Knox County, Illinois - Chapter 13: The War - at Home the Tocsin of War, 1878 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 13: The War - at Home the Tocsin of War

If there is any one thing more than another of which the people of Knox county have reason to be proud, it is of the record they made both at home and in the field during the dark and bloody days of the War of the Rebellion. When the dark war-clouds began to spread over our country, each and every one hoped, even against hope, that they would soon pass away, and that peace and prosperity would continue to reign. But such was not to be the case ; the war came with all its attendant horrors. That Knox county soldiers nobly did their duty in saving our glorious Union the records of Donaldson, Stone River, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca and a hundred other battle-fields will duly testify.

On the 12th of April, 1861, 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 injured 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 foreign foe: by rebel hands it was now trailed in the dust. How the blood of patriotic men of the North boiled when on the following day the news was flashed along the telegraph wires that Major Anderson had been forced to surrender! And nowhere was greater indignation manifested than in Knox county.

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 tilled, men and money were counted out by hundreds and thousands: the people who loved their whole government could not give enough. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school-house, - every calling offered its best men, their lives and fortunes, in defense of the government's honor and unity. Bitter words spoken in moments of political heat were forgotten and forgiven, and, joining hands in a common cause* they repeated the oath of America's soldier statesman : " By the Great Eternal, the Union must and shall he preserved."

Seventy-live thousand men were not enough to subdue the rebellion; nor were ten times that number. The war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush ont and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugurated. But to eve 17 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 have offered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. Such were the impulses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the Worth, among whom the sons of Knox made a conspicuous and praiseworthy record.

The readiness with which the first call was filled, together with the embarrassments that surrounded President Lincoln in the absence of sufficient laws to authorize him to meet the unexpected emergency,* together with an under estimate of the magnitude of the rebellion; and a general belief that the war would not last more than three months, checked rather than encouraged the patriotic ardor of the people. But very few of the men, comparatively speaking, who volunteered in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers for three months, were accepted. But the time soon came when there was a place and a musket for every man. Call followed call in quick succession, until the number reached the grand total of 3,339,748, as follows :

The tocsin of war was sounded, meetings were held in every township, 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.

When the boom of the great guns in Charleston harbor in the spring of 1861 went rolling across the continent, their echo penetrated every loyal heart in this country. They had scarcely ceased belching forth their iron missiles and our national ensign disgraced ere the patriotism of the sons of Knox county prompted them to rush to their country's defense. Perhaps the first three men in the State that offered their services and themselves to their country, were from Knox county. These honored sons were G. W. Brainbridge, William Mc- Bride and Jos Gibbs, all of whom afterward enlisted in the First Illinois Cavalry.

The appalling news of the fall of Sumter had just been flashed throughout the land when G. W. Brainbridge proceeded, although at the dead hour of night, to the residence of Jonathan Gibbs, of Lynn township, and calling the old gentleman up soon acquainted him with the sad and terrible news. Brainbridge then said, " Our country is in danger and we must go to her aid." McBride and young Gibbs now appeared when, seemingly to more forcibly show their loyalty and devotion to their country, those courageous men took a solemn oath, administered by Squire Gibbs, " that they would remain true and loyal to the Union," thus solemnizing anew in the stillness of the mid-hour of night the declarations of love for our noble country. To make the scene still more impressive, in tremulous tones, yet with a voice of powerful earnestness, the old gentleman exhorted them to be faithful and true, and that he, in his old age and weakness, would look to them, young, brave and strong as they were, for protection. Could the most florid and fertile imagination depict a scene more beautiful and inspiring, yet so sad and solemn ? Here stood an aged patriot surrounded by three noble young men with true and loyal hearts, ready and willing to offer their lives as a sacrifice for the preservation of the Union. Contrast this picture with the assemblage of traitors in the Southern cities, plotting to overthrow the best government ever instituted by man.

As there had been no call made for troops, of course no enlistments could be received. However, they placed their names on a list, thus setting forth their readiness to go at a moment's warning. G. W. Brainbridge headed the list, which was in the hands of J. B. Smith.

Within a short time a company of 100 cavalry was formed, which camped on the Fair Grounds at Knoxville several weeks before orders came to go South. Provisions were brought in abundance and given to the boys while they remained there. They were not at all idle, but were ever enthusiastic for the drill. Holenberg, a Swede, and afterward a lieutenant in the company, drilled them daily in cavalry tactics. Finally, when the orders came, the boys quit their home camp, bade to loved ones an afTectionate farewell, and were borne away upon the railway trains to pitch their tents in the enemy's country. At Quincy, when it was mustered in, this company was christened Company J), of the First Illinois Cavalry.

For four long years the organization of new companies and enlistment of men for old companies whose ranks had been decimated by disease and rebel bullets, was carried on. Gray-headed men, who had almost reached three score years and ten, and uoys not yet out of their teens, went to the camp, and, through the most urgent solicitation, were accepted and sworn into the service. Neither age nor youth kept them back; and when rejected from either cause, or from physical inability, would insist on being received, believing themselves as capable of doing a soldier's duty as thousands who had gone before. Four thousand of as brave men as ever handled a musket or drew a sword went out from this county, - many, very many, never to return. If you go with us to the battle-fields of the South we shall see how there fell at Stone River, Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Yicksburg and other places, those who were the pride of fond fathers, loving mothers, and unselfish, devoted wives. We shall see them dropping off one by one, and often without coftin or burial shroud, thrown into the cold ground, there to await the resurrection morn, and the reunion upon the other side of the river of death. In many a home throughout the county we find the vacant chair, and witness the mournful look of those ever watching for one that cometh not. Upon the streets, day by day, we meet those wearing sleeveless garments, or walking in a way that tells too plainlv that the sound of the foot-fall is not made by flesh and biood. Inquire the reason, and we shall probably learn that while charging the enemy's lines at Vicksburg, Shiloh, or elsewhere, a cannon ball deprived them of a limb. But no word of complaint do we hear: the only regret expressed being that it was not possible to do more for their country.

The following graphic sketch appeared in an issue of the Galesburg Free Democrat, in 1863, and is but a true picture of many homes in this county during the dark days of this great struggle. It further shows that not only did the brave boys upon the field suffer indescribably, but the wife and little ones at home endured suffering beyond the power of pen or tongue to describe:

Within a 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 far into the dusky shadows that encircle the brow of night. Her dark eyes have a longing, wistful 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 for 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'erspread 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 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 days they 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 little 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 little one, his breath is gone, and the brave heart beats no more.

Rumors of a terrible light readied that quiet home ; then came dispatches, making rumors facts. How long and dark are the hours of suspense to the anxious wife and little one. Eagerly 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 ; with fast-beating heart the poor wife takes the list of wounded first, 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 lulled, 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 soft 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.

