regiment was soon in pursuit. We passed among their frowning earthworks, where hidden torpedoes, left by the base foe, occasionally exploded, killing and wounding some of our army, and where the ground was strewn with overcoats, which our infantry, owing to the heat, had thrown away. Pushing forward over muddy roads, we were formed for battle at Lebanon Church, where our advance cavalry, - a regular regiment under Stoneman, - had been ambushed and repulsed. But we were soon ordered back to make way for artillery and infantry, who engaged the enemy. At night Lebanon Church was full of those of the wounded who had not fallen into the hands of the foe, and our medical staff spent the night in operating on them, the surgeon properly in charge being intoxicated and incapable.

Next day, May 5th, occurred the famous battle of Williamsburg, in which, after long and desperate fighting, Hooker's gallant corps, reinforced after long delay by Kearney, drove the enemy from their thickly wooded position, and cleared the way to Richmond. But alas, our advantage was not vigorously followed up. Cavalry not being suited to this battle, we were in the rear. One company was employed in overturning army wagons to permit the advance of Kearney; and in the afternoon we were moved, to the right of the line, where the balls from Magruder's batteries came tearing in among us. Hancock's grand charge finally put an end to the fight, and moving back, we encamped for the night. Our horses, without food for two days, were very restive, and, breaking their fastenings, ran frantically about. Every building was filled with wounded, whose shrieks could be heard over the sound of the raging storm. It was a fearful night.

Early next morning we advanced over the battle-field, among the piles of dead, and occupied Williamsburg. The medical director was without bandages and dressings for the wounded, the supply not having come up, and was in great distress for want of them. We supplied him from the stores packed for us by the good ladies of St. Charles, and their bounty no doubt saved many valuable lives. Lieutenant and Commissary Chamberlain, and three of our men, were here captured, while out in search of forage, and for years after suffered the horrors of Libby prison.

On the 9th we advanced five miles, and were just going into camp when we were ordered to the relief of Gen. Stoneman, who, with one regiment, was twenty miles in advance. It was a terribly weary and exhausting night march.

Next day we moved to New Kent, were divided into two columns, and one under Col. Farnsworth had a sharp skirmish with the enemy, who retreated. The other, under Lieut. Col. Gamble, also encountered the rebels, and drove them, without loss. On the 11th a part of our regiment moved forward, and drew the fire of rebel batteries, and on the 13th reached the "White House," on the Pamunkey.

The infantry in immense numbers now came up, and we moved to Black Creek, where Ave remained till the 17th, the entire army delayed for want of a bridge over that stream. The West Point engineers had taken a survey of the spot, made a profile view of the structure to be erected, with estimates, etc., and had sent this to headquarters for approval. When Col. Farnsworth learned the cause of delay, he went to Gen. Stoneman's headquarters, and learned that several days would yet be consumed in constructing the bridge. "With my Western boys I can build a bridge in six hours," said Col. Farnsworth. "Will you do it?" said Gen. Stoneman; "if you will, take all the men 37011 can use.'' "I want no men but my own regiment," said Col. Farnsworth.

In two hours and a-half a squad of our 8th Illinois Cavalry had constructed a substantial bridge of logs, over which we passed, and soon captured some prisoners. Stoneman's troops followed, and ho immediately sent Avord back to (Jen. McClellan that he was beyond Black Creek, and moving on to Richmond. The whole army crossed without difficulty, but the engineers, who soon after arrived, were incensed because they had not been permitted to construct the bridge according to the rules of their profession.

On the 19th we advanced to Coal Harbor, driving the rebel cavalry before us. The First Battalion, under Major Clendenin, near here captured eighty-five mules and horses, with ten loaded wagons. Many negroes joined us. The better class of whites had fled, and the poorer were so abject and ignorant as to be objects of pity.

On the 20th the 6th U. S. Cavalry, which had just arrived, took the advance which we had previously held, and, advancing without the precaution of throwing out skirmishers, they were ambushed, and had several killed and wounded. Our regiment moved forward to the scene of conflict, and encamped at Gaines' Mill. On the 21st Companies E and K had a smart skirmish with the enemy, driving them still nearer to Richmond. On the 23d all advanced with Gen. Smith's division till within six miles of Richmond, when a rebel battery opened on us and scattered shell among us, killing some horses, but fortunately none of our men. One of our batteries came up and silenced the rebel artillery. Our men stood to horse all of that niarlit.

May 24th occurred the battle of Mcchanicsville. This village is five miles from Richmond, a half-mile north of the Chickahominy. The fight was a desperate one, and the little village was almost torn in pieces. Our Second Battalion, under Major Dustin, supported both flanks, and the remainder of the regiment were engaged in picket duty. After the rebs were driven across the river, Capt. Rapelje, with Company 1, performed the perilous task of destroying the bridge by which they crossed. Four of our men chopped off its timbers, and escaped unharmed, although rapidly fired upon by the enemy's sharp-shooters. The First Battalion destroyed a portion of the railroad and burned a bridge, and in an encounter with rebel cavalry killed and wounded several. The rebels seemed to fear our carbines, which were more efficient than theirs.

We were now in sight of Richmond, distant five or six miles, and the Chickahominy was the dividing line between the forces. A large number of our regiment were now employed as orderlies and scouts under Gen. Keys. On the 11 th we captured fourteen rebels, without losing a man. On the 23d another advance of our army brought on an engagement, in which the enemy were forced back beyond Savage Station. The line of our army was now about ten miles in length, crossing the Chickahominy, which here ran southeasterly, and the 8th occupied the right flank. On the 27th Fitz John Porter's Corps moved toward Hanover C. H., and had a severe engagement. We followed in supporting distance, and captured a train of cars trying to escape from Hanover to Richmond. We ran it up the road some distance, to reconnoiter, then returned and burned it. We tore up the road, - the Virginia Central, - and then were ordered in the thick darkness of the night to proceed ten miles to the Richmond and Potomac road, and destroy that. In the murky darkness, without guide or compass, we soon came upon the rebel pickets. We had been ordered not to fire, but capture pickets if possible; but soon they fired on us, roused their camp, and we were forced to retire from our perilous expedition. We slept in the storm beside our saddled horses, several miles in advance of the main army, and only escaped capture by good luck.

Our regiment now guarded the right wing of the army for ten miles along the Chickahominy and the Virginia Central Railroad, having picket stations and reserves at various points.

On the 31st and the following day was fought the battle of Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines; On the morning of the 31st Major Beveridge crossed the Chickahominy to take command of his battalion on that side of the stream, but before joining his men heard rapid firing, and advancing, found Gen. Carey's troops fulling back before an impetuous attack of overpowering numbers, and Gen. Keys advancing to their support. lie supported Gen. Keys, and was directed to keep liis men well in hand, and as near him as possible. Companies D and F acted as orderlies, were much exposed, and highly complimented for their bravery. Two were killed and one wounded. These companies lost all of their clothing, camp equipage and stores. The loss to our army in this terrible battle was 5739 ; the enemy acknowledged a loss of 4233. Reinforcements enabled us next day to remain victors of the field.

Our boys, while on this picket line, kept up a lively trade with the ignorant people of the country, who were anxious to get Confederate currency, but would not take greenbacks. Our boys got hold of a supply of the rebel currency, and lived high upon their purchases with it. Capt. E. J. Farnsworth one day gave a splendid dinner party at his picket post, which was an elegant mansion, splendidly furnished, and where all the luxuries of high life, together with costly wines, were served up by colored waiters ; and the Captain subsequently took his guests back to their stations in elegant carriages.

A Lieutenant commanding a New York battalion was ordered to go to the front, and if possible ascertain the position of the enemy. "How far shall I go?" said he. "As far as you dare go," was the reply; "and you will there find the boys of the 8th Illinois miles ahead, stealing horses !"

The news-boys circulated frequently among our men, selling New York dailies at twenty-five cents each, filled with rumors of a grand advance, and the speedy capture of Richmond, but no advance was made.

found hundreds of the rebel dead festering in the hot sun, and the steneh from their bodies was intolerable. The rebel prisoners had been ordered to bury them, but had thrown only a few shovelsfull of earth on them, and this had been washed away by the rains, leaving them exposed and putrefying, - a horrible sight.

Our army had now lain nearly a month in about the same position, fighting some terrible battles, but gaining no marked advantage. Supplies were with difficulty brought from the White House, twenty-five miles distant. Stonewall Jackson, victorious in the Shenandoah, had now returned to the defence of Richmond.

On June 26th occurred the memorable second battle of Mechanicsville, and the first of the famous seven-days fight, in which the army, cut oif from its base of supplies at the White House, executed a change of base to the James River, at Harrison's Landing, - a movement among the most important of the war. Upon the morning of this day, Major Dustin's battalion was on picket duty, with reserve posts at Atlee's Station, Mrs. Crenshaw's farm, Shady Grove Church, and the Cross Roads; and at an early hour the Major, in company with Captain Hooker and Orderly Armsby, left Atlee's Station, and after visiting Company II, rode beyond the videttes toward Hanover C. II. Half a mile on they passed through a gateway toward a farm-house, then, starting to return, they were fired on by what proved to be the advance guard of the rebel army, in ambush. Captain Hooker was shot through the body, but clinging with difficulty to his horse, the party endeavored to reach the reserve post by a circuitous route. After gaining about half the distance, his strength failed, and he was assisted to dismount. Major Dustin ministered to his wants as well as he was able, but despairing of getting him within our lines, and knowing that his duty required him to reach his command as soon as possible, he told the suffering man that he must leave him. But in vain the Major urged his imperative duty to his battalion. "Oh, Major!" he cried,

"- I would not leave you if you were in my situation." Promising to return for him, if possible, Major Dustin hurried back to the Cross Roads, ordered out a line of skirmishers, and sent men to bring in the wounded Captain. But the enemy advanced so rapidly that this was found impossible. The Captain fell into the enemy's hands, and was placed in charge of a Dr. Overton of that neighborhood, and died soon after. Thus the 8th Illinois received the first fire and made the first mortal sacrifice in the memorable seven-days battles.

