Grundy County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 2 of those read), 1882 (part 2 of 4)

The response from this county to the governor's call, was prompt and entluisiastic. On the 20th inst., the Board of Supervisors voted $5,000 for the equipment of volunteers and the aid of their families, while ladies very soon after organized a " Soldier's Aid Society " which enlisted for the war. The record of the disbursement of the fund thus provided by the Supervisors, is quite amusing in the light of subsequent events. The people here, as everywhere else, were impressed that the war would be over in sixty days, and that the business in hand was little more than a squirrel hunt in which there might be accidents, or at worst not more serious than putting down a mob. With this view the country and town was scoured for guns, the men were provided with boots, and the ladies prepared such additions to a soldier's bill of fare, as would make his temporary absence from home less irksome. But the war did not end in sixty days, and the first draft came and found the people of Grundy County relying on their first effort. This was a rude awakening, and from that time to the end of the war, the county was alive to the exigencies of the occasion. In August, 1S62, a bounty of $G0 was offered, of which one hundred and seventy-six men availed themselves. On December 30, 1863, the Board offered to pay $110.00 ($100 with interest at ten per cent, in bonds payable in one year) to all soldiers " wlio now, have been, or hereafter may be regularly mustered into the service of the United States, as Grundy County volunteers." Under this resolution eighty, five men were paid as new volunteers, and in 1S81, under this resolution, $2,750 additional was paid on old claims. In May, 1861:, under the call for " one hundred days" men a bounty of twenty-five dollars was offered and paid to sixty-four volunteers. The war had by this time become a very serious business, and while there was no lack of loyal regard for the cause of the Union, the burden began seriously to be felt, and there was less alacrity manifested in volunteering. Those who had linfhter claims upon them at home, had either felt some of the severities of soldier life, or were disposed to take their chance of bein<r drafted, while those whose families and business seemed to demand their staying at home were anxious to avoid the necessities of a draft. There was in addition to all this, an unselfish desire to avoid the draft as a refloc- tioii upon the count3''s loyalty to the cause, and in September, ISG-t, the Board of Supervisors impelled by these various motives, offered a bounty of $300 to each volunteer under the call of July of that year. Under this action of the Board one hundred and ninety-five persons were paid this bounty at a gross expense of something more than $6i,000. The revised enrollment of persons in the county subject to military duty, made January, 1SG5, placed the number at 1,623. Tiie total quota under the various calls during the war was 1,364: men, of which 1,3-13 were credited to the county. This would leave a deficit in the number of men required of the county, but in such a vast undertaking, with the necessary official machinery to originate and put in motion, it was impossible to avoid all errors; and while Grund}' County appears to have fallen short of her quota by the official records, it is susceptible of ])roof that she furnished many mon; than her quota, which were unfortunately credited elsewhere.*

In the matter of bounties it is equally difficult to get an accurate statement of all the connty expended in putting troops into the field. The records show, however, that the county authorities expended §112,- 175, and the various townships, in their separate capacity, over $27,000, to which should be added private subscriptions and subsequent payments by the county, which

The Soldiers' Aid Society of Morris was auxiliary to the society in Chicago over which Mesdames Hoge and Livermore presided with such efficiency. Every expedient which would bring an honest dollar into the treasury was successfully tried, and the fund thus accumulated was religiously expended here, or sent to the society at Chicago for the benefit of the boys in the field. It would be a tedious recital to recall the various expedients resorted to by the ladies to extort the last dollar in aid of their enterprise. The regular plan was to collect gifts of money, under-clothing, etc., make up a box and send it to some company or hospital. To vary the monotony of this plan, and to approach the public on a more susceptible side, balls were given and fairs held. One of the most important of these was the " Sanitary Fair," held on the grounds, and in connection with the Agricultural Society of this county. In a spacious dining hall, one hundred feet long, dinner was served to large crowds on each day of the fair. The supplies were contributed by the various townships interested in the Agricultural Fair, and the proceeds, beside a large number of the entries, were contributed to the purposes of the society. Canned fruits, vegetables and pickles, were among the donations from the farmers' wives - one lot of twelve half-barrels of pickles coming from the ladies of Minooka. Others gave hay, coal and cattle, which were sold, free of charge, on the grounds, and we may believe the bidding was not less spirited because it was known the proceeds were to be devoted to the army hospitals. But this dry recital does woman's work during the period of the war scant justice. The value of her moral support and courageous self-sacririce can never be adequately estimated, nor its appreciation placed too high.

The law proviiled that in token of respect to the Illinois regiments in the Mexican war, the six regiments organized under the first call of the President should begin their designating number at seven, and that these regiments when organized should constitute the "First Brigade Illinois Volunteers." The Eleventh, therefore, was the fifth regiment organized, of which the Grundy Tigers constituted Company F. This regiment was mustered in at Springfield, April 30, 1861, and on May 5th was ordered to Yilla Ridge, in this State, in tiie vicinity of Cairo, In the following month the regiment was ordered to Bird Point on the other side of the river, where tiie regiment served out its term of enlistment in garrison and field duty. While not seeing any active service during this time the regiment, with others assembled at this point, did excellent duty in warding off the danger which the overwiielming forces of the rebels on the river below threatened, and at the same time gained that discipline whicli inadetiiem such efiicient soldiers during the war. On July 30th, its term of enlistment having expired, tiie regiment was mustered out of service, and iiaving re-enlisted for tliree years, it was on the following day mustered in for three years. The old number was retained, but tiie arrangement of companies was considerably changed, the Grundy County Company taking the letter C. The membership of the regiment was greatly changed as well. Out of 916 mustered out only 2SS \kq<:q mustered in again on tlie following da\', but during the months of August, September, October and Xoveuiber, it was recruited to about 801 men. During this time the regiment doing garrison and field duty, participated in several unimportant expeditions, among others, tiie one to Ciiarleston, Mo., wliere tliey got into a spirited skirniisii with the enemy. Februarj- 2d, the regiment embarked on transports for Fort Henry, participating in the campaign against that place, and on tiie lltii inst. moved toward Fort Donelson. Here the regiment got their first "baptism of fire." The regiment came in sight of the fort about noon of the 12th, and here Wallace's brigade, composed of tiie 11th, 20th, -toth and 4Sth 111. Yolunteers. Taylor's and McAllister's batteries of light artillery, and Col. Dickey's cavalry, lialted and drew up in line of battle. Col. Oglesby's brigade took up its position on tiie right of Wallace, and in this position but little occurred save occasional shots at the enemy and a cliange of position, until the loth. Grant had in the meanwhile strengthened his line of investment, so that but little hope of escape remained to the garrison. On tlie morning of the 15tii, therefore, the enemy, to the number of 7,500, emerged from his works and in separate columns hurled himself on the right of tlie federal line, seeking to break through and escape. The first blow dealt upon Ogles- by's brigade, was followed bj- a second on Wallace's brii^ade and then upon Morrison's and McArtlnir's brigades constituting the extreme right. One of the " Grundy Tigers" writes as follows of this engagement: " The rebels fought well but not fairly^liko Indians, they sought shelter of stumps and trees. The first attack on the 11th regiment was m ide by a regiment of Mississippi riflemen. We suffered them to advance to within TOO yards, when we opened upon them with terrible effect and drove them back to their trenches, where they were reinforced and advanced again, this time within fifty yards, but were again forced to retire. We suffered severely, but not a soldier fell back unless wounded. At this time we had lost about eighty men, killed and wounded. The rebels withdrew their troops from our front and concentrated them on our right, and very soon we knew by the firing that Oglesby's brigade was giving way. It proved worse than we expected. First came the ISth in full retreat, followed by the rest of the brigade. By great exertion Col. Logan rallied tlie 31st on our right, forming two sides of a hollow square, and here for half an hour these two regimsnts held the enemy in check, the 31st giving way and rallying twice, only to retreat in utter confusion at last. The 11th still held its own, Lieut. Col. Hansom, though wounded, remaining cool and firm. We changed our front by the right flank, where the 31st had been under a most galling fire, firing as we moved around by the sidestep, until ordered to halt. The rebels, exultant at the retreat of the 31st, pressed forward to within forty yards of our line, but they were mistaken in their men, and soon fell back to a ridge, 150

"There, by a little ravine, we remained for half au hour, fighting three times our number, outtlankel on either side, waiting for reinlbrcemunts, wliich did not coise. Suddenly a body of rebel cavalry charged across the ridge, on our left, and gained our rear. There was but one way of escape, and that lay through the body of cavalry, and through we went, the bayonet opening the way. Two hours afterward, the remnant of our regiment drew up to receive Col. Wallace, who. being in command of the brigade, had seen us but once since the battle began. It was no faidt of his that we were left unprotected. AVhen Oglesby's brigade gave way, he sent au order to Col. Kansom to fall back on the 20th, but the messenger was killed. The tears streamed down Col. Wallace' face m he scanned his regiment. Over 600 liaii engaged the enemy, and 115 muskets were all we had left to show. Our flag still waved over us, though shot to ribbons. Early next morning we marched into the fort, the 11th being allowed to lead the van, on account of its having sufiered the most severelj'. The loss in this regiment, so far as we can learn, is 329 killed, wounded and missing. Of the Grundy Tigers, but one is missing." In this battle, Grundy County suffered severely. Out of sixteen men who enlisted from the southern part of the county in another company, every man was wounded.

