Franklin County, Illinois - The whole text, 1920 (part 2 of 8)

THE Sesser Branch of the American Red Cross was organized by John Stoelzle Jr., and was the first organization of its kind to be started in the county. Mr. Stoelzle took the matter of Red Cross organization up with the Red Cross at Washington, D. C, and was informed by them through the Chicago Branch that it would have to come under the County unit, so it was, therefore, not fully organized until Benton was put in charge of the county organization.

The officers of the Sesser branch were: Geo. B. Gray, president; John Stoelzle, Jr., treasurer, N. T. Kelly, treasurer, after the death of Mr. Stoelzle; Pearl Rea Hutson, secretary.

At the beginning of the war with Germany, the Miners' Local No. 1237, U. M. W. of A. of Sesser, donated a spacious room in their building for the Red Cross to carry on their work of helping to supply our boys in France with the necessary comforts of life. Electric machines were installed and the ladies of Sesser Red Cross responded willingly to the making of bandages, compresses, gowns, aprons, sweaters, sox, helmets, gloves, and in fact everything which they were called upon to make, and at no time did Sesser Red Cross fail in her quota.

In December, 1918, when there was an epidemic of influenza, the Red Cross organized an emergency hospital in the same building which the Miners' Local No. 1237, U. M. W. of A. had formerly donated the room for Red Cross work. The trustees of the hospital were: Delia Fitzgerrell, Laura Paynter,

John Smith, Bert Schnable. Trained and practical nurses were employed to care for the patients, and by this means scores of lives were saved, that otherwise might have been lost by not having the proper nursing and nourishment. The following winter when there was a second epidemic of influenza, the hospital was reorganized and the work continued as before.

Not only did Local Union No. 1237, U. M. W. of A., donate its building for all Red Cross purposes but it backed our organization financially whenever needed.

The Sesser branch of the Red Cross not only supplied all her quota of supplies but at all times went over the top in securing and furnishing her supply of money.

The citizens of Sesser and the farmers in the surrounding country, with very few exceptions, answered every call made on them by the Red Cross. The ladies gave a supper and auction sale at one time which realized over $1000.00. The supplies for this supper and auction sale were most willingly donated by the citizens of Sesser and surrounding country.

The officers of the Red Cross organization in Sesser feel that a monument should be erected to the memory of the loyal men and women of the City of Sesser who answered every call for help that was sounded by the Red Cross organization, the names of those, while not listed here, should be duly inscribed on a monument befitting the memory of such noble men and women.

IT was hard sledding in every department of business and even inconvenienced every household when the boys marched forth to put the kibosh on Kaiser William. Those left here at home did the best they could to close up the gaps, but made a poor job of it.

The war seemed to weed most of the efficients out of the day's work and a great change was evident in help. Help came mighty near being no help at all. Sometimes, indeed, it was a positive hindrance. Every business was more or less afflicted with this sort of thing. The mails were full of misdirected letters. Elevators were run by people who couldn't stop on a floor level to save their necks. There were clerks in stores who did not even know what business the house was in. Almost nobody got his own bills, which was a tremendous insight as to what others owed. Automobiles became an even greater peril to one another than they were to the rest of us. The plumber who came out to fix the furnace so you could burn soft coal in it fixed it so you couldn't burn anything in it. The watchmaker took the wheels out of your watch and couldn't put them back. The repair shop took your automobile and aggravated its disorders until you joined the army to get where the good mechanics had gone. The painter came around and fell off the roof. The bank records showed at the end of the month that you had $100.00 more than your own records showed and you had the terrible experience of having to give it up to its owner, who was a hundred short. The waiter blundered around behind you until he poured soup down your back. Mixing drinks (hush) passed from an art to an avocation. The milkman found your card marked for one quart of milk and a half pint of cream, and left you two quarts of buttermilk. Your new stenographer sent a letter which was to go to Campbell, Mo., Camp to Belly, Mo. The office boy had a choice among 18 jobs with as many degrees of pay, and left at the end of the week taking with him all the secret formulas of the business. The man who came to put in your wood tried to carry it all in two or three loads, and fell down the cellar steps, and broke a whole set of ribs. You ordered a food chopper shipped out to your place in the country and got a barrel of salt. The newspaper reporter who came around to talk to you on some important topic, quoted you an interview he got from somebody else about something you never heard of. The washwoman no longer had to support her two grown sons, who had been drafted, and quit washing. Your cook who had been with you five years and had just begun to understand, resigned her place to go back to the farm and run a tractor. The paperhanger was without help and finally hung himself. An express package started from Chicago, and the next trace you got of it came from San Francisco, where it was seen going toward the ship wharves. You order beans, flour, baking powder and soda from the grocer, and some time during the night a boy got you out to let him in with a half dozen brooms and two pounds of clothesline. All the people who smoothed the rough edges of life for you and made this, that and the other things all hunkydory were gone to war. You were arrested if you overchecked your account; the cleaner sent you some one else's green trousers with your gray coat and vest; and the man who came to fix the telephone left it in such a shape that when you took down the trumpet you turned in the fire alarm. Help was hell!

THE war history of Franklin County compares favorably with any other county in the United States. Always a "Melting Pot" where the East and West, North and South have joined to create the typical and representative American, the County with its rolling prairies, wooded hills, rocks and rills has been an incubator of patriotism.

Previous to the Black Hawk War, there are no records available, and it is therefore impossible to give the military records of the early settlers. There are three Revolutionary soldiers buried in Franklin county. In the War of 1812 the County sent four soldiers to help Andrew Jackson defeat the British at New Orleans.

Beginning with the Black Hawk War, by large expense in time and money, and the assistance of several citizens, and the Adjutant Generals reports, the compiler of this history has been able to collect an almost continuous history of this county's activities.

FRANKLIN county came into being on January 2, 1818, as one of the original fifteen counties when Illinois was admitted that year to the union. At that time it included the territory of the Franklin county of today and the territory of Williamson, just south. The present county has an area of 423 square miles, and a population of 57,293, a gain in ten years of 31,350, which is next to the highest percentage of gain of any county in the United States. The county is well watered by Little Muddy river on the West, Big Muddy and its branches through the center. It is quiet, level and is largely prairie. The land is not well adapted to farming, although modern farming methods with liberal use of limestone are producing many fine farms. The census report of 1 900 give the value of the land for this county at $14.83 per acre, while the report for 1910 estimated the value of land at $34.48. The many modern farms of today will greatly increase the average, probably to $60. per acre.

In about the year 1804, seven brothers by the name of Jordan, William and John Browning, Joseph Estes and one Barbrey, settled in what is now Cave township, the southeast township in the county, and there built what was known as Jordan's Fort some time prior to 1 806. Here Barbrey was killed and scalped in 1812. The Brownings came to be very important people in the history of the county. The McCreerys, Cantrells, Swoffords and the Joneses were early comers. After the war of 1812, other settlers came to different parts of the county and by 1818 the south and east part of the county was sparsely settled.

streams and woods along them were full of game and the fur trade was an important line of business. Regular trips were made to St. Louis with loads of furs, venison, and farm products.

Slaves were held in Franklin county by the leading families until 1824, and then were taken to Missouri and sold. In some cases they were later brought back to Franklin county and manumitted, a specific case is that of the purchase of Richmond Inge by Alexander McCreery. Inge and his wife were put on a farm in Williamson county where they lived for many years.

The land not being very rich, the settlement of the county was slow. The law of 1854 changed the price of land in Illinois from $1.25 per acre to 12'/2 cents per acre. Thousands of acres of land was purchased from the government under the "Bit Act". When Congress granted the land for the Illinois Central Railroad, 33,078 acres of the grant fell within the limits of Franklin county.

When the county was created in 1818, the county seat was fixed at Frankfort. The court house and jail were not built until 1826 and prior to that date the county seat was temporarily in the home of Moses Garrett, about three miles east of Frankfort. When Williamson was cut off from Franklin in 1 839, the county seat of Franklin was permanently fixed "on or near the summit of a mound or hill in the edge of the timber, and at the south end of Rowlings Prairie." This was to be the site of the future city of Benton. The court house in Benton was built in the spring of 1841. It was a small frame building and stood in the square. A second court house was built of brick in 1845, and a third, the present one, was built in 1874.

THE causes which led to the Black Hawk War, reach back to. and even before, the Winnebago or Sank War of 1827. During Governor Edwards administration, the Indians upon the Northwestern frontier began to be very troublesome. The different tribes not only commenced a warfare among themselves, in regard to their respective boundaries, but they extended their hostilities to the white settlements. A treaty of peace, in which the whites acted more as mediators than as a party, had been signed at Prarie du Chien, on the 19th day of August, 1825, by the terms of which the boundaries between the Winnebagos and Sioux, Chippawas, Sanks, Foxes and other tribes, were defined, but it failed to keep them quiet. Their depredations and murders continued frequent, and in the summer of 1827 their conduct, particularly that of the Winnebagos, became very alarming.

A combination was soon formed by the different tribes of the Indians under Red Bird, a chief of the Sioux, to kill or drive off all the whites above Rock River. This league which included the Winnebagos. Pottawotamies and other tribes of the Northwest, commenced their offensive operations by killing two white men in the vicinity of Prairie du Chien, on the 24th day of July, 1827. They attacked boats conveying stores to Fort Snelling and other depredations. Governor Edwards anticipating serious trouble, issued an order to the commandants in General Harrison's brigade (located on the East side of the Illinois River) to detach one-fourth of their respective regiments, and be ready to meet any attack made by the Indians. On the same day he wrote to Colonel Thomas M. Neale, of the 20th Regiment (from Sangamon County) to accept 600 volunteers. Before their arrival in the Indian country. Red Bird and his six principal warriors surrendered, and the campaign being ended the volunteers returned to their homes. No roll of these companies is obtainable, and if they were mustered into the United States service at all, it is not ascertainable.

