Fulton County, Illinois - Chapter 13: The Rebellion Fiest I^'dicatio^'s of the War, 1879

Chapter 13: The Rebellion Fiest I^'dicatio^'s of the War

When, in 1861, the war was forced upon the country, the people were quietly pur.'suiug the even tenor of their ways, doing whatever their hands found to do, - working the mines, making farms or cultivating those already made, establishing homes, founding cities and towns, building shops and manufactories ; in short, the country was alive with industry and hopes for the future. The people were just recovering from the depression and losses incident to the financial panic of 1857. The future looked bright and promising, and the industrious and patriotic sons and daughters of the North were buoyant with hope, looking forward to the perfecting of new plans for comfort and competence in their declining years. They little heeded the mutterings and threatenings wafted from the South. They never dreamed that there was one so base as to attempt the destruction of the Union their fathers had purchased for them with their life-blood. "While thus surrounded with peace and tranquillity they paid but little attention to the rumored plots and plans of those who lived and grew rich from the sweat and toil, blood and flesh, of others.

The war clouds grew darker and still darker, the thunders of treason grew louder and louder until April 12, 1861, when the fearful storm burst upon the country and convulsed a continent with its attendant horrors.

On that day the rebels, who for weeks had been erecting their batteries upon the shore, after demanding of Major Anderson a surrender, opened fire upon Fort Sumter. For hours an incessant cannonading was continued ; the fort was being damaged severely ; provisions were almost gone, and Major Anderson was compelled to haul down the stars and stripes, - that dear old flag which had seldom been lowered to a foreitrn foe ; bv rebel liands it was now trailed in the dust. How the blood of patriotic men of the ]Sorth boiled when on the followinof dav the news was flashed along the telegraph wires that Major Anderson had been forced to surrender I And nowhere was greater indignation manifested than in Fulton countv.

The First Call For Troops

Immediately upon the surrender of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln, America's martyr President, - who but a few short weeks before had taken the oath of office as the nation's chief executive, - issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers for three months. The last word of that proclamation had scarcely been taken from the electric wires before the call was filled, and men and money were counted out by hundreds and thousands. The people who loved their whole government could not give enough. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school-house, - every calling offi?red its best men, their lives and fortunes, in defense of the Government's honor and unity. Bitter words spoken in moments of political heat were forgotten and forgiven, and, joining hands in a common cause, they repeated the oath of America's soldier statesman, " By tJte (rreat Eternal, the Union must and shall he preserved."

Call the young men in the prime of their life; Call them from mother, from sister, from wife ; Blessed if they live, revered if they fall, - They who respond unto Liberty's call.

Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the Rebellion ; nor were ten times the number. The w^ar went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush out and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugurated. But to every call for either men or money there was a willing and ready response ; and it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to offer themselves as a sacrifice on their country's altar. Such were the impulses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the North, among whom the sons of Fulton made a conspicuous and praiseworthy record.

The tocsin of war was sounded, meetings w^ere held in every township, village and city, at which stirring and spirited addresses were made, and resolutions adopted admitting of but one interpretation, - that of unconditional allegiance and undying devotion to their country and their country's flag ; that, at whatever cost of blood or treasure, the stars and stripes, wherever floating, must be honored ; and the supremacy of the law of the National Union sustained.

A meeting was held at Canton, April 20, 1801, at the old Congregational church. Ira Johnson was called to the chair, and stated the object of the meeting to be, to express the feelings of the people in regard to the difficulties then in our country, and to respond to the call of Gov. Yates for military force to aid the

Forleral Governmpnt in sustainin<r tlie laws. The ''Stnr-S])ano;locl ]^annor " was effectively suii_n' by a iiumber of yctiinti- ladies, after which the military hand rendered several national airs with good spirit. A committee of iive was then ai)j)ointed to draft resolutions exj)ressivc of the sense of the meeting. This committee Avas com- |>(tsed of the following gentl(Mnen : John W. Ingersoll, W. II. Haskell, William liabccick, (J. W. Fast and Tracy Stroud. The meeting was then addressed by lion. William Kellogg, W. H. Haskell and James PI. Stij)]). Ivcsolutions were adopted, which showed this people to be patriotic and ready to sacriiice all for the Union. After this an op]K)rtuiiity was given for enlistments, and forty names were enr(»lle(l.

At the court-house in LcwMstown, on Tuesday evening, April 23, a meeting was held with George Humphrey in the chair. The committee on resolutions were H. B. Evans, R. B. Stevenson, M. Eichelberger, S. V. Shope, L. W. James, James Hasson and Hubert Cam[)l)ell. The meeting, which resolved to support the Government, was addressed bv L. F. Ross, R. R. McDowell, M. S. Kind:)all, L. W. Ross and S. C." Judd.

A large and enthusiastic; meeting of the citizens of Farmington was held Saturday evening, April 20, for the purpose of discussing the condition of the country. A. K. Montgomery ])resided, and Dr. J. Gregory acted as secretary. The following resolutions were adopted with but one dissenting voice:

AVhereas, events have lately transpired which call for all .aood citizens to express in what estimation they hold tlie institutions of Americans and American liherty, therefore

Remhcd, That when the Government of the United States is attacked, we can recognize no distinction between the foreign and the domestic foe.