Early in March, the regiment went by Fort Henry to Savannah, Tenn., and thence to Pittsburgh Landing, where it took part in the bloody battle of Shiloh. of April 6th and 7th. The 11th, incorporated in the division of MeCleriiaiid, was on tlie right of the federal line, near wliere the line touched the lower point of the river, and with its division supported Sherman in the first onset of that memorable battle. ][ere the regiment suffered cruelly, as they did in the second daj^'s light, losing 27 killed and wounded out of 150 engaged. After participating in the protracted siege of Corinth and in the engagements near Trenton, Tenn., the regiment was finally ordered back to Cairo to recruit. In the latter part of August the 11th proceeded once more to the front, taking part in various ex]ieditions, reporting in the latter part of November to Gen. McArthnr, at Lagrange, Tenn., when it was assigned to the 13th Army Corps. During the earlj part of 1863, the regiment took part in the campaign in northern Mississippi; later, resting for a time in Memphis, it was assigned, in February, to the 17th Army Corps, reinforced by a consolidation with the 109th 111., and ordered to Vicksburg, where it arrived May ISth. On the 19tli and 22d, the regiment was engaged in the assaults upon the enemy's works; then in tiie advance siege works up to July 4th, when the city surrendered. In these engagements the regiment lost its colonel, three line officers, and forty men. The regiment subsequently took part in the Natchez expedition, returning to Vicksburg in October, where it remained till the latter part of July, 1864, engaging in various minor expeditions from that point. At this time, the 11th was assigned to the 19th Army Corps, and after taking part in several minor expeditions, took part in the reduction of Mobile, Ala., participating in the investment and siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and in the assault upon the latter. This ended its active service, and, moving from one point to anotliei', it was mustered out of the service, July lltli, 1865, at Alexandria, La., when the regiment left for Springfield, 111., for payment and final discharge.

Among the early volunteers from Grundy County was Capt. Hulburd's company. This company was among those that were crovvded out of the earlier regiments, but was accepted by the State, and finally authorized by tlie Secretary of War during the month of June and on the i5th was mustered into the service as Company E of the 23rd regiment, but better known as the " Irish Brigade,"' under command of Col. Mulligan. The regiment enlisted under the call for "three months" volunteers, and spent an uneventful career, first at Quincy, 111., and then at the St. Louis arsenal, until tlie latter part of July, when the regiment was moved to Jefl'erson City, Mo. In the latter part of August the regiment was reenlisted, a large part, however, returning to Chicago and being mustered out. In the reorganization which followed the re-enlistment of the regiment, 21 men of Company E., 52 men of Company G., and 25 men of Company H, were consolidated and called Company G, which, by an order of Jan. 3, 1865, was changed to Company C. The. movement of Gen. Price toward Jeft'erson City caused Col. Mulligan, who had been engaged in several minor exj^editions, to move to Lexington as soon as possible afieithe reorganization, and arriving at the place on the 9th of September he set at once to fortifying his position. His command consisted of the 23d 111. infantry, 1st 111. cavalry, and about 1,200 Missouri

" home guards," tlie entire force numbering less than 3,000 men. Gen. Price set down before the works on tlie 11th, with a force estimated at 20,000. An assault was made on the following day, but so determined was tlie resistance that the rebel General was forced to undertake a siege. The nature of the works, however, left no room to doubt the speedy result of such an attack, unless relieved by reinforcements. The besieging force saturated bales of hemp to prevent their ignition from the hot shots of Mulligan's guns, and rolled them in front of the intrenchments, and quietly mounted his guns. Price, who liad been waiting for ammunition, on the 18th opened with thirteen guns, posted in commanding positions. Col. Mulligan liad but five small brass pieces with which to reply to this fire, and these were charged with rough shot manufactured for the occasion at a neighboring foundry. These pieces were worked, however, with great gallantry, and served to command very considerable respect from the besiegers. Price had previously seized the boats on the river, and fortified the adjacent blufl:s, so that the federal troops were entirely cut off from water, and suffered the most intense agonies of thirst. It rained, however, at intervals, and the thirsty men, by spreading their blankets till they became saturated with water, and then wringing them into camp dishes, were enabled to prolong the siege until the 20th. when they surrendered. The Missouri troops, " invincible in peace and invisible in war," left the burden of the defense with the Illinois troops, constituting scarcely more than half of the whole number. A writer in the Chicago Pout spoke of the 23d regiment as follows: ''On the 17th tlie enemy commenced erecting breastworks of hemp bales, from behind which they continued to fire as the}' rolled them toward us. About three o'clock of tlie same day they charged over our entrenchments, upon Col. Peaijody's home guards, and planted tiieir flags on the top of our breastworks. The Irish Brigade was ordered to leave its position on the opposite side, and to retake the ground which Peabody had lost. We fired on the run, and continued on the double quick. The rebels scattered and fled like a flock of sheep, but left the top of the breastworks covered witii dead and wounded. In this single charge we killed and wounded 55 and lost about 30 killed and wounded." An officer in the rebel service wrote of the capitulation: " This surrender does not cast the slightest discredit upon Col. Mulligan, his officers and men. After having exhausted all tlieir means against an enemy three times their strength they had no choice but capitulation." The regiment was paroled, and by order of Gen. Fremont mustered out of the service in October, but was restored in December by order of McClellan. After remaining at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, guarding prisoners and recruiting until June 14, 1862, the regiment was moved to Western Virginia. Here the regiment found plenty of service, and had repeated encounters with rebel detachments. Company G being captured April 25, 1863, and sent to Richmond. The regiment was mustered out at Pichmond, Va., July 2-1, 1865, and arrived in Chicage six days later.

Grundy County was also represented in the Thirty-sixth regiment by Company G, of that organization. This regiment, like the 23d, was made up of those volunteers who tendered tlieir services just too late to be accepted under the first call of the President. "A meeting of persons interested in the organization of a 'Fox River Regiment' was lield at Geneva on the 29th day of Juh', 1861, and preliminary steps taken for its organization. Fifteen companies, either complete or in an advanced state of formation, were represented and tendered for acceptance, twelve of wliicii were selected, including two cavalry companies."* This regiment was duly authorized by the proper authorities, and Col. N. Grensel was appointed to the command of the "Fox River Regiment," under date of August 14, 1861. The regiment went into camp near Aurora, was mustered into the three years' service September 23d, and uniformed, and on the following day started for St. Louis, where they were armed. The regiment was at once ordered to Rolla, Mo., remaining there until January, 1862, when it took part in the campaign against Price, resulting in the series of engagements ending with the battle of Pea Ridge. In this battle, especially, the 36th took a conspicuous part. It was a part of the Second brigade of Osterhaus' division, and occupied a position on the left of the Federal line. Company CI. was the most severely handled, losing thirteen men while in skirmish line. Col. Grensel's report of his part in the engagement describes this action as follows: "My attention was now called to several regiments of infantry in our front, and immediately opposite the 3Cth Illinois Volunteers, whereupon I threw out Companies B and G of that regiment as skirmishers. These companies crossed the field, and on entering the timber discovered the enemy in ambush - three regiments drawn up in line and others formed in square, evidently e.xpecting another attack from our cavalry. A rapid fire was opened up by the enemy and returned by the skirmishers, which was kept up for fifteen minutes. Finding that they were wasting ammunition to no purpose, the skirmishers retired in good order, with a loss of twenty wounded - thirteen in Company G, and seven in Company E."

The regiment was subsequently transferred to the Department of the Mississippi and marched to Cape Giraudeau, Mo., and on their arrival was transferred to Gen. Pope's command. September 6, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Cincinnati, O., to defend the city against Gen. Bragg'a raid across Kentuckj', and joined in his pursuit when that general was forced to retreat. In the battle of Perry ville, which followed, the 36tli i-egiment, which formed a part of Sheridan's division, occupied an advanced position in front of Barrett's battery near the center of the federal line. Here the regiment was the object of a fierce attack by three regiments of Hardee's famous troops, and maintained a sharp fight until the ammunition being exhausted, the 36th was retired, losing 75 men. They were ordered subsequenth' to the support of another battery, but did not again become engaged with the enemy. With the rest , of the army the 36th went forward to Nashville, where it remained until the latter part of December, 1862, when it moved out with the army under Rosecrans to the bloody encounter of Stone River. In this battle McCook's corps occu])ied the I'ight of the Union line, Sheridan's division being on the left of this corps. Of the 3(3th regiment's part in this action CoL Grensel reported: "At daylight on the 31st (December, 1SC2) the regiment was assaulted by a rebel brigade, under Gen. Weathers, and being supported by the 88th Illinois, on its left, the enemy was soon driven back to the woods; but again and again they were rallied, every time meeting the same fate, until thirty-eight of that fine brigade were all that were left to tell where their rebel comrades had fallen. The 36th charged them at the point of the bayonet twice in succession, driving them back. Forty-one of the poor bo^'s lay dead on their faces on less than an acre of ground. The number of wounded is large, and, in iact, the killed and wounded are the largest in the whole division." Out of this light the rci^iment brought only 200 men, Company G losing three men killed and thirteen wounded.