Other companies were organized and the settlers and miners were active with plans to rid the country of the Indians. These militia were placed under the command of General Henry Dodge, and formed an auxiliary force to the command of Brig. -Gen. Henry Alkinson, U. S. A., whose forces marched into the Winnebago county and captured Red Bird. With Red Bird and the other Indians was Black Hawk, who had not yet become famous. Red Bird died during the confinement and some of the others were executed on the 26th day of December, 1827, for complicity in the murder of white settlers. Black Hawk, against whom nothing could be proven, was acquitted, but it is alleged afterwards acknowledged his guilt and boasted of his connection with the murder for which he had been tried.

In the meantime. Governor Edwards did not cease his efforts to urge the War Department the necessity of the entire removal of the Indians from the State. In October, the Secretary of War informed the governor that Governor Cass (Indian Reservation Governor) had been instructed to "take measures with regard to the removal of the Indians". On the 25th day of May, 1828, the Indians still remaining. Governor Edwards wrote to Gen. Clark urging immediate action on the part of the Government. This he followed by a letter addressed to the Secretary of War. dated June 27. Upon the request of the Indians and notwithstanding the earnest protest of the governor, twelve months additional time was given them in which to remove from the state. With regard to the delay, Governor Edwards wrote to Gen. Clark, Indian agent at St. Louis, a letter in the conclusion of which he used the following language: "If any act of hostility shall be committed on the frontiers, I will not hesitate to remove them on my own responsibility as Governor of the State."

About this time (1829) the President issued his proclamation, and all the country above the mouth of the Rock River (the ancient seat of the Sank nation) was sold to American families, and the year following was taken possession of by them. To avoid difficulty with the tribes another treaty, confirming previous ones, was made with the Sacs and Foxes, on the 15th day of July, 1830, by the provision of which they were to remove peacefully from the Illinois country. A portion of the Sacs, with their principal chief, Keokuk, at their head quietly retired across the Mississippi, and with those who remained in the village, at the mouth of Rock River, an arrangement was made by the Americans who had purchased the land, by which they were to live together as neighbors, the Indians still cultivating their field as formerly. Black Hawk, however, a restless and uneasy spirit, who had ceased to recognize Keokuk as chief, and who was still known to be under the pay of the British, emphatically refused either to remove from the lands or to respect the rights of the Americans to them. He proceeded to gather around him a large number of the warriors and young men of the tribes, who were anxious to distinguish themselves as "braves" and, placing himself at their head, he determined to dispute with the whites the possession of the ancient seat of the Nation. He conceived the gigantic scheme of uniting all the Indians, from the Rock River to the Gulf of Mexico, in a war against the United States, and he made use of every pretext for gaining accessions to his party.

In pursuance of his declared intentions of regaining possession of the ancient hunting grounds and the principal village of his tribe, in the month of April, 1831, Black Hawk recrossed the river, at the head of a force estimated at from 300 to 500 braves of his own tribe, with about 200 allies of the Pottawotamies and Kickapoos, bringing with them their women and children, with the avowed purpose of remaining. Black Hawk immediately notified the whites that they must depart from the village and they refusing to comply, their property was destroyed, and they suffered in person many indignities at the hands of the Indians. A call was therefore made for volunteers (May 27. 1831) and when it became known, the whole Northwestern part of the state resounded with the clamor of war. No county south of St. Clair or east of Sangamon was included in the call, which was limited to 700 men. More than twice the number called for responded, and the Governor, finding so many willing and ready to go, decided to accept the services of the whole 1600 men. These troops with the 600 regulars from Jefferson Barracks were under the command of Gen. Gaines.

Gen. Gaines met Governor Reynolds and his force at their encampment on the Mississippi, eight miles below the old Sac village, where plans of attack were concerted. But the wily Black Hawk, no doubt well apprised of the number of the forces which were ready to attack him, concluded not to risk an engagement, but on the night of the 25th quietly recrossed the river, leaving his deserted village to be peaceably taken possession of by the forces of the opposing generals the following morning.

On the 30th day of June, 1831, after a second peremptory mandate had been sent. Black Hawk and about thirty chiefs of the Sacs came, and with full council with Governor Reynolds and Gen. Gaines, signed an agreement, in which they agreed, among other things, that "no one or more shall ever be permitted to recross said river, without the permission of the President of the United States, or the Governor of the State of Illinois". The volunteer troops were then disbanded and returned to their homes. Thus ended without bloodshed the first campaign of the Black Hawk War.

Notwithstanding the treaty, the trouble was not yet ended. In the spring of 1832, Black Hawk recrossed the Mississippi (April 6th) and commenced his march to Rock River Valley, accompanied by about 500 warriors on horseback, while his women and children went up the river in their canoes.

On being informed of the movements of Black Hawk, Governor Reynolds (April 16th) called for a thousand mounted volunteers, from the central and southern part of the state, to rendezvous at Beardstown, on the 22nd of the same month. This is the first record of any volunteer troops from Southern Illinois, the first of which is recorded in the Adjutant General's report as Capt. Gearage P. Boyer's Company, then Capt. Wm. J. Stephenson and Obediah West companies, all of the Second Regiment. Colonel John Ewing commanding. These companies were called into service of the United States by the Governor of Illinois by his order of the 15th of May, 1832, and were enrolled on the 16th day of June 1832, for ninety days.

At this time Franklin county was only fourteen years old and contained a population of 4,083, with more than double the area, as Williamson county was then a part of this county.

Abraham Lincoln's company from Sangamon county, of which he was captain, was enrolled on the 2 1st day of April, 1832. His company being mustered out on the 27th day of May, 1832, he reenlisted as a private in Capt. Elijah He's company with many of his men, for emergency service, which company was discharged the 16th of June.

Interesting battles of these later campaigns were few, and consisted principally of skirmishes of small groups in typical Indian warfare. The battles of "Stillman's Run" was fought on the night of May 14th, immediately after which Governor Reynolds made a requisition for 2,000 men to be in readiness for future operations. The Indians retreated up the Rock River, divided and left the immediate county for the North.

On the 6th of June, Black Hawk, with about 1 50 warriors, again began activities by an attack on Apple River Fort, situated a quarter of a mile North of the present village of Elizabeth and twelve miles from Galena. Twenty-five men composing the garrison routed the Indians, with only one white man killed.

The new levies of which the Franklin county companies were a part met at Beardstown and Hennepin, but were afterwards ordered to Fort Wilbourne. a small fortification on the South bank of the Illinois river, about a mile above Peru.

On the 25th day of June, there was reported to Col. Dement who was reporting to Col. Taylor at Dixon, that a trail of 300 Indians were seen that day. Col. Dement and fifty picked men recon noitered and ran into an ambush of 300 naked savages led by Black Hawk in person. Every man struck out for himself. In the confusion five whites without horses were killed, but the balance reached the fort in safety, pursued by the Indians. The fort was assailed for over an hour, but the enemy was repulsed leaving many dead savages. General Posey started out in search of the enemy the next day, and on the 21st day of July, the enemy was overtaken on the bluFs of the Wisconsin river, and the enemy was charged and driven from position after position with great loss. Later, Major Ewing's (later Colonel as before noted) batallion was in front. This was the first important advantage gained over the enemy during the war. The enemy fled in the direction of the Mississippi.

On the 25th the whole army was put in motion to try and find the Indians. On the 28th they came upon the trail. On the 2nd of August, the army reached the bluffs of the Mississippi. The Indians were making active preparations to cross. Those on the river were attacked by a force under Capt. Throckmorton, who was on the steamer "Warrior". The remainder encamped at the mouth of Bad Axe, a creek emptying into the Mississippi river, were attacked by Gen. Atkinson and were completely routed. This battle virtually ended the war. Black Hawk was captured by some treacherous Winnebagoes and delivered to the whites at Prairie du Chien on August 27th. Black Hawk upon regaining his liberty everafter conducted himself in a friendly manner to the whites.

THE National incidents leading up to the Mexican War are accessible in any United States history. Not being of a local nature, we believe it advisable to give onlv an epitome of the part in this war credited to Franklin county troops - some of which must be of a collective nature as the records of individual companies are not available. The muster rolls have been obtained from the Illinois Adjutant-General's report.

On May 11th, 1846, Congress passed an act, declaring that, "By the act of the Republic of Mexico a state of war exists between that Government and the United States." At the same time that body made an appropriation of ten million dollars to carry on the war, and authorized the President to accept fifty thousand volunteers.

This force, for convenience sake, to save transportation, and because of their already well-known familiarity with fire-arms, was drawn principally from the Southern and Western states. Illinois was called on for three regiments of infantry or riflemen; the pay, with all allowances, placed at $15.50 per month for the private soldier. The militia of the State being in an unorganized condition, Governor Ford issued a call for thirty full companies of volunteers with a maximum of eighty men, to serve for twelve months, with the privilege of electing their own company and regimental officers.

The response to the call was enthusiastic in the extreme. Within ten days, thirty-five full companies had organized and reported. By the time the place of rendezvous had been selected, (Alton) there had been seventy-five companies recruited, - each furious to go - of which the Governor was compelled to select thirty companies - the full quota of the State - and forty-odd unsuccessful companies were doomed to the disappointment of remaining at home. Of these thirty companies, were organized the First, Second, Third and Fourth Regiments.

The Second Regiment, Illinois Foot Volunteers, commanded by Col. Wm. H. Bissell, was called into service June, 1846, to serve for one year. This regiment rendezvoused at Alton, and all enlistments are given from that place, although it is known there were several Franklin county volunteers in this call, there is no way of checking the list from this county. This regiment was discharged at Camargo, Mexico, June 17, 1847, enlistments having expired, after having covered themselves with glory in the battle of Buena Vista, in which the aggregate loss of the regiment was 126.

When the term of enlistment had expired there was almost immediately another Second Illinois Regiment organized, commanded by Col. James Collins. This regiment also rendezvoused at Alton, but a nearly complete roll of home addresses was kept, and we are therefore able to give the complete muster-in roll of Company "K", which, was recruited by Capt. John Ewing, from Franklin county. (Capt. Ewing also served as major and later colonel in the Black Hawk War.) The war was almost over when they reached the scene of action, but illness and epidemics reduced the company to the extent that onlv half of them returned home - thirty of the 102 died in Mexico and thirteen were discharged for disability, at various places.