While the boys in blue were away upon the tented field, the patriotic men at home were not idle. Nowhere in all the North was the mission of those who went to the front better understood and more highly appreciated than in Knox county. Those who remained at home said, " The boys are between our homes and danger, and we will not forget their loved ones, but will provide for them." This they nobly did, from the day the train carried the first company toward the South until peace reigned once more. The county and individuals, with magnaminity never surpassed by private citizens or public officials, provided for every one whose husband, father, son, or brother, or whom they were dependent upon, was in the field. Good, noble patriots visited each day among the families of soldiers ; and now, as they look back over those dark and trying times of the great and final struggle between freedom and slavery, patriotism and treason, it is with sweetest recollection of having done their duty. One noble patriot who is to-day beloved and honored for his principles, justice and benevolence, visited among soldiers' families every day and personally saw that they were provided for as well as his own household. Not only this one but many did the same. It would be interesting to record the voluntary contributions made by the people during the years of the Rebellion, but that would be impossible, as no accounts were ever kept. People never stopped to reckon the cost, or to keep account of what they gave. Whenever money was needed for any purpose, and purposes and needs were plenty, it was given and paid on demand. There were no delays, no excuses, no time for consideration demanded. People were ready and willing. Husbands and fathers abandoned homes and their comforts, wives and little ones, for the dangers of tented fields of battle, assured that, in their absence, plenty would be provided for their loved ones.

At the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors, after enlistment of volunteers had commenced, the first bill introduced before that honorable body was for the support of volunteers at Galesburg while awaiting orders to march. This bill was introduced by Supervisor W. Selden Gale, thus evincing at the first opportunity offered that they would liberally provide for those who would answer their country's call.

Upon the same day, May 13, 1861, Supervisor Samuel McCornack, who was a zealous and earnest official, offered the following resolution : Resolved, " That a committee of three be appointed by the chairman to inquire and report whether it would be expedient for this Board to appropriate a sum of money for the support of families of citizens of the county who have entered or may enter the military service of the country, committee report to-morrow."

This resolution was immediately adopted, when the chairman appointed Messrs. McCornack, LeBaron, and Gale. This committee returned the following report, which was accepted and the resolution adopted: " The committee are of the opinion that the county should make provisions to secure from want the families of volunteers during their absence on service." The committee recommended the passage of the following resolution:

" Resolved, That the supervisor and assistant supervisor of each town be authorized to render such assistance as in his judgment may be needful to the families of volunteers in actual service, and that for such advances and such contracts as may be so made, the county will be responsible."

That the Board of Supervisors were loyal and patriotic their labor during the years of the Rebellion readily shows. They loved and venerated their national emblem, the stars and stripes ; and not only would they sacrifice all in defending it from further insult, but desired to confer upon it greater honor. Accordingly the following resolution, offered by Supervisor Maxey, May 13, 1861, was unanimously and heartily adopted: standard with the flag of the American Union thereon, and that the same shall be displayed during the sessions of the Board of Supervisors and Circuit Court of Knox county, until otherwise ordered, as evidence of devotion to the Constitution, the Union, and the enforcement of the laws."

The committee to whom was referred the bills for relief of the families of volunteers, at the January meeting, 1862, of the Board of Supervisors, made the following report: " That we have examined said bills, and find them to amount, as corrected by your committee, in the aggregate for each town, as follows: Galesburg, $781.43; Knox, $237.37; Cedar, $198.81; Haw Creek, $69.74; Chestnut, $59.9s; Ontario, $173.29; Maquon, $92.94; Victoria, $23.81; Elba, Orange and Rio, no claims; Sparta, $263.24; Henderson, $152.74; Walnut Grove, $73.78; Lynn, $20.95; Indian Point, $271.23; Copley, $65.58; Truro, $25.83; Salem, $66.54; Persifer, $8. Total, $2,583.52. The committee, which was composed of Geo. A. Charles, M. B. Mason and J. P. Parsons, attached the following recommendation to their report: "We recommend such bills be allowed, as corrected, and in future no relief be given to persons who are not actual residents of the county. We also recommend, as we see charged in most of the bills, if not all, for articles which appear small in their amount, but make a large proportion of the aggregate sum, such as nutmegs, allspice, ginger, tea", coffee, etc., that Supervisors, in giving orders, should specify the articles proposed to be drawn on such orders. And we further recommend, as we know many of the taxpayers in consequence of high taxes and hard times have discarded altogether the use of coffee and tea, that Supervisors also discard the use of these articles in giving relief contemplated in the former resolutions passed by this Board."

Large bills of the same nature were audited and ordered paid at each meeting of the Board for several years. Sometimes the aggregate would amount to over $12,000. Although the committee recommended a less liberal use of many necessary luxuries, yet at each session of the Board bills were presented fully as large, showing that those for whom they were made were not stinted. At a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors held July 31, 1861, petitions were read from the people assembled in mass meeting and from the city councils of Knoxville and Galesburg, asking an appropriation of $25,- 000 for bounty purposes. The resolution passed by the mass meeting is as follows: "Resolved, By the people of Knox county, in mass meeting assembled, that, to encourage enlistments into the volunteer service, the Board of Supervisors of Knox county, now in session at the court-house, are hereby petitioned and recommended to aporopri-

The following resolutions were passed by the City Council of Galesburg July 19, 1861: " Whereas, At a meeting of the citizens of Galesburg, convened at Dunn's Hall on the 17th, to take into consideration the call of the Government for more troops to take the field immediately, at which meeting the following resolution was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That in the judgment of this meeting the City Council should appropriate a liberal bounty to each resident of the city who will volunteer for three years, or during the war, and the Council is requested to take the matter under consideration as soon as practicable ; and, whereas, the condition of the country calls for immediate action to make it more effective; therefore,

"Resolved, By the Board of Aldermen of the city of Galesburg, that they recommend to the Board of Supervisors to meet and appropriate the sum of $25,000 for war purposes, and out of that sum they offer as a bounty to each able-bodied man volunteering for three years, or for the war, the sum of $50, to be paid to them when mustered into the service."

At a special meeting of the Common Council of Knoxville, Tuesday evening, July 29, on motion of Alderman A. W. Martin, the following paper upon the same subject was unanimously adopted:

" In view of the recent call of the President for troops, and evident necessity of getting a large number of men into the field at an early day, and considering that the existence of the United States Government is in peril, and that in the absence of a stable government there can be neither personal security nor security in the possession and enjoyment of property; and believing that the people are fully alive to the necessity pressing on their Government, and that they are willing to contribute any amount of money necessary to subdue the existing rebellion;

" The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Knoxville do respectfully request the Board of Supervisors of Knox county to appropriate a sum of money not less than $25,000, to be expended in bounties to volunteers and in the support of their families, in such manner as the Board may deem fit."