After the battle of Stone Iliver, succeeded a period of more or less inactivity, in which the regiment recruited its wasted energies, losing its colonel in the meanwhile by resignation, his place being supplied by Col. Silas Miller. In September, however, the 36th was called again to face the enemy at Chickamauga. On the 19th, the regiment marched ten miles, from Pond Springs to Gordon's Mills, Sheridan's division occupying at that time the extreme right of the federal line. The attack upon this portion of the line was especially severe. Lieut. Col. Olson's report of this engagement is as follows: " At 2 P. M. went into position near Gordon's Mills, with one company thrown forward as skirmishers. At 5 P. M. fell back to the timber, about 200 yards, and remained during the night. At i A. M., 20th, inarched two miles and a quarter to the left and formed in the second line. At 11A.M., after some skirmishing, was ordered forward to the sup])ort of the center. Formed on the brow of a hill, under a most terrible fire, but in perfect good order, and engaged the enemy fiercely, checking his advance. At this juncture, the enemy appeared on the left, and, turning the flank, subjected us to a murderous, enfilading fire, against which we could offfer but little resistance. The regiment was ordered to fall back. Here the regiment made another stand, but was overwhelmed by numbers, and compelled to fall back." At this juncture, Sheridan's division was relieved, and ordered to Rossville to rescue a train which was in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy. This was skillfully done, the troops going silently within rifle shot of the enemy, securing the train without discovery, and going into camp five miles away. On the 22d, the i-egiment took up its line of retreat to Chattanooga. In this engagement. Company G lost twenty-two men.

On the following day, the siege and defense of Chattanooga began, the 36th beginning the construction of rifle pits, by five o'clock next morning. Here some two months were spent in watching the enemy on the heights about the city, living on half or no rations, and wondering whether the issue wonld be starvation or retreat. In the meanwhile the army had changed leaders, the line of supplies had been opened, and Sherman's and Hooker's forces added to the army, which was now under the immediate command of Gen. Grant. About noon of Kovember 23d, 1863, the order was g'weu to the 36tli to " fall in," and with Sheridan's division it supported Wood's division, in what was intended as a reconnoisanee of the enemy on Orchard Knob. The slight resistance of the enemy changed the character of the movement, and the troops, reinforced b^' Howard's division, occupied the position gained and fortified, the 36th holding a position on the hill just south of Orchard Knob, where is now the National Cemetery. In the meanwhile, Hooker had taken Lookout Mountain, but his troops, out of ammunition, were forced to remain inactive until their cartridge bo.xes were replenished, and so passed the day. On the 24:th, Sherman renewed his attacks upon the northern summits of Mission Ridge, but finding it impossible to make rapid progress, and Hooker being delayed on the left, Grant determined upon a movement from the center. The plan was to take the rifie pits at the foot of the ridge, by the skirmish line if possible, and the 36tli furnished three companies fortius service. This was accomplished. From this point a hill rose eight hundred feet out of the valley, swept by a storm of bullets, shot and shell. Along its face, half-way up, stretched a line of works, then 400 feet further up, with the steepness of a gothic roof, rough with rocks and strewn with fallen trees, the summit frowned with all its terrible enginery of war. To stay in the rifle pits already gained meant death, to retreat was as certain destruction, and so without orders the troops struggled up through the deluge of death-dealing missiles. In this fight Company G did not lose a man, though the regiment lost some twenty. In January, 1804, the regiment re-enlisted, and arrived in Chicago on

"veteran furlough," at midnight of February 2d. After partaking of the hospitalities of the city, the various companies separated for the localities of their homcR, Company G being received at Morris with enthusiastic demonstrations, which was repeated during their six weeks' stay, at the various points where the friends of the regiment resided. During the furlough of the regiment every effort was made by the members to recruit its numbers. Company G took back twenty veterans and eleven recruits. March 19, 1804, the regiment took the cars for Chicago, on their way back to the field. The regiment proceeded at once to Chattanooga, and from thence took part in the actions of Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw, Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. After the pursuit of Hood, took the regiment to Lexing-ton, Ala., it returned to Nashville, where it remained until the loth of June, when orders were received to proceed to New Orleans. Here the 30th was retained for lieadquarter and special dut}^ until October 8, 1865, when it was mustered out of the service.

In Company I of the 55th'regiment, this county was represented by some fifty men, the balance of the company being drawn from La Salle County. The regiment was mustered into the three years' service October 31, 1861, at Camp Douglas. The 55th was ordered January, 1863, to Paducah, Ky., where they remained till March 8, when they were ordered to the Tennessee River to take piart in the movements about Corinth. This regiment was finally taken to Pittsburgh Landing, where it was ]ilaced on the left of the federal line in that memorable fio;]it. Out of 873 men taken into the light, 102 enlisted men were killed, and 161 wounded and taken prisoners. It took part in the siege of Corinth, and its colors were the first in the captured city; with Shernaan's division the 55th participated in the expedition to Holly Springs, Miss., thence to Memphis; thence to take part in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, Dec. 29, 1862, losing in this engagement ten men. From this point having re-einbarked with the army, it took part in the battle of Arkansas .Post; thence to Young's Point early iu 1863, and in April joined the army about Vicksburg, taking part in several expeditions against the enemy's outlying posts and in the assaults, 19th and 22d May, upon the main works. Following the fortunes of Sherman's division, the regiment found its way to Chattanooga in November, 1863, and took ]iart in the preliminary movements of the battle of Mission Ridge. In the following winter it re-enlisted and was home on a veteran furlough of thirty days. On its return it rejoined Sherman, took part in the engagements of Kenesaw Mountain, losing 48 men; again in July losing 33 men; in the siege of Atlanta losing 25 men; and in the fight of Jonesboro, losing 23 men. It subsequently joined in the pursuit of Hood through northern Alabama, when it returned to Atlanta, and later with tlie 15th Army Corps went to Savannah. Marched from Richmond to Washington, took part in the grand review, then moved to Louisville; thence to Little Rock, Ark., where it was mustered out of the service August li, 1865. Company I of the 69th regiment was made up principally from Grundy County. This regiment was organized under the call for three months men in 1862, and was mustered into the service June 14, 1S62, at Oamp Douglas. They were assigned duty of guarding prisoners at this camp and served out their term of enlistment here, being mustered out Sept. 27, 1862.

Company C of the 76th regiment was raised entirely in Grundy County. This company was organized in the summer of 1862, went into camp at Kankakee and was Tiiustered into the service August 22, 1862. The 76tli was ordered as soon as mustered to Columbus, Ky., and from thence to Bolivar, Tenn., October 3d. Late in November the regiment joined Grant's forces in the campaign along the Mississippi Central Railroad, and in February, 1863, proceeded to Memphis and thence to Vicksburg, where it took part in the assault of May 22d. This regiment subsequently took part in the movement against Jackson, Meriden, and the expeditions of February and May, Isd-t, up the Yazoo River. In July, 186-1-, it was in Slocum's expedition against Jackson, and bore a prominent part in the battle of July 6th and 7th. On the latter day it was cut off from the balance of the command, but cut its way out, losing ninety-eight men. Took part in various minor movements in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas, and joined in Steele's expedition from Pensacola to Blakely, Ala. May 9, 1865, engaged in the assault and capture of Fort Blakely, losing seventeen killed and eighty -one wounded, but succeeded in being the first to plant the national ' colors upon the enemy's works. After long marches and tedious encampments at Selden, Mobile and Galveston, the regiment was mustered out and ordi.red home, July 22, 1865.

(inituly Cdunty was represented b}' Comjiatiy D. Tliis com])any was raised in Aiii^iist, 18G2, and going to Cainp Butler was mustered into the service Sept. 8, 1862. In tiie following month the regiment was ordered to Louisville and was assigned to duty guarding the Louisville and Nashville railroad. The regiment formed a part of the large force guarding the Louisville and Nashville railroad, and occupied seven detached posts on thirty miles of tlie line of that road. Three compiinies were stationed at each of the trestles at Big llun and Sul- ]ihnr Fork, which are ahout a mile apart, and seven or eight miles north of Elizabethtown ; one company, Capt. Fosha's (Co. D), occui)ied a stockade at this ])lace ; portions of one company, Capt. Hanna's (enlisted in Kendall County), were stationed at two bridges about a mile apart, and nearly two miles south of Elizabethtown ; one company at Nolin's Fork, nine miles, and one at Bacon Creek, twenty miles south of Elizabethtown. These detachments liad all received orders not to leave their diflerent positions for any cause whatever, bnt to hold and defend them to the last extremity. For some days before the attack of Gen. Morgan, reports were constantly received at the different stations that the rebels were ajiproaching in large force, and the impression was universal throughout the regiment that under the orders they had received, the small detachments at the different posts would be gobbled u]>, one after the other, by superior numbers. These reports and impressions were fully contirmed late on Fridaj' night, by tha arrival at Elizabethtown of two negroes who had escaped from the companies at Bacon Creek and Nolin's Fork bringing intelligence that both of these companies had been attacked that day by the rebels and compelled to surrender. Capt. Fosha immediately sent a messenger to head(|uarter8 at Big Run Trestle, informing Lieut. Col. Smith of the intelligence he had just received by the escaped negroes.