THE events leading up to the Civil War are so well known to our citizens, thanks to the efficient public school system of our Nation, that it would seem out of place to review these facts here. A few facts and figures on conditions in Illinois should, however, be appreciated as our general school histories do not give such data.

The great and humiliating event which preceded this disqatch was the fall of Fort Sumter, at noon on the I 5th of that month on which day, for the first time since the organization of our Government, our National ensign was struck by traitors. The event and dispatch found our State unprepared for war. Although secession ordinances had before then been passed by Southern States - Although public property had been seized, in violation of law, and strange colors displayed over Southern forts - Although food and reinforcements for a beleaguered garrison had been driven back to sea, in January - yet our people could not easily realize that we were in a state of civil war.

Franklin County, then mostly populated with people who were from the Southern States or decendants, has a wonderful record. The enrollments for 1863 were 1,214 and for 1864 were 1,363. The quotas called for in 1861 were 261, and in 1862 were 180.

For the call for 700,000 troops Feb. 1st and March 14, 1864, the quota was 273. The call issued July 18. 1864, was for 500,000 and this county's quota was 2 13. The total quotas prior to Dec. 31st, 1864, were 929, and as there was a total enrollment of 1,208, the county furnished an excess of 279. For the last call of 1865 the quota was 330, with only a credit of 33, which added to the excess of 279 would show a deficit of 18, according to the Adjutant-General's report issued at that time. Revised enrollment figures later give the county's total enrollment of 1,692, which means that the county really had an excess of 1 54 - the total enrollment disclosing the startling fact that nearly one-fifth of this county's population served in the Civil War.

The first company organized in Franklin county was Co. C. of the 18th Illinois, Col. Michael Lawler commanding. The Company was organized in Benton as the result of a mass meeting held in the public square, and, among others who addressed the meeting, were Mrs. John A. Logan and Mrs. Eliza Elston, mother of Prof. Jackson of Benton public schools. This was shortly after the famous Logan meeting of Marion, when the resolution, declaring that portion of Illinois a part of the Southern Confederacy, had been recinded. The personnel of this Company will be found in the following pages.

Although, as previously stated, the majority of the population in those times were reared in the South, with all the Southern traditions, they were soon inoculated with the spirit of pure Americanism and that "United we stand, divided we fall" is proof that America is the greatest "melting pot" on the globe, and justly the "land of the free, and the home of the brave," and that as long as these principles are maintained, our Nation will go on and on, through the ages of progress, with our system of government enduring forever.

Civil War Veterans From

FROM reference to the Adjutant-General's Report and other sources of information at command, we are able to give a very complete list of our Civil War Veterans. It is not complete but as nearly so as possible owing to the length of time since that War.

Names of companies which were, in most part, recruited from this county, will be found to be complete. Companies which contained only a few from the county are given in the miscellaneous list. It was almost impossible to check up the miscellaneous enlistments.

We are indebted to Capts. Moore and Dillion and Sgt. Thomas Sullivan for their assistance in rechecking the list after compilation. - S. S. B.

Company "C", 18th Infantry, was the first company to be recruited from Franklin county and was originally rendezvoused at Anna, Union county, Illinois, May 16, 1861, where the Regiment was mustered into the State service for thirty days, by Ulysses S. Grant, then State Mustering Officer. On the 28th day of same month it was mustered into the United States service for three years, by Capt. Pitcher, U. S. A.

June 24, 1861, Regiment moved to Bird's Point, Mo., drilling, guard duty and working on fortifications. Aug. 5, moved into swamp to guard and protect workmen making railroad repairs. Aug. 14, returned to Bird's Point, half of command sick from poison by malaria. Aug. 26, moved to Mound City, 111., to guard gunboats being built and to recuperate in health. Oct. 5, went to Cairo. Nov. 3, formed part of force sent to Bloomfield, Mo., to route Jeff. Thompson and band of rebels. Nov. I 3, returned to Cairo. Jan. 10, 1862, marched with force under Gen. Grant, on reconnaissance to Columbus, Ky. Returned to Cairo. Feb. 3, steamer up Tennessee river with Gen. Grant. Feb. 6, in advance of Gen. Oglesby's Brigade, entering Fort Henry, rebels had fled. Feb. 1 I , advanced upon Fort Donelson; 600 strong for duty. Feb. 13, and 15, Fort Donelson, right line of battle; on 15, lost in killed and wounded. 200. Mar. 1 I , embarked for Pittsburg Landing, going into camp on the 23rd. April 6, marched for Corinth, about one mile before striking rebels; 435 officers and men; first day, 10 killed, 63 wounded and two missing. In this battle Capt. Dillion of Company C was killed in action. Company "C" and "H" consolidated with other companies. June 6 to 15, after evacuation of Corinth, marched to Jackson, Tenn., and went into camp mostly for rest. July 27, started on scout for Bolivar and Brownsville. Aug. 13, returned to Jackson, where Regiment remained during residue of year. Sept. 26, received accession of new companies "C" and "H" recruited by Capt. Connor of Carbondale. Dec. I I, Co. "K." left to report to Marine Brigade. Dec. 20, marched to Lexington and Trenton to intercept rebel forces. Dec. 23. marched toward Bolivar returning to Jackson on 26. Dec. 31, "E" and "H" Companies engaged in fight with rebels near Lexington. Same day balance of regiment started in pursuit of retreating foe. Jan. 7, 1863, returned to camp at Jackson, after 125 mile march through snow, rain and mud roads and through ice-cold streams. Mar. 15, 200 mounted scouted toward Huntington and Trenton, in 80 mile travel found only citizens "who had taken the oath". Apr. 1 , 250 mounted men on scout hunting guerrillas, Capt. Reed of E Company killed by volley from thicket, rebel prisoner he had in charge also killed. Apr. 25, Gen. Grant selected "Old Eighteenth" to guard stores. May 30, entrained for Memphis, then by boat down the Mississippi. Fired on by rebels below Helena from Arkansas shore. June 2, landed at Haines' Bluff, 12 miles northwest of Vicksburg in sound of bombardment. June 4, 369 fit for duty. June 7, moved up bluff to support battery. June 9' placed in position on high ground near the Yazoo (River of Death). June 16, moved to position near Division Headquarters. June 25, occupied position northeast of Vicksburg to prevent outside rebels from attacking Union forces investing that city. July I , moved to position just outside of breastwork. July 3, news came that rebels had hoisted the "white flag". July 24, started on transport up the Mississippi and on the 27th, landed at Helena, Ark., and went into camp, aggregate strength of present and absent 553, with many sick in hospital. Aug. 31, during "Arkansas Expedition", Regiment was mustered and less than 200 were fit for duty. Sept. 7, advance towards Little Rock. Sept. 1 1 , took possession of that city, driving enemy on both sides of the river. Regiment remained in Arkansas until May, 1 864, participating in numerous campaigns and expeditions. May 28, 1864, when terms of enlistment of those originally mustered in had expired, preceded to Springfield, 111., for pay and discharge. Re-enlisted men and recruits formed new 18th Regiment composed of veterans of "B" and "C" and eight recruit companies. Reorganized Regiment mustered out at Little Rock. Ark., Dec. 16. 1865.

Company C 18Th Infantry

NOTE - Where ro remarks are given, veterans were transferred to otr.er companies of the Regiment It is generally conceded that practically all the original enlistments in this company were from. Franklin County, but it is possible some were from neighboring counties. - S. S. B.

THIS Company's record, as being one of the first companies to make up the famous 3 1 st, commanded by our Gen. John A. Logan. is interesting as being a word picture from the remembrances of Capt. Carroll Moore, of Benton - it's his own story of his company's war record.

"I enlisted as a private, August 8, 1861, and was mustered into the service of the United States by Captain Pitcher, U. S. A., at Cairo, Sept. 18, 1861, in Company "I", 31st Illinois Infantry Volunteers. This Company was made up from Franklin county, in and near Benton, and from Tasswell county, in and near Pekin. I was appointed first duty sergeant, on or about October I, 1861, and commissioned second lieutenant at Fort Donelson, Tenn., February, 1862; promoted to captain of the Ccrrp£n> at \ itltttig, IV:;s., in June, 1 £63, after being in command of Company for some time.

"Our Company, after muster-in, began drilling at once in the Camp of Instruction in the brigade of General McClerand, which consisted of company and officer's drill of arms and swords. With less than two days' rations and forty rounds of ammunition, were ordered to proceed down the Mississippi River, and took part in the battle of Belmont, Mo., on November 7, 1 861, cutting our way into the confederate camps, capturing all their cannon, tents and camp equipment. This was our first battle. We returned to Cairo the same day.

"After a few weeks at Cairo, we made a short march into Kentucky, being ordered back, and then by boat to Fort Henry, via Paducah. The Regiment was within one or two miles of the Fort when it surrendered on February 7th, to the gun-boats. All artillery was captured including thirty-seven siege guns. Then on to Fort Donelson on the Cumberland river, and there, amid winter snows, on the 15th of the same month the Regiment lost 250 men killed and wounded, performing in this engagement the difficult feat of the change of front to rear on the tenth Company, in the heat of the battle, among tangled brush and on uneven ground. Gen. Buckner of the confederates surrendered to Gen. Grant on the 15th. This battle and the cold weather, rains and snow played havoc with our Regiment, there being many sick besides the killed and wounded. I was taken sick and sent to a hospital but rejoined the Regiment about the last of March, at Fort Donelson, where the regiment was still on guard duty.

"In August. I was directed to report to Colonel Morrison with five sergeants, and was assigned to Benton and other points for recruiting service for the Regiment.

"I rejoined the Regiment at Lake Providence, La., with 120 to 150 recruits, where the Regiment had come by boat from Memphis. On April 30th, having crossed the Mississippi below Grand Gulf, without waiting for rations, hurried to support of comrades then engaged in battle at Thompson's Hill, near Port Gibson. Under the eyes of Grant and Logan, moved upon the right wing of the enemy at charge step, routing them completely and helping to secure a victory. Gov. Yates witnessed this charge.