The Board was convened for the purpose of receiving and passing upon these resolutions. Meetings had been held in every town, patriotic speeches made, resolutions of duty and devotion to their country read and passed with shouts. But the above resolutions and petition were passed by a large mass meeting, and by the City Councils of the two largest cities in the county, and so unanimous were the great mass that the Board could not help but regard them; indeed, they wished to. Supervisor Gale, from the committee appointed to report a plan of action for the Board in accordance with the preceding petitions, reported by offering the following resolutions: "Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors will pay to each of the first 500 soldiers enlisting for the war, recruited in Knox county for Knox county companies or to fill up all regiments, or who may have enlisted in any company organizing or forming in this county under the President's call for 300,000 men, during the month of August next, a bounty of $50, and an additional bounty to as many of them as shall have enlisted before the 15th of said month of $20;

" That a committee of three be appointed by the Board, whose duty it shall be to audit all claims for such bounty, and on presentation of suitable proof that such claimant has fulfilled the condition, and been duly enlisted and received, to issue suitable certificates, which shall entitle the bona-fide holder or owner thereof to demand and receive at any future meeting of this Board within one year from its date a county order; and it shall be the duty of such committee to file with the Clerk of this county a statement of all certificates issued." This resolution was voted upon and defeated by one vote.

Supervisor Le Baron then offered the following as a substitute for the report of the committee, which after much parleying was accepted : Whereas, The citizens of Knox county, in mass meeting assembled, have passed a resolution requesting the Board of Supervisors to appropriate the sum of $25,000 to be expended in additional bounties to A^olunteers, and thus secure at the earliest day possible the full quota of Knox county of the 300,000 men called for by the President to aid in suppressing the rebellion, and restoring peace and the re-union of the States; and whereas, similar petitions have been received from the cities of Galesburg and Knoxville, from their respective City Councils, and such recommendations meeting with our hearty approval; therefore,

Resolved, 1st, That for the purpose of aiding in the enlistment of volunteers for the United States service to be raised in the county of Knox, there be appropriated a sum not exceeding $25,000.

2nd, That out of the sum so appropriated there shall be paid to each volunteer of the first 500 who shall enlist in such service on or ' before August 15, 1S62, the sum of $50. The said sum shall be paid to said volunteers when and as soon as they are legally mustered in to the service of the United States. The right of the party entitled to the above named bounty shall be decided by the committee having charge of the appropriation, upon presentation to them of his certifi- cate of enlistment, and such other vouchers, as may be required, provided that volunteers in any company now forming, or partty organized, shall be entitled to the same bounty and that the bounty hereby authorized shall only be paid to such volunteers as have not received an equal or greater amount from any other source than the United States as a bounty. And whenever any volunteer shall have received any bounty from any other source than the U. S., the amount so received, if less than herebv authorized, shall be considered as part of their bounty.

3rd, That a War Fund Committee of the Board of Supervisors be appointed to disburse said appropriations, under such rules and regulations as shall be prescribed by the Board. That the committee be authorized and required to make the necessary arrangements with volunteers enlisted under this act, for the purpose of securing such portion of their pay as they are willing to appropriate towards the support of their families.

4th, That all orders g*i the Treasurer, under the authority of these resolutions, shall be receivable for the payment of the tax levied for this appropriation.

5th, That the committee hereby appointed be required to make the necessary arrangements for the redemption at par of such county orders as may be issued under these resolutions, and be authorized in the name of the county to borrow the necessary sum of money at a rate of interest not exceeding ten per cent.

6th, That said committee be authorized to pay such bounty to such person or persons only as have been or shall be enlisted at a recruiting office in this county, in answer to the call of the President for 300,000 troops, unless the committee having this fund shall be able to make arrangements with the Governor of this State to have duly credited to this county on such call such men as shall enlist to fill up companies previously organized in this county.

7th, That this Board at its September meeting will levy such a tax under an act of the Legislature entitled "An act to encourage the formation and equipment of volunteer companies," sufficient to meet all expenditures under the foregoing resolutions.

The plan promulgated by Supervisor LeBaron proved practical, and accordingly during the remaining years of the rebellion all business pertaining to the military of the county were conducted in accordance with them. A War Fund Committee was immediately selected, and two days thereafter this committee advertised in the county papers for volunteers, offering $50 bounty, and also for a loan of $25,000 as a bounty fund. This committee was composed of the chairman, Hon.

At a meeting of the Board May 12, 1862, the committee to whom was referred the bills for the relief of the wives and families of volunteers, reported that they had examined the bills presented by the several supervisors, and ''have recommended the passage of orders for the foregoing amounts; and we further recommend that in future the appropriations for the said purpose be suspended." On the following day Supervisor Jackson offered the following resolution in harmony with the recommendation of the committee: "Resolved, That no assistance be hereafter rendered by the Board of Supervisors to the wives and families of volunteers, after the said volunteers have been in the service of this State, or of the United States, for the period of three months; but in lien of such assistance the Board recommend that each township take such action and make such provision for the assistance of said families, residing in such townships respectively, as to them shall seem meet." This being an important question the yeas and nays were demanded on voting for its adoption. The vote resulted as follows : Yeas - Messrs. Jackson, Godfrey, Hamrick, Lotts, Robertson and .Woods; nays - Messrs. Meek, McKinnie, Finch, Newell, Arms, LeBaron, Miles, McCornack, Buffum, "Wilson, Copley and Gibbs. The resolution was thus defeated by a vote of six to twelve.

At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors May 9th, 186-4, Supervisor Holyoke moved that a committee of three be appointed to audit the claims for the support of the wives and families of volunteers; which was adopted. The chair appointed Messrs. Holyoke, Stewart and Knable said committee. Supervisor Potter offered the following resolution :

"Resolved, That all discharged soldiers, from any cause, be assisted in the same manner and under the same regulation as aid is rendered to the families of volunteers, for the next nine months," to which motion Supervisor Stewart offered the following amendment: " Resolved, That we understand the resolution passed at the May meeting, 1861, embraced the cases of deceased and discharged soldiers, if their families are actually in need of assistance." After some discussion Mr. Potter withdrew his motion.

The Governor made a call for soldiers for one hundred days, and with the same liberality always manifested by the honorable Board they voted the boys a bounty ot $25. Not only did the Board want the boys from Knox county to have bounty, but it was their earnest wish that every one enlisting from the State should receive a liberal bounty. Accordingly the following resolution was offered by Supervisor Arms January 9, 1865, and adopted :

"Resolved, That our Senator and Representative in the General Assembly of this State be requested to use every effort to procure the passage of a law, at this session of the State Legislature, giving to every volunteer- who may be credited to the quota of this State, under this or any succeeding draft, the sum of $300, as a State bounty."

Call after call had been made for troops, and every time promptly filled, and still treason was not crushed. The President issued another. Knox county had always filled her quota quickly, but now it was apparent without some extra inducement a draft must be made. Accordingly at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors Jan. 10, 1865, Supervisor Gray offered a resolution that the county pay a bounty of $200 to each volunteer. For this resolution Supervisor LeBaron offered the following substitute, which was adopted: Whereas, The President has issued a call, for 300,000 men, and a draft has been ordered to take place on the 15th day of February next for the purpose of filling said call; therefore, Resolved, That Knox county will pay a bounty of three hundred dollars for each acceptable recruit, to make up the deficiency of any town in Knox county, to be paid on the certificate of the Provost Marshal of the 5th district that said recruit is accepted and duly credited to some town in this county.