Remhed, That since forbearance has ceased to call the traitors of the South to fealty to the Government, we heartily apjirove of the measures rectMitly taken by the administration, choosing ratlier to bear the burdens of a just war than to enjoy the ease under an ignominious peace.

licsolrcd, Tiiat we will freely assist, with all the means in our i)ower, the efforts of the Government to viuuiuisii traitors, whether at home or at)road,

Resolml, That we are firmly and devotedly attached to the United States, and to the flag under which our "fatluTs fought;" ami, wi- lierehy pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor to sustain the one and defend the other.

Similar meetings were held in all parts of the county, and resolutions, full of ])atriotisni and devotion to the country and the old flag, were sent forth as the sentiment and voice of the people.

Immediately, in response to the call for troops, enlistments began. As early as April 30 a company of 100 was organized at Canton. They drilled in the city for some tlays,and so impatient were they to strike a blow in defense of the dear old flag which had been trampled beneath the feet of traitors at Sumter, that they wanted to be oft' immediately to the scene of conflict. jSIany of them were afraid thev would not "get to go." They little reaJized the magnitude of the war.

While the above company was being raised at Canton, a company was gotten up at Lewistown with L. F. Ross as Captain, T. A. Boyd First Lieutenant and A. Willison Second Lieutenant. This company was originally the " Fulton Blues," and was organized about the year 1857, by Capt. Leonard F. Ross. On Monday, Ajjril 29, it was permanently re-organized for the U. S. service and was afterwards transferred to the 17th Regiment as Co. H.

At Vermont a company was organized, and Thomas Hamer w^as elected Captain, Josiah Dennis First Lieutenant, and Hinman Rhodes Second Lieutenant.

A company was also rai-^ed at Fairview, which left for Camp Mather, Peoria, May 15. Before leaving their homes, however, they were presented with a fine flag by the ladies of Fairview. They were accompanied to Peoria by the Fairview Brass Band. It was noised around Canton that this company, after being in camp, needed flannel shirts ; and within a few days 75 shirts were made and sent to them.

On Friday morning. May 10, 1861, the Fulton Blues left Lewistown for camp at Peoria. The public s(]u;ire was filled with citizens to witness the flag presentation and departure of the company. Capt. Ross marched the boys to the residence of Dr. R. R. McDowell, where each of them was provided with a flannel shirt, made for them by the ladies of Lewistown. Each and every man was also presented with a copy of the New Testament, accompanied by the request to write therein his name and age, and name of his father, guardian or other member of his family, with place of residence. At nine o'clock the company was paraded in front of the courthouse, where a large number of ])co]>le had gathered. H. B. Evans was chosen to preside over the assembly. He called the large concourse of people to order, and on behalf of the ladies Dr. McDowell presented to the company a beautiful flag. Capt. Ross received the colors with pledges that they should not be disgraced, and handed them to Ensign Woolfolk, who received them in the name of the company. The brass band played and three cheers were given for the ladies. The company took their places in the wagons, receiving meanwhile the sorrowing farewells of their friends. They were then driven to Havana, where a boat was taken for Peoria.

Other companies were raised. Call after call was made by the Government and each time Fulton county nobly responded. While some thought the policy of the administration wrongful and hurtful, and that the desired end might be attained in a more conciliatory manner tiian by the stern and bloody arbitrament of war, yet the majority believed their only recourse was a resort to arms.

Death Of Senator D0Uc4Las

While tlie people throughout the State were busily engaged in preparing for the war, the sad news of the death of her beloved Senator, Stephen A. Douglas, was announced. Funeral services were held in almost all towns of this county upon the death of this distinguished statesman. At Canton, Thursday, June 6th, 1861, a meetino- was held at Graham's Hall to make suitable arranocnients for ceremonies. S. A. Gee, \Vm. Kellooo- P. L. Snvder and James T. Slack were appointed a committee of arrangements. G. Barrere, Thomas Snyder, W. H. Haskell, Dr. Henry Ingersoll and S. Y. Thornton were selected as a committee to draft resolutions. On Friday, as for several days previous, the flag was bound in black and displayed at half-mast. Shortly before two o'clock p. m. the bells commenced tolling, and continued while a procession was formed uj)on the public square, headed by the Canton Silver Cornet Band and Masonic Lodge. It marched to the Baptist church, where the fc^llowing exercises took place under the direction of T. Stroud, chief marshal and master of ceremonies. Hon. John G. Graham was called to the chair and Messrs. P. L. Snyder, Ira Johnson, S. N. Breed, Dr. Henry Ingersoll, J. M. Bass and G. Barrere were chosen vice ])residents; S. Y. Thornton and Alpheus Davison, secretaries. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr. Webb, which was followed by singing by a choir organized for the occasion under the direction of Mr. E. P. Ingersoll, Mrs. Law presiding at the instrument. Resolutions fitting and full of sorrow at the loss of the great Senator were passed. Wni. H, Haskell then delivered an oration upon the life and services of Mr. Douglas. Hon. Wm. Kellogg made a brief address. He was followed by John G. Graham, S. A. Gee, G. Barrere and J. T. Slack. The b(>nediction was pronounced by Rev. P. Bergstresser, and thus endcnl the services of respect to a great and beloved statesman.