"Moving onward, in almost ceaseless march and under gun fire every day, reached Jackson-, Miss., on the 14th day of May, and participated in two or three hard engagements before the confederates retreated and the Mayor surrendered the city. Visiting the city one night, all mills were found to be grinding corn and making confederate clothing, they were therefore reduced to ashes by order of Gen. Sherman. Then at midnight, on the 15th, through drenching rain, marched toward Vicksburg to meet the enemy anew. About 10 o'clock on the morning of the 16th, the men spread their cartridges to dry in the sun in an old field about five miles from Champion Hills, from which point soon after was heard the sound of battle. Ammunition and muskets were quickly seized, our Regiment leading the advance at double-quick, effected a formation and rested a moment lying on faces while the shells whistled and shrieked and exploded above. At command of 'attention' the line stood erect with bayonets fixed, Brigade-Commander Gen. John E. Smith, gave the word, McPherson said with a smile, 'give them Jesse!' and Logan shouted, 'remember the blood of your mammies! give em hell!' and then the brigade sprang forward, broke and routed the two column formation over which waved the rebel flag, captured the opposing battery, turned its guns upon the retreating foe, and took as many prisoners as there were men in the charging brigade. The confederate army was cut in two, Gen. Pemberton returned to Vicksburg and Gen. Johnson back to Jackson, with their respective rebel armies. With the main army we followed the retreating Confederates to their entrenched lines at Vicksburg, and took part in the bloody assaults of the 19th and 22d. Our Regimental colors were planted upon the ramparts by our gallant Lieut. Col. Reece, who met death by a grenade. The flag received 153 bullets and the staff was shot asunder in four places."

(During the siege the Regiment took a prominent part in the operations against Fort Hill. (Adjutant General's report says: When the Fort was blown up, on the 25th of June, by the explosion of a mine beneath it, there came a time that tested the stuff the men were made of. Here in the night, in that crater - remembered as the 'Slaughter Pen' the soldiers fighting by reliefs, and within an arm's length of the enemy - some had muskets snatched from their hands - under a shower of grenades and of shells lighted by port-fires, while the voices of Pearson, Goddard, Mooneyham and others, rising above the terrific din of combat, cheered on their men - were deeds of valor performed which would adorn the heroic page. - Ed.)

"The siege lasted forty days when the city surrendered with 31,000 men and all their small arms and cannon. On the morning of July 4, 1863, the place of honor assigned to our Brigade, the 31st with Company "I" marched promptly across the rents and chasms of Fort Hill into Vicksburg.

"After a few days rest the Regiment was ordered into Louisiana to clean up some camp of Confederates. I was left in command of the Camp in Vicksburg with some who were sick and unfit for duty. When the Regiment returned we proceeded to Jackson, Miss., and then to Meridian, where the Confederates were manufacturing clothing for their Army. After reducing Meridian to ashes we marched back to Vicksburg and went into Camp on the Black River for the balance of the winter. Here on the 5th of January, 1864, three-fourths of the men again enlisted in the service. About the first of April, "I" Company was granted a 30 day furlough. We left our arms at Carbondale and all went to our respective homes. After our furlough was up we met at Carbondale and went back by way of Cairo up the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. We returned and marched through Tennessee and Alabama for Atlanta, Ga., and were in the battle before Atlanta on July 27. On Sept. 18th, three year enlistment period having expired, was discharged at East Point, Ga. On account of the shortage of officers, I was asked to remain and did. Then commenced Sherman's famous march to the sea, engaging in skirmishes every day until we reached Savannah, Ga. This took much effort and we were glad when the City surrendered. This battle closed my record from 1861-1865, no part of this have I ever regretted and leave this as the grandest effort of my life."

(At the time of discharge, the Regiment numbered 25 officers and 677 enlisted men. When first organized the Regiment numbered 1,130, receiving recruits to the number of 700. The casualties, including men discharged before final muster out, amounted to 1,1 28. The Regiment had four Colonels, five Lieut. -Colonels and six Majors. Of the twenty-five officers discharged at the time of final muster-out, all save the Chaplain had risen from the ranks. - S. S. B.)

INSCRIPTION CN FLAG OF THE 31ST - Belmont, Fort Henry. Donelson. Siege of Corinth. Tuscambia River, Thomson Hill, Ingraham Heights. Jackson, Champion Hills, Raymond, Black River Bridge, Siege of Vicksburg. and 22d May, Fort Hill, Monroe, La., Meridian, Big Shanty, Bush Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Siege of Atlanta, Atlanta, July 21 , 22 and 28; Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Savannah, Pocotaligo, Salkahachie, Charleston, Orangeburg, Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Goldsboro. Raleigh.

WE are able to give here a vivid story of conditions in Franklin county in these unsettled times, from the mouth of an old respected veteran, Thomas Sullivan, who volunteered in the second company organized in the county.

The experiences and mental condition of this veteran are analogous to those of the majority who enlisted to preserve the solidity of the Nation in those critical times.

. Mr. Sullivan in recalling the conditions of his family, and the before-war spirit, and later the record of his company during his services, says:

"We came North from Tennessee and settled in Illinois in the country about Parrish, adjoining the farm of Alexander McCreery. We cleared the ground and built our pole cabin. We had nearly frozen. Uncle Sam Swofford settled on the tract of land just below our place. About this time many New Englanders, encouraged by the spirit of those succeeding in this part of the county, began to move West, and as the county advanced, manj New England families came to Southern Illinois. The majority were from below the Mason-Dixon line.

"Those who moved here from the South, were practically all of the class that were too poor to own slaves, and were therefore kept in the second or "poor white" class, and when they worked it was in competition with the slave labor. Naturally, they were somewhat deficient, and lacked ambition. The farm implements in use in the South were crude and inferior. Owners of plantations did not know how to manage and depended on some one else to direct and do the work. Those who were ambitious were stirred to get away from such environments, and to a part of the country where conditions were more equal.

"I was never in a boarding school or college in my life. Devoid of advantages, my thoughts and limited education made me deficient in many things. We did not know different, therefore, we were infatuated with the idea that the black man was created for a slave; but we did know that those of us who were too poor to own slaves, objected to being placed on the level with slaves.

"The first negroes in Franklin county were at Alexander McCreery's place - some he had brought here and liberated. Therefore, the McCreery's were Abolitionists. They came from Virginia. That colony of negroes is still here, only it has moved a little farther south.

"Being prejudiced, our feelings were with the South at the beginning of the 'rebellion' period, 1858-1860. The South had always controlled the Nation, except the few times the Whigs and Republicans were in power, and even then were able to foster un-American principles. (When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he owned fifty-two slaves). Before Lincoln was elected, six states had seceded from the Union, and established their own Government, with the capital at Montgomery, Ala. The question which confronted Lincoln, was that of 'coercion' - shall we permit them to go in peace, and divide the nation? - not the question of slavery.

"I remember that we were threshing grass seed when the decision came. I shouldered my gun and went forward - about 200 were recruited and espoused the spirit of loyalty to the Nation.

"The resolution adopted at Marion, Illinois, was rescinded and sentiment grew rapidly, and we were ready for enlistment. We were organized into a company at a church northwest of Akin, at what was known as Knob's Prairie, and eventually had ninety-six members. Tilman Shirley was elected Captain, William T. Ingram, 1st Lieut., and Joseph Ing, 2nd Lieut. We were sworn into the service at Springfield, by Captain Pitcher, of the United States army, and then encamped at Camp Butler at Clear Lakes, near Springfield, and mustered into service Aug. 10, 1861 , and sent to Jefferson Barracks, where preliminary training was received. We were a month without uniforms or other accoutrements, as the Government had been systematically robbed, military stores being sent to Southern forts, and silver and gold bullion to the New Orleans mint, for sometime previous, where they were confiscated. We were sent to Paducah, Ky. Sept. 8th, we were then stationed at Smithland, Ky., with three other companies on detached duty for about a month and then moved back to Paducah, and left there after the surrender of Fort Donelson, March 6,1862. We had received orders to strike tents - everybody knew what that meant. We went up the Tennessee river in two small boats, the "New Golden State" and "Sally List", to serve one week without support. We moved to East Port, Miss., and then back down the river to Pittsburg Landing, debarked and encamped. The rebels were encamped on the high bluff and when located were attacked by the 32nd Illinois, who finally reached them and forced them to retire. We then moved up Snake Creek out to Owl Creek, three miles from the river, where the battle of Shiloh was fought. The rebels arrived there on April 4th, and there was a small skirmish on the picket lines. The next day all was quiet, but we slept with our arms and accoutrements, and had scarcely had breakfast the next morning before the rebels began firing on the picket lines held by Co. E, 40th Illinois. Wallace W. Echmond of that company was the first man killed in this battle. They charged through our picket lines in a "V" shape and the battle rapidly extended to both wings. The casualties were very heavy on both sides. Our company had fifty-seven men in line - twenty-six were wounded or killed. I was among the number wounded. The battle ended at 4 o'clock on the second day - the wounded had no help until this time. The wounded were sent to hospitals at Paducah and St. Louis, and as soon as they were able were furloughed and sent home. About seven came home when I did.

"I rejoined my company at Corinth, Miss. In the meantime they had participated in the siege of Corinth, Miss., the rebels' stronghold until it was evacuated. We were then ordered to Memphis Tenn., arriving in Memphis July 21, 1862, and encamped until Nov. 26, but engaged in digging breast works protecting Memphis. Here we fell in love with the negroes; they would go out and dig for us, relieving us of much of the fatiguing labor.