Most of this country is traversed by small streams, running into the Chickahominy, and lined with swamps thickly covered with timber and underbrush. The roads, running parallel with the main river, thus crossed alternate woods and open farms. Our pickets were thrown out at the edge of the woods and swamps, to watch the approaches of the enemy. The men of Companies C, G, and II, thus thrown out, sent many a leaden messenger of death into the ranks of the foe as they slowly advanced, and the other companies on the other roads pursued the same course, as all retired before the advancing army, also falling trees to retard their march. By noon the infantry had reached the front and engaged the enemy, retarding their further approach till three o'clock.

Company B was on the road leading to Pole Green Church, and vigorously resisted the approach of the enemy, in which resistance William Chambers was shot through the heart ; but one of his comrades instantly avenged his death by shooting his adversary. This man's horse was now killed and he severely injured by the fall, and reported killed. As the rebels advanced he adroitly counterfeited death till the rebels passed ; then arose, and escaped to our lines. As our regiment was drawn up in line awaiting orders, we were surprised at the appearance of the venerable ex-Governor John Wood, of Illinois, who, equipped in captured rebel accoutrements, continued with us during all the long and memorable series of engagements, exposing himself to the bullets of the enemy, and cheering us by his courage and devotion.

We were soon ordered to support a battery near Pole Green Church, but the expected enemy did not attack us, but directed their attacks to Mcchanicsville, where the fighting was terrific, and our troops gradually gave way before superior numbers. They were finally stopped for the night by a stubborn resistance near Beaver Dam Creek, in which the slaughtered rebels were piled in heaps, and the fight did not cease till nine o'clock at night. A little before dark our position became critical; a cannon ball struck the anvil of McGregor, our old Scotch blacksmith, our camp was broken up, our hospital evacuated, and with one ambulance, a two-wheeled cart, and one army wagon as our only means of transportation, we loaded in such of our numerous sick ones as were unable to walk, and moved four miles across the creek, near Gaines' mill. Before our hospital was cleared of its sick, a cannon ball had struck it and shattered it severely.

Early next morning wc shipped our sick and wounded to White House Landing, on the last train that passed over the road before that base of supplies was captured.

Next day occurred the battle of Gaines' mill. Our forces were admirably posted, and long and bravely resisted the enemy. But Stonewall Jackson's forces came up in the afternoon, with his fresh troops, and our reserves under General Slocum were advanced, and for the time drove back the foe : but fresh columns of rebel troops were pushed forward; our lines became thinner and weaker; thousands of wounded and stragglers poured to the rear, and the day seemed lost. Colonel Farnsworth now formed our regiment across the field, and ordered that none but the wounded be permitted to pass. AVe soon had a compact line formed, and they moved forward, cheering, with but the bayonet as a defence, and held the ground till darkness put an end to the carnage.

Detachments of our regiment under Captain Kelly and Lieutenant W. M. Taylor had been sent out, and had severe skirmishes with the enemy, succeeding in destroying our supplies to prevent their capture.

In the morning of the 28th we found the railroad had been cut in our rear. A train loaded with wounded was being unloaded and laid on the ground, covering several acres, and our regiment was ordered to take the advance in the retreat to Harrison's Landing. We selected our own wounded, and placed them in ambulances, but were forced to deny the request of hundreds of poor fellows who piteously begged to be taken with us, so that they should not fall into the hands of the enemy.

General McClellan, now desiring to prevent our immense accumulation of stores at the White House from falling into the hands of the foe, sent to our regiment for three discreet men to penetrate to that point, through the intervening country now occupied by the enemy, and bear orders for their destruction. Colonel Farnsworth selected Sergeant Bushnell, Private Beckwith, and another of our men, who, guided only by the stars and a pocket compass, swam the Chickahominy, threaded the forest, and after an arduous and dangerous night march, reached the White House in safety, and delivered their message. The sick and wounded were speedily placed on steamers, millions of dollars' worth of stores were loaded upon transports, and millions more committed to the flames, just as the enemy's advance, who had counted much upon their capture, made its appearance.

Now commenced our disastrous retreat through White Oak Swamp. Wagon trains, ambulances, artillery, infantry, and cavalry, crowded every road and path through field and forest. All day and through the night the teamsters struggled and worked to get their loads through the mud, and over the one rickety bridge, while the wounded hobbled along, - a terrible procession. On this afternoon occurred the battle at Savage Station by our forces, under General Sumner, who covered our rear. Dense clouds of smoke and terrific explosions indicated the destruction of our stores at that point.

wagons, loaded with wounded, to James River. They were loaded to their utmost capacity, while hundreds of sick and wounded hobbled along beside them, begging and beseeching to be permitted to ride. All through that dreadful night we moved on ; harrassed by squads of rebel cavalry on our flanks, disputing our advance; forbidden to light even a lantern, lest we make a mark for the enemy; lighted on our road only by flashes of lightning, whose peals of thunder, mingled with the roar of the rebel artillery in our rear, added intensity to its horrors; often forced to dismount and pull the exhausted and Avounded from under our horses' hoofs, where they had sunk upon the road, too much exhausted to crawl out from beneath the wheels of the train. The horrors of that dreadful night will never be known till those swamps give up their dead who sank that night to rise no more.

About three o'clock next morning we reached the James River, near Ilaxall's Landing. The teams were driven into some wheat fields, and the tired drivers sank down for a brief repose.

Soon after General McClellan arrived, and went on board the gunboat Galena. Mrs. Fogg, an agent of the Sanitary Commission, who had occupied with Mrs. General Richardson one of our ambulances, and embarrassed us by their shrieks of terror on the march, now proceeded to use up the delicacies of the commission in a nice breakfast for themselves and some of the officers, while the wounded, fed on hard-tack and coffee, looked hungrily on.

A severe cannonading, heard in our rear on this day, we afterwards learned was caused by a contest Avith the enemy, known as the battle of Glcndale, or Frazer's farm, and said to be the severest fight since Gaines' mill. The enemy was repulsed, but our retreat was still continued.

The commander of the gunboats concluding from the steepness of the banks of the river at this point that he could not protect us with his guns, we now moved down eight miles to Harrison's bar, through a country full of waving wheat fields, and rich in fruit and other resources. We occupied the Harrison mansion for our hospital, and soon had two hundred of the wounded within, and the fields around strewn with thousands, tortured as much with hunger as with wounds. We soon found a half-dozen beef cattle, slaughtered them, hunted up kettles, made soup, and distributed it with hard-tack to the famishing men. Soon two steamboats from the White House arrived, with fifteen surgeons and six cooks, and the wounded were transferred to the hospital boats. During this day the roar of the battle of Malvern Hill was heard at our landing, and the Avounded still came pouring in upon us, all day and the night following. The rain fell in torrents, making mud unfathomable, but relieving the distresses of the thirsty men.

Up to July 4th our camp was in the utmost confusion, but the wounded having been mostly sent off, some order was restored, our camp was fortified, and we had time to take a long breath.

The camp having become more systematized, the regiment was moved out about four miles, and kept busy in picketing and arranging the lines, while a number of our men Avere cmployed as orderlies, carrying dispatches both by day and by night. In collisions with rebel scouts about this time several were wounded. General Farnsworth, suffering severely from a diseased leg, received leave of absence on the 8th of July, and Major Clendcnin took command. Some dissatisfaction bad occurred between members and officers of the regiment, and several officers resigned, among them Adjutant Gifford, Captain Dana, Chaplain Matlack, and Captain Cleveland, whose loss was deeply regretted by most, if not all, of the regiment. A great many fell sick with dysentery and kindred diseases.

On the 20th a large detachment of the regiment, under Majors Beveridge and Clendcnin, proceeded toward Malvern Hill, driving the rebel pickets and drawing their artillery fire. Sylvanus Brott had his horse killed under him, and was wounded by a fragment of shell.

On the 22d another rcconnoisance of the rebels' position on Malvern Hill was made by two detachments under Major Beveridgc and Captain Waite, in which four of our men were Avoundcd. On the next day Clendenin drew the enemy into an ambush, and, getting a cross-fire on them, emptied many of their saddles, and sent them flying in retreat, when a large force of rebel cavalry approaching, our regiment returned to camp.

On August 2d we reported to General Hooker, and moved out with a large force to repel an expected attack of the enemy ; hut the expected foe did not approach. Next day Companies II and K penetrated far into the enemy's lines in the neighborhood of Malvern Hill, and some of our men, disguised, entered houses, and from their inmates gained important information about the position of the rebels' pickets.

On the 5th a large force under Hooker, Sedgwick, Kearney and Couch, captured Malvern Hill, the rebels escaping by a road unknown to our forces. When their escape was discovered, our regiment charged on their rear. The rebel cavalry broke and fled, but the infantry poured on us a severe volley, killing Sergeant Moss, of Company L, Duggan, of Company C, and severely wTounding Lieutenant Colonel Gamble and four of our men. We captured seventy-five prisoners.