"During the night the rebel scouts were (juite active and bold, but our pickets were watchful and alert, and no advantage was obtained. Early in the morning skirmishers were sent out to feel the enemy and retard their advance, and about eight o'clock the six companies at the Trestle, having been relieved by the 71st Luliana volunteers, arrived at Elizabethtown under Lieut. Col. Smith, who immediately ordered Capt. Ilanna's company at the bridges below to join him. The command then consisted of eight companies, mustering about 450 effective men, which Col. Smith drew up in line of battle on the west side of the railroad, close by the stockade in which Capt. Fosha's men were left, with orders to hold it. Up to this time, neither the rebel forces nor their commander was known. To ascertain these facts Col. Smith sent out a flag of truce, demanding their immediate surrender. The demand was of course refused, and in about half an hour Col. Smith received a reply signed by John IL Morgan, stating tliat he had Col. Smith's forces surrounded, and that in ten minutes liis batteries would be in position to open upon him, and demanding the surrender of his command. To this Col. Smitli replied that it was the duty of United States soldiers to tight, not to surrender. In less than ten minutes allowed by Gen. Mijrgan, one of his batteries had taken position on some hiffh bluffs to the riii-ht of the Nashville pike, and within a thousand yards of the town, and opened fire upon Col. Smith's forces; at the same time, heavy columns of the enemy were observed moving to the right and left of the town, with the evident intention of surrounding our troops. To avoid this it became necessary to change tlie position of the regiment, which Col. Smith did by moving his men into the town and taking possession of the court house :md buildings on the square. On the retirement of the outside forces and before the enemy had advanced on the stockade, Capt.Fosha withdrew hiy forces and followed the retreat of the rest of the regiment into the town, and occupied a building on the south side of the square. It was now ten o'clock and Col. Smith had determined to liold the buildings to the last extremity. The enemy opened fire upon the town with his artillery, the building from which the regimental colors were flying being struck seventeen times and badly riddled. The men, however, were maintaining their discipline, though several were killed and others wounded, and were returning the musket firing with some efi'ect. As the enemy approached the suburbs of the town, and were dismounting with the evident intention of making an attack upon the regiinent's position, numbers of saddles were unceremoniously emptied by the accuracy of our fire, which made the rebels hesitate to advance. The firing had been maintained upward of three hours, and the Union foi-ces were expecting an assault which they confidently expected to repel with heavy loss to the enemy, when a white fiag was thrown out of a window in the building occupied by Capt. Fosha's company. It was immediately ordered to be shot down, and when fired upon was withdrawn, but another immediately appeared on the street, and Capt. Fosha's men were seen coming out of the building and throwing down their arms. The firing ceased at once, and the rebels rushing in from the alleys and cover of the houses, captured the whole regiment." * The forces under Morgan numbered some eight or ten thousand with thirteen guns, and the capture of the regiment was a foreirone conclusion from the first, but the spirited resistance offered by our troops delayed the rebel expedition and forced them to lose valuable time. When paroled, the regiment was ordered to Benton Barracks, Mo., and in January, 1S63, were sent home on furlough. In Febrnar}'. they were ordered back, and subsequently ordered to Yicksburg where they arrived July Itth. They took part in the movements to Port Hudson, Carrollton, La., and Atchafalaya River, arriving at Morganzia, 10th of October. Transferred to the 13th array corps, they went to Xew Orleans, going into camp October 12th. Later in the month the regiment was ordered to Texas; took part in several minor engagements, and in July, 1864, occupied Brazos Santiago as part of the garrison. About the last of December, the 91st was relieved and transferred to Xew Orleans and placed on provost duty, hi February, it joined the forces at Fort Morgan and subsequently took an active part in the campaign- whicli resulted in the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. Following up tlie retreat of the rebels, the federal forces overtook the enemy at Eight-mile Creek, where a sharp engagement took place, the 91st leading a bayonet charge, which cleared the field. This was the last engagement of the war east of the Mississippi. The regiment was iiuistcred out of the service, July 12, lS(j.5, at Mobile, and reached Camp Butler on the 23d of the same month.

The 127th Illinois infantry contained nearly a full company from Grundy County, Company D, which was organized about xVugust, 1S63, and was mustered at Camp Douglas in September, though the regiment was not organized until October. Early in the following month the regiment was ordered to the field, going by rail to Cairo, and thence by steamboat to Mem- ]ihis. Taking part in the Talahatchie River expedition, the 127th, on its return to Memphis, was ordered to Vicksburg. The regiment was in Blair's division under Sherman, and after takin^' their turn at ditcliing in the various bayous (a line of operations soon abandoned), and the transports having successfully passed the Vicksburg batteries, the 127th, with the rest of the division, steamed up the Yazoo River to divert the attention of the enemy from Grant's real object of crossing the Mississippi. The main army liaving crossed the river and beaten the enemy back from Fort Gibson and Grand Gulf, a feint was made in the direction of Vicksburg while waiting the return of Sherman's corps, which was ordered to join the main force by a march across the country. Gen. Johnson, who commanded the rebel force in the West, had been apprised of Grant's movements, and was gathering an army to reinforce Pemberton at Vicksburg and to guard aj^ainst beinij assailed in the rear. Grant, refraining from moving on the city, attracted Pemberton's attention b\' a feint, and directed Sherman to follow the eastern side of the Black River to Edward's Station on the Vicksburg railroad, and McPherson to make a detour farther eastward, destroying rebel stores aud lines of communication. At Raymond, a few miles south of Edward's Station, a force of the enemy was struck by McPherson, when a short and sharp engagement ensued. The rebels were foi'ced to a second position, and after a severe struggle were driven from the field in disorder, retreating toward Jackson. Fearing the enemy under Johnson at Jackson might prove too numerous for McPherson's force, Sherman and MeClernand were directed to follow to Jackson, where, in company with McPherson, they fought the battle of Jackson, forcing the rebels to retreat. Leaving Sherman to destroy bridges, arsenals and other public property, the rest of the army faced about westward to close in upon Vicksburg. Pemberton had moved out to Edward's Station in the meanwhile, and thinking to cut Grant ofi:' from his base of supplies, which had been at Grand Gulf, he pushed down toward Rjiyinond, when he found by the Union pickets advancing from the east that Grant had changed his base, and his was a fruitless errand. lie now proposed to follow the orders of Johnson, and by retracin<r his steps to escape by a northeasterly route through Brownsville and join the latter's defeated forces. But his resolution came too late, for the Union forces had occupied this town aud were prepared to dispute his advance. As the only alternative tiie rebel forces were hastily drawn up for action, and then followed the battle of Champion Hills. A courier was sent to

Sherman at Jackson with orders to bring his troops to the scene of conflict. The hattle was fought by the troops of Mc- Piierson's and McClernand's corps, and tlie rebel army retreating, these troops pressed rapidly forward in their wake, while Sherman advanced in the direction of Bridgeport, higher up the river, with the intention of crossing at tliat point. On the following morning, finding the enemy disputing the passage of Black River, McClernand's troops proceeded at once to tlie attack and soon liad tlie enemy flying. Bridges were placed across the river that night, and Sherman, still on the right of the line, took possession of Haine's Bluffs, while McPherson and McClernand completed the investment of the city. In these operations the 127th, while in active service, enduring severe marching and performing valuable service, was not called upon to do any heavy fighting, though losing a number of men in a number of severe skirmishes. In war, liowever, there is more drudgery to be done than glory to be gained, and

" He also serves who only stands and waits." The enemy's forces, rapidly driven into their works about the city, were considerably demoralized, and though the works were skillfully constructed and located, in a naturally strong position, the necessities of tiie situation seemed to demand quicker results than could be secured by siege. A general assault was therefore made on the afternoon of May 17th, and while no advantage was gained, the 127th had opportunity of showing its metal; this regiment and the S3d Indiana alone succeeding in placing their colors upon the outward slope of the enemy's works. On May 22d they again joined in the general assault, but the works proved too strong and the arm^' sat down to a laborious siege. On July 4, tliis stronghold capitulated, and on the following day Sherman's corps moved out to Jackson where a force of the enemy had intrenched to disjjute the further advance of the victorious federals.