"After leaving Memphis, we moved down the river to the rear of Vicksburg to College Hill. Returned to Holly Springs and then to Davis Mills in Northern Miss., where we went into winter quarters. On April 17, 1863, we started on a scout through Northern Mississippi, and then started again for Vicksburg, stopping at Schneider's Bluff in the rear of Vicksburg, and then to Black river, confronting Johnston's army until the fall of Vicksburg. It was here, we on one side of the river and the rebels on the other, that we had the pleasure of telling them of the surrender of Vicksburg, and the rebels in turn had the pleasure of ordered with Sherman's command in pursuit of Johnston's army toward Jackson, Miss. We could not ford the river and had to build a bridge in the face of the enemy's fire. On the 16th day of July we arrived on the North side of Jackson, after skirmishing all the way, at a small creek. The rebels had established breastworks on a slope defending the city. We camped in the woods on the North side, and after skirmishes for several days, on July 16th we were ordered to support the 97th Indiana, on a charge up the breastworks. We returned to our rifle pits and renewed the charge the next day, and the rebels retreated, leaving the city in our possession. For bravery and gallant conduct during this battle our officers and men were complimented in public orders.

"After this battle we were engaged in destroying bridges and railroads around Jackson, thence returning to Black River in the rear of Vicksburg. It was during these operations, I was taken sick and sent in advance to Vicksburg, where I was dumped out on the banks of the river and lay there for four days in the hot sun of the day, and dew of the night, until my regiment came up, and was then removed to a hospital at Memphis. I was discharged from the hospital on the 30th day of November, 1863, and then started to rejoin my regiment and fell in with them at Boyd's Plantation. The Captain asked me if I had been transferred. I had never received the transfer, so could receive no clothes or rations. I had my descriptive roll, so I was kept on Boyd's Plantation, and from there I went to Scottsboro and later I went to Col. Dickerman, of 103rd 111., who was afterwards killed in the Atlanta campaign, and he furnished me with transportation, and I then went back to Nashville and St. Louis alone. After arriving in St. Louis, I was put in a company known as Company K, 24th Vet. Res. Corps, and was there until the 9th day of August, 1864, and was then sent to Washington, D. Con guard and fatigue duty, While on fatigue duty we unloaded more than 35,000 dead and wounded soldiers in Grant's Virginia Campaign in the summer of 1864.

"While I was at Scottsboro, Ala., the time for which we enlisted had expired. Practically all reenlisted. The flag of the 6th Iowa was planted in the ground, and as the music played, all who wanted to re-enlist fell into line. To the boys who had served three yeais it looked like hard lines, away from home and loved ones, and no one knew how many hard campaigns were ahead; but when the music started up, who could resist! They just fell into line for another three years if necessary - that's patriotism."

The Fourth Division, 1 5th Army Corps, being broken up at this time, the 40th Regt., Gen. Logan Commanding, was transferred to the First Division same corps, with which it remained until the close of the war. The regiment won many honors in later operations, but space will not permit the detailed line of march, but the descriptions on the regimental flag which shows the principal battles in which the regiment was engaged.

Company F, 40Th Infantry

Died at home of wounds. Disch. Aug. 9, 1864. . Re-enlisted as veteran. Re-enlisted as veteran. Disch. Jan. 1863. Disch. Dec. 1, 1861 Re-enlisted as veteran.

Company K. 49Th Infantry

THE 56th Infantry was organized with companies enlisted from the counties of Massac, Pope, Gallatin, Saline, White, Hamilton, Franklin and Wayne. Practically all the Regiment enlisting in the Fall of 1861 and mustered into the United States service Feb. 27, 1862, at Camp Mather, near Shawneetown.

When Gen. Halleck moved upon Corinth, Miss., this Regiment with several others from Southern Illinois, went up the Tennessee river on steamboats, and from Hamburg Landing marched out to join in the siege of Corinth. The Regiment participated in the pursuit of Beauregard's army after the abandonment of Corinth. During the summer of 1862, was part of Gen. Grant's command occupying Northern Mississippi.

On Oct. 3rd, 1862, during the attack of 20,000 rebels in their attempt to recapture Corinth, defended by 12,000 Union troops, the 56th was conspicuous and won laurels by a bayonet charge against the rebels who had captured ten pieces of artillery and apparently had the Union troops at a disadvantage. Lieut. Col. Raum of the 56th, ordered the charge, and when Col. Holmes, of the 10th Missouri, saw the 56th in motion, he ordered his regiment to charge also, and the two regiments at full run retook the batteries, drove the rebels from the works, repulsed reinforcements and caused the retiiement of the rebel army.

The Regiment participated in the Central Mississippi campaign during the winter of 1862, and acted as escort of 600 wagons sent to Memphis for supplies.

In the Spring of 1863, the Regiment was in the expedition that went through the Yazoo Pass with a view of reaching Vicksburg by the way of the Yazoo river; later joined the general army under Grant and was assigned the exacting and laborious task of guarding the base of supplies for the army and keeping transportation lines open. The Regiment engaged in the assault on Vicksburg, May 22nd, and reinforced Logan, on June 25th, when he blew up and assaulted Fort Hill, losing heavily in both killed and wounded.

After the expedition to assist in the capture of Little Rock, the 56th was ordered to reinforce Grant at Chattanooga, and was in the battle of Missionary Ridge, where they attacked the enemy's right flank. Later in this battle, the 56th and 10th Missouri were held in reserve at the bottom of the ridge; a movement was made by the Third Brigade under a hower of shell from the enemy battery, when suddenly the enemy attacked the front and right flank with a heavy column, forcing six Regiments of the Second and Third Brigade down the ridge with heavy loss. The rebels, driving everything before them, charged down the ridge. The 56th and 10th awaited their coming, and when Col. Raum gave the command to fire, the two

Regiments sprang to their feet and delivered a most deadly volley and then, following up the enemy's recoil, drove them to their fortifications on the ridge. These two Regiments for the second time had met and repulsed the enemy and saved the day.

Until May, 1864, the Regiment was engaged in protecting the lines of communication in Tennessee and Alabama, and then began the great Atlantic campaign. In October, when Gen. Hood, of the rebel forces, made his great movement to destroy Sherman's line of communication, the 56th with other troops, to the number of 3,000 and artillery, acted with great heroism and kept at bay an army of more than five times their number - former Col. Raum, now General, commanding.

On March 31, 1865, two hundred of the Regiment, as noble and brave as any who had fought for the Union, perished on board the steamer General Lyon, on the way for muster out after their period of enlistment had expired.

The Adjutant General's report says: "It was the good fortune of the Regiment to participate in nearly all the great campaigns of the Western Army. It never turned its back on the enemy; it was never driven from a position, and was never engaged in an unsuccessful battle. On its flag staff at the Capital of Illinois, upon a "sTrver~ptate are these words: "Sub hoc signo vinces."

General Green B. Raum, mentioned conspicuously in this review, enlisted from Harrisburg, Sept. 28. 1861; mustered in as Major, Feb. 27, 1862; promoted Lieut. Col.. June 26, 1862; promoted Colonel, Aug. 31, 1862, and to Brig. General, Feb. 24, 1865. - S. S. B.

Miscellaneous Companies

A 40th Inf.; Re-enlisted as veteran. A 40th Inf.; Re-entered as veteran. A 40th Inf.; Re-enlisted as veteran. A 40th Inf.; Re-enlisted as veteran. A 40th Inf.; M. O. May 24, 1865. A 40th Inf.; Re-enlisted as veteran. A 40th Inf. A 40th Inf.

THE PHOTOGRAPHS of Franklin county soldiers given in this section were secured for the purpose of showing as nearly as possible, all war veterans of the county who helped give Franklin county its glorious military history previous to the World War. Every effort was made to secure the photographs of all Civil War and Spanish-American veterans to show those now living. There are several in the different groups that have answered the last reveille, and where they are shown it is for historical purposes or where the relatives requested the insertion. The short caption beneath each photograph is for the purpose of identification, that each soldier's record may be more easily found in the company rosters.

Rice, Ma Rtin J. Blaxtox. Thomas

NOTE - All Spanish-American War Veterans of Company "F", 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, were mustered out, unless otherwise noted, May 20, 1899.

HOUSE, Pvt. MATHEW; Benton; Company "G," 2nd U. S. Volunteer Infantry; service at San Diego, Gibarar and Houguin, Cuba; discharged Houguin, Cuba, disability.

"THIS company was one of the 9th Illinois Infantry raised by authority of Governor John R. Tanner by James R. Campbell of McLeansboro, Illinois, then a member of Congress. Colonel Campbell remained with the regiment from its organization until the final muster out, and later re-entered the service as Brigadier-General in the Philippines and now as Gen. James R. Campbell has retired to private life as one of the honored and respected citizens of Hamilton county, being engaged in the banking business in McLeansboro, Illinois.

This regiment very fortunately had for its Lieutenant-Colonel, Even Swift, a regular army officer, who was captain in the 5th Cavalry of the regular service, later detached from the 9th Illinois and made Colonel of the 4th Illinois Infantry, Spanish-American War. Colonel Swift was and is a real soldier, rising in his profession until during the World War he reached the rank of Major- General and was in command of American troops in Italy and so far as the writer is advised, is still in the service of Uncle Sam.

Company F was recruited principally from Franklin county with several men from Perry, Williamson and Saline counties, made up of farmer boys, school teachers and nearly all lines of business; camped in the old fair grounds south of Benton for a time before their entry into the service, moved to Springfield and afterwards to Jacksonville, Florida, thence to Savannah, Georgia, from there to Havana, Cuba and after a stay of about five months in that island they returned to Augusta, Georgia, and there were mustered out.

Company F was organized by its first Captain, the Honorable James M. Joplin, now deceased, Robert E. Hickman and Simeon Moore with the assistance of H. R. Dial, John S. Dillon and others who were active in the organization of the company.

In December, 1898, while the company was stationed at Savannah, Georgia, Captain Joplin, on account of ill health, resigned and returned to his home in Benton, where he died some few years since, leaving his widow, Mrs. Mattie Joplin and several children, who still keep that beautiful home on North Main Street.

Robert E. Hickman, after the resignation of Captain Joplin was made Captain of the Company and was in command from his appointment until the muster out of the regiment, Simeon Moore having been advanced to the grade of First Lieutenant and John S. Dillon having been advanced to the position of Second Lieutenant.