A Picture Of A Sad And Desolate Home

The boys went forth to the field of carnage ; and what vivid words can the pen employ that will do justice to their heroic valor, to their une(iualed and unparalleled bravery and endurance? Home and home comforts, wives and little otics, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, were all given uj) for lilc and danger on the lields of battle, - for exposure, fatigue, disease and death at the point of the bayonet or the cannon's mouth. But while they were thus suffering let us not suppose that the mother, and sister, the wife, the children were free from the tortures of anxiety, of the loss of dear ones. Yes; while the brave boys upon the Southern field suffered indescribably, the wife and little ones at home endured sufferings beyond the power of pen or tongue to describe. Let us picture a home where the husband and the wife and the little ones are thus separated. The picture of one will only reflect those of hundreds of others. We look into the plain but tidy room. A mother is preparing her evening meal. Upon a chair, and leaning her little arm on the window-sill, a little child is kneeling, looking fur into the dusky shadows that encircle the brow of night. Her dark eyes have a longing, desolate look, and on her brow lies one of life's shadows. At last she speaks : "Oh, mamma, papa has been gone so long! why don't he come?" The mother sighs and her heart repeats, "So long?" But the little one must have an answer, and mamma tries to comfort her: "Papa has gone to war, dear; gone to fight fi)r his country; and when the war is over he will come back to see mamma and little Bessie."

"But it seems so long, mamma ! When will the war be over?" "Mamma cannot tell, dear; but we will hope for the best." Their frugal meal is now ready, and mother and child sit down with heavy hearts, their eyes wandering to the place where papa used to sit; but there is no manly form, - only a vacant chair.

In the mother's heart sad questions will arise : "Will he return to us? or will some swift-winged bullet, sped by a traitor's hand, destroy the life so dear to us?"

Oh, why could not all men have been true to a government so mild, - to their country so vast and grand? Why should they cause sorrow and death to o'er-spread our land, and the voice of wailing to go forth from every fireside ? In silence the meal is ended, and the little one, whose eyes have grown heavy, is taken upon the mother's lap, and prepared for rest. Her little prayer is said, and a good-night kiss given for papa. She falls asleep, and the shadow is chased from her brow. But the shadows hover darkly round the mother's heart, as she thinks of distant battle-fields ; of wounded and dying men whose lives, and those they love more than life, have been given up that their country might be saved. And on this September evening a terrible battle has closed. For three daysthev have fought, and now the evening shadows unite with clouds of smoke, and our army is victorious ; but the ground is strewn with the dead and dying. Hark ! here is one who speaks : "Water, water; won't Bessie bring me water?" But Bessie's soft hands cannot reach him; kind but rougher and stranger hands give him the cooling drops, and with a weary sigh for his home, wife and litth^ one, his breath is gone, and the brave heart beats no more.

of suspense to the anxious wife and little one ! Eagerlv the papers are watched for every word concerning the division in which was the loved one, and now at last comes a list of the killed and wounded in his regiment. AVith fast-beating heart the pcior wife takes the list of wounded tirst, that she may still have some hope. His name is not there. With hushed breath and heart beating faster, she scans the list of the killed, until she comes to his name. The paper falls from her nerveless hand and she sinks heavily to the floor. Bessie bends over her, and the touch of her smooth hands and the sound of her sweet voice bring the widow back to life that is now so dark. But for Bessie's sake she will still be brave, and struggle on alone, - no, not alone. Bessie is still with her, and their heavenly Father will lead them through the darkness.

The continued need of money to obtain comforts and necessaries for the sick and wounded of our army, suggested to the loyal ladies of the Xorth many and vajious devices for the raising of funds. Every city, town and village had its fair, festival, picnic, excursion, concert, which netted more w less for hospital relief. The ladies of Fulton honored themselves and their county by their noble, generous work in behalf of the soldiers. Their devotion to the loyal princijdes of the national Government was undying, and its defenders were objects of their deepest sympathy. During the dark and trying days of tha Rsbellion they were ever on the alert raising funds, sending food, clothing, delicacies and medicines to the soldiers in the hospital and at the front.

In the noble efl'orts the ladies made to palliate the sufferings of their brothers upon the Southern fields of carnage, they were actuated by love of country, devotions to kindred and sympathy for those in distress. Though jihysically incapacitated to share with them the toils and perils of battle, yet before its smoke and the echoes of its artillery passed away, the offerings of their hands would relieve their pain, and inspire them with holier ardor for the cause they were defending. The number of weary sufferers on the field of battle and in the lonely hospital relieved by their bounty, none but the Recording Angel can tell.