A detachment of our forces under Captain Forsythe had a sharp encounter with rebels about this time, and soon after Sergeant John A. Kinley, Ira Kcnnicott and Ira Pettys penetrated the rebel lines to reconnoitcr. They were detected while climbing trees to get a good look-out, and the rebels advanced in line of battle, supposing there was a large force. They escaped barefooted, and without their coats and arms, after obtaining valuable information, but were very closely pursued.

Soon after our capture of Malvern Hill our army retreated from Harrison's Landing to Yorktown, the 8th bringing up the rear. The boys had been terribly irritated by McClellan's policy of protecting rebel property, especially by being forced to protect the property of one Bill Carter, living in that vi cinity, who had two sons fighting us in the rebel army, while his 1200 bushels of corn and fat horses were protected, and our horses were sometimes starving. When we left, by some mysterious stratagem, three of Carter's horses went with us, and did excellent service for us for a year after.

The army crossed the Chickahominy near its mouth, the 8th Illinois being the last regiment to cross, then passed gloomily through Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown, - the ground we had gained at such a fearful cost, - and on the 30th of August took shipping for Alexandria, where we arrived on the 1st and 2d of September.

The rebels' main army was now advancing rapidly on Washington, hoping to overpower our forces under General Pope, and capture our National Capital. The second disastrous battle of Bull Run, and the subsequent one at Chantilly, were fought while we were in transit to Alexandria.

General Farnsworth joined us at Alexandria, with several new recruits, and we were at once ordered to Munson's Hill? where we performed duty as videttes and scouts. On the 2d and 3d we skirmished with the rebel advance, and had some men wounded. On the night of the 4th, as we were lying down on the ground, Ave received orders to march; passed across the Potomac, through Washington and Tenallytown on the north, and, marching all night, reached Darnestown, Maryland, at 10 o'clock A. M. But we were at once ordered out on a scout, although we had marched forty-six miles without food for ourselves or horses.

On the 7th a detachment of our regiment under Captain Farnsworth, - the model of the daring cavalry officer, - dashed into Poolesville, and captured two rebels with their accoutrements.

Major Dustin, who had been absent at home, and while there had been chosen Colonel of the 105th Infantry, now returned to take leave of his regiment. Colonel Farnsworth was put in command of the Cavalry Brigade, and Major Medill assumed the command of our regiment.

On the next day our brigade moved into Poolesville, after a severe fight, in which the enemy were driven from the field, leaving eight dead and twenty wounded.

On the 9th we moved toward Barnesville in detachments. One, under Captain Farnsworth, dashed upon the 0th Virginia Cavalry, drove them, and charging furiously upon them in their retreat, killed some of their horses, whose falling bodies, undistinguishable amid the clouds of dust, brought pursuers and pursued together in heaps upon the road. We captured eight prisoners and the rebel colors. On another road another detachment under Captain Kelley drove the rebels two miles beyond Barnesville, capturing thirteen prisoners. On this charge it is related that Corporal George M. Roe, of Company B, mounted on a splendid horse, Avell known in Shabbona, in this County, as "Lamkin's Billy," and sold for incurable viciousness, dashed uncontrollable beyond a party of rebels, and when he finally was stopped, and the four graybacks approached, with revolver in hand Roe demanded their surrender. One moved to get out his pistol, and Roc shot him ; then, covering the others with his revolver, he held them in the road till Captain Kelly's company coming up, they were all taken prisoners. Captain Kelly had a personal encounter with a rebel Lieutenant Williams, and gave him a mortal wound.

Our regiment halted at Barnesville, when the rebs again advanced upon our men, who were drawn up to receive them. Our artillery in the rear scattered them. One shot took off

On the 12th we marched in a severe storm to Frederick City, meeting General Banks' Corps on the way, and encamped in sight of rebel camp-fires on the neighboring hills.

Moving forward again next day, we found the pass in the mountains defended by the enemy's artillery, and an encounter with our artillery and infantry lasted till noon, but ended in the rout of the foe, when our cavalry dashed forward in pursuit. We dashed on to Middletown, where the rebs burned a bridge to impede our pursuit, and where the people received us joyfully, supplying us with refreshments. We forded the river, and again came up with them near South Mountain. A detachment under Major Medill went out on the Harper's Ferry road, and had a fight with a very superior force, in which we lost eight men wounded, and the 3d Indiana lost many more. F. B. Wakefield, of Company Gr, was captured by a party of rebels, who subsequently attempted to kill him by sabre cuts on his head. They left him for dead, but he subsequently returned to our lines and recovered; but in his subsequent career he amply avenged this brutal treatment.

On the 14th occurred the memorable battle of South Mountain, fought among mountain fastnesses, where cavalry could not be used. Posted in the rear, we watched the varying issues of the conflict with eager interest; and when at dusk Hooker's Corps gained the crest of the mountain, and put the foe to flight, we shouted with glad joy. Next day the enemy retreated, and we followed in pursuit, passing where every house, barn and shed was filled with neglected wounded men.

At Boonsboro a cavalry brigade under Fitz Hugh Lee made a stand. Colonel Farnsworth ordered a charge, and so impetuous was it that the enemy broke and fled. Several times they attempted to rally and form a new line, but our pursuit was too sharp. For two or three miles we kept up a hand-to-hand fight, in which great gallantry was displayed by both sides, and we finally scattered them among fields and woods, where they could not be followed.

Pa^es might be filled with incidents of thrilling interest and daring displayed on this charge. One member of Company B shot down a rebel who had his sabre uplifted in the act of striking down Colonel Farnsworth, while the Colonel was chasing another rebel, whom he shot from his horse. Fitz Huo-h Lee was unhorsed, and escaped in a cornfield. We had twenty-four killed and wounded: among the latter was Captain Kelly.

At another point on this day four men of the 8th Illinois - Brown, Morris and Maccham, under command of Sergeant W. A. Spencer - captured a rebel picket post of fourteen men, beside taking several other straggling rebels, all fully armed and equipped. The whole number captured that day by this detachment of the 8th Illinois alone was about five hundred. The history of the war furnishes no instance of a more brilliant or more successful cavalry charge, nor of one that reflected more honor upon this branch of our service.

On the 17th, our immense army having come up, the battle of Antietam commenced. We were ordered across the stone bridge over Antietam creek, to support Robinson's battery, which we crossed under a terrible fire, and were sheltered somewhat in a shallow ravine, over which the balls of both armies were flying. The armies swayed to and fro over a field which was repeatedly won and lost, and which was soon thickly strewn with the dead and dying. At the lower bridge, where Burnside was engaged, the slaughter was still more fearful. Night closed in, and we thought our army had won the battle.

Next morning, to our astonishment, no orders came for a renewal of the fight. In the afternoon our surgeons attempted to relieve the distresses of the wounded in a lane near by - to moisten their lips with a little water - but the rebels fired on them, and forced them to retire. As they left the field the wounded set up such a terrible wail of despair that the recollection of it has ever since haunted those of us who heard it. When they next visited the ground not one was found alive.

On the 20th we crossed the Potomac at Shepardstown, but while fording the stream received orders to return, for the enemy soon approached, and a heavy artillery fire was kept up across the river.

On the 25th, under command of Colonel Farnsworth, we made a reconnoisance across the river, driving the rebels from Shepardstown, and capturing several prisoners of rank ; and on the 29th we participated in another reconnoisance in force, under command of General Pleasanton.

On the 30th a squadron under Captain Waite made a dash into Shepardstown, and had a lively skirmish. Soon after we dashed into Martinsburg, after driving the rebs with our cavalry and artillery for several miles, and capturing a number of prisoners.

We were now far into the enemy's country, had gained valuable information, and soon learned from a Union man that the rebel commander was moving his army with the view of capturing our whole force.

The 8th Illinois, under Major Medill, acted as rear guard on our return ; and as we left the town the streets were completely filled with rebel cavalry, who poured in after us. Our artillery held them in check, but they advanced on each side of the road and in our rear. Our men, now thoroughly disciplined by long service, behaved splendidly, and were highly praised, both by our superior officers and by the rebels. Some of our men were captured and paroled by the rebels. The rebel General J. E. B. Stuart told them that he knew that he was fighting the 8th Illinois, by the vigor and courage Avith which they resisted his charges; that he knew no good reason why he had not captured them; that they called the 8th Illinois the best, and the 3d Indiana the next best, cavalry regiments in the federal army. One rebel officer sent his compliments to Captain Clark, saying that he liked his style, but that saucy little cuss with him (Captain Waite) was a very devil.

After a long and perilous retreat night came on, and our little band of 800 men escaped in the darkness. Official reports showed the enemy's loss to be one hundred and fifty men. Our regiment lost twelve wounded and four captured.

On the 11th we were ordered in pursuit of Stuart's cavalry, who had started on a raid around the rear of our army. General Pleasanton accompanied us, and Captain Clark was in command of that portion of our regiment that was in condition to move. We passed through llagarstown to Williamsport, then back to llagarstown, then along the base of the Blue Ridge, then over it, and down into the valley of Monocacy to Mechanicsville. On Ave rode at a brisk pace all night, passing through Frederick City, to the mouth of Monocacy river, where, at nine o'clock, we found the rear guard of the confederates. They had captured at Chambersbury a large amount of our army clothing, and immediately exchanged it for their rags, thus deceiving our men. Captain Forsythe, with a few men, overtook a company of them, and on demanding who they were, was answered by a shower of bullets. There was a lively skirmish, and some of them were captured. But Stuart, with his main force, had escaped across the Potomac, with several hundred stolen horses.