In the meantime the Chattanooga campaign had been fouglit, ending in Chickamauga and the close surveillance of Cliattauooga. Grant had been placed in general command of the west, while Thomas had superseded Rosecrans. After the Jackson expedition the 127th with its corps returned to Vicksburg; in September took trans])orts to Memphis and thence by way of Corinth, luka and East Point went to Chattanooga, arriving at the latter place September 23d. After taking part in the movements culminating in Mission Ridge, the regiment made the forced march to Knoxville and having relieved the troops besieged there, returned to Chattanooga. Grant having been made Lieut. General and put in command of the whole field, east and west, Sherman sncceeded him in command of the Department of the Mississippi, and at once commenced the campaign of Atlanta. Johnson having succeeded Bragg in command of the rebel forces, had taken a strong natural position at Dalton and greatly strengthened it by fortifications. Here, Sherman findino- the position too strong to take by an attack in front, diverted the attention of the enemy by a feint attack and began the flank moveinents for which he became so famous. The 127th was of the flanking forces, and making a detour to the westward came upon the enemy at Resaca. llere the bearing of this regiment was especially marked by its gallant fighting. On one occasion our men had been ordered back, a movement which evoked exultant shouts from the enemy who supposed we were repulsed. The color bearer of the 127th, becoming exasperated and regardless of danger, returned to an embrasure and defiantly flaunted his flag in the face of the enemy. His life paid the forl'eit of his temerity, and others who atti mpted to regain tlio colors were shot in the attempt. Then followed the maneuvers ending in the battle of New Hope Church, rapidly followed by that of Ivenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek. McPherson's division, to which the 127th was assigned, from this point made a wide detour eastward by way of Decatur, and approaching Atlanta from the east sustained an assault from the whole rebel force. Here the fighting was very severe, the 127th doing its share manfully. Then followed the flank movement by the right, the battle of Jonesboro and the consequent evacuation of Atlanta. From this point Hood, then in command of the rebel forces, went on his ill-starred campaign to Nashville, before whom' Thomas retreated, gatherina: the forces that were destined to crush him in the end. Returning from his pursuit of Hood, Sherman, with tlie balance of his army, reorganized and rested, set out for his march to the sea, the 127th being in the right wing. From Atlanta to Savannah, thence to Columbia, S. C, Fayetteville, N. C, and Bentonville, to the end, the regiment marched its way through the rebellion, taking part in the '' Gi-and Review," and was one of four regiments complimented by Gen. Sherman for their fine soldierly bearing. The regiment was

The " Mechanical Fusiliers" was a company of meclianics enlisted to aid in the construction of barracks, bridges, etc., lor the use of the army. Tiiey went out in command of Cajit. James Miller of Joliet, assisted in the construction of barracks at Camp Douglas, and were then lost sight of so ii\r as any record exists in this county. The best information to be had is to the efi^ict that this company was organized with others into a pioneei- regiment, but of their subsequent career there is unfortunately no information at hand.

In the 60th Infantry, Grundy County was represented by a few men in Company I. This regiment was organized in February, 1862, and took part in the operations of the army of Tennessee. Was at the siege of Corinth, Nashville, Chattanooga, in the campaign about Atlanta, and the battle of Jonesboro. Was a part of tlie garrison left at Atlanta, and subsequently followed Sherman's army to Savannah and subsequently took part in Sherman's campaign in the Carolinas. Took ])art in tlie grand review at'jWashington; did provost duty at Louisville for a little more than a month and was mustered out July 31, 1865.

The 90th Infantry was organized at Chicago in September and October, 1862. In Company H. of this regiment this county was represented by some fourteen men. The regiment was ordered to Tennessee, arriving at Lagrange December 2d, and on the 4th went to Cold Water, Mississi])pi. On the morning of the 20th, a detachment of the 2d Illinois Cavalry ' arrived at Cold Water, having cut their way through Van Dorn's forces, out of Holly Springs. Soon after four companies of the 101st Illinois came in, and were followed % the enemy to our lines. The demonstration made by the 90th deterred the enemy from making any severe attack, although he was 4,000 or 5,000 strong. The regiment was mustered out of service June 6, 1865, at Washington, D. C.

Company B of the 129th Infantry drew some men from Grundy. This regiment was organized at Pontiac, 111., in August, 18G2, and was sent at once to Louisville. After the Buell and Bragg race across Kentucky, the 129th joined in the pursuit via Frankfort and Danville to Crab Orchard, when it returned and did garrison duty at Mitchellshurg, Ivy. The regiment was mustered out June 8, 1SG5, at Washington, D. C.

(Company II. of the 13Sth Infantry also contained some (rrundy County men. Tliis was a -' hundi'ed day" regiment, organized June 21, 1804. It was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where it served out the term of its enlistment. The regiment was mustered out

Other organizations that numbered one or two men from Grundy County, were Companies E and II of the 144tlr, Companies C and K of the 147th; Com])any E of the 153d; C'ompany A of the 15Gtli; Company E of the 2d Cavalry; Xaugus Battery, and twelve men in the naval service.

In the above brief survey no attempt has been made to do exact or equal justice to the military career of those who went out from Grundy County to tiie service of their country. Any such attempt must have failed in the very nature of the case. Such facts as have been given, liave been cleaned from various sources of information generally accepted as correct, yet often proving contradictory in essential particulars, and may prove in many instances to fall short of the merits of the case. But however much this sketch may fail of excellence, it will at least serve to show that Grundy County's patriotism found expression "where duty called and danger," and was " never wanting there," and so answers the purpose for which it was conceived.

HE wlio would attempt to " revive the nienion'es of tlie past and witli feeble ])en jiortray them" in the hojie of giving such a chronicle of events as will meet the approval of all, will find his undertaking is a difficult - indeed an impossible one, especially so, if he attempts to write up cotem]iorar3' history. What to one seems of importance, to another seems trivial, whilst others are born chronic fault-finders. Fully appreciating these difficulties, and with a desire to show charity to all - malice to none - we shall endeavor to give a faithful narrative of the leading events and incidents connected with the township and city of Morris from their inception down to the present as we now remember them. In our etfort we may, indeed we must from the nature of human events and human weakness, omit many, many important incidents and events, and make many mistakes in dates and coloring of those we attempt to describe. We are relying largely upon our memor}^ indeed we have little other resource to di'aw from ; and as our recollections are most vivid on those events with which we were personally interested, our readers will be charitable enough to excuse what may smack of egotism. Should any of the living who have been participants in the events we shall describe, feel themselves at our omission to favorably mention what part they performed, or should the descendants of any of the early settlers of Morris who have "gone before" feel that we have woiinded their sensibilities by statements that may be construed to reflect u])on the character or habits of the deceased, we in advance disclaim any malice or intention of injuring the reputation of any one. Nor shall we fail to give the habits, customs and characteristics of our early inhabitants, nor " spoil a good tale for relationship." In this way only can we write history whose use, according to Tacitus, " Is to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them, and that men should feel a dread of being considered infamous in the opinions of posterity, fi'om their depraved expressions and depraved actions." Morris (for such is the name given to the county seat of Grundy County), is located on the north or right bank of the Illinois Kiver, some twelve miles below the junction of the Kankakee and Desplaines Hivers, which form the Illinois. Nettle Creek, a considerable stream of pure water approaching from the north, passes through the city and flows into the river about a half mile southwest of the court house. From the south approaches the Mazon, which, in the Alironquin or Indian language, means " liiver of Nettles," and empties into the

IlliiKiis directly south of the public square. The Mazoii is sometimes called a creek and other times a river. It is a short stream, with decidedly uppisli notions. In times of drouth it is an humble creek, but in the spring and fall it is a roaring river. The Illinois & Michigan Canal passes through between the city and the river, at a distance of about forty rods from the river, and runs nearly parallel with it, the general course vf the river at this point being nearly from east to west. From the bank of the river, viinning north to the distance of about one half mile, the surface of the land iu Morris gently rises - the apex being some forty feet above the river bank, thus forming a natural drainage into the canal. From the apex north the surface descends for a distance of about one hundred rods to a ravine running southwesterly into Nettle Creek. Sandy loam is the predominating soil, which is admirably adapted to gardening ]iurposes and the raising of fruit, especially grapes. Originally, nearly the entire plat of Morris was studded with forest trees, oak and hickory predominating, with here and there a hazel or plum thicket. Notwithstanding the timber, and many of the trees were giant oaks, there were bowlders scattered over the surf ice, mute witnesses of the glacier period, and of its great antiquity. Morris is located midway between the cities of Joliet on the east and Ottawa on the west, and sixty-one miles southwest of Chicago. It spreads over parts of four sections of land, viz.: three, four, nine and ten, in township number thirtythree north, range seven, east of the third principal meridian. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad, which is one of the foremost railroads of the continent.

passes through Morris a half mile north of the court house, thus giving both rail and water |highways for the transportation of grain and stock. With our facilities of travel, Chicago is but two and a half hour's ride from Morris bj' rail.

Few cities are more pleasantly located than Morris. Sheltered on the south and west by heavy groves of timber, with an undulating surface, in the midst of a fine agricultural country, it is no wonder that the Mound Builders, that mj'sterious yet intelligent prehistoric race, selected the site of Morris for their principal city and cemetery, away back of the historic period. That here was the abode of a large number of these wonderful people is attested by nineteen separate, distinct mounds or cemeteries, for each mound is but a cemetery, pyre, or charnel house, at the center of whose base lie the cremated ashes of their dead. These mounds were constructed in a line on the second rise from the river, and some forty rods to the north of the river bank. The largest of them was located near the south east corner of the present court house square, and was about fifty feet in diameter and ten feet high. There were no moats or ditches surrounding these mounds, hence the material used in their construction must have been carted or carried from a distance. They were constructed of sandy loam, free of clay or gravel.