Resolved, That any town in said county that may have furnished, or shall furnish any recruit, by town authority or association, to fill deficiency of said town, such town shall be entitled, from the county treasury, to the sum of $300 bounty for each recruit so furnished.

Resolved, That the soldiers now in the field, or those who may hereafter volunteer, the widows of deceased soldiers, and widows who have sons in the army, or who may hereafter volunteer from the county of Knox, shall be exempt from the payment of the bounty tax levied, or to be levied, to pay the bounty authorized by the Board of Supervisors

" Resolved, That this Board adopt and ratify the resolution passed at its last meeting, refusing further aid to families of volunteers by the county, from and after this date." Supervisor Vaughn offered the following as an amendment:

"Resolved, That the Supervisor of each town be and is hereby authorized to extend aid to the families of volunteers who are still in the service of the United States, or who have died or been disabled in such service, when such families are really in need of such aid; and although the families of any deceased soldiers may receive a pension from the Government, of eight dollars per month, this shall be no bar to such aid when absolutely needed, any resolution of the Board to the contrary notwithstanding;" which was adopted.

The people were liberal as well as patriotic; and while the men were busy enlisting, organizing and equipping companies, the ladies were no less active.

The continued need of money to obtain Comforts and necessaries for the sick and wounded of our army, suggested to the loyal women of the North many and various devices for the raising of funds. Every city, town and village had its fair, festival, picnic, excursion, concert, which netted more or less to the cause of hospital relief, according to the population of the place and the amount of energy and patriotism displayed, on such occasions.

The Soldiers' Aid Society of Knox county did a noble, generous work; and one of the brightest pages in the county's history is that which records their efforts in behalf of the soldiers. Their devotion to the loyal principles of the national government was undying, and its defenders were objects of their deepest sympathy. We believe it not an exasperated statement when we sav that the women of no county in any of the States of the Union-loving North made a brighter record during the dark and trying days of the Rebellion than the patriotic ladies of Knox county. In their efforts to palliate the suf- ferings of their brothers upon the Southern fields of carnage, they were actuated by heroic love of country, devotion to kindred, and sympathy for those in distress. Though physically incapacitated to share with them the toil 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 fur the cause they were defending. The number of weary sufferers on the field of battle and in the lonely hospital relieved, by their bounty and cheered by their presence, none but the Recording Angel can tell.

Among the many noble women whose names will be furever enshrined with those of the brave defenders of our country, none will shine with greater luster than that of Mrs. Bickerdyke, who among the soldiers was generally known as " Mother Bickerdyke." She was one of the most constant, earnest, determined and efficient laborers in the hospital and in the field that ever relieved the wants and soothed the pains of soldiers. .

In August, 1861, she was sent from Galesburg to Cairo to ascertain what the troops stationed at that point needed ; and after remaining there for some time she returned home, where she barely continued long enough to put her household in order for a more prolonged absence. At Donelson and at Pittsburg Landing she was untiring in her efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded. After the battles of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain she remained in the field 30 days, and for four weeks was the only female attendant upon the wounded of the former battle. At Yicksburg she undertook the difficult task of correcting abuses in the use of sanitary supplies, and naturally was not at all times a welcome guest to the officers in charge of such goods. One of the officers applied to " headquarters " to have a woman removed from bis hospital, on the complaint of improper influence. " Who is she?" inquired the General. "A Mrs. Bickerdyke," replied the Major. " Oh, well,'-' said the General, " she ranks me : you must apply to President Lincoln." This distinguished commander was none other than General Grant.

We give another of Mother Bickerdyke's operations, as it is connected with the history of Knox county. Her re-organization of the Memphis hospital is historic, - how she transformed the filthy, uncomfortable Gayoso into a model of neatness and comfurt. But she found it impossible to obtain milk, butter and eggs for her boys, and these were prime necessities. " I know where I can get them," said this indomitable woman; ''the farmers of Knox county have plenty of cows and chickens, and they will give them to me if I ask them." Accordin o-ly she came north, and one dismal day burst in upon the " Soldiers'

Aid Society " like a thunder-clap, seized the Secretary and marched her off with no explanation further than, " I have need for you.' Away they went, through the storm and the gathering blackness of night, to Ontario, where a meeting was convened to listen to a returned soldier. There Mrs. Bickerdyko told her story in her own rough way, but eloquent with the heart back of it. A number of cows were pledged immediately. The next morning the two ladies started out, calling at the farm-houses through the neighborhood, and on the route home, telling at each the story of the needs of our sick and wounded boys. The result was that in less than a week Mrs.. Bickerdyke was returning to Memphis triumphant, with two hundred cows and a thousand hens on her train. Such a lowing and a cackling was never before heard in that city. It so jarred the sensitive nerves of the secessionists that they complained, to the .commanding General of Mrs. Bickerdyke and her noisy flocks and herds as a nuisance.

Grant assigned her President's Island, where her chickens cackled to their hearts' content and laid eggs proportionately, and her cows grew fat and poured out milk in abundance. Here they remained till the hospitals were closed, when they were - almost all of them we believe - distributed among the poor contrabands, who had proven their fidelity by efficient service during the war. The history of some of these cows is so romantic and full of interest that it deserves to be preserved. Often after, when Mother Bickerdyke went south, she made inquiries after her cows.

Distinguished, from the outset of her efforts, by her practical good sense, firmness in maintaining the rights of the soldiers and an unceasing energy, she was soon known among all western soldiers as one of their best and most faithful friends.

After the war Mrs. Bickerdyke moved to the West, often returning to her old home in Galesburg, where she had buried her husband and where she' had so many warm friends. During the famine in Kansas a few years ago her generous heart prompted' her again to engage in her labor of providing for the suffering. She came to Galesburg, and in the county raised and shipped to Kansas ten car-loads of provision, much clothing and considerable money. This noble woman resides in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, where she is engaged in a missionary and charitable work.

Scarcely a hamlet or even a house in the whole county which did not send something from its stores to hospital or battle field, and in the larger towns were well organized soldiers' aid societies working systematically and continuously from the beginning of the war till its close. Many of them failed to record their own good works, but the record is written in heaven and in the hearts of grateful soldiers. Each did a noble work. We give a sketch of the Gales-burg society, whose secretary's books have been placed at our disposal for this purpose, as illustrating the work of all:

At the first call for troops by President Lincoln, a company of volunteers for the 17th Regiment was raised in Galesburg. The ladies offered to make up their clothing, which offer was accepted by Government, and the work satisfactorily completed. Much other work for the soldiers was done during the summer by the ladies, but a permanent organization was not effected until Oct. 26, 1861. From this time till the close of the war the history of this society is that of "patient continuance in well doing," days and nights of hard work, with little of romance to brighten the page, but with plenty of self-sacrifice to hallow it.