The ladies of Lewistinvn organized a Soldiers' Aid Society Nov. 28, 1862. Similar societies were organized in many towns of the county, but we Mill let the following detailed statement of the first year's labor of the Lewistown society suffice as an illustration of the labor of all the others : The money contributed was mostly used in purchasing material for making clothing. Those goods which were sent to the 17th and 103d Illinois Regiments (the latter wholly and the former mostly made up of Fulton men), to the Quincy hos-

There are many rumors afloat relative to Fulton county's loyalty during the dark days of the Rebellion, which are very much exaggerated, so far as we are abh^ to learn. Among othei- things much has been said about United States soldiers being sent to the county while tlie war was in progress. That soldiers were sent into the county is a fact ; but many have a wrong impression as to the cause of their being sent here. The semi-official report made by Provost Marshal Phelps, and published at the time, concerning the reason why the soldiers were brought to the county and what they did while here, is perhaps the most authoritative account of the affair we arc able to obtain. It is substantially correct even in detail, and we give the entire letter below, that our readers may see the Marshal's statement in full :

" In view of the troubles existing' at this time in the southern portion of Fulton county, and to alhiy any unnecessary apprehension therefrom, and also for the purpose of correcting evils and misunderstan(lin<rs naturally growing out of vague rumors and uirfounded reports, many of which are afloat in the c.onnnunity, in relation to the late military proceedings enacted in south Fulton, I deem it due to the j)ul)lic that a fair and candid statement of the matter should be made, in order that all may understand the basis upon which troops were called into the county, their action since their arrival, and when their mission will have been fulfilled.

"It is a fact well known to the public that there has been for several weeks past a determine<l armed resistance, accompanied with violent threats, against the execution of the enrollment law in some of the townships in this county. The first noticeable demonstration of this spirit, was mamfested in Pleasant township, and was of so violent a character as to compel Luke Elliott, the clerk duly appointed by William McComb, the enrolling officer of this county, to abandon the work. After some delay and much parleying, the enrollment was completed without further serious opposition, liy another appointee. This spirit of resistance was caught uj* by the citizens of Isabel township, and culminated in a more formidable and determined resistance than had been exhibited in Pleasant, and finally teiniinated in intimidating one, and taking the enrolling books of another of the officers, by armed force, and with threats that no man shobld enroll the townshiji exce])t at the peril of his life.

"In addition to this there was manifested a bitter hostility to the arrest and return of deserters from the army, so much so that deserters to the number of 15 to 25, encouraged by this spirit, had for some time past been encamped in the open field, and at other places of rendezvous, with the avowed purpose of resisting any attempt which might be made by the authorities to arrest them. Not only this, a large numljer of the citizens of Isabel were in the habit of drilling and performing other military duty, with no other avowed purpose than to be prepared to resist the enrollment. This being the condition of things, it was manifest to the Provost Marshal that he and his little force were not able to enforce the law and bring the offenders to justice.

"The Provost Marshal of the district, being informed of the condition of aflFairs in the county, visited it, and by his direction a small force of cavalrv ( 61 in number ) with one six-pounder was ordered into the county, for the purpose, and no other, of enforcing the enrollment of Lsabel township and for the arrest of deserters and other individuals against whom legal process had been i.ssued. This force arrived and encamped at Duncan's Mills, five miles south of Lewistown. on the 13th inst. About 12 o'clock that same night, this force being divided into three squads, of ten men each, leaving the remainder to guard the gun and take charge of prisoners, should any be arrested, started with their respective officers for three different points in the same neighborhood, viz.: Charles Brown's, John Lane's and John Graham's. The fir.st visit made by either of the .squads was at Charles Brown's. The officer, taking two men with him, went to the house, and after knocking at the door and making his business known, entered the house and arrested John and Benjamin F. Brown, who were in bed, no opposition of anj- kind being made. These two prisoners were put in charge of two soldiers and sent to camp, while the officer with the remainder of his men joined those who were at John Lane's. Here eight of the company were detailed to surround the house and barn of Mr. Lane. The officer then knocked at the door, made his business known and demanded admittance, which being refused, five minutes were given in which to comply, at the expiration of which no compliance being maile, the door was forced in and three .soldiers entered the house. There were nine men in the house all armed. Two doubie-liarreled shot-guns, one rifle, three revolvers, one double-barreled pistol, all loaded, and one bowie knife, were also found in The house. Upon a demand to deliver up their weapons and surrender, all complied except Aaron Bechelhimer and John Alexander, including James Lane, who first drew a revolver and afterwards surrendered. Bechelhimer and Alexander were in a back room, and, as the soldiers approached. Bechelhimer offering resistance, was caught Vjy a soldier and thrown out of a window, when he was instantly arrested by another soldier. Alexander, in the meantime, who had been ordered several times to surrender, attempted to draw a revolver, and was standing with one hand upon the collar of his coat and the other in the act of drawing his weapon, when he was shot in the left breast by a soldier, and the revolver taken from him. Of the number in the house, Piatt and James Lane were arrested, the latter of whom e caped ; also Aaron Bechelhimer and Marshal Athey, two deserters, and John Lane, who was afterwards released bv the Provost Marshal.

"The third squad, composed of ten men, had gone to John Graham's on a like errand (to arrest deserters), and also to arrest Graham, against whom charges had been preferred before the proper triliunal. Here, as at the other places, the oflicer in command knocked at the door and made known his business. Graham replied that no deserters were in the house, and that he was alone. Search was made at his barn for deserters, but without success. Demand was again made for entrance in his hou.se and refused, when the door was forced open. No men were found in the lower story. Edward Trumbull, who was one of the squad, opened a door leading up a narrow stairway, and with a candle in his hand attempted to go up stairs, when he was fired upon by John Graham, the ball inflicting a slight wound in Trumbull's brea.st, and passing down lodged in his thigli, cau.sing a severe flesh wound. At the same time a shot was fired from the porch, which barely missed Van Meter. Graham still refusing to surrender, a guard was placed around his house and a messenger sent to the Captain of the company, at Duncan's, to bring up the artillery. At this, and when Graham discovered what he was contending against I for, as he said, up to this time he supposed it to be Phelps and his posse), he finally surrendered, and, with Joseph Brown, was taken prisoner.