Robert E. Hickman still lives in Benton, having been in the practice of law since his return from the army and upon the organization of the city court of Benton was elected its first judge and served a term of four years, declining re-election to give all of his time to the practice of his profession.

A number of old Company F men still live in and around Benton, though of about one hundred and fifty who left Benton that bright June morning in 1898 to be mustered into the service, many are missing and will not be present or accounted for until the final roll call.

then a school teacher in this county, secured a commission to organize a company for the 4th Illinois Infantry National Guard. He proceeded to organize the company and was ready to be mustered into the service when a recruiting officer came to Benton and forty-seven of the new company including the organizer enlisted in the United States Volunteer Infantry and were sent to Fort Sheridan. Illinois, and assigned to the 30th United States Volunteer Infantry and later went through thecampaign during the years of 1899 and 1900 in Southern Luzon, Phillipine Islands. This regiment was mustered out of the service in the fall of 1900.

On May 22, 1913, sixty-five men were mustered into the service of the Illinois National Guard as Company "F", 4th Illinois regiment of Infantry, with the following officers: Captain, O. C. Smith; First Lieutenant, James Lindsay-Oliver; Second Lieutenant, Stanley B. Brown. The company received its full equipment only five days before the annual encampment which it attended that year at Camp Lincoln, Springfield. The men had been drilling continually without equipment. Governor Dunne paid them the compliment of saying that Co. "F", 4th Illinois Infantry was the best Company in the State during that year.

Co. "F" was ordered out during the race riots in the fall of 1914, at Benton, and although they had no ammunition succeeded in quelling the disturbance within an hour. They were on duty, however, at that time for the period of one week before absolute quiet was restored.

On February II, 1915, Capt. O. C. Smith tendered his resignation which was accepted. Lieutenant James Lindsay-Oliver was elected captain and First Sergeant Harry M. Brown was elected First Lieutenant.

and did splendid service. In the spring of 1916, Captain Lindsay-Oliver tendered his resignation which was accepted, and O. C.kSmith was again appointed Captain with rank from May 29, 1916. On June 19, 1916, the company was ordered to mobolize for services on the Mexican Border. Recruiting was begun at once and in one week 135 men had enlisted for this service, making the largest company in the state reporting for the border service. The organization went to camp at the Fair Grounds at Springfield, Illinois. They were equipped and ordered to Camp Wilson- San Antonio, Texas, where they went into intensified training on June 5, 1916.

During their stay on the border they took part in the famous San Antonio-Austin practice march as one of the units of the twelfth provisional division This was the largest body of troops that had participated in a maneuver up until that time since the civil war. The company was mustered out at Fort Sheridan, March 15, 1917.

The company was ordered to East St. Louis in connection with the race riots in May, 1917, and again on the second of July, 1917; arriving early on that evening. The mob had been raging during the entire day and four other companies had been rendered powerless because they had been broken up into squads.

Captain Smith received orders to break up the mob which was planning an attack on the city hall. The company fixed bayonets and charged through the mob and succeeded in capturing two hundred and forty-three of their number, who were marched to the city hall and confined. The company, remained on duty in and around the National Stock Yards until July 18, 1917; returning to their homes but to be called into the Federal service and the World War on July 25. They went to camp in the Fair Grounds at Benton, where intensified training was taken up. The roster of the company as mustered-in follows:

The foregoing is a correct list of the names as they appear on the original Muster Roll of Company F, 4th Regiment, 111. N. G. of date July 25, 1917. Dated at Benton, 111.. Aug. 8, 1917. Oscar C. Smith, Captain, Commanding the Organization. George W. Bushong, 1st Lieut., 5th 111. Inf., Asst. Inspecting and Mustering Officer. F. S. Dickson, The Adjutant General, Chief of Staff.

AFTER the company was mobilized at the Franklin County Fairgrounds at Benton, on July 25th, 1917, with Captain O. C. Smith in command, preliminary training was given the officers and men and the Company was recruited to the full strength of 1 50 men as permitted by the orders at that time. The organization was mustered into the Federal Service August 8th, 1917, with a full strength of one hundred and fifty men and three officers. On August 24th, Captain Smith received orders to proceed in person to Camp Logan, Houston Texas, where he was assigned to duty as Assistant Division Judge Advocate of the 33 rd Division; leaving 1st Lieut. Stanley B. Brown in command of the Company. The Company continued with this training at the fairgrounds until October 9th, 1917, when it was entrained for Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, under the command of 2nd Lieut. Barney B. Neal - 1st Lieut. Stanley B. Brown being at that time in attendance on a Court Martial at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri. The Company was encamped immediately and went into intensive training under the command of Lieut. Stanley B. Brown.

Company "F", of the 130th Infantry, was assigned to the 33rd Division which had for its nucleus the former National Guard of the State of Illinois.

On October 29th, 1917, Captain Fred B. Givens, who had been an instructor in the National Army cantonments, training officers, was assigned to Company "F" and assumed command.

During the first week of January. 1918, after orders had been received that local officers were not to be in command of their companies for overseas service, many transfers were made: 1st Lieut. H. M. Brown, who had been Battalion Adjutant and had received commission as Captain was transferred to Company B, and 1st Lieut. Stanley B. Brown was transferred also to Company B, as well as Sergeant Ben Stewart who had been promoted to 2nd Lieut.; 2nd Lieut.

The Lieutenants of Company K were assigned to Company "F". The officers were: 1st Lieut. Michael D. Driscoll, 1st Lieut. Horace Conkright, 1st Lieut. Lawrence Jaques, 2nd Lieut. Virgil A. Miller, 2nd Lieut. Robt. L. Nesbit.

On January 13th, Company "F" engaged in a competitive drill, winning first place, and was designated as the model company of the 33rd Division.

On May 4th, the Company left Camp Logan, for port of embarkation and arrived at Hoboken May 8th, and moved out to Camp Upton for actual sailing orders. On the trip across the United States the Company and regiment made parades at Paris, Texas; St. Louis, Missouri; Cleveland, Ohio; and Goldsboro, Penn. The town of Goldsboro is a small place on the map but it holds a large place in the hearts of the boys of this company and regiment.

A week was spent in Camp Upton, drilling very little and on the morning of the 15th, entrainment was made for Hoboken and embarkation on the good ship Agamemnon, sailing the next day. Many things far too touching to write about stirred the hearts of the men as they passed the Goddess of Liberty with the City of New York slowly fading from view on the horizon. The boys were eager for adventure and desire tc fight the Hun, so the regrets on leaving the States soon changed to pictures of what the future had in store for them.

The Agamemnon was a former German liner, Kaiser Wilhelm, the eecond largest vessel taken over by the Allies during the war. On the trip across there were 7,500 on board besides the crew.

The crowded condition on board caused vengeful thoughts to arise in the minds of the boys, as there were no Germans handy to wreak vengeance on, their thoughts had to be expressed in some other way. The Captain of the ship was much surprised at their desires to meet submarines and said the Division would make excellent soldiers at the front as they were the roughest bunch he had ever seen.

The ship was carrying more than its capacity and the men had to sleep by turns, one half by day and the othc half by night Life preservers were worn at all times, which did not add to the peace of mind, although it was absolutely necessary. A morning boat drill was a part of the daily routine.

Capt. Fred. B. Givens Respected And Admired By His Men

ing of the 24th, land was sighted at 10:30 A. M. and the ship pulled into harbor at Brest, France. There were fourteen ships in the harbor loaded with United States soldiers. The Division stayed on board two days, and on the Sunday morning of the 26th landed and hiked from the city of Brest to a rest camp about one mile outside of the city limits. There they pitched pup tents and four days were spent here drilling and getting acquainted with the French habits. On the 13th, the Company hiked to Brest and entrained for the interior, using the small French cars (8 chevaux, or 40 hommes the inscription on each car, meaning 8 horses or forty men). The regiment was loaded on one train of these small cars, whereas four trains were used to transport the same regiment from Camp Logan to Camp Upton. Orders had been received for the American Sector but en route later orders were received for the British Sector, where preparations for a great German drive were under way.

Four days were taken for the trip from Brest. On the third day, as the train passed through Rouen, an air raid was in progress and the regiment experienced the first touch of war. The next day, Oisemont was reached, where the regiment detrained, marched to a rest camp and ate their dinner. A Scotch band met the train, thereby honoring the first American troops in this Sector. Here the regiment was divided, each Battalion being sent to a different training field where the trench and other intensive training was given by English instructors. The next month was consumed by different styles of training in several camps, part of the time in supporting trenches. In Molliens Woods, near Amiens, it was necessary to dig holes and pitch pup tents over them as protection against air raids, making undistinguishable targets.

On July 18th, orders were received for the Somme front, where the British and Australians were repelling the great German drive. The trenches occupied at the front were about three miles from Corbie. Here the next four weeks were spent patroling and scouting. During the stay at Amiens, the regiment was under shell fire, and with their own guns in the rear firing over them, received the first real thrill of warfare.

On the 9th, a hike was made to Corbie Woods and the next night to the front in Morlancourt in support of the British and Australians, who were making an advance. Here they found the grounds covered with dead, a platoon of Co. "F" buried sixty-four Germans and four or five British and Australians. On the 1 I th, return was made to Corbie Woods and then back to Molliensau-Bois.

During these operations the 33rd Division occupied a line of trenches of probably ten miles and many companies took part in the attack during this drive. Company C and E of the I 31st Infantry and A and G of the 132nd Infantry took part in the attack on Hamel. This was on July 4th, and it was the first time that the Americans had fought with the British in an action of any magnitude. The Americans charged to the shout of the "Lusitania." After this battle the story was widely circulated throughout the British Army and in England that the Australians remarked to some of the Amer- ican soldiers: "You'll do me, Yank, but you chaps are a bit rough!'' When four of the American companies were returning to their commands the day after the engagement, they were met by an Australian Colonel who started to address them in formal fashion but blurted out, "Yanks, you are fighting fools but I 'm for you !" Although of minor importance from a military standpoint, these operations in which our Company "F" and other companies commanded by Company "F's" old officers were first in action, exercised an uncalculable influence. Amiens at that time was considered the dangerous spot on the British front and a great German drive was expected. The British knew that the American Regulars would fight but up to that time they had no proof of the efficiency of other American troops. Hamel demonstrated conclusively that, in all the American troops, they possessed allies upon whom thorough dependence could be placed in any military operation, no matter how difficult.