At first the work of the society was mainly that of making clothing, preparing lint and bandages. Soon, however, the need for antiscorbutic tood in the army became so pressing that great exertions were made to secure and forward fresh vegetables, pickles and fruits. Could we set in array the barrels of pickles and boxes of canned fruit forwarded by this society, they would stretch in continuous line from one end of the county to the other. These supplies were sent sometimes direct to the boys in the field by trusty agents ; sometimes to the St. Louis or Chicago Branch of the Sanitary Commission; to Miss Mary Safford, Cairo, "The Angel of the Gunboats," as the boys called her; by Mrs. Cunningham, who accompanied some of our Illinois regiments; by Mother Bickerdyke. After its organization a large proportion of stores were sent through the Illinois State Commission,

From the battle field of Pittsburg. Landing two boat loads of wounded were sent up to Quincy. No notice of their coming had been given; no preparations made to receive them. They were carried to a warehouse, which happened to be empty, and laid on the floor until beds could be improvised for them. This was the commencement of the Quincy hospitals. The good people of that city did what they could to alleviate the suffering of these poor men, but the task was too great for them and they telegraphed for aid. The Galesburg society responded promptly and generously, and from that time till the fall of 1865, when those hospitals were closed, scarcely a week passed in which stores of some kind were not sent to them, - clothing, reading matter, pickles, dried and canned fruit, besides perishable goods, such as green vegetables and butter, that could not be sent further south. These were all sent to Mother Liebriech, who distributed them personally to the patients. Hundreds of letters from those men testify their gratitude for these supplies. Nov were like expressions lacking from more distant fields: the secretary has now case after case of letters from the boys in blue telling of good done them through the work of this society.

Often the boys brought their thanks in person. One day, in answer to a knock at her door, the secretary opened it and saw standing there a blue-coated figure leaning heavily upon two crutches; the face was so thin and pale that she failed to recognize it, though it proved to be that of one of her own scholars. "Don't you know your Charlie?" he said, so pathetically that the tears sprang to her eyes.

After resting awhile on the sofa, he told his story; "You saved my life," he said. "I came to tell you so." In answer to her c[uestioning, incredulous look, he told how he had been sorely wounded at Chattanooga, and while lying helpless on the battle field was struck again and again by rebel balls. At last he was carried to the rear, unconscious, and so severely wounded there seemed no hope of his recovery. Here Mrs. Jeremy Porter found him and brought him back to life. "The first thing I can remember," said Charlie, "was Mrs. Porter holding some cordial to my lips and saying, 'Drink it; it will do you good; it came from home.' It did do me good in more ways than one; for as soon as I was able to hold it, Mrs. Porter placed the bottle in my hands, and on it I read, kGalesburg S. A. Society. I recognized the label as in your hand-writing; the sight of it, with the thought that the dear ones at home were working and praying for us, as I knew you were, brought me back to life again."

The preparation of this blackberry cordial was a specialty with the Galesburg society, and from nothing did they receive more gratifying returns. They prepared it by the gallon, the cask, and at the suggestion of Mr. C. T. Chase, put it up in pocket flasks and sent it to the front to be used just as it was in Charles' case. He wrote that from personal knowledge he believed it had saved hundreds of lives.

How was the money raised for carrying on this work? In many ways; but underlying all was the "willing heart that gave freely, whether from abundance or from penury." Membership fees in the Society (twenty-five cents annually) brought in a small amount, donations swelled the sum; but the chief reliance was upon entertainments and the one great fair which netted over four thousand dollars for three days' work.

Whenever a great battle or any other emergency made unusual demands, appeals were made through the paper, and were never made in vain. All classes vied with each other in responding. Again and again and again did the men in Brown's shops and in the railroad shops take up collections among themselves and pay into the treasury one or two hundred dollars at a time. Other mechanics and the teachers of the county often devoted a day's wages to this cause. Merchants, bankers, artists, professional men all joined in the good work.

While doing so much at home, they were not unmindful of the calls abroad. Articles valued at $280.45, donations of citizens generally, were sent to the Chicago Sanitary Fair. In connection with the State Agricultural Fair of 1864 was a sanitary department, to which Knox county contributed more liberally than did any other county in the State. Circulars were sent to some responsible person in eveiw township in the county, asking for contributions in money or in anything that could be turned into money, and pledges of hospital stores to be sent direct to the field as needed. The response was most generous. One farmer would give a horse, another a cow, another a hog, another a load of hay, and so on down to a dozen of eggs. All these donations were sold, and added to the money contributed and that received from sale of articles at the fair, netted nearly $1,000; hospital stores pledged at this time and forwarded afterward amounted to $3,000 more.

Two ladies from Galesburg and one from Knoxville went to Decatur and remained during the fair, superintending the department where these contributions were sold. This department, ostensibly devoted to fancy articles, contained something more substantial; for example, a corn-planter given by G. W. Brown, another by his employees, a sugar-mill from Frost's M'f'g. Co., and many other like tilings. The ladies had such good success in selling these that Mr. Deere of Moline told them he would donate his fine plow on exhibition at the fair if they would sell it. They did so, and several other manufacturers followed his example. George W. Brown then concluded he could put the splendid corn-planter he had made expressly for exhibition at the State Fair to no better use, and he gave that also, making the third he had given to the cause.

But this effort, great as it was, was exceeded by the Galesburg Sanitary Fair, held July 3d, 4th, and 5th, 1864. All who remember the history of that time know how fearful was the strain of that closing year of the war. Grant was tightening his death grip on the Confederacy; thousands of men were required to do it; the battle line stretched from Chattanooga to the sea, from Yicksburg to the Gulf. All these thousands must be cared for, and they needed many things the Government could not supply. Demands for all sorts of antiscorbutic food were never more urgent. But potatoes were a dollar and onions from two to three dollars a bushel. The, usual ways of raising money were not adequate to the demand. So it was decided to have a grand fair. To enumerate all who contributed to the success of this enterprise would be to give the census of Galesburg and the surrounding country. The fair was held in the old Academy building, then standing where the Union Hotel now stands, with dining rooms in Colton's Block near by. It netted in cash $4,0S9. Before the month closed, hundreds of dollars of this money, transmuted into life-giving stores, were making glad the hearts of our brave boys at the front. By the close of the year all was thus expended, or used in relieving destitution among soldiers' families at home.

As the war progressed, the care of soldiers' families became an important part of the work of soldiers' aid societies. The city government of Galesburg expended $16,000 in this work; the Aid Society also expended large sums in this way, and did much for these families that no city government could do, visiting and comforting them, caring for them in sickness and helping them in a thousand ways which tender, sympathetic womanhood alone understands. A great deal was also done in the way of assisting disabled soldiers to secure pensions, tracing out records, looking^up lost papers and the like.