From whence the Mound Builders came, the period of their existence and the cause or causes of their extermination have not yet been satisfactorily settled. Enough of their liistory has been delved out of their mounds to establish many very interesting facts, and the ever restless spirit of inquiry and research may yet fix the date of their existence and account for tiieir disa]ipearance. From the knowledge we now have relating to these mysterious people, we deduce among other things : First: They were a very numerous people as evidenced by the great number of tumuli or mounds found in the United States, reacliing far beyond a hundred thousand already discovered. Secondly: They built cities and surrounded them with fortifications. Thirdly: They were a rel igious people and offered up sacrifices. Fourthly: They were an intelligent people and well skilled in some of the arts. Fifthly: They had a knowledge of the use of metals, especially cop]ici-, and to some extent of iron and steel. Sixthly: Tliey were experts in the manufacture of earthenware and brick, and used the latter in walling in their cities and in the erection of fortifications. Seventhly: These people must have been as numerous throughout the valley of the Mississippi as the inhabitants along the banks of the Nile or Euphrates in biblical times, with cities rivaling those of Mexico in the days of the Montezumas. Eighthly: They must have been an agricultural and pastoral people, as their cities were too large to subsist on fish and wild game. Ninthly: They well understood the arts of war and civil engineering. Tenthly: They were a wealthy peo])!e as well as numerous, or they could not have bnilt the mounds and fortifications which mark their existence and bear testimony to their skill and wonderful works, like those on the Muskingum in Ohio, and Cohokia in Illinois - works in whoso construction years of labor and millions of treasure would bo required even with the art and skillof the nineteenth century. Eleventhly: They understood aud appreciated the precious metals in ornamentation, if not as a circulating medium. Twclfthly: There were at least three separate races of them, Lilliputian, Medium and Giant. Thii-teenthly : They were fine judges of soil and natural advantages of locality ; always selecting the i)est lands and most eligible sites for their cities, with a view to natural drainage, abundance of wood and water, and points which could be readily fortified against the attack of an enemy. Fourteenthly: They were probably the descendants of the Israelites, possibly of the lost tribes described by Esdros. Fifteenthly: They were crematers and buried the ashes of their dead, and erected over them tumuli instead of monuments of marble - grand landmarks to point out where their eternity began. Some of them as in Licking County, Ohio, and St. Clair County, 111., covering acres in area, and rising to the astonishing elevation of one hundred feet ; and lastly, and most strangely, they were speculative Masons, as evidenced by finding in their mounds miniature squares, compasses, levels and plumbs cut out of sea shell or imprinted ou pieces of pottery. (This last discovery is but quite recent and may not prove general. lion. William McAdams of Jersey County, III., and the writer, vouch for the correctness of the last statement from personal discoveries near Naples, 111., and Glen-Elder, Kansas.) But as the editor, Mr. Battle, has dwelt at same length u])on this subject, we shall simply add that these can be no reasonable doubt but the present site of the city of Morris was once the site of a great city of the Mound Builders, and from specimens of their handiwork found beneath the surface of the prairies we are led to the couclusion that the vast

The numerous human skeletons we find near the surface of these mounds are those of Indians, deposited there probably thousands of vears after the mounds were built. The Indians utilized these mounds because they were dry, as burial places for their dead. How many different tribes of Indians have made this their princi]ia] village sites is not and never will be known. La Salle found a large one here, on his first trip up the Illinois, in 1679. Prior to the organization of Grundy, La Salle County embraced, in addition to the present large territory, all of Grundy and a portion of Kendall Counties. Ottawa, the county seat of La Salle, is located on Sections 3, 4, 0 and 10, T. 33, R. 3, or just twenty-four miles west of Morris; and as Morris is twelve miles west of the east line of Grundy County, persons living on the eastern side of La Salle County ]irior to the formation of Grundy would be compelled to travel about forty miles to the county scat; these people soon became dissatisfied, and discussed the feasibility of the division of this monster county as far back as 1836, and in 1839 petitions for the organization of anew county were prepared, and circulated for signers by L. W. Claypool and others, and were very generally signed by the inhabitants of the territory of the proposed new county. The General Assembly (under the State Constitution, adopted Aug. 26. 181S), convened on the first Monday in December in each even numbered year, hence the first session after the commencement of obtaining signatures to said petition would be the first Monday in December, 1840.

During the summer of that year the new county movement received the aid of Hon. Geo. W. Armstrong and his brother, William E., the former then living where he now resides, near the dividing line between La Salle and (irundy, with part of his farm in each county; the latter residing in Ottawa. Wm. E. was a man of great energy and positive chai-acter - quick to ])erceive and promj^t to act. Whatever he attempted to do he did, if good management and well-directed efforts could accomplish it. In this movement he saw the necessity of a division of La Salle County, and the erection of a new one, and beyond this he saw an opportunity of making money. Having first surveyed the general topography of the countrj-, out of which the new county was proposed to be organized, his mind settled upon the place where Morris is located, as the most eligible point for the seat of justice. He next conferred with the late John P. Chapin, who then owned the southeast quarter of Section four, T. 33, R. 7, which eventuated in the purchase of an undivided lialf interest in the south portion thereof, contingent upon the organization of the new county. This done, he pressed forward the petition for the division of La Salle County, with energy and success, and when the Legislature met that fall he went in person to press through his bill for a new county, suggesting the name of Grundy in honor of Tennessee's greatest criminal lawyer and statesman, Felix Grundy. This bill became a law Feby. 17, 1841.

Among its provisions are the following: "That all that tract of country lying and being in the county of La Salle, in townships thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three.

and tliirty-four north, of ranges six, seven, and eight, east of tlie tliird principal meridian, shall constitute a new county to be called Grundy.

" An election shall be held at the house of C. Pincy, on the fourth Monday of May next for the ))urpose of electing one sheriff, etc., etc., and the said county of Grundy shall be organized so soon as the said officers shall be elected and qualified.

" Ward P). Purnett, Ptulief S. Durwyea, and William E. Armstrong be appointed in conjunction with the commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, to locate the seat of justice of the said county of Grundy.

" It shall be the duty of tlie said commissioners to locate the said seat of justice on the line of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, on canal lands, and they shall set apart for this purpose any quantity of the canal lands, not exceeding (10) acres, and after doing so shall proceed to lay ofi'the said land as a town site, embracing lots, streets, alley's, and a public square, in such manner as they shall deem proper. They shall divide the said lots in equal number between the State and the said county, and shall allot to the State and the county alternate lots of equal value, or as nearly so as may be practicable.

"It shall be the duty of the can.il commissioners to require of the said county, and the inhabicants thereof, in their corporate capacit}', shall be liable to them for the payment of a sum equal to ten dollars per acre for one-half of the whole quantity of land to be located as aforesaid, upon the payment of which sum the canal commissioners shall certify the fact to the Governor, who shall thereu]ion issue a patent to the county commissioners of said county for that portion of the lots by number, which shall be allotted to the county; provided always, that the monej-s to be leceived by the canal commissioners by virtue of this section of the act, shall be a]i])]ied in aid of the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal."

The seat of justice should be located on the line of the canal and on canal land, thus restricting the location virtually- to two land points, viz.: Section 7 or 9, T. 33, R. 7; section 9 is centrally located between east and west lines of the county; section 7 is two miles west of the center; both lie on the Illinois river; only a small fraction of 9 lies north of the river, whilst nearly all of 7 does. The lay of the land on the north side of the river at both of these points is high and well adapted for village or city location, and on the south side, low, flat, and subject to overflows in the spring and fall. Only ten acres were to be laid out for the seat of justice, of which the country was to have one half upon the payment to the canal fund of the sum often dollars per acre, or fifty dollars for one half of the county seat. But this was not the real consideration o)i the part of the State. It was the expectation that the locating of the county' seat on canal land would enhance the adjacent land in price. Here, then, were two conflicting interests. The one in favor of section 7, the other for section 9. The canal commissioners having the interest of the canal fund only in view were strongly in favor of section 7, whilst the great mass of the people of the county and the other three commissioners were in favor of section 9.