In token of his appreciation, on August 12th, King George visited the headquarters of the 33rd Division at Molliens-au-Bois and personally bestowed upon four officers and 1 5 men of the 33rd Division various British decorations such as the Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal - pinning the decorations on each recipient and congratulating him for his gallantry.

On August 23rd the Division was transported by rail to the French Sector, detraining in the rear, resting a few days, then marching up in support of the St. Mihiel drive. The troops of the First American Army being concentrated in the Toul Sector to organize for the great offensive on August 26th. It was concentrated in the region of Tronville-en-Barrios.

On September 5th the start was made for Verdun where the 1 20th French Division and the right Division of the 127th French Division was relieved on the nights of September 7, 8, and 9th. The 33rd Division was therefore the first American Division to hold a portion of the front line on that historical battlefield.

In the attack of September 26th, 1918, which marked the beginning of the desperate Meuse-Argonne battle, the 33rd formed the right of the Third American Corps. The two most powerful posts between the Meuse and Argonne were Montfaucon and the Bois-de-Forges. Both were deemed by the Germans impregnable, and yet three hours and thirty-three minutes after jumping off, the 66th Brigade, composed of the 131st and 132nd, and a Battalion of 130th (Major Harry M. Brown in command,) and the 124th Machine Gun Battalion, had turned the position and captured with very small loss this formidable wood, a veritable fortress of machine gun nests. The first Battalion of the 130th was the pivot in this attack. This maneuver was conceded to be the most strategical maneuver of the American Army during the War and secured for Colonel Wm. K. Naylor promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.

The troops of the 33rd Division taking part in this action were the only ones that reached their objective on time. Company "F" was in support but on the 27th was ordered to relieve Company D, of the 80th, which had practically been annihilated - the Captain and one man left out of the entire company. This location, about threefourths mile distant and the objective, was reached by (leap frog method of attack) Company "F" gaining a few yards, then leaped by Company B and in this manner a line was established. Here the first man from Company "F" was killed, Corporal Harry L. Riddle, by a large shrapnel shell. For ten days Company "F" laid in the woods and held the position until relieved by Company F of the 132nd.

On October 6th, the "33rd" was transferred to the French 1 7th Army Corps, Company "F" was stationed on "Whiz Bang Hill" (this hill was named from the constant bombarding by the Germans with Whiz Bang shells) on the banks of the Meuse with the Germans on the other side; Company "F" occupied trenches and dug outs and did out-post and patrol duty. On the second day, just before daylight on October 14th, Corporal Pete McGovern, while bringing in an outpost of four men, was hit by a shrapnel and killed - three of the four men were wounded. Two or three days later another man was killed, while cutting kindling to build a fire in the dug out. On the 15th, Lucien Compton was badly gassed by mustard gas while carrying a message to headquarters - he managed to deliver the message after which he collapsed. On the night of the 15th, the Company was ordered to march in support of the French

I 7th Corps, making an attack on the East side of the Meuse where the 108th Engineers had finished the difficult operation of building under direct observation and constant enemy fire, two bridges, one at Brabaut, 120 feet long in 12 feet of water and another 156 feet in length at Consenvoye in 16 feet of water. This difficult task was accomplished before time set for the Infantry to cross; and the crossing by the troops was made under the same conditions; certainly wonderful courage was shown by the troops as they crossed over in plain view of the enemy. After two days in the trenches at Consenvoye, Company "F" was ordered to Bois-de-Chaume, where the troops had been ordered to retire on account of the inability of the 58th Infantry, 29th Division, to keep pace with them. Here new lines were established and on the 22nd the Company was relieved, by Company D of the French Colonial Troops, and marched to Germanville for one day and then on to an abandoned German camp which the boys called "Cootie Valley" toward Marcheville, behind Saule, to the trenches taken from the Germans. Company G was holding Saule as outpost. On the night of the 7th of November, orders were received by Company "F" to make an attack on Chateau et Fine de Aul Nois and Marcheville - certainly a real order for one company - but the attack was held up by heavy machine gun fire and the Company returned to Saul.

On the 8th, a patrol led by Lieut. Loren C. Clayton, of Company G who had been attached to Company "F", Lieut. Nesbit of Company "F" and twelve men were attacked by heavy machine gun fire. A charge was made on the machine gun nest and twelve Germans were killed and one prisoner captured, whose home was at Collinsville, Illinois, and had previous to the war conducted a bakery shop at that place. Hearing the heavy fire the company was ordered forward and escorted the patrol back with the prisoner. Sgt. John E. Dougherty captured the prisoner and later was decorated with the D. S. C. for the achievement. The Company returned to Saul and on the morning of the 9th was ordered to attack and hold at all costs a near-by wood full of machine guns. The enemy was driven out with eight dead left - Company "F" had only three men wounded in this action. The position was held as an outpost. During the night orders were received to take a trench just beyond the woods which was found to be unoccupied and the Company was ordered back to Saul with orders to attack Marcheville, one and one-half miles away, at 5:45 the next morning. The march was made to the river where preparations for the 'zero hour" were made. Promptly at 5:45 the barrage was started and the boys went over - every five minutes the barrage was lifted and an advance of 100 yards made in the face of heavy machine-gun fire. Marcheville was reached at 10:45, when it was necessary to get into communication with Company G on the right; First Sgt. Curtis Crisp received orders from the Captain but instead of ordering any of his men to deliver the message as was customary, he delivered it himself. Upon returning through the trenches that had not been "mopped up" a German sniper fired on him. Creeping up the Sergeant shot the sniper, who later proved to be the German who had wounded Capt. Givens, a short time before. Continuing to where he left the Captain he found the Captain was not there and part of the 4th platoon retreating. Ordering them back in line he again started to hunt the Captain and he was shell-shocked and gassed by a shell bursting nearby. Continuing his search, not conscious of where he was going he crawled into a dugout and found the Captain wounded, and the Sergeant later was found in another trench by Lieut. Nesbit. Sgt. Crisp, for the action of delivering the message to Company G instead of sending one of his men or a detail, later received the D. S. C. and Croix de Guerre. On account of Company G retreating, the enemy was permitted to make a flank movement on the right which caused Company "F" to fall back to the edge of town, where it was reorganized and a re-attack made and the town was again captured by Company "F", "mopped up" and held until the Company was relieved by the 129th, and then Company "F" was ordered to make another attack near Joinville when the armistice was signed. Total casualties 156, 14 of whom were killed.

During the engagement leading up to and during the "big push" of the American troops, Company B, which was commanded by the old Company "F" officers as previously noted, was in the thickest of the fighting. Part of the Company's history, during these engagements, as written by a member of the Company, says: "On the night of the 25th of September we went into trenches east of Cumiers Road, near Dead Man's Hill. That night the big offensive started with a heavy barrage, the "Dough Boys" went over the next morning, Corporal Bolch and Pvt. Johnson were killed. We spent that night and the next day in this system, moving the next day to Bethlincourt. We were there one day and night, relieving the 320th Infantry the next morning. September 29th, in Dannevoux wood, Ernest Coulter was killed and Don Way badly wounded. The same day, Germans tried a daylight raid on one of our outposts, resulting in the death of three Germans and one of our men - Pvt. Duncan. On the 12th, we relieved the 129th Infantry at Consenvoye - Sgt. Ed Moschenrose was killed here. After a week in these trenches, we were relieved by the French, and hiked two nights back to Rupt-en-Woevre. We were here three days after which we went into the line at Fresnes, spending three days in support and then moving to the front line - the 29th. That night "Jerry" almost demobilized Company B, by sending over a gas barrage, resulting in 72 casualties in two days. On the morning of November llth, with only 21 men left for duty, we were ordered over the top. When I 1 :00 A. M. came and the firing ceased we fell back to our original line."

On the next day the troops were ordered back to the original lines where they cleaned up and received new equipment. Early in December the Division became a part of the Army of Occupation and marched into Luxemberg on April 24th, entrained for Brest, France, embarked for the United States on the 12th and seven days later landed in New York, and was sent to Camp Mills for four days and then to Camp Grant where the Company was discharged and sent to their respective homes.

Gold Stars

(1) ARNETT, Pvt. THOS. PICKNEY; (Christopher) miner; age 27; b. Picknevville; married Grace Phillips. Enlisted Aug. 22, St. Louis, Mo.; overseas Dec. 10. Killed in action; attached Co. 66, 5th Reg.

(2) BOLIN, Pvt. DORSIE JACKSON; (Benton) farmer; age 25; b. Benton; son of Sadie Weston, Benton. Entrained May 29, 18, Benton; overseas July 26, '18; died of wounds Oct. 15, '18; buried in French Military Cemetery. France.

(3) BAUER, Pvt. WALSTON; (Macedonia) farmer and teacher; age 22; b. Franklin County; son of John R. and Virdie Bauer, Benton; married Ella Moss; child, June Walston. Entrained May 29, '18, Benton; died of pneumonia at Camp Gordon, Ga.; attached Co. A, 5th Repl.

(San Francisco, Cal.) student; age 28; b. Jefferson County; son of W. J. Barnes and Sarah Jane Page. Entrained May, '17; overseas Sept., '18; battles Argonne Forest. Killed Oct. 3, 1919; attached 363-rd Reg., 91st Div.

(5) BERTINO, Pvt. FRANK; (Orient) miner; age 29; b. Salassa Canavese, Italy; son of Frank and Margaret Bertino, Italy. Entrained April 27, '18, Benton; overseas Mav, '18; killed Sept. 26, '18, Argonne Front; attached Co. 18, 5th Bn.

(6) BATES, Pvt. DEMPSEY T.; (Sesser) farmer; age 24; b. near Sesser; son of Kelley and Malinda Bates, Sesser. Entrained May 29, '18, Benton; overseas July 26, '18; attached Co.