From its favorable position for shipping stores, as well as its ability to raise the money, Galesburg became a center for sanitary operations for much of the county. Smaller towns and neighborhoods would tender their services to this society, offering to makeup bolts of cloth, if they could be sent to them, or to fill barrels with pickles, if barrels of vinegar and spices were furnished. Very many bolts of cloth were thus sent out and returned in garments ready for the packing box, and hundreds of barrels of pickles were put up by generous-hearted farmers' wives. Hundreds - probably thousands - of one-gallon jugs of tomatoes were also put up by them and by the ladies of Galesburg, and many hundred dollars' worth of blackberries, dried, canned, or in cordial, sent on their mission of mercy.

Do these statistics seem dry and commonplace? To some they may, but when the despised onion saved the dear one from scurvy, or a draught of blackberry cordial brought him back from the jaws of death, not the spices of Araby seem more fragrant than they.

With all the hard work this society performed was mingled many things which live pleasantly in the memory. The work itself was a great reward, in the feeling it gave that, thus weak women as they were, they were doing something for the redemption of the nation. Often the privilege was given them of ministering personally to regiments passing through Galesburg, and no such opportunity was allowed to pass unimproved. If there were time for but a cup of coffee handed in through the car window, that cup was given, and be assured it was the best that even Galesburg ladies could make; if time allowed, a sumptuous meal was prepared for those whose daily rations were hard-tack and bacon. Then the entertainments, whose primary object was to raise money, afforded much social enjoyment and drew hearts very close to each other.

And this working together for a common cause was a bond of union, uniting not the ladies of Galesburg alone, but of all the county together. We have seen how the lines of labor, marked by prosaic bolts of cloth and barrels for pickles, radiated from this center throughout the county. Occasionally the workers came together that they might see eye to eye, and gain inspiration from the light of each other's faces. The most notable occasion of this kind was June 4, 1863, when, in response to an invitation from the Galesburg society, a county convention of ladies assembled in Dunn's Hall, where reports were received from the various bands of workers throughout the county, plans for increased efficiency discussed and adopted. The crowning feature of the day was a " talk" of an hour and a half by Mrs. Mary A. Livermore. She had just returned from her visit to the camps around Yicksburg, and her heart was full of the scenes witnessed there. She spoke with a thrilling pathos which will never be forgotten. After she closed, an address to our soldiers, which had been prepared by order of the society, was read and unanimously adopted. It was afterwards printed and sent to Knox county soldiers, as "from the women of Knox county to their brothers in the held." It was a noble, soul- inspiring message, and kindled anew the intenesst love for home, country, and a determination to crown the stars and stripes with victory. As showing the patriotism burning in the hearts of these noble, devoted women, we give the address in full:

"You have gone out from our homes, but not from our hearts. Never for one moment are you forgotten. Through weary march and deadly conflict our prayers have ever followed you; your sufferings are our sufferings, your victories our great joy.

" If there be one of you who knows not the dear home ties, for whom no mother prays, no gister watches, to him especially we speak. Let him feel that though he may not have one mother he has many / he is the adopted child and brother of all our hearts. Not one of you is beyond the reach of our sympathies; no picket-station so lonely that it is not enveloped in the halo of our prayers.

"During all the long, dark months since our country called you from us, your courage, your patient endurance, your fidelity, have awakened our keenest interest, and we have longed to give vou an expression of that interest.

" By the alacrity with which you sprang to arms, by the valor with which those arms have been wielded, you have placed our State in the front ranks; you have made her worthy to be the home of our noble President. For thus sustaining the honor of our State, dear to us as life, we thank you.

" Of your courage we need not speak. Fort Donelson, Pea Ridge, Shiloh, Stone River, Yicksburg, speak with blood-bathed lips of your heroism. The Armv of the Southwest fights beneath no defeatshadowed banner; to it, under God, the nation looks for deliverance.

"But we, as women, have other cause for thanks. We will not speak of the debt we owe the defenders of our Government; that blood-sealed bond no words can cancel. But we are your debtors in a way not often recognized. You have aroused us from the aimlessness into which too many of our lives had drifted, and have infused into those lives a noble pathos. We could not dream our time away while our brothers were dying for us. Even your sufferings have worked together for our good, by inciting us to labor for their alleviation, thus giving us a work worthy of our womanhood. Everything that we have been permitted to do for your comfort has filled our lives so much the fuller of all that makes life valuable. You have thus been the means of developing in us a nobler type of womanhood than without the example of your heroism we could ever have attained. For this our whole lives, made purer and nobler by the discipline, will thank vou.

" This war will leave none of us as it found us. We cannot buffet the raging wave and escape all trace of the salt sea's foam. Toward better or toward worse we are hurried on with fearful haste. If we at home feel this, what must it be to you! Our hearts throb with agony when we think of you wounded, suffering, dying; but the thought of no physical pain touches us half so deeply as the thought of the temptations which surround you. We could better give you up to die on the battle-field, true to your God and to your country, than to have you return to us with blasted, blackened souls. When temptations assail fiercely, you must let the thought that your mothers are praying for strength enable you to overcome them. But fighting for a worthy cause worthily ennobles one: herein is our confidence that you will return better men than you went away.

".By all that is noble in your manhood; by all that is true in our womanhood; by all that is grand in patriotism; by ail that is sacred in religion, we adjure you to be faithful to yourselves, to us, to your country, and to your God. JSTever were men permitted to fight in a cause more worthy of their blood. Were you fighting for mere conquest, or glory, we could not give you up; but to sustain a principle, the greatest to which human lips have ever given utterance, even your dear lives are not too costly a sacrifice. Let that principle, the corner-stone of our independence, be crushed, and we are all slaves. Like the Suliote mothers, we might well clasp our children in our arms and leap down to death.

" To the stern arbitrament of the sword is now committed the honor, the vevy life of this nation. You fight not for yourselves alone; the eyes of the whole world are on you; and if you fail our Nation's death-wail will echo through all coming ages, moaning a requiem over the lost hopes of oppressed humanity. But you will not fail, so sure as there is a God in Heaven. He never meant this richest argosy of the nations, freighted with the fears of all the world's tj^rants, with the hopes of all its oppressed ones, to flounder in darkness and death. Disasters may come, as they have come, but they will only be, as they have been, ministers of good. Each one has led the nation upward to a higher plane, from whence it has seen with a clearer eye. Success could not attend us at the West so long as we scorned the help of the black hand, which alone had power to open the gate of redemption; the God of battles would not vouchsafe a victory at the East till the very foot-prints of a McOlellan were washed out in blood.

feel that God will give us the victory. Till that hour comes we bid you light on. Though we have not yet attained that heroism, or decision, which enables us to give you up without a struggle, which can prevent our giving tears for your Hood, though many of us must own our hearts desolate till you return, still we bid you stay and fight for our country, till from this fierce baptism of blood she shall be raised complete', the dust shaken from her garments purified, a new Memnon singing in the great Godlight. "

Stirring meetings were held at various times and great enthusiasm prevailed. At a meeting held in the old First Church, Galesburg, Chaplain McCabe gave reminiscences of Libby Prison. He then called for contributions, when nearly two thousand dollars were pledged as fast as the names could be written.