We lay down in a field of grain, utterly exhausted, having ridden eighty-six miles in twenty-six hours, which was, perhaps, the best marching made by any command during the war; but we were depressed by our want of success. The mistake was in sending us after the great raider, instead of trying to intercept him. We marched back to our camp, and next day, without a day of rest, we were moved to Knoxville.

On the 27th, after a delay of a month since the great battle of Antietam, the army crossed into Virginia, and Ave, in advance, drove the rebels into Purcellville, capturing three. This section of country was thoroughly foraged during our stay, and those secessionists who supposed we came there to protect their pigs and poultry were thoroughly undeceived.

Next day we had a severe artillery and cavalry fight for several hours, near Uniontown. Samuel McGowcll, of Company A, was killed by a cannon ball, but so well trained were the horses that his riderless horse did not move out of rank, but continued to move with his squadron.

We next day moved forward, skirmishing sharply all day, to Ashby's Gap, where the rebels thought themselves secure, and on November 5th had a severe engagement near Barber's Cross Roads. Companies B and E made a brave assault on the rebel batteries, but they were defended by barricades of rails, and, not being supported by sufficient force, they withdrew. Desperate fighting, - charge and counter-charge, - followed, but the rebels finally fled, leaving many wounded and prisoners in our hands. William Mace and John Brown, of our regiment, were killed, and Josiah Richardson, Charles Plant, George S. Sager, B. F. Homer, E. II. Burdick, Martin Fancher, James McConncll, and Harrison Hoker, most of them De Kalb County men, were wounded.

The army moved on next day, leaving the wounded, some thirty in all, in a hospital building at Markham Station, under charge of S. K. Crawford, Assistant Surgeon. The subsequent adventures of these wounded are sadly exciting. Some days after this fight they were captured and paroled by two companies of Arirginia cavalry, who robbed them of their clothing, money, and the barest necessaries of life, stripping them of their clothes, blankets, etc., with a cruel violence that drew from them shrieks of anguish. They carried oft* all of their provisions, leaving only five pounds of hard bread, and forbid the use of any fire wood to supply warmth to their naked and chilled limbs. Destitute of food, of clothing, helpless with wounds, and momentarily expecting death, what situation could be more deplorable ?

( )n the night of the second day after this raid of the brutal rebels, an old black woman appeared, loaded with provisions contributed by the negroes around the place for their relief; and they were supported solely by contributions from the same generous source till the 16th, when they received permission from Stonewall Jackson to remove within our lines. They procured a broken-down hand-car, fitted it with an extended platform, so that by close packing all could sit or lie upon it, and started for Siegel's headquarters at Gainesville, forty miles distant, Dr. Crawford drawing the car with a rope, while his attendants aided by pushing.

The road and bridges were in a terrible condition, and as they travelled in the night, they were in constant alarm lest their precious load should be precipitated into the abysses beneath them. After thirty hours' toil, they procured a little hard bread and coffee, - the first food taken since leaving Markham's Station, - and on the evening of the second day arrived at their destination, from whence a special train conveyed them to Alexandria.

To return to our regiment. On the day after the fight at Barber's Cross Roads we moved toward Chester Gap, in hopes of preventing the escape of the rebel army through that pass. But Ave were too late, and returned to Orleans.

On the 7th we crossed the Rappahannock, and Major Bevcridge, with a detachment of the 8th, had a sharp skirmish at Sperryville. Companies A and G, in another direction, captured ten prisoners, the snow at this time falling so rapidly that the rebels did not discover our boys till too late to escape.

fter a sharp skirmish, nearly capturing Wade II amptonf or, whom, with his officers, a bountiful dinner had just been pre pared by the citizens. Colonel Farnsworth, with our officers, sat down, and with a hearty relish devoured the luxurious dinner prepared for his adversary. The fighting on this day was most gallantly conducted, and won for our regiment high commendation.

At Annissville we found a thousand rebel tents stored in buildings, and marked "Small Pox." Our boys, seeing through this dodge, took what they wanted, and burned the remainder, assuring the protesting citizens that it was absolutely necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.

November 22d we reached the Rappahannock, opposite Fredericksburg, which place we had hoped to occupy before the enemy ; but we found the rebels in possession of the city. Our regiment encamped at Belle Plain, the new base of supplies for the army.

On the 9th of December Colonel Farnsworth was made a Brigadier General, which made occasion for many promotions in the regiment. Surgeon Hard was also made Surgeon-in- Chief of the Cavalry Brigade, on the staff of General Pleasanton.

On the 11th Fredericksburg was bombarded, and at night some of our troops crossed on pontoons into the city. Major Beveridge, in command of a portion of our regiment, crossed the pontoons next day under a heavy fire, and on the 13th the terrible struggle at Fredericksburg really commenced. With what interest we watched it cannot be described. Cavalry could take no part in such an assault on fortifications; but one-third of our regiment was under fire during most of the three days' fight. Our army was defeated, and retired across the river with fearful loss.

On the 16th of February the cavalry changed its base to Ac(|uia Creek, to which point Ave marched in a severe snow storm, and, arriving late, lay down for sleep in the snow, eight inches deep. Awaking in the morning, we found ourselves covered by three inches more of the fleecy covering, which had fallen in the night.

The difficulty of obtaining supplies here was equally great as before. They were brought three miles on the backs of mules, through unfathomable mud, in which mule and load often sank out of sight together.

On the night of the 25th, in a furious rain storm, we were ordered to march and attack Stuart's raiders, who were operating at Warrenton. We marched forty miles, but were a day too late. He had escaped with a supply of horses and prisoners from a Pennsylvania regiment, which he captured. lie paroled some prisoners, and sent them, with his compliments, to General Hooker, requesting that he would keep his horses in better order, as he was depending on the Pennsylvania cavalry to supply his with horses. The regiment returned to its old quarters, and to its laborious picket duties.

With weary days and sleepless nights, hard work, and frequent attacks by guerrillas, the winter wore away. Many were permitted to absent themselves on furloughs of fifteen

On April 13th our regiment moved oft' under Stoneman, on the famous great raid around the rear of the rebel army. We moved to Warrenton, where Captain Farnsworth's company captured eight of the rebels; and pressing rapidly on, Ave camped at ten o'clock at night, too weary to prepare supper. Next day we crossed the Rappahannock, but while detached from the brigade came near being captured by a superior force, and re-crossed the river. Mosby and White's cavalry were out in force in the valley above, and we were detached from the raiding force to attend to them. Every portion of that country was thoroughly scouted over by our force, who often marched day and night, and fared sumptuously oft' of the rebels' supplies.

On the 29th we crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford, and after a lively skirmish passed on through Culpepper, to the Rapidan river, where we woke up the rebel artillery, and rested for that night. A desultory tire was kept up all of the next day, and we expected to cross, drive oft' the small force opposing us, and join the main raid. But General Averill, our present leader, gave no such orders.

A rebel Colonel, with a squad of thirty men, captured Captain Waite, by killing his horse while he was at our advanced picket post; but our picket reserves made a gallant charge and recovered their Captain.

< >n the 1st of May we passed down the river again, crossing at I . S. Ford, greatly disappointed at not being permitted to go on the great raid.

The raid was unsuccessful in its main purpose of cutting the railroad connection with Richmond, but destroyed millions of dollars' worth of rebel property.

< )n this day the great battle of Chancellorsville commenced, in which, after a three days' struggle, our great army was again defeated with tremendous slaughter, and driven across the river again. We did not return in time to take any active part in this engagement.

Much to our delight we were ordered on the 17th to make a reconnoisance in King George County and the Northern Neck, a great refuge for smugglers. Marching in three battalions, under Colonel Clendenin, Major Beveridge and Major Medill, respectively, we scoured every nook and corner of that country, capturing and destroying immense quantities of rebel property, burning one hundred sloops, yawls and ferry-boats, with their valuable contents, consisting of whisky, salt, leather, stationery, boots, shoes, clothing, and almost every conceivable article of supplies.

On returning, the negroes from the plantations joined the regiment, fifteen hundred strong, with women, children, horses, carts, and all the movables that they could carry. We also brought off five hundred fine horses and mules, and one hundred prisoners, returning on the 27th, - all in all the most ludicrous procession we had ever seen. At Belle Plain the negro men were retained and set to work, and the women and children transported to Washington. There was little or no smug-ading; across that neck after that raid of the 8th Illinois.

On the 5th of June Lee commenced his grand march to the north, and the grand invasion of Pennsylvania, which was defeated and hurled back at Gettysburg.

The cavalry corps under Pleasanton was now pushed forward to ascertain his position, Captain Clark, who had just been appointed Major, being in command of our regiment, which was in Buford's division. We crossed Beverly Ford in the advance, the enemy being very near, and there we had one of the most severe fights we had ever engaged in, and one which was said to be, up to that time, the hardest-fought cavalry engagement in the war. But the cavalry were finally compelled to withdraw across the river.

In this engagement Captain Clark and J. G. Smith were mortally wounded, Captains Forsythe and Haynes severely wounded, and we lost thirty-six men by wounds, among them W. H. Shurtleff and George M. Perry, of Company B, and Henry Aiken, William Snively and Thomas Bolter, of Company L. It was a noteworthy fact that the lives of both George M. Perry and Harry Pearsons were saved at this engagement by Testaments which their mothers had given them, and which, carried in their breast-pockets, stopped the force of the bullets.