tliis question, hence the votenpon the location was a tie, and a dead-lock ensued. Great credit is due to General "Ward B. Burnett for the stand he took on this question. He was chief engineer of the construction of the canal, in the employment of the State, and subject to removal by the canal commissioners; but he was too much of a man to be swerved or controlled in his action as a commissioner to locate the county seat by fear or favor, hence he stood manfully with Messrs. Dnrwyea and Armstrong for section 9 first, last and all the time until it was accomplished. Yet, be it said, with shame, that not even a street in the entire city of Morris bears the honored name of Burnett, the gallant soldier and finished gentleman. From the tim.e of this disagreement between the commissioners on the county seat question, which was probably in the forepart of June, 1S41 (we have no record of their meeting), up to April 12. lSJr2, when the plat of Morris was acknowledged by Isaac N. Morris, Newton Cloud, R. S. Duryea andAVm. E. Armstrong (See Book "B," page 30, of Deed Records of Grundy County), Grundy County presented the anomaly of being a fully organized county without a county seat. Mr. Armstrong moved his family from Ottawa, Ills., soon after the passage of the act creating the county, and occupied the log cabin erected by Cryder and McKeen for John P. Chapin in 1S34. This cabin stood near the spot where the residence of Jndge A. R. Jordan now stands, and contained but one room 16x20 feet On the 1 Ith of June, 1S41, the Board of County Commissioners, consisting of Henry Cryder, Jacob Claypool and James McKeen, held the first meeting for the transaction of couutv business at this cabin. Among other business transacted at this meeting they approved the official bonds of L. W. Claypool, recorder of deeds; James Nagle, clerk of the county commissioners' court; and Joshua Collins, probate justice of the peace. When this meeting of the board was through with their business they adjourned to meet "at the house of "NVni. E. Armstrong, on section 4, July 21, ISil." At this meeting it was "ordered that the Circuit Court be held in the house of Wm. E. Armstrong."' Mr. Claypool resigned his office as one of the county commissioners, and Salmon Rutherford was elected to fill the vacancy; and the next meeting was held at the house of Mr. Rutherford, at the village of Dresden, nine miles east of Morris. This was held Sept. 6, 1841, and adjourned to meet at the house of Mr. Armstrong, on section 4, T. 33, R. 7. At this meeting the precinct of Grundy was formed, which embraced what are now the towns of Morris and Saratoga. In the meanwhile Messrs. Chapin and Armstrong proceeded to lay off a village plat, embracing what is now known as Chapin's addition to Morris, but gave it no name, nor did they file it for record. It was, however, generally known as Grnndyville, or Grundy, and Mr. Armstrong erected a large frame building upon the spot where the Hopkins House stands and opened it as a hotel under tlie name of " Grundy Hotel." A petition for a^ost-oftice at this point, with the signatures of fully half of the voters of the county, had been forwarded to the Post-Ofiice Department in the fall of 1841, under the name of the " Town of Grundy," but the prayer was not granted because it was not a county seat, and the receipts of the office (though postage was then 25 cents per letter), would not defray tlio expenses of carrying the mail. In the s]iri7ig of 1842, General Win. F. Thornton, one of the canal conuiiissioners, was succeeded by lion. Isaac N. Morris, of Quiiicy, III, when another conference of the County Seat (/onnnission was held - probably about the 1st of March. After inspect" ing tlie two competing points, Grundy, on Sec. !), and Clarkson, > n Sec. 7, and conferring with the county officials and people, Mr. Morris cast his vote in favor of Grundy, or Sec. 9. The vote standing as follows: For Sec. 9, Messrs. Morris, Burnett, Durwj-ea and Armstrong, 4. For Sec. 7, Messrs. Cloud and Fry, 2. Pleased at the independent and manly action of Mr. Morris, and wishing to honor him, the name of the Town of Grundy was changed, first to Morristown, but it was found that there was already a town of that name in the State; Morris ville was then suggested, but to tliis name Mr. Morris objected, as it suggested a mere village. It was finally named Morris, and the survey was begun (according to the diary of L. "W. Claypool, Esq.) March 7, 1842, by Leander Newport, surveyor, witli. Perry A. Claypool and George W. Armstrong, chainmen. Thus did Grundy t'ounty, after months of doubt and uncertainty, obtain her county seat and give it a name. Sometime afterward the Board of County Commissioners attempted to change the name to Xenia, but could not agree upon the orthography of the word; hence tiiey did not make the change.

That the log cabin before referred to as the residence of Mr. Armstrong in 1841, was the first building within the present corporate limits of Morris, there is no doubt, but whether it was built by Mr. James McKeen, who died here only last year, or by John Cryder, who occupied it immediately after it was erected, seems to be in doubt. . That it was built for Mr. John P. Chapin, now deceased, is conceded by all, as he was the owner of the land, although the title thereto was then in Mr. Julius Wadsworth, who held it for Mr. Chapin, and for whom John Cryder obtained a pre-emption. Mr. McKeen has frequently told the writer that he built it while Mr. Zachariah Walley, who still survives, is equally positive tliat Mr. John Cryder built it. We deem it safe to say that both are right, i. e., that each assisted in its erection in the spring of 1834. Mr. Cryder, after moving into said cabin, fenced and broke some ten acres of land lying west of the present Wauponsee street and north of W^ashington street. He resided there until the fall of 1838, and then went to Beardstown, Cass County, Illinois. The next residents of the town of Morris were John and Thomas Peacock, Englishmen and brothers.

They built a small cabin on the north front of S. -J of section 2, just west of the present Morris cemetery, and kept " Old Bach " during the winter of 1834-5. They purchased this land at the land sale in 1835, married and raised families. Many of their descendants are still living there and elsewhere in this county. In the early spring of 1838, Peter Griggs erected a cabin near where the aqueduct now is and moved into it. His widow still survives and is a second time a widow. He left several children who are still living: Jacob, John, Mary, Priscilla and Wilson. Jacob is the only one now living in Mor- ris. On the 3d of July, 1839, all the available force of this section of country assembled at the west branch of Nettle Creek on the west side of the city, to raise what has ever since that time been known as " shaking bridge." The territory, now in Grundy County, was at that time very sparsely settled. Tlie bridge was constructed of green oak logs, and hence they were extremely heavy. Nearly every ablebodied man then in the limits of this county was there. Hayes, Peacocks, Claypools, Warren, Ilolloway, Tabler, etc. In bridging this stream the people were in hopes of inducing Frink & AValker, who ran a line of stages from Chicago to Ottawa, via Lisbon, to change the line so a^ to follow the course of the Illinois river, and pass through this locality. That object was not accomplished, however, until lSi6, when O. Husteed & Co. became the successors to Frink & Walker in the mail con. tract between Chicago and Peoria. During the summer and fall of 1841, several new buildings were erected here, but as ]nne lumber could not be obtained short of Chicago, the greater portion of them were merely log cabins. The first one was probably built by James Nagle, Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court. It was a large sized, heavily built log cabin, and stood near the old Kinsted homestead, on the S. W. i, section 3, near the N. W. corner thereof. In this cabin Mr. Nngle kept his otRce containing the books, papers and archives of the county. He was a highly educated Irishman, which means one of Nature's noblemen, for as a general rule, an ediu-ated Iriskman is a finished gentleman. He was a most splendid penman and very agreeable man. An invalid, he fell a victim to that fell destroyer - consumption - in the spring of 1843. James Hart, father of John Hart, Esq. and widow Reynolds, of this city, built a small house near the Indian pole, and occupied it for a residence and saloon. He was a partner with Mr. Armstrong in one or more contracts to dig the canal. Andrew Kiuchella, a man of energy and means, built and occupied a log cabin near the present residence of L. P. Lott, Esq. He afterward purchased and improved a farm near Minooka, and died several years since, leaving quite a property. Anthony Iloran, who always ap))eared in white pants and vest on St. Patrick's Day, no matter what the weather was, built and occupied a cabin near where the present fine residence of L. W. Claypool stands. In a fit of anger at his wife he is said to have set fire to it in 1846. Whether this was true or not, the cabin was burned, and he was arrested for the incendiarism, but as we had no suitable jail. Deputy Sheriff P. Kelly started with him in a buggy for the Ottawa jail. On reaching a point this side of Marseilles where the road approached the Illinois River, he complained of being thirsty and asked permission to set a drink. Having the darbies on, Mr. Kelly deemed it safe, and accompanied him to the river's edge. Iloran laid down and drank heartily, but while lying there he worked his hands through his hand cuffs, and as he rose to his feet he sprang into the river, swam across to the otiier side, and made good his escape, and stayed away until after the next term of court, at which no indictment was found, as his wife refused to go before the Grand Jury to testify against him. She died soon afterward, and Anthony returned to Morris, where lie remained until some years afterward, when he went to the State of Pennsylvania, and was living at last advices. Perry A. Claypool built a cabin about wliere Ray's store now stands, in 18J:2, and occnpied it with his family for about a year, when Samuel Ay res and family took possession of the cabin and kept boarders. During the residence of Mr. Ayres here he held the office of coroner and deputy sheriff. He was a capital good fellow and had an interesting familv- He left about the year 1S4S and went to Texas, much to the regret of our people. With full confidence that this point would ultimately be the county seat, Mr. Armstrong, of his own volition and at his own expense, commenced the erection of a frame building near tlie northwest corner of the public square, for a court house, in the winter of lS-il-2. This building was probably 20x40 feet, two stories high. As there was no pine lumber to be had short of Chicago, and then it would have to be hauled by tean^s, he used hardwood lumber. It was an old fashioned heavy frame, thoroughly braced, with oaken floors and siding. The siding was undressed and hence could never be painted. This siding was sawed from a very indeiiendent kind of trees and liad a decidedly snarlish disposition, and little regard for the confining influence of nails; lience, the clajiboards or siding turned up their noses or heels in the most provoking manner - resembling somewhat the bristles of the hedgehog. This building was virtually accepted by the county' commissioners as and for a court house in the tall of 1842, and forty dollars were paid to Mr. Armstrong as part pay, and in June, 1843, tliey ])aid liiin another county order for

$310.06, making a total of $350.06. This was for the building, before it was lathed and plastered. That cost $175.30, making the total cost of the court house $525.36. Rather a cheap building for such a purpose, yet it served the purpose for whick it was erected until superseded by the present fine stone one in 1856, a period of thirteen years. The lower story was done off for a court room, with a door on each side near the center and opposite each other, for ingress and egress, and the upper story was divided into three rooms of nearly equal size, with stairway at southeast corner. In the upper story were the offices of the clerks of the Circuit and County Commissioners' Courts and recorder's office, but not used as such. - L. W. C. Our sheriff. Mr. Armstrong, had charge of the court room, and being a very liberal man in his religious views, this courtroom was always free for religious services, no matter of what denomination. It was equallj' free for temperance meetings, singing schools. Sabbath schi^ols, lectures, legerdemain, or for the exhibition of learned pigs, bears, natural monstrosities, or that greatest of humbugs, mesmerism.