"These are the facts, as related by the officers of the several squads, upon which 1 rely with the utmost confidence. The prisoners, nine in number, were brought by the cavalry to Lewistown, where they remained until the afternoon train, when seven { two being released by the Marshal ) were sent to the Provost Marshal of the district, to he hy him delivered over to the United States District Marshal of this State, to be tried by the civil authorities upon the ch irges preferred against them.

"From present in licitions it is hoped and believed that the law will he enforced, the enrohment made and deserters arrested, without any resistance; ami when this fact is clearly demonstrated the military force now in the county will be withdrawn, and not until then.

"I have been thus p irlicul ir in collecting ami detailing the facts connected with this trans ictiou, which have been g ithered from eye-witnesses, and other facts, some of which have come nn ler my own oI)servation and that of numerous other citiz -us of the county, for the purpos? of guarding the people ag liust f ds ' reports, an 1 th it tuey m ly uu lerstaud t'le true condition of aff lirs in Fulton county. Tiie ex -iteuuMit which followed the arrest by the military, and the ilemonstration of six or seven bun Ired armed citiz 'Us exhibited in the environs of L-wistown within eight hours thereafter, needs no comment from me, but of itself is suffijieut apology for an armed force being quartered in our midst.

Our armies bravely contendjd until finally, after four long years of bloodshed and carnage, the news was flashed over the wires that Lee had surrendered. This joyful news reached this county Monday, April 10, 18(J5, being within two days of four years from the time the batteries were opened on Fort Sumter. On receiving the" news of the fdl of Richmond the people were very jubilant over the success of the Union forces. They assembled in all parts of the county and had grand jubilees. The streets of the cities were brilliantly illuminateil ; bonfires, rockets and music were seen and heard on every haul; it wis inJjed a season of rejoicing; and well might it bo, for wh.it had bien endured, what had been sutfered.

Scarcely had the downfall of the Sauthern Confederacy been received ere the sad news of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln was flashed over the wires. On that beautiful April morning, five days after the announcement of Lee's surrender, the people, joyful over the near approach of the return of their loved ones from the South, the sorrowing news of the President's death was announced. Mr. Lincoln was bound to the people of this county with stronger cords than simply being a good ruler. He had spent many days^ here, had many warm personal friends, and it was like the loss of a brother. They felt the loss keenly ; the tolling bells, the sympathetic dirges, interpreted not merely the grief of a people at the loss of a President, but the sorrow of a community at the death of brother, a son, one who was closely akin to all. Meetings were held and appropriate resolutions passed. Dwellings, stores, churches and public buildings were draped, and the flags which had been sent up in m:jments of rejoicing were taken down, draped, and sent up at half-mast.

fense of their Government, and who were spared to see the army of the Union victorious, returned to their homes to receive grand ovations and tributes of honor from friends and neighbors who had eagerly and zealously followed them wherever the fortunes of war called. Exchanging their soldiers' uniforms for citizens' dress, most of them fell back to their old vocations, - on the farm, at the forge, at the bench, in the shop, and at whatever else their hands found to -do. Brave men are honorable always, and no class of citizens are entitled to greater respect than the volunteer soldiery of Fulton county, not alone because they were soldiers, but because in their associations with their fellow-men their walk is upright, and their honesty and character without reproach.

Their country first, their glory and their pride. Land of their hoi)es, bmd where their fathers died ; When in the right, they'll keep their honor hright; When in the wrong, they'll die to set it right.

No more fitting tribute to their patriotic valor can be offered the brave men who went forth in defense of liberty and union, than a full and complete record, so far as it is possible to make it, embracing the names, the terms of enlistments, the battles in which they -were engaged, and all the minutiae of their military lives. It will be a wreath of glory encircling every brow, a precious memento to hand down to posterity, and one which each of them earned in defense of their and our common country. There are, no doubt, some men who, while they lived in Fulton county, enlisted in other counties and were never credited to this county. While the names of such properly belong here, and we would gladly give them did we know them, yet the Adjutant-General's reports, the source of our information, give their names as belonging to other counties, and we were unable to learn of this fact in every case.