Most of the other regiments engaged suffered very severely, the enemy being defended by breastworks, behind which artillery was strongly posted.

At Aldie we met the enemy, and the rash Kilpatrick ordered a charge over a stone wall upon them with sabres. It was gallantly made, but we lost far more than the rebels.

Next day, skirmishing near Goose Creek, in which our regiment drew high compliments from Generals Buford and Kilpatrick, some officer, unnecessarily alarmed, foolishly burned the bridge in our rear, compelling us to swim the deep, cold stream on our return.

On the 21st we had a fight at Middlebury, driving the rebels, who rallied behind every stone wall until, near night, our little force had pressed them to the mountains. Here we suddenly came upon some six thousand of them, drawn up in line of battle, and defended by artillery. General Buford ordered a charge, and it was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Clendenin and the 8th Illinois, through a storm of grape and canister. At the first fire Colonel Gamble and Lieutenant- Colonel Clendenin had their horses shot under them, and Major Medill took command.

Forward was the word, and the gallant 8th, that never quailed before the rebels, advanced to within a short distance, when, at the word, our seven hundred good carbines blazed away at them, sending many a grayback to his last account. Then at them we went, with revolvers cracking away in all directions. They broke and fled, but were reinforced again ; and our regiment, with some of the 3d Indiana and 12th Illinois, formed a new line behind a stone wall. After receiving their fire, Major Medill ordered another charge, and we drove them again from the field. Three times more did the rebels attempt to drive us, and as often were they repulsed. We killed and wounded more than tA\o hundred of the graybacks, and remained masters of the field, the rebels retreating

Next day we returned to Aldie, and remained till the 20th, when we crossed the Potomac, and marched over the Katochin mountains to Middletown, where we learned that General Hooker had been removed, and General Meade appointed to command of the army; also, that Lee was already before us in Pennsylvania.

On the 29th we camped twelve miles from Gettysburg, and next day encountered the enemy in force at Fairfield. We had a sharp skirmish, and then went to Gettysburg.

Next day, July 1st, the enemy advanced in force, the great decisive battle of Gettysburg began, and our regiment, as in several other of the greatest battles of the war. received the first fire and shed the first blood. We alone resisted the onset of the enemy for several hours: and when the infantry came up we operated upon the flanks. Night found our army driven a mile out of the town.

Our gallant Captain E. J. Farnsworth, who had just been made a Brigadier-General, was on this day ordered by Kilpatrick on a rash, useless, desperate charge. He said he could never come back alive, bid his comrades farewell, dashed at the head of a small force upon the enemy, and was at once riddled with bullets.

T'pon the defeat of Lee, next day, we were sent to intercept his retreat through Frederick City, and Boonsboro, and Williamsport, where we had a very sharp fight, in which several o!' our men, among them our gallant Major Medill, were mortally wounded.

On the 8th the enemy drove one regiment of our cavalry, and the 8th was ordered to re-take the lost ground, which we did, with the highest compliments of Buford and Kilpatrick, the latter of whom bitterly cursed his men for not being able to do their duty in the same brave manner.

We constantly expected another advance and a consequent capture of Lee's army, but a council of war decided to rest awhile, during which rest we were actively employed till the 14th, when, advancing, we found that Lee's main army had escaped across the river. Our cavalry came upon two brigades of the rebels behind earthworks, two miles from Falling Waters, and at once attacked them. Our division, under Buford, went round to flank them on the left, but before we could arrive at our position the impetuous Kilpatrick ordered an unnecessary assault by his division, which was repulsed, his brave boys being slaughtered by scores. We were soon in on their flank, however, and after a desperate fight, in which we lost severely, we captured four hundred prisoners-, Kilpatrick's division also taking over six hundred.

On the ISth we again crossed the Potomac, following over the same ground that we hail passed over after the battle of Antietam. We attempted again to intercept the rebels before they reached Chester Gap, but were too late as before.

sauce, and had a severe engagement near Culpepper, on the plantation of John Minor J>otts. We gained the information needed, but our forces engaged lost twenty killed, one hundred wounded, and one hundred and forty-eight in missing.

On the 13th of September our regiment, dismounted, climbed up and captured Pony Mountain, a signal-station of the enemy, and on the 14th lost some of our men in a desultory fight near that point, which lasted all day.

On the 22d occurred the fight at Jack's Shop, a little village near Madison. It commenced by some shots from rebel artillery, and a demand for our surrender, which we answered by a volley from our pistols that staggered the foe. . We dismounted and went at them through the woods. After waiting some time for Kilpatrick to cut off their retreat, which he failed to do, our boys finally pitched into them, and drove them in the greatest confusion. It was one of the most handsomely fought engagements in which we participated. We drove the graybacks across the Rapidan, and on the next day returned to Culpepper, and subsequently to Stevensburg.

We moved back through Culpepper to Hazel river, where we had a smart skirmish with the enemy, who resisted our passage. Several of our division were killed, but the enemy Avas driven back.

Mosby, the fearless and impetuous guerrilla, who kept that whole section of the country in constant alarm, was now scouring the hills and valleys of Arirginia, and we were in pursuit of him. We proceeded to Fairfax Court House, and thence to Culpepper. There we remained a month in camp, and there the regiment re-enlisted as veterans.

system of veteran re-enlistment. As early as July, 1803, a majority of the regiment had offered to re-enlist as a regiment; but the Department, always behind the people in their demands for men, discouraged the offer. But after the regiment had lain at Culpepper in winter quarters, the permission was received, and the regiment went home on a veteran furlough of thirty days. About one hundred and fifty declined to reenlist, and were sent on detached duty as body-guards, and in service of that character, till the expiration of their three years' service in September, 1864.

Headquarters were now at St. Charles, Illinois, and there, after their short furlough, the regiment re-enlisted in February, and reached Washington again in March. We were encamped at Giesborough Point, near Washington, for about two months, and then crossed to Washington, where we were employed on patrol duty in and about the city.

The grand army under Grant was now making its way on the great final campaign to Richmond, and a rebel force under Early again crossed the upper Potomac, through Maryland, and endeavored to effect the capture of Washington. A comparatively small force could only be spared from the grand army to resist this attack. It was placed under the command of General Lew Wallace, and the 8th Illinois acted as his cavalry support.

We fought the enemy in the engagements at Middletown and Monocacy, and at Urbana our regiment held in check two rebel brigades, resisting their approach till the bleeding and shattered forces of General Wallace could be rallied and saved from rout and destruction. It was a service whose value could hardly be over-estimated.

quarters at Fairfax, we were employed in scouting and scouring the country after the ubiquitous Mosby, whose forces, sometimes three hundred strong and sometimes not more than a dozen, were constantly committing depredations on the Union armies and the Union people, yet vanishing as a vapor when pursued. His depredations were usually committed at night, and on many of those cold, wintry nights we were roused from our slumbers to pursue him, but he always eluded pursuit, and was never captured.

When, in the following April, President Lincoln was assassinated by the actor Booth, our regiment was dispatched to the peninsula to assist in searching for the infamous assassin and his associates, who were supposed to be a formidable band.

The assassins captured, the regiment remained in King George and St. Mary's Counties, Maryland, engaged in the prevention of smuggling, and in making prisoners of all those of the inhabitants who declined to take the oath of alWiance. All of this class who refused the oath were sent to the Capital prison at Washington.

In June, of 1865, the regiment was again encamped at Fairfax Court House, and the great rebellion having finally been crushed, they were ordered to the West to operate against the Indians, who were then threatening serious trouble upon the Western plains.

They reached St. Louis in July, but on the passage met with a serious misfortune by the overloading of the boat on which they were transported. In the darkness of the night of June 28th the steamer ran aground, and careened upon her side. Fight members of Company L, roused from their slumbers by the alarm, threw themselves into the water, and five of them were drowned.

The order to move out upon the plains was very decidedly opposed to the wishes of the men of the regiment. For nearly five years they had been fighting the rebellion, and now that it was finally and gloriously ended, they thought they were entitled to return to their long-lost homes. A vigorous pro-

The service of the 8th Illinois Cavalry had been long, arduous, dangerous, and brilliant, with many gallant and noble deeds. It had shed lustre upon our State, and its memory will ever be preserved as among the choicest, proudest trophies of the great State from which it sprang. Friends and foes alike have described it as the best cavalry regiment in the great army of the Potomac. The writer has heard this high compliment paid it from too many different members of the rebel cavalry, so long opposed to it, to doubt the candor or sincerity of their statement.

Officers Of Company B.

COMPANY A. Ilavvey A. Humphrey, Franklin, 1st Lieut. Promoted ('apt. Co. D. Shields Joseph, Franklin, re-enlisted as veteran. Burmier John, Franklin, mustered out July 17, ;<',f>, as teamster. Fisher Charles, Franklin, mustered out July 17, '65, as Corporal. Hoffman Valentine B., Franklin, mustered out July. 17. '65, as Corporal. Smith Leonard G., Cortland, promoted 2d Lieut. Grashaber Franklin, Franklin, prisoner of war. Phillips Joseph. Franklin, re-enlisted as veteran. Stevens Isaac W., Franklin, mustered out July 17, '65. OFFICERS OF COMPANY B.