During the winter and spring of 1841-2 Robert Peacock' erected a small frame building for a hotel on the spot where the Clifton House now stands and christened it the " Plow Inn." His sign was the representation of a plow painted upon a board, and underneath the letters " Inn." Mr. Peacock was a man of fair education, honest and fair but slightly addicted to gossip; hence he was very liable to be occasionally duped. He was a justice of the peace and a good one. In the absence of the coroner, a justice of the peace of the precinct where a dead body may be found was required to hold an inquest. In the summer of 1842 P. P. Chapin (a natural wag) was running a brick yard near where tlie Gas Factory is located on the bank of East Nettle C reek. An English family, of the name of Bandly, with three or four daugliters, ranging from six to fourteen years of age, lived near b}' his brick yard. Tiiese little girls had an enormously large rag doll baby, and while playing on the bank of the creek which is very abrupt and high, either by accident or intent, they let this doll tall into the creek, and as they could not reach it to pull it out, they left it floating down stream. Mr. Chapin rescued it from its watery grave and carefully laid it out to dry upon a large stump close by. Here was a rare chance for " Pete " (as he was called, although his Christian name was Paschal) to gratify his ever ready wit and propensity for fun, even at the expense of friendship. A couple of elderly maidens lived "' all alone " in a cabin near by, with whose reputation the busy tongue of scandal was dealing insidious inuendoes - though in all human probability very unjustly. It was therefore an easy matter to start the inference of infanticide in that locality, and Squire Peacock - good, honest soul, would be among the very first to jump at a conclusion from the most obscure hint or gesture. With a serious countenance he approached the Squire, and in a solemn voice informed him of the corpus delicti. How his attention was attracted to the creek by the high bluff, near the residence of these old maidens; how he saw the dead body of a babe in the water; how he had carefully drawn tlie body out all dripping with water, and carefully laid it on a stump awaiting an inquest. All confidingly the

Squire was entrapj)ed, exclaiming, "I told you nothing wood would come of those two women living there alone." He consulted the statute relative to holding inquests, and then proceeded to summon a jury. L. "\V. Claypool and Samuel Ayers had been let into the secret by Chapin. The former declined to serve on the jury, but the latter wanted to see the fun. Having obtained his jury of twelve "good men and true," he repaired to the stump to examine the corpse, when lo! there was nothing there but a bundle of rags. The Squire laid up a hickory in oil for Chapin's use, but really never got quite even with him.

On the loth of April, 1842, having reached the age of nineteen, with all our worldly goods and possessions, consisting, of a few home-made clothes and Blackstone "done up in two volumes," all ensconced in a "cotton bandana," with two Spanisii quarters in our pocket like"Japhet in search of a father," we struck out from the paternal nest in the town of Deer Park, La Salle County, Illinois, and " on foot and alone like the girl that went to get married" we wended our wav to the new town of Morris, with great expectations of achieving a fortune and of building up a name that would be the envy of the old and the emulation of the young. We toiled along cheerily and manfully for the first half of the road - somefifteen miles. From thence on, those ponderous words of Blackstone, or the amount of paper used to print them, grew in weight step by step until each seemed to outweigh a common sized anvil. Night spread her sable wings over woodland and prairie long ere we reached our goal. On striking the point where Messrs. Kenrick & Kennedv no.v live we gave com

]iletelv out. Tlie roads were in a horrid condition and tlie mud was lialf leg deep. Tiie arguments of tlie le^al saoje were too lieavy for ns and lience we deposited tlieni in a hollow oak tree and covered them over with leaves and mud, to be exhumed at a more convenient season. At about nine p. M., we reached the Grnndy Hotel, though it was then far from being finished. Here we received a hearty welcome, with many proffers of a drop of wliisW, with the assurance that it would do us good. "We received the welcome without the whisky. Morris had been located and christened just three days before we cast our lot within its precincts. "VVe have been inseparable companions since tiiat time and have grown old together. It has grown larger, stronger and better. We, too, have grown larger, but alas, weaker and more wicked. Hope deferred for forty years, and still our expectations seem no nearer realization than when we came. Some davs after our arrival here we returned to the hollow tree for our books. They were safe and uninjured. Our first day in Morris as a citizen was full of adventure and decidedly discouraging. We came here ostensibly to keep the books of account of the firm of Armstrong & Hart, who were canal contractors and built the canal through Morris, but our main object was to study law, and as we were informed before coming that the book-keeping would occupy but a small portion of our time, we expected to literally absorb the contents of Blackstone. We were to board at the Grundy Hotel, of which Mr. Armstrong proprietor. On the day after our arrival we were placed in charge of said hotel as well as of the books of the firm, while Mr. Armstrong and family started to Ottawa for a short visit. Early in the day wo were informed by the cook of the boarding house for the canal hands that he was "out of meat," and as none could be obtained short of Dresden, we mounted a horse and went thither and made a purchase of several barrels of pork from Antoine Peltier and returned towards evening. There was a cubby-hole under the stairway of the hotel in which was stored a barrel of cheaj) brandy, the door to which we locked and put the key in our pocket. During our absence some thirsty soul broke open this door to get at the brandy. Having taken a few drinks he imagined that he was the owner of the entire barrel. Soon it was known all over the village that brandy was free at the Grundy Hotel. Once fairly started, brandy was carried in pails, dippers, pitchers and tin cups to the men on the work, and as a natural result a sober man was the exception and fighting was general.

As we approached the hotel the engineer in charge of the construction of the canal and the boss carpenter on the erection of the court house were stripped for a fight, each insisting that he would knock the other over the Alleghany mountains if he could only get a fair lick at him. They had a scratch across the road, which they vainly endeavored to toe, but were so drunk that when they attempted to straighten up, they lost their equilibrium, and were forced to step back, so a collision was impossible, so long as they respected the road mark. We had seen but little drunkenness thus far, and were horrified and pained at the sight. Here was a man of intellect and education, a first-class gentleman, so muddled witii the accursed liquor that he forgot who he was and what he was trying to do. By the joint use of persuasion and physical streniith we got the engineer in bed, whenhe soon went to sleep, and came out the next day humiliated and humble and eschewed cheap brandy ever after, as a beverage. Having thus disposed of the engineer, we started in search of a sober man, but failed in the effort. As we left the hotel a fight was in progress between Mat Catlin, the plasterer, and Johnnie May, a teamster. They were of the banty order and fought lively with the advantage in favor of May, who soon got Catlin down and was pummelling him in the most apjiroved style. We went to the rescue of Catlin and released him from his perilous condition, and fortius kindly act he became highly incensed at us and turned the vials of his wrath upon our poor head. The result was a slight conflict, with a pair of badly-damaged eyes to the plasterer. We then went into the office to post up books when Kurtz, the carpenter, came in and demanded more brandy. We had none to give him if we had wished to do so, as the barrel had been completely emptied before our return from Dresden, and had we had it to give we should most certainly have declined to give him any, as he was still quite tipsy. Our refusal roused him to a towering rage. We ordered him out of the room, to which he replied: " I know you are the boss here, but you are too small for a boss. I will go out if you can put me out, but not otherwise." We thereupon went for him and rushed to the door when he caught hold of the door jambs with his hands. This we expected, but were in no way disconcerted by it. We had seen such tricks before and well knew how to defeat them. We seized him around the legs and ended him over, when he fell on the flat of liis back into the bar room. He sprang quickly to his feet and came at us for fight, striking out with both fists wildly. We dodged the blows and gave him a hip lock, landing him across the flared edge of an oldfashioned Franklin stove, which settled him, and at the same time broke one of his ribs, when he was ready - yes, anxious, of being put in his " little bed." Gilman, the teamster, was the next to make trouble. He got up in the night to interfere with the cook whose room was down stairs. We heard him getting up and knew his design. Stealing to the head of the stairway in the dark hall we were ready for action. As he reached the first step we gave him a violent push. He had no time to count the steps or open the door at the foot of the stairs. He stopped very suddenly with his head in the bar room and his body in the stairway. The stairway door, however, was demoralized, and minus a panel. He was satisfied that " the way of the transgressor is hard," and very willingly returned to his bed. When Mr. A. returned from Ottawa, he found the work on the court house suspended and his team idle for want of a driver. Upon inquiring the cause of Mr. Catlin, he was informed that "we got on to a bit of a tantrum, when Picayune like to have kilt the whole of us."

This was the way a new name was given to us. Not a very elegant one, but one that stayed by us for several years. Thus we had a busy day, even though it was our first day in Morris. We established our reputation as a ^^ fighter" and have rested since.