Company

The 17th Reg. 111. Inf. Vols, was mustered into the United States service at Peoria, 111., on the 24th day of May, 1861. Left for Alton, 111., late in July, proceeded to St. Charles, thence to Warrenton, Mo., where it remained about two weeks. The regiment left Warrenton for St. Louis and embarked on transports for Bird's Point, Mo. ; thence to Sulphur Springs Landing; debarking, went to Pilot Knob, Mo., in pursuit of Gen. Jeff. Thompson, and joined Prentice's command at Jackson, Mo., thence to Kentucky and aided in the construction of Fort Holt. Was then ordered to Cape Girardeau and was again sent in pursuit of Jeff. Thompson; participated in the engagement near Greenfield ; returned to Cape Girardeau and performed provost duty until Feb., 1862. Was then ordered to Fort Henry; participated in that engagement and Fort Donulson, losing several men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. Soon after, went to Pitt.sburg Landing and was assigned to the army of West Tennessee; engaged in the battle of the Gth and 7th of April, sufTering great loss in killed and wounded; was in the advance to Corinth; after Uie evacuation of Corinth, marched to Jackson, Tenn.; remained until July, when it was ordered to Bolivar, where it remained until November, 1862, participating during the time in the expedition to luka to reinforce General Rosecrans, where it was engaged in the battle of the Hatchie ; marched to Lagrange, Tenn.. the middle of November, reporting to Gen. John A. Logan, and was assigned to duty as provost guard. Early in December marched to Holly Springs, via Abbeville and Oxford. At the battle of Holly Springs was assigned to Gen. McPhersoft's command, then proceeded to Moscow, Collier\ille and Memphis, and was assigned to duty at the navy yard, remaining until June 16, then embarking for Vicksburg. re-embarking for Lake Providence, La., where it remained until the investment of Vicksburg began. Went to Millikin's Bend, May 1, commenced the march across the Delta to Pekin's Landing, advanced with Mcpherson's command to the final investment of Vicksburg. Alter the surrenler of that city, remained there, making frequent incursions into the enemy's country until May, 1S64, the erm of service expiring on the '24th of May of that year.

The regiment was ordered to Springfield, 111., to be mustered out, when those who had not re-enlisted as veterans received their final discharge. A sufficient number not having enlisted to entitle them to retain their regimental organization, were consolidated with the 8th III. Inf., and were finally mustered out with that regiment in the spring of 1866.

was organized at Camp Butler, August, '61. It proceeded, Aug. 28. to Thebes: Sept. 9, to Bird's Point. Mo. ; Oct. 2. to Fort Holt, Ky. : Jan. 31, "62, moved to Paducah, Ky. ; Feb. .5, moved up Tennessee river; Feb. 6, took part in the capture of Forts Henry and Heiman ; Feb. 13, a detachment of 48 men and 12 officers met the enemy (.500 strong) at Little Bethel Church, and immediately attacked and routed them. Arrived at Pittsburg Landing Mar. 17. It wa.s assigned to a position in the Peach Orchard. April 6, they repulsed the attacks of the enemy, holding its position from 8 A. M. to 3 P. M. On the mortiing of the 7th. it held a position on the right of the line, and was hotly engaged until the battle closed and the rictory was won. During these two, long, trying, bloody days, this regiment behaved nobly, and its lines were never broken nor was it driven back by the enemy, though often most hea-vily pressed. The regiment sustain ed the fearful lo.ss of 2.39 men killed and wound, ed: was engaged in the siege of Corinth during the mouth of May, '62 ; marched to Memphis, arriving July 21, '62; marched Sept. 6, reaching Boli%'ar, 14th; Oct. 5, engaged in battle of Matamora, losing 97 men, killed, wounded and missing: returned to Bolivar Oct. 7; Dec. .30, were assigned to duty of guarding railroad from HoUy Springs to Waterford, Miss. : was engaged in the siege of Vicksburg from June 11 to July 4, '63. On the 12th of July, "63. near Jackson. Miss., the 28th, 41st and -5:^ niinois and 3rd Iowa lufantrj-, not exceeding 800 men, were ordered to charge across a level open cornfield, some six hundred yards, and carry a strong line of the enemy's work;-, mounting 12 guns and manned by at least 2,000 men. The brigade swept gallantly forward, under a destructive fire of grape, canister and minie l^ullets. The enemy ap- I)earing upon both flanks as it reached the ditch, it was compelled to fall back, with a loss of more than haif of the rank and file killed and wounded; out of the 128 men of this regimen engaged, 73 were killed and wounded and 16 taken prisoners. The regiment remained at Natchez during the latter part of '63. doing provost guard duty. The regiment re-enlisted Jan. 4, "64. May 18, proceeded to Illinois for veteran furlough; rettiming, arrived at Natchez July 8: were engaged in several expeditions; Oct. 10, was consolidated into four companies; was engaged in the siege of Spani.<h Fort, losing 14, killed and woundpd, including two captains; was re\iewed by Chief Justice Chase June 3, '6-5.

Was organized at Peoria, Aug. 16,'61. It proceeded to Benton Barracks, Sept. 23; May 9, '62, was engaged at Farmington, Miss.; was engaged May 2<S, near Corinth, and at that city Oct. 3d and 4th, where they lost their brave Col. W. \. Thrush, while leading a charge. The regiment lo.st in this engagement 30 killed and over 100 wounded. May 14, '63, was engaged at Jackson, Miss. ; took part in the charge on the enemy's works at Vicksburg May 22, losing 12 killed and a large number wounded; wsisatthe battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9,'64. Returned to Yick.sburg May 22. with Ge". Smith's command, after a campaign of nearly three months, in which they suffered almost unheard-of fatigue and privations, many men dying from hardships. The 47th met and defeated Gen. Marmaduke near Lake Chicat, in which they lost 11 killed and a number wounded. It was mustered out Jan., '66, at Selma, Ala.