The prominent part taken by the misses of Galesburg in the formation of the "Juvenile Soldiers' Aid Society" deserves especial notice. About 48 little girls held regular meetings and worked very industriously for many months in preparing and making articles for the use and comfort of sick and wounded soldiers in the hospital. In May of 1863 they sent a box of their handiwork, with books and papers, and delicacies for the sick lying in Hospital No. 1, Quincy, Ills., for which they received the following kind letter signed by James Wise of the 37th Indiana Regiment, and 31 others.

Hospital No. 1, Quincy, Ills. May 14, 1868. The undersigned sick and wounded sokliers acknowledge the receipt of a box from your society, containing articles we so much need, and in return we send our kind regards and sincere thanks for your kindness to us, who have been disabled for a time in the service of our country. We can not find words to express our gratitude for your kindness and generosity, so you will have to take the thought for the deed ; and you may rest assured that you will not soon be forgotten by the soldiers you have done so much to make happy. Accept our best wishes for the welfare of your good society, with the hope that it may nourish to see treason driven from our land and peace restored to our once happy country, and happiness to the Little Ones.

Many of the little girls of that society are doubtless living in the county at this time and enjoy many pleasant recollections of the good work they so heartily engaged in for the good of their country.

The women of Knox county were not only willing to help the brave boys to fight for their country, but would not countenance treason under any circumstances, as the following true incident will show: An amiable and interesting young lady of Knoxville, daughter of one of the leading men of the county, was engaged to be married to a gentleman of Galesburg, but who at that time was in Missouri trading in stock. Naturally many letters passed between them. In May, 1861, she received a letter from her devoted lover, stating his determination to join the rebel army. This she showed to her father, ask- ing him " what he thought of that," at the same time saying, " We are done forever; for," said she, " a man reared in the North, with all its advantages, that will forsake his home and country is not worthy of me."

The Close

The war ended and peace restored,the Union preserved in its integrity, the sons of Knox who had volunteered their lives in defense of their government, and who were spared to see the army of the Union victorious, returned to their homes to receive gi-und ovations and tributes of honor from friends and neighbors who h'ad 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, 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 Knox 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.

There were only seven counties in the State that furnished a larger number of soldiers than Knox county and none that filled her quotas more promptly. She was called upon to furnish 3,842 men, but finally credited by the Adjutant General of the State with only 3,837. There were many who left the county to enlist in foreign regiments, and the colored troops to the number of from 25 to 50 were never credited to Knox county.

Besides the filling of her quota of the regular calls of the Presi. dent, she furnished 326 men in answer to the Governor's call for 100 day men, making a total of at least 4,200 men. These were distributed among 82 regiments, and in 190 different companies. Of this number 123 were killed in action, 168 wounded and 344 died; 96 suffered the horrors of prison life, some of whom died at Anderson - ville and Libby.

Stone River

The battle of Stone River with its fearful perils, persistent fighting and deeds of desperate daring, furnished a rare opportunity for the troops of Illinois to further distinguish themselves. Nor was it misimproved, as the proud record of their skill and bravery in the midst of the most appalling dangers abundantly prove. Many of the Illinois regiments were, however, placed in situations where overpowering rebel assaults in greatly superior numbers rendered success frequently impossible. Yet there is associated with the stern resistance offered a moral sublimity that almost surpasses the glory of victory itself, especially when we remember the patriotism which prompted, and the adverse circumstances attending it. There were no soldiers in the battle that evinced more intrepid courage, nor rendered greater service than the Knox county soldiers.

After the battle of Stone River, General Forrest with about 9,000 men attacked Colonel Hardin's Regiment, and were repulsed by about six hundred men. About two o'clock A. M., Feb. 3, the Union forces learned the Rebels intended an attack. They were supplied with only eight rounds of ammunition. The Rebels sent in *, flag of truce asking Col. Hardin to surrender, and while so doing planted three batteries in close proximity. Col. Hardin replied that he was there to defend the fort, and not to surrender it. At this the Rebels opened a heavy fire. Capt. Wilson, with his sixty-five brave boys from Knox county, was stationed near a large siege gun which they used for some time in reply to the firing of the Rebels ; but soon all firing stopped on both sides, and the Rebel cavalry, about GOO, came up within 20 paces of the gun, and three men rode forward, one drawing his revolver said, " Damn you ! we have your gun now." " But you have got the wrong end," one of the artillerymen replied, as he touched it off. It having; in a double load of canister and the men being so near they with their horses were literally torn to pieces. The Rebels were dismayed, and at this point Capt. Cilson with his stentorious voice ordered his few men who were hid behind a little work to charge. This put the enemy to flight, and the sixty-five men pursued, killing many and taking several prisoners.

The smoke of the guns, and the sudden onslaught with fire led the Rebels to believe their force too small to cope with them. One brave Confederate lieutenant, who was wounded and taken prisoner, said he had been in 16 battles, but never before did he see his troops so dismayed. A. Anderson of Victoria, and one of the company, struck off after the Rebs and ran across six men in a log cabin, and ordered them to surrender, which they gladly did. One of them, badly frightened staggered out and was seen by a Union soldier who, shot him down, not knowing that Anderson was present. Anderson brought in two other Rebels, taking them from within a few yards of the Rebel works.

Prison Life

We give the following incidents of life in Rebel prisons to show the sufferings and hardships many of the brave boys of Knox county were called upon to pass through.