(7) CONNOR, Pvt. MELVIN HORACE; (Benton) age 18; b. Broughton County; son of Thomas and Naomi Connor. Enlisted Aug. 5, '17, Benton; killed during raid on Marchville, France, about Nov. 10, '18; attached Co. F, 130th Reg., 33rd Div.

(8) CARDWELL, Pvt. SHERIDAN; (Thompsonville) farmer; age 30; b. Thompsonville; son of M. G. Cardwell and Mary Knight. Enlisted '08, Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis; overseas June 13, '17; mortally wounded July 18, '18, and died of wounds while on the battlefield; attached Co.

(9) COWEN, Pvt. EARL; (West Frankfort) miner; age 26; b. Pana; son of Isaac and Sarah Cowen. Entrained April 27, '18, Benton; overseas June, '18; wounded Sept. 28, '18, died Oct. 4, '18, near Verdun, France; attached Co. B, 147th Reg., 37th Div.

(10) DARNELL, Pvt. LESLIE; (Thompsonville) age 21; b. Thompsonville; son of Frank and Laura Darnell. Entrained May 29, '18. Benton; battles St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne; killed in action; attached Co. F, 16th Reg., 1st Div.

(11) FERRELL, Corp. CLIFFORD; (West Frankfort) bookkeeper; age 31; b. Elizabethtown; son of John H. and Sallie R. Ferrell. Entrained Oct. 5, '17, Elizabethtown; overseas April, 18; battles St. Mihiel; wounded at St. Mihiel; died Sept. 21, '18; attached Co. G, 6th Inf.

(12) GLAZEBROOK, Pvt. HARLEY; (Salem, Ohio) glass-cutter; age 23; b. lna; son of Oscar Glazebrook (deceased) and Nora Kirk, Benton; married Edith Sommers. Entrained April 27, '18, Salem, Ohio; overseas May; killed in action Oct. 3, '18; atached Co. M, 330th Inf.

(13) GOSTOWSKI, Pvt. STANLEY; (Benton) farmer; age 29; b. Milwaukee, Wis.; son of A. J. and Rosie Gostowski, Benton. Entrained May 29, '18, Benton; overseas Aug. 1, '18; died of wounds Oct. 8, '18, France; attached Co. M, 18th Inf.

(14) HEARD, Pvt. ROSS M.; (Logan) merchant; age 22; b. Thompsonville; son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Heard, Logan. Entrained Sept. 20, '17, Logan; overseas May 3, '18; killed by machine gun fire Oct. 11, '18, Argonne Forest; attached Co. L, 39th Inf., 7th Brig., 4th Div.

(15) HOBBS, Pvt. CLABURN (Abbington) farmer; age 28; b. Benton; son of Solomon and Sarah A. Hobbs, Benton; married Fern Keppel; child, Loraine. Entrained June 12, Abbington; overseas Sept. 16, '18. Died of influenza in France.

(Mulkeytown) miner; age 29; b. Mulkeytown; son of James M. and Jane Johnson, Mulkeytown; tried to enlist but failed. Entrained Sept. 19, '17, Benton; overseas June, '18; killed Aug. 17, '18; all the officers but one and the chaplain were killed; attached Co. E, 47th Inf., 4th Div.

(Benton) miner; age 21; b. Dawson Springs, Ky.; son of. Albert H. and Carrie Keller, Benton. Entrained Aug. 1, '18, Benton; died Camp Taylor, Ky.; attached Hdq. Supply, 16th Bn., F. A. *

(18) LEE, Corp. EMMERSON; (West Frankfort) miner; age 25; b. Marion; son of Amanda Thompson. Entrained Feb. 26, '18, Benton; overseas May 7, '18; killed in action Nov. 11, '18; attached Co. F, 47th Inf.

(19) MOMBER, Pvt. JOSEPH C; (Christopher) age 23; miner; b. Bloomington; son of Joseph and Eva Hess Momber. Entrained May 29, '18, Benton; overseas July 17, '18; battles St. Mihiel and Argonne; killed in action Oct. 6, '18; attached Co. A, 18th Inf.; 1st Div.

(20) MOORE, Pvt. ROY (Logan) farmer; age 21; b. Logan; son of W. P. and Malissa Moore. Entrained Oct. 4, '17, Benton; died at Newark, N. J., of lobas pneumonia; attached Co. C, Submarine Boat Corporation.

(21) MILBl RN, Corp. RALPH W.; (Mulkeytown) miner; age 27; b. Benton; son of William and Elizabeth Milburn; married Alta Bowiin. Entrained Oct. 4, '17, Benton; overseas May 8. '18; battles Chateau Thierry, Owieg Heights, Yesle and Argonne; killed in action on Sept. 27, '18, Verdun Front on Montfaucon Hill; attached Co. A, 39th Inf., 4th Div.

(22) MOORE, Pvt. ROBERT; (Benton) farmer; age 27; b. Benton; son of Abraham and Emma Mocre. Entrained May 8, '18, Benton; overseas July 22, '18; died of pneumonia at Coblenz, Ger- Feb. 7, '19; attached Co. F, 51st Pioneer Inf.

(23) McGOVERN, Corp. PETE; (Rend) miner; age 17; b. Trail Run, Ohio; son of William and Tibiatha McGovern, Rend. Enlisted Aug. 1. 17, Benton; overseas May 24, '18; killed in action Oct. 13, '18; attached Co. F, 130th Inf., 33rd Div.; citation.

D. and Mattie McCollum, Benton. Enlisted July, '17. Benton; overseas Mav, '18; wounded in service Oct. 7, '18; died Oct. 8, '18; buried at Maujouy, France.

(25) McADOO, Corp. ROY; (Benton) civil Eng.; age 20; b. Benton. Entrained Feb. 17, '18, East St. Louis; overseas Aug. 3, '18; killed by explosion of enemy tank mine near Rembercourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France, Nov. 20, '18; attached Co. B, 5th Engrs.

(26) NORBET, Pvt. PAUL; (West Frankfort) miner and butcher; age 24; b. Lattvanen; son of Sam and Werenika Norbett; overseas April 22, '17; killed in action; attached 3rd Repl. Bat., 101st Inf.

(27) ODLE, Pvt. ALVA S.; (Macedonia) farmer; age 22; b. Macedonia; son of Nancv E. Phillips, Macedonia. Entrained Feb. 22, '18, Benton; overseas Sept. 1, '18; battles Sedan; wounded Nov. 5, '18, by high explosive shell; died Nov. 7, '18; attached Co. D, 28th Inf., 1st Div.

(28) PLUMLEE, Pvt. FERNIE; (West Frankfort) clerk; age 24; b. Mulkeytown; son of S. L. and Dora Plumlee, West Frankfort. Entrained Sept. 19, '17, Benton; overseas June, '18; killed in action Vesle River, Aug. 7, '18; attached Co.

(30) REESE, Pvt. RUFIE; (Benton) miner; age 23; b. Caseyville; son of Isabelle Reese. Dekoven, Ky.; married Florence Vaughn. Entrained Oct. 20, '18, Benton; overseas June 18, '18; battles Chateau-Thierry. Maine. St. Mihiel and Argonne Forest: missing in action after Argonne Forest drive Oct. 14. '18; attached Co. E, 59th Inf.

(31) SIMS, Pvt. WALTER M.; (Thompsonville) farmer; age 17; b. Akin; son of Milburn and Emma E. Sims (deceased). Enlisted Nov. 23, '16, Mt. Vernon; overseas Nov. 15, '17; wounded three times; killed in action place unknown; attached Co. D, 18th Inf., 1st Div.

(32) SWEET, Pvt. JOSEPH O.; (Benton) farmer; age 31; b. Benton; son of James and Lida Sweet. Entrained May 29, '18, Benton; overseas Aug. 24, '18; battles Hannonville and Argonne Forest. Killed Nov. 3, '18; attached Co. K, 132nd Ind.

(33) SHOOK, Pvt. FRANCIS M.; (Orient) miner; age 28; b. Tipton County, Ind.; son of John and Cora E. Shook; married Lucinda Walker. Entrained Oct. 4, '18, Benton; overseas July, '18; reported killed in action Oct. 3, '18.

(34) SNETREN, Pvt. EDGAR; (Benton) miner; age 26; b. Franklin County; son of F. 0. and Anna Snetren; married Miss Clara Fluterer; child, Carl. Entrained Benton; overseas April 7, '17; killed Oct. 13, '18; attached Co. G, 18th Inf.

(35) SIMMONS, Sgt. CHARLES A.; (Thompsonville) railroad Agt.; age 29; b. Akin; son of William A. and Emma Scott Simmons; married Iva Brunei-; children, James William, Charles E., Robert. Enlisted May 27, '18, Clinton, 111.; overseas Julv 16, '18; battle Bois-de-Channe; killed Oct. 11, '18; attached Co. M, 137th Inf.; 33rd Div.

(36) STEWART, Corp. THEOPHILUS; (Royalton) miner; age 21; b. Simpson County, Ky.; son of William R. and Dora Stewart. Entrained Jan. 26, '17, Benton; killed in action Nov. 7, '17; attached Co. I, 28th Inf.

(Mulkeytown) farmer; age 25; b. Jefferson County; son of Stephen A. and Frances R. Thompson. Entrained May 29, '18, Benton; overseas Aug. 1, '18; gassed in action in Meuse- Argonne; died of pneumonia Oct. 17, '18; buried at Langres, France; attached Co. M, 18th Inf., 1st Div.

(Frankfort Heights) miner; age 26; b. Clover Bend, Ark.; son of Mary Ragsdale, Frankfort Heights. Entrained Oct. 4, '17, Benton; overseas May 2, '18; killed in action in France Oct 5, '18; attached Co. L, 58th Inf., 4th Div.

(39) KING, Pvt. EMMANUEL; miner; age 23; b. Williamson County; son of Rebecca King, West Frankfort. Entrained Sept. 17, '17, Benton; overseas June 19, '18; battle Vesle River; killed instantly Oct. 7, '18; attached Co. F, 47th Inf.