Was organized in the mouth of August, 1861, by Col. Moses M. Bane. The .50th was engaged at Shiloh, April 61hand7th; engaged in the siege of Corinth, May, 1862. June 4 it pursued the enemy as far as Bjoneville, Miss., returning to Corinth June 10. The regiment wsus engaged in a number of battles and skirmishes, during their service. About three-fourdis of the regiment re-eidisted as veterans and were mustered Jan. 16,'04, when they left for Illinois for veteran furlough. The 50th was one of the best drilled regiments in the service. In the prize drill July 3,'05, with the G3d Illinois, 7th Iowa and .50th Illinois competing, the latter won the prize banner. They were mustered out of service July 13, 1865.

Was organized December 24, '61, and on February 14,'62, was ordered to Cairo, 111., Col. Cummings commanding. April 7, the regiment moved against Island No. 10: on the <Sth pursued the enemy, compelling the surrender of f!eu. Mackall. On the 11th embarked and moved down the Mississippi to Osceola, Ark., and disembarked on the 22d. The 51st participated in the battles of Farmington, siege of Corinth, Nashville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Roc-ky Face Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain and many others. They were in the thickest of the fight at (^hickamauga, sustaining heavy loss, nearly one-half of the number engaged being killed or wounded. They also sustained a severe loss at Kenesaw Mountain. The regiment was heavily engaged in the battle of Nashville, December 1, where they lost 150 men in killed, wounded and mi.ssing. The .51st was mustered out at Camp Irwin, Texas. .'September 25, 1S65, and arrived at Camp Hutler, Octolier 15, 1865, where they received final pay and discharge.

Company 1

Was organized at Camp Douglas, and mustered into service Oct. .31, 1861. Nov. 9, left Camp Douglas. Remained at Camp Benton until Jan. 12, 1862, when it was ordered to Paducah, Ky. On the morning of March 15 marched out with expedition from a point some 14 miles above Pittsburg Landing, for the surprise and overthrow of Corinth.

The opening of the battle, Sunday morning, found the regiment in posi tion with an effective force of 873 men. Col. Stewart was wotxnded and 9 of the line offlcers, 3 of whom died of wounds; 102 enlisted men were killed and mortally wounded, and 161 wounded and taken prisoners. The regiment was with the army in advance on Corinth, and at Russell's house, May 17, lost, in skirmish, 8 men, - 2 killed and 6 wounded. Entered Corinth May 30; thence, \Ht\\ Gen. Sherman, westward along Memjihis and Charleston R. R. The regiment re-embarked with army, and was present and under fire at battle of Arkansas Post, Jan. 10 and 11, 1863, losing three men wounded. Was at Vicksburg in 1863, participating in the tight. Participated in the siege of Jackson, Miss. On 30th Oct., 1863, marched from East Point, (m Tennessee river, for Chattanooga. During night of 23rd, with rest of brigade, manned a fle^t of pontoon boats in North Chiekamauga creek, and in the midst of rain and intense darkness, with muffled oars, descended and crossed the Tennessee river and captured the enemy's picket line. Nov. 25, marched with Sherman to the relief of Knoxville, E. Tenn. June 27, 1864, participated in assault upon Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. July 22 the regiment was again engaged, with aneftective force of 239 men, and came out of the engagement with 180 men. Was in the siege of Athmta: in battle of Jonesboro. In a short campaign of a little over two months the regiment lost half its number. Marched with army, via Ricnmond, to Washington; participated in the grand review at W'ashington. During its term of service the regiment marched 3,374 miles.

This regiment was organized at Chicago, as the First Regiment of the Chicago Board of Trade. Its tirst bills were put out for one company, calling itself the "Hancock Guards," on July 23,'62, and exactly one month afterwards the entire regiment was complete and mustered into service for three years. The very day of their muster they started for Cairo, arriving on the 24th. Their strength at that time was 37 ofHcers and 930 men.

The 72d participated in many engagements during their three years' service in the field. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn., they fought witli commendable bravery, being in the hottest of the fight from four in the afternoon till midnight, during all which time the battle raged witli terrific fury. In tliis tight the 72d lost nine officers and l.j2 men, who were either killed or severely wounded.

In the Atlanta campaign at Buzzard's Roost, May 10,'64; Dalton, May 13,'64; Resaca, May 14, '64; Burnt Hickory, May 26 to 31, and June 1, 2 and 3 ; Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station, loss in the campaign, 125 men; Franklin and Nashville, loss 20 men. Total casualties in battle, 558 men.

From the 84th but oiie man was taken prisoner ; but 10 men deserted ; only 1 man ever sent to military prison ; and but 4 tried by court martial.

The 85th was organized at Peoria in August, '62, by Col. Robert S. Moore, and mustered into service Aug. 27, '62. Ordered to Louisville, Ky., Sept. 6,'62, as.signed to Thirty-Sixth Brigade, Eleventh Division, Tljird Army C;orps, Col. D. McCook commanding Brigade, Gen. Sheridan commanding Division, aud Gen. Gilbert commanding Corps. The 85th marched in pursuit of the enemy under Gen. Bragg, Oct. 1,'62, was engaged in the battle of Champion Hill, at Kentucky, Oct. 8, and moved with the army to Nashville, Tenn., arriving Nov. 7, '62.