Lorenzo H. Whitney, Kingston, resigned July 15, '62. John G. Smith, Sycamore, died of wounds June 16, i;:l. John A. Kelley, Sycamore, term expired September 18, '64. George W. Corbit, Afton, mustered out July 17. '65.

Koads. Miller Solomon, De Kalb, deserted August 30, '62. Maclan James, De Kalb, mustered out September 28, "64. Morse C. Wesley, Milan, re-enlisted as veteran. O'Connor Daniel, Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran. Parkhurst A. M., Sycamore, mustered out September 28. '64. Porter George, Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran. Partlow James F., Burlington, discharged April 17. '62; disability. Perry George W., Burlington, mustered out September 28, '64. Pittenger Reuben S., Burlington, discharged May 2. '62; disability. Pierce Washington F., Afton, discharged May 8, '62 ; disability. Peavey Ira W-, Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran. Reeves Robert L., Burlington, mustered out September 28, '64. Shurtleff W- H., Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran. Thomas Julius 0., Clinton, discharged May 15, '62. Weaver Isaac, Sycamore, died at Camp California January 21, '62. Wilcox Daniel, Genoa, re-enltsted as veteran.

COMPANY I. Aldrich Charles, Somonauk, musiered out July 17, '65. Gates Orlando L., Shabbona, mustered out July 17, '65. Rockwell Hamlin J., Somonauk, discharged July 19, '62, for promotion in

COMPANY K. Brown Charles D., Victor, Sergeant. Mustered out September 28, '64. Wesson Silas D., Victor, Corporal. Re-enlisted as veteran. Gould George, Victor, Corporal. Mustered out Sept. 28, '64, as private. Beckwith John, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran. Bond Charles, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.

Bullock Daniel, Victor, mustered out September 28, '64, as Corporal. Burnham Samuel M., Victor, discharged March 8, '62 ; disability. Bacon Lawrence T., Somonauk, discharged May 1, '62 ; disability. Dean De Grass, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.

Dutton Whitney, Somonauk, discharged September 29, '62 ; disability. Greenville Charles, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran. Hall Jacob M., Somonauk, killed at Hazel River October 17, '63. Kennicott Ira, Victor, re-enlisttd as veteran Moore Wallace M., Victor, discharged May 9, '62 ; disability. Mead Chauucey. Somonauk, mustered out September 28, '64. Schoville Fred P., Victor, re-enlisted as veteran. Snydam Cornelius R., Victor, died at Alexandria January 27, '62. Snydam Simon, Victor, mustered out September 28, '64. Stockham Dewitt C, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran. Tripp Calvin, Somonauk, mustered out September 28, "64. Van Fleet Alfred. Victor, re-enlisted as veteran. Voorhees Peter, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran. Willard William, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.

Q, M. Sergeant

Albro Simeon, South Grove, mustered out September 28, '64. Bur/ell Arick H., Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran. Butler Thouias, South Grove, re-enlisted as veteran. Carr James H.. Franklin, re-enlisted as veteran. Can." Winslow A.. Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.

Butler Thomas L., Sycamore, transferred to C. S. Navy, Sept. 21, 'til. Burzell Arick H., Genoa, Sergeant. Drowned in Mississippi river, June

28, '65. ( 'rosby James A., Sycamore, absent, sick, at muster-out of regiment. Carr James H.. Franklin, mustered out July 17. '65, us Sergeant. Carr Charles M.. Franklin, mustered out July 17. '65, as Farrier. Dixon Joseph E., Sycamore, mustered out July 17. '65, as Sergeant. McKinney Artemus. Sycamore, mustered out July 17. '65. as Corporal. Kosback Wallace H., Sycamore, mustered out July 17. 65. Waldron Isaac N., Sycamore. See Co. B. Young "Walter \\., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as bugler.

The 17Th Illinois Cavalry

In the autumn of 1863, when the hearts of the lovers of the Union had been cheered by the great victory at Antietam, which sent Lee and his mighty invading horde of rebels flying back across the Potomac, yet had been depressed again by the fact that he had been permitted to escape without the destruction of his army, which they had confidently anticipated as the result of this great victory, and when it was evident that still more of the country's brave boys must be called from civil pursuits, to give what Avas fondly hoped would be a final death-blow to the rebellion, Colonel John F. Farnsworth, who was then acting as Brigadier-General of cavalry upon the Potomac, was authorized by the War Department to raise a fresh brigade of cavalry.

Upon Colonel Farnsworth's recommendation a commission was issued to Major John L. Beveridge, of the 8th Cavalry, to raise one regiment of that brigade at his own home in Illinois. He proceeded at once to this State, and began the work of recruitment, establishing his rendezvous at St. Charles, Kane County.

Captain Jesse D. Butts, of De Kalb County, who had been forced by one of those chronic ailments which beset the soldier to resign his office as Captain in the 42d Infantry, and had been at home a few months, commenced, on the 1st of October, to recruit a company for that regiment, - a work in which he was most efficiently aided by Jasper H. Waite, of Sycamore, a scholarly young man who left Beloit College to do his share in the defence of his country, and by Sergeant Phillip Mc- Rae, of Mayfield, a dashing trooper who had seen some two years' service in that excellent school for the cavalry soldier,

The recruiting for this regiment was conducted under one marked disadvantage: To fill up the thinned ranks of the veteran regiments then in the field the Government had offered a bounty of $300 for recruits. For those who enlisted in the new regiments, then forming, only $100 bounty was at first allowed. The service in the veteran regiments was more arduous, the chances of speedy promotion very much less, and the new regiments were decidedly the favorites ; so that, in spite of this drawback, the regiment mustered five hundred men in two months from the first attempt to recruit, and was mustered in January 22, 1864.

Subsequently the bounty of $300 was extended to all who enlisted for three years, and their ranks filled up more rapidly, so that, on the 12th of February, the whole number of twelve companies were in camp at St. Charles, and preparing for duty in the field.

The recruits had been encouraged by the Government to select and furnish their own horses, for each of which the United States allowed them $130. This permission was a great favor. The farmer lads of Illinois, - a land in which there were more horses than children in each family, and where each young man had his favorite steed, who was as dear as a brother to him, - felt that with his own horse as his constant companion he would not be quite alone any where, and, engaged in the service, they cared for their steeds with a thoughtfulness and tenderness that they could never have felt for such an one as might have fallen to their lots by the chance distribution of the United States officer.

The men of Company C, wdiich was Captain Butts' company, were well mounted. Many a superior horse, costing twice the Government price, had been purchased and given to the young troopers by their good friends at home, and by the close of April six hundred and fifty horses had thus been brought in bv the men and sold to the Government.

The form of election of officers was usually gone through with by the new companies, and there was generally some sharp contests for the positions; but without much opposition the De Kalb County Company (Company C) selected Jesse D. Butts as Captain, Jasper H. "VVaite as 1st Lieutenant, and Phillip McRae as 2d Lieutenant. They proved to have been excellent selections, and in all the vicissitudes through which this company passed there was little or no inclination to regret their choice.

The field officers of the regiment were: Colonel, John L. Beveridge; Lieutenant-Colonel, Dennis J. Hynes; Major, Hiram Hilliard; 2d Major, Lucius C. Matlack; 3d Major, Phillip E. Fisher; Adjutant, Samuel W. Smith; Quartermaster, Philo P. Judson; Commissary, John A. Colton; Surgeon, Samuel K. Crawford; Assistant-Surgeon, Samuel A. Dow; Chaplain, Edward O'Brien.

On the 1st of May the regiment, eager for active service, and wearied with the monotony of camp-life, was pleased to receive orders to break camp at St. Charles, and report for duty to General Rosecrans, commanding the department of Missouri.

They proceeded to Jefferson Barracks, twelve miles below St. Louis, where their outfit was completed; and they were ordered to Alton, where for a month they were employed in doing guard duty over a large body of rebel prisoners confined in the deserted State prison at that place.

Lieutenant-Colonel Dennis J. Hynes, an experienced and dashing officer who had served in the 8th Illinois Cavalry, commanded the 1st Battalion, which was composed of Companies A and B, who constituted the 1st Squadron, and was under command of Major H. Hilliard, and of Companies C

The Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry. Zoo

Major L. C. Matlack, formerly a chaplain of the 8th Illinois Cavalry, commander of the 2d Battalion, was assigned by General C. B. Fisk to the post at Glasgow, Missouri, and for four months subsequently the three battalions were separated and remote from each other.

The De Kalb County company was, with the remainder of the 1st Battalion, moved to St. Louis, where it was assigned to, and for three months mostly employed in, escort and provost guard duties in North Missouri. Their headquarters were at St. Joseph, in Northwestern Missouri, whither they were conveyed by steamer.

Northern Missouri was at that time terribly scourged by rebel guerrillas, and on their way up the river they heard of the near presence of the guerrilla Bill Anderson, with a largo part of his gang. The boat was stopped, one hundred and fifty of the 17th were landed, and attacked his force with success, driving them into the interior.

While posted at St. Joseph Captain Butts was detailed as Judge Advocate, and Lieutenant Waite as Assistant Adjutant General, on General Fisk's staff.

The company was selected as a body-guard of General Fisk, but was constantly on duty, scouting through the country, under command of Lieutenant Phillip McRae, who proved himself one of the most dashing and efficient officers in the service; often routing the guerrillas, and terrifying them into their dens.

About the middle of September the company was again ordered out in pursuit of the notorious Bill Anderson, who had just committed a shocking massacre of Union men at Centralia. The rebel band was discovered near Fayette, and after a long and desperate contest were driven from their grounds and dispersed.