Regiment mustered out June 5, '65, at Washington, D. C, and arrived at Camp Butler, 111., June 11, "65, where they received their final discharge.

The 103d was exclusively a Fulton county regiment, having been raised entirely in this county. The regiment received orders Oct. 30 to move to Cairo, and thence to Columbus, Jackson and Bolivar, -where it was assigned, Nov. 2, to First Brigade, Fourth Division, Thirteenth Corps. The regiment was engaged in sundry marches and reconnoissances, from Jackson and Bolivar, during November and December, 1862. On the 9th of November it engaged the enemy near Coldwater, Miss., driving him, killing 15 and capturing 70 prisoners. Oft the 28th of November went on a campaign to Tallahatchie river, where they met a strong force of the enemy and drove them from their position. On the .30th of December went into winter quarters at Jackson.

was mustered in for one hundred days from Junelst,'64. The regiment received orders to move, June fith, for Columbus, Ky., where it arrived on the Sth, and reported to Brigadier- General Henry Price. On the 15th of June moved to Paducah, Ky., and reported to Col. S. G. Hicks. The 132d remained on duty at Paducah until expiration of senicc, when it moved to Chicago, and was mustered out Oct. 17, '64.

Was organized at Camp Butler Februarj' 21, 1865, for the term of one year. February 22 proceeded to Nashville, Tenu. March 1 moved toTullahoma. J\ine 18 five companies were ordered to Deckerd, one company was stationed at McMinnville, and the other four companies were engaged in guarding the Nashville and Chattanooga Rxilroad from Lombardy to Anderson Station. Arrived at Springtied September 9, 1865, where it received its final discharge.

This regiment was organized at Quincy, 111., and made up from various parts of the State, recruited under the call of December 19th, 1864. The regiment was ordered to Springfield, 111., where, Febuary 25, 1865, the field and staff officers were mustered in and the regiment was ordered to Nashville, Tenn., thence to Dalton, Ga., where they remained, drilling and doing guard and picket duty. April 23, Col.Woodall was ordered to proceed, under flag of truce, to Macon, Ga., to carry terms of surrender to the rebel Gen. Warford. May 2 the regiment was ordered to Kingston, Ga., arriving on the 12th, after a toilsome march. Here on May 13, 14, and 15, 1865, the regiment received the surrender of Gen. Warford, with 10,400 prisoners. The 151st was mustered out at Columbus, Ga., January 24, 1866, and moved to Springfield, 111., where it received final discharge Feb. 8lh, 1866.

Was organized at Camp Butler August, 1861. Sept. 25 moved to St. Louis, Mo. Oct. 1 to Jefferson City, thence to Warsaw, arriraig Oct. 11, and the 22d marched to Springfield, Mo. Feb. 13 it fought the first engagement, and won the first victory of Curtis' campaign. Feb. 14, '62, occupied Springfield, Mo.; 15th came up with Price's retreating army, capturing some prisoners; 18th, participated in a charge, routing the enemy, at Sugar Creek, Ark. ; 20th marched to Cross Hollows ; March 5 fell back to Pea Ridge ; was engaged on the 7th and lost 10 killed and 40 wounded; ]9th moved to Keetsville; April 10 arrived at Forsyth; 29th moved to West Plains; May 1st started for Batesville; 14th moved to Little Red River. June 4 fell back to Fairview ; on the 7th Capt. Sparks with 66 men was surrounded by 200 of the enemy, lie cut his way out, losing 4 wounded and 4pri.soners; June 11 to Jacksonport: July 5 to Helena, and moved to Memphis in the spring of 1863. They took part in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, and siege of Vicksburg; also Vermillionville, Opelousas and Carrion Crow- Bayou; participated in battles of Tupelo, Okolona and Gun town. Aug. 21 it took part in repulsing Cien. Forrest's attack on Memphis. Took part in the battles of Lawrenceburg, Spring Hill, Campbellsville and Franklin. In May moved to St. Louis, thence to St. Paul, Minn. July 4 started on an Indian expedition. Returned to Springfield, 111., Oct. 13, '65. and was mustered out of service.

This regiment was recruited in the fall and winter of 1801, and reported at Camp Mather, Peoria. The regiment left for the field February 22, 1862, and participated in the battle of Shiloh. After the evacuation of Corinlh, the regiment was a.ssigned by detachments to service between that place and Memphis; was engaged at Lexington, December 18, 1862, when 46 of their number, with the Colonel, fell into the hands of the enemy. The regiment remained in West Tennessee till September, 1863, doing good work among the guerrillas. After this they operated in the country between the Big Black and Pearl rivers, and on the Yazoo, rendering that country untenable for the Johnnies. The regiment veteranized in December, 1864. They participated in Sherman's grand march through Mississippi. During the summer of 1864, they were in many skirmishes and raids. November and December were with General Osborne, in the raid against the Mississippi Central Railroad; reached Vicksburg on December 5; moved to Memphis in January, 1865; joined in Grierson's raid; was engaged at Egypt Station; after this raided in Arkansas and Loui-siana, and did guard duty on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. It was mustered out at Memphis, Tenn., September 3(Jth, and arrived at Peoria October 12, 1865.