Soon after this the Companies C and D, forming the 2d Squadron of the 1st Battalion, under Captain Jones, were ordered to Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, which was threatened by the rebels under Price, who was scouring the country with his accustomed vigor and energy. They moved across the country by land, and on the 6th and 7th of October assisted in the defence of the capital.

a Missouri regiment, with a force of about five hundred men, had been surrounded by a much larger force of the enemy, and after having contended for five hours with a greatly superior force, was compelled to surrender.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hynes, Commissary Colton, Lieutenant Eldridge, and three men of Company C, who had been away on leave of absence, and being prevented from reaching their regiment had taken service on this expedition with him, were among the captured upon this occasion.

On the 10th of September the regiment, under Colonel Beveridge, reported to General McNiell, at Rolla, an important strategic point in Southwestern Missouri, then the terminus of a railroad, and constantly threatened by the vigilant and active rebel Price, whose name in the West had a power and popularity equal to that of Lee in Virginia.

Soon after their arrival there all communication with St. Louis was cut off by Price, and a force commanded by Colonel Ewing, and stationed at Pilot Knob, some sixty miles farther to the southwest, had, after a brave resistance, been driven from its post, and was retreating on Rolla.

At noon of the 28th the 17th, under Colonel Beveridge. was sent out to their relief, and after meeting and routing a cavalry force that appeared near Cuba, it pressed on to Leesburg, thirty-three miles distant.

In the morning it reached the little army of General Ewing, composed of only eight hundred men. It was hastily entrenched, expecting constantly an attack from the overwhelming force of the enemy, and anticipating either capture or destruction. The joy of the little army of General Ewing at the sight of the friendly blue coats of the I7th, which assured them of safety and succor, may readily be imagined. They speedily moved back to Rolla.

Arrived there, they found that the rebel forces under the vigilant General Price had cut the railroad, destroyed the telegraph, and were reported moving with an army of twenty thousand men upon Jefferson City.

No orders could be received from headquarters, nor definite knowledge of the plans of the rebels could be procured. Generals McNiell and Sanborn, however, concluded upon what happened to be the wisest plan they could pursue. They struck out at a venture for the State capital, wisely judging that Price was aiming for that point ; and thus commenced by far the most exciting episode in the history of the 17th Cavalry, and one of the most thrilling events of the war. J t was the famous movement known as the Price raid, - a movement in which the endurance of which human nature was capable was put to the severest possible test, in which the regiment lost five hundred horses from utter exhaustion, and in which, at one time, they were for fifty-six hours in the saddle, with orders to lose not even time enough to water their horses, but press on the enemy at every hazard; a movement which resulted in a complete baffling of the plans of the vigilant enemy, and his final ruin.

On the second day's march, October 2d, the scouts reported that Price's army, only five miles distant, was pressing forward with all possible haste on a parallel line with ours, for the capital at Jefferson City.

The population, generally favorable to the rebels, furnished them all possible aid, while they hindered and obstructed our forces as far as they dared.

The rebel veterans, inured to hardship, born and brought up in the bush, accustomed to coarse and scanty rations, were among the most effective troops in the world. But the brave boys in blue, marching with all possible speed, finally baffled their foes, and reached the capital a few hours in advance of the rebels.

Hasty preparations for a vigorous defence were made. The men worked with energy, for the rebs outnumbered them three to one. The 17th had the post of honor and of danger upon the extreme right of the city, - a position on which, from the nature of the ground, the principal attack was expected. Breastworks were thrown up, and General Neill addressed the 17th, warning them to expect a fierce onset from the enemy, and to stand their ground bravely.

Trice, finding our troops prepared to make a brave defence, after an attack upon the center, on the 4th, withdrew his forces in the night, and moved northwestwardly upon Booneville.

Colonel Beveridge, scouting with a few attendants early on the morning of the 5th, discovered the new movement of the enemy, and in a few hours the whole Federal army was in hurried pursuit. General Pleasanton having now arrived, the whole cavalry force was organized as one division, with General Sanborn in command, Colonel Beveridge having charge of the 2d Brigade of four regiments, and Major Matlack under him of the 17th regiment.

Hard marching for six days brought our cavalry upon the rebels, posted in strong force at Booneville. Their shirmishers were driven in, and a strong line of battle being developed, our forces awaited the morning, at which time Colonel Beveridge was ordered to attack. The 5th Missouri and the 17th Illinois attacked at four o'clock in the morning. The 5th, in advance, found the sleepless rebel foe prepared for the onset;

The 17th now had the advance, and the foe, reinforced, was detained by its assaults till the main army, a day behind, could be brought up. The 17th retired beyond a bridge when the fight had commenced, tearing it up on their passage, and were amused at seeing the rebel artillery playing for some hours upon the line where they had been posted, and where they supposed them still located. The Federal reinforcements now coming up, the enemy evacuated Booneville, and fled toward Lexington.

A re- organization of the cavalry now placed Colonel Beveridge in immediate command of the 17th, and moving rapidly through Lexington, they overtook the enemy near Independence. Here the 17th, dismounted, was deployed on the left, while a dashing charge of the Missouri and Kansas cavalry captured a number of the rebel cannon.

At midnight of the 22d the brigade left Independence going towards Hickman, where the rebels were encountered next day at noon. Pleasanton, at this point, had arranged for and anticipated the entire destruction of the rebel army. But a delay in the advance of McNiell's brigade of cavalry disappointed their calculations, and it was allowed to escape.

When the main column of the brigade under McNiell finally attacked the head of the rebel column, the 17th was ordered to form a separate column, and strike them on the flank.

The boys of the 17th, who had been terribly chafed by the unaccountable delay, received this cheering order with delight. With shouts they rushed a half-mile over a plain, then down a rugged ravine, slowly climbed a hill beyond, on through the woods, and then were preparing to capture Price's wagon train, the main-stay of his army, slowly passing before their eyes, when, to their infinite chagrin, a positive order from McNiell re-called them to support a battery in front, and they were forced to relinquish the coveted opportunity for high distinction and most effective service.

Late on the next day the brigade joined Pleasanton, still pursuing the retreating Price. The tired and exhausted army still made sixty miles on that day, passing Curtis, with his reinforcements of Kansas troops.

The enemy was finally encountered again, and after a cold and rainy night, without supper or breakfast, at early dawn of October 26th, the army again attacked the enemy, and on this day fought the battle of Mine Creek, capturing the rebel Generals Marmaduke and Cabel, with a thousand prisoners, and ten pieces of artillery.

For fifty-six hours they were in the saddle. The rebels preceding them captured all the fresh horses in the country, and still kept in advance. Hundreds of our horses, after being kept on the gallop till they could go no longer, would fall into a slow trot, and then either fall to the ground or stand stock still, refusing for the spur or the most furious beating to move another step. The dismounted trooper would strip his saddle and accoutrements from his horse, and carry them on his own back, hoping to find a fresher horse to place them on. Jack Houghton, of De Kalb, one of the best of soldiers, once carried his saddle fourteen miles before he got another horse.

The scattered remnant of the rebel forces finally escaped over the line into Arkansas, and the brigade ceased the pursuit at Springfield, Missouri, and soon returned to Rolla, which place was reached November 15th, 18G4. During the previous forty-three days the regiment had marched one thousand miles and lost six hundred horses. Less than one hundred and fifty mounted men came back from that terribly destructive, continuous pursuit of this untiring foe.

The Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry

Missouri. Lieutenant-Colonel Hynes, Chief of Cavalry of North Missouri district, on General Fisk's staff, was relieved, and returned to the regiment, for a time being in command of a military sub-district, with headquarters at Pilot Knob. Major Hilliard, on duty in North Missouri, was re-called to the regiment and put in command. Major Matlack was detailed by order of General Dodge as Provost Marshal of the district of St. Louis, and by the same officer Major Fisher was made Chief of Cavalry for the district of Rolla.

At this time the armies of the East, under Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, had crushed the rebellion east of the Mississippi. West of the great river the nearest rebel force was that of Jeff. Thompson, reported at sixty thousand men-

Early in May Major-General Dodge sent out commissioners to offer Thompson terms of surrender, and the 17th was chosen as an escort. Four companies, under Lieutenant- Colonel Hynes, crossed the St. Francis river at Chalk Bluffs; four companies, under Major Hilliard, with a section of artillery, encamped twelve miles in the rear ; while the commissioners went forward to Jonesboro, Arkansas, and returned on the 9th of May with Jeff. Thompson, who arranged the surrender of his forces.

Late in May the regiment, re-mounted, was shipped to Kansas City to guard a portion of Missouri, containing five Counties, from which the entire population had been driven out on account of their furnishing a harbor for guerrillas.

After remaining about five months Major Butts, with three companies, was ordered to Fort Larned. Company C, now under Captain Waite, had been stationed at Trading Post, a small village near Fort Scott, - a very unhealthy location, - and most of its members had become ill. They were reported unfit for duty, and ordered to Fort Leavenworth to recruit their health.

The men of the 1 7th were sadly disappointed at not being discharged when the war was over, and some of the companies had some trouble in maintaining discipline and preventing desertion ; but the men of the De Kalb County Company made no opposition to the orders of their officers. It was not till the winter of 1865-b'G that the regiment was finally mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, and the men returned to their homes.

From the ranks of Company C nine commissioned officers were promoted. Its Captain, J. D. Butts, was commissioned Major in April, 1865, and subsequently, in December, brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel of U. S. Volunteers. It furnished, also, a 1st Lieutenant, in the person of D. E. Butts, of De Kalb; a Quartermaster, Philo Judson; a Commissary, John A. Colton, of Genoa ; and five 2d Lieutenants, - Robert Souders, Albert V. Ammet, Thomas Hickman, Egbert Johnson, and Thomas Searle.

Commissary Sergeant

George L. Fisher, Sycamore, mustered out July 20, 1865. John A Trude, Maytield, mustered out Nov. 211, 1865, private. Jonathan Houghton, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865, private. Charles II. Green, Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865, private.

Saddler

Gage Amaza, Squaw Grove, mustered out Nov. 23, 18135. Holderness J. C, Malta, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. Harding Zora, Afton, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. Ingham Ellis, Cortland, mustered out Nov. 23, 1805. Johnson Charles, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 18(35. Lamb James, Sycamore, died at Alton July, 18(34. Losee Rufus, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. Moxom P. S., DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. Muzzey Ira C, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 18(35. Price Rensellaer, DeKalb, died at Alton, Illinois, June, 1864. Peterson Anderson, detached at muster out of regiment. Perkins John N., Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. Reid Henry, DeKalb, died July 20, 1864. Rogers Charles, Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1 8(55. Sipp Samuel L., Malta, deserted Nov. 1, 1805. Stewart James H., Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 18(35. Wager Ira, DeKalb, mustered out May 25, 1865. Whitmore Charles, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. VanOlinder E. E., Somonauk, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.

Beardsley Earl A., Somonauk, mustered out Nov. 23, 1805, as Sergeant. Burgess Albert, Somonauk, absent sick at muster out. Brookins James, Somonauk, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. Brown Hamilton, Victor, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. Beardsley W. II., Victor, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. Baker Alonzo L., Shabbona, mustered out Nov. 23. 1865. Freer H. T., DeKalb, mustered out July 5, 1865. Criffin Justus, Afton, mustered out Oct. 4, 1865. Haish Abram, Pierce, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. Labrant L, Pierce, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865, as Sergeant. Patridge Zelotas, Pierce, mustered out Oct. 4, 1865. Ramer Anthoii}', Pierce, mustered out as Co. Q. M. Sergeant. Schoonover John A., DeKalb, mustered out July 5, 1865. Townsend Solomon, Somonauk, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. COMPANY D.

The Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry 265

BanfieM Benjamin, Malta, dishonorably discharged. Depue Richard D., Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865. Gear Benjamin, Cortland, mustered out Dec. 18, 186"). Siglin Isaiah, Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 18, 1865. Siglin Joshua, Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 18, 1865. Tenscott Richard, Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 18, 1865. VanDeusen John A., Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 18, 1865. Wright Halbert, Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 18, 1865, as Corporal. Hubner Charles, mustered out Oct. 3, 1865.

Few regiments in the service saw more hard fighting, or endured a more varied and severe experience, than the 58th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. It was organized at Camp Douglas, in Chicago, and mustered into the service on the 25th of December, 1861.

Its first field officers were : Colonel, William F. Lynch Lieutenant-Colonel, Isaac Rutishauser ; Major, Thomas Newlan. Colonel Lynch was a resident of Elgin, Kane County, Lieutenant-Colonel Rutishauser of Somonauk, DeKalb County, and Major Newlan of Aurora, Kane County.

Company C of this regiment was raised in the town of Shahhona and its neighborhood. Its officers were : Captain, Gr. W. Kittell ; 1st Lieutenant, S. W. Smith ; 2nd Lieutenant, Joseph Gr. Burt of Chicago.

an eloquent preacher and a heroic soldier, recruited a large portion of Company G, but was mustered into Company I as 2nd Lieutenant. A part of Company E was also from this County : so that our County was well represented in the 58th regiment. The regiment remained at Camp Douglas until the month of February, 1862, when it was removed to Cairo, where it was embarked on a steam transport for Fort Donelson, at which place it arrived on the morning of the 14th, just

The Fifty-Eighth Illinois Infantry

Disembarked at sunrise, the regiment was marched immediately to the scene of the conflict, thus being ushered into the midst of blood and carnage in three days from the time it left home. A few of the men had seen some service, but most of them were entirely unused to the duties of the soldier, and fresh from civil life. Arms were furnished them for the first time while at Cairo, and accoutrements and ammunition while on the boat. One-half the men until that time had never seen a cartridge, and many of them had never loaded a gun until they loaded them for service against the enemy. Fortunately the regiment saw no severe service on the first day, but was employed in skirmishing and maneuvering. On the second day they were iu the midst of the fight, and behaved remarkably well for green troops. Three of them were killed and nine were wounded.

The fort was surrendered, and, following its fall, the 58th marched with the army to Fort Henry, participated in the capture of that fort, and remained there until under General Grant it moved up the Tennessee river to Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing. It now formed a part of General H. L. Wallace's division. In the ever-memorable battle which occurred a this place, the division was in the center of the line of battle on the first disastrous day, and held the main Corinth road to the landing. It is a matter of history that this division did some of the hardest fighting on that day.

At about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, all the field officers and about two-thirds of the line officers, with two hundred of its men, were taken prisoners, and for many months after, endured the horrors of the rebel prison-pens at Mobile, Cahaba, Selma, Macon, Montgomery, Griffin, and finally in Libby Prison in Richmond. Companies A, C and G were on the skirmish-line at this time, and most of them escaped capture. Fifty-nine were killed and wounded, and two hundred and twenty were captured. The loss of Company C was two men killed and thirteen wounded. Oliver B. Wilson of Malta was the first man killed from our County. Captain Bewley of Company G was killed, and Captain K. P. Rutishauser of Somonauk met the same fate. Corporal William F. Williams of Company C lost an arm, and subsequently died of the wound ; and Lieutenant Moxom was severely wounded. He managed to crawl behind an old log which lay on the field, across which the fight was kept up for several hours, and, in spite of his efforts, was twice again wounded while he lay there ; but, after remaining there two days, he was rescued and recovered, and is now doing good service as pastor of a large and flourishing church in Michigan.

The Union line of battle was formed by the side of this cleared field, and that of the rebels was in the timber on the opposite side, which was about four hundred yards distant. The rebels made several attempts to cross this field, but were each time driven back with great slaughter. A rebel battery posted in the woods opposite this regiment annoyed our force, aud Companies C and E were ordered forward as skirmishers to some buildings which stood near the center of the field, with orders to silence the battery if possible. This work was soon accomplished, but the battery was now moved around to the right, and commenced an enfilading fire upon our men behind the building. A retreat was ordered; but, in the confusion? five men who were in a cotton-house at the left of the others failed to hear the order, and remained at their posts. When the companies had retired, the rebels moved forward and held the same ground that our men had abandoned. The men in the cotton-house were now cut off from the opportunity to retreat, and seemed to be obliged to surrender ; but, to avoid this, three of them jumped into the building, and concealed themselves beneath the mass of loose cotton. Sergeant Chas. 0. Wheaton of Company C remained outside, but stepped around the corner of the house. Five rebs came around where Wheaton stood, gun in hand, with fixed bayonet. One says: "You are our prisoner."' Wheaton replied that he guns to fire. Wheaton, seeing this, thought he -would sell his life as dearly as possible, made ready, and the three fired at once. One rebel fell dead : one ball passed through Wheaton's clothing, carrying away his canteen, and the other shattered his left hand, and glanced from his gun-barrel. The living rebel now made a bayonet thrust at AVheaton, which he dodged, and, before the grayback could recover, ran his bayonet through his heart.

Three rebels now lay dead at his feet ; and, seeing no more on that side of the house, he also jumped into the cotton, and concealed himself, thinking that the rebels might be driven back, and all could escape to our lines. But they had not this good fortune. Our troops were steadily driven back, and, two hours after, our boys were discovered, marched back to Monterey, and placed in a log house which was used for a hospital. Sergeant Wheaton and Job Davis of Company C - one of the boys who hid in the cotton - concluded that they would go no farther unless they were carried: so Davis bound up his leg with bloody bandages, made an artificial bullet-hole in his pants, and enacted the part of a soldier wounded in the leg. On Monday morning all the prisoners who could walk were ordered to fall in, and were marched off; but Wheaton and Davis, Avho appeared unable to march, were left behind : and, in the general stampede which ensued, when the rebel army was beaten on that day, they escaped in the confusion, and both reached our camp - Davis on Tuesday night and Wheaton on Wednesday.

. Following the fight at Shiloh, the shattered remnant of the oJSth was united with similar fragments of the Sth, the 12th and the 14th Iowa, and called the Union brigade. Three captains, G. W. Kittell and R. W. Healy, of the 58th, and Captain Fowler of the 12th Iowa Avere detailed to serve as field officers.

The Union brigade formed a part of the 2nd Division of the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by General Davies. The grand army commenced the advance upon Corinth on the 20th of April, and the 2nd Division served in the advance during the siege that followed. Being placed in the center of the line, the regiment was as much exposed and saw as much skirmishing as any portion of the army. It lost a number of good men who were killed and wounded.

Corinth was at last evacuated by the rebels, and our regiment followed the foe to Boonville, and then, as they seemed to have escaped us, returned to Corinth, where it remained doing garrison duty till October 3d, 1862, when the great battle of Corinth was fought and won. The rebels under Price, YanDorn and Vilapyne were severely Avhipped and followed up to Ripley.