Captain Orville Powell was wounded and taken prisoner at Chicamauga Sept. 20, 1863. He was taken to Libby prison, Richmond. From there he was transferred to Macon, Georgia ; thence to Savannah ; afterwards to Charleston, S. C. ; and finally to Columbus, Ga. ; where he boldly made his escape. It would be vain to attempt t0 convey to the reader the suffering endured during these transits and while in the prison pens, especiallysfor a wounded man. At Columbus he determined to effect his escape, if at all possible. Accordingly about noon one clay he drew his blanket around his shoulders and fearlessly walked out by the guard. Joining three other escaped prisoner they started for Knoxville, Tenn., but unfortunately one of them was captured. The suffering passed through on this trip seems almost beyond human endurance. They were four days in the mountains without any other food than browse. They were twenty-eight days in making the journey ; and on the way they were solicited to join the Rebel army. One evening about dusk they came to a plantation and waited in the fence corner for night to come on. The planter with a companion suddenly appeared coming along the road. Although the escaped prisoners lay close to the ground, they were seen by the owner of the land, who wanted to know what they were doing there. They coolly replied that they were resting. Captain Powell boldly stepped up to them and told them they were escaped prisoners from Columbus. The planter invited them down to the house to take supper, remarking at the same time, "The old woman's very anxious to see a live Yankee." They readily complied with the request, for they were nearly starved, and would take almost any risk for a meal. The host and his companion soon left the house, and the " old woman " was so deeply interested in seeing and talking with the " live Yankees " that she remained in the room where they were all the time, and made no effort to set their supper. The soldiers were suspicious, and concluded not to remain for supper, for they surmised that the planter had gone to some of his neighbors for help to recapture them. Before leaving, however, they took two loaves of bread. It was then dark. They hurried on, and soon met an old negro who told them his master had gone for help. He volunteered to pilot them by the shortest and best route to the river, which was some nine miles distant. They gladly accepted his services, although it was apparently great labor for him to hobble along, one leg being shorter than the other. But so anxious was this old negro to save the brave Union soldiers that he fairly bounded along in his irregular, limping gait, rendering itdifficult for them to keep up with him. The merciless planter was soon on their track with a pack of blood-hounds. The soldiers hurried along after the wavering outline of their faithful leader, through timber and underbrush, over fences, across streams and swamps. The baying of the hounds sounded louder and louder, sending a shudder through the Captain and his companion as each knell pierced the air. Soon they saw it was useless to attempt to effect their escape by flight, so they decided to secrete themselves. The negro, who was familiar with the ways of the hounds, and also the country, took the soldiers through a cow-yard, thus throwing the dogs off their trail. They then IS hid in the timber ; and often the hounds would come near them but could scent them no farther than the barn-yard. That night the brave men were hunted like wild beasts ; but seemingly through a Providential interference they were preserved, and finally effected their escape.

O. P. Cooley, in speaking of prison life in rebel prisons, relates an incident of the killing of a fellow prisoner while at Castle Morgan prison. This unprovoked murder goes to show upon what slight pretexts the lives of Union prisoners were sacrificed. As a Union soldier was walking along a narrow passage, he came near the "dead line," but not quite to it. The guard murderously ran his bayonet through the prisoner, killing him almost instantly. It was said that the guard would get a thirty days' furlough for this noble act.

About one hundred prisoners made their escape from Libby prison through a tunnel made by them. While tunneling, they struck a rock which they were obliged to go under. Colonel Stout was among the number and he being a very large man, it was only with the utmost difficulty that he squeezed through. Some took him by the hands and pulled, while others pushed him. When he came to the rock he stuck fast, but after much tugging, pushing, turning and twisting they brought him through.

Incidents Of Enlisting

In the fall of 1861 Colonel Winslow, of Princeton, was engaged in raisin o- a regiment of infantry. At the same time General F. C. Smith was recruiting an artillery company at Galesburg. Winslow sent for Smith to see about uniting the two. After some delay, being encouraged by the liberal promises of the Colonel, the Galesburg boys went to Princeton. This company did not, however, give up the idea of handling the heavy guns. Soon Colonel Berge came to Princeton and held out inducements for the regiment to go with him and form a regiment of sharp-shooters. His proposition was favorably received by the men, but nothing definite done in that direction, only that Smith's men positively refused to join with them. The Colonel told them he would put them in irons as deserters; but they did not yield nor did he execute his threats. General Smith returned to Galesburg leaving everything quiet in camp at Princeton; but one morning he received a telegram from his men to hasten there. He did so, and on arriving found his men with a few cavalry in camp alone. Colonel Winslow had marched off with his men. He had ordered the Knox county soldiers to fall into ranks, but they refused to do so. The camp was about one mile south of town, where the Colonel's residence was situated. Win slow, at the head of his troops as they filed through the streets, was proud and happy. He must bid his wife and children farewell before departing for the field of glory; so "halt" was sounded alone: the line. The Colonel dismounted and entered his house for the last time, perhaps, as he thinks. He had no sooner disappeared than the command of "Forward, march" was given, in smothered tone, and the halting columns moved on. Soon "Quick march " rang out on the clear morning air. " What does this mean?" enquired one of another. There were few who knew. Colonel Winslow had lost his regiment. Soon the gallant Colonel steps from his house and mounts his steed to place himself at the head of his regiment, but to his utter amazement his men were gone. In hot haste he pursued and soon overtook them and attempted to take his place at the head, but he finds it and his authority usurped by an emissary from Colonel Berge, who flatly refused to yield; and Colonel Winslow is coolly informed that by virtue of the unanimous choice of the line officers he had been chosen commander to conduct the regiment to the rendezvous of Colonel Berge's sharp-shooters. Winslow returned to his camp an angry and sorrowing man, where he played Colonel with none but the disobedient Knox county company. Smith, seeing that his plan of raising a full company was questionable, and it being the wish of his men to engage in the artillery service, he notified them that he would be on the midnight train bound for Chicago, and that he had transportation for all who desired to go. The officer of the guard for that night was friendly to the movement; so such disposition of the guard was made as would be most favorable to the stampede. At midnight General Smith stepped on board the train; at the same time, from the side opposite to the depot, every Knox county man in the Princeton camp jumped on. They went in a body to Camp Douglas and joined Captain A. C. Waterhouse's battery, Company E, Light Artillery. Colonel Winslow appeared at the camp and demanded that the men should be returned; but it was never done.

At a meeting of the officers and soldiers of the 102nd Infantry, well known as the regiment of the " Old Democratic Wajr-Horse," on the 17th of March, 1863, at Gallatin, Tenn., the following resolutions were read and unanimously adopted by the entire regiment, without one dissenting voice, as expressive of their true feelings in regard to the war, its conduct, and the acts of the government to carry it on.

"We, the officers and soldiers of the 102nd Regiment Ills. Yols., assembled in our camp at Gallatin, Tenn., on the 17th of March, 1863r to our loyal brethren in arms, throughout our country, and to our friends at home, greeting. First,

Resolved, That we are fully determined in our " innermost heart of hearts" that the government of our fathers and the union of our States must and shall be triumphantly sustained and perpetuated to our children ; Second,

Resolved, That while we are having a large share of sympathy and kindly feeling towards many brave men in the South, who are the dupes of lying demagogues, and misled by traitors whom ambition hath made mad, still we must meet them with the only weapons they will regard, the implements of war; Third,

Resolved, That we regard the leaders of the rebellion at the South as the " spawn of hell itself," for whom no justice, human or divine, can be too severe; that neither in abolitionism at the North, nor in their own unbridled thirst for power, is there the least semblance of justification for their course; and they are they whom God and history will hold responsible for this war in which we are engaged; Fourth,

Resolved, That the thought of their succeeding in their infamous schemes no true patriot will entertain even for a moment; that to prevent it no sacrifice of property or blood can be too great; that, to yield to them while there is any one left to fight would entitle usjustly to the scorn and contempt of mankind, and be an insult to the memory of our fathers and a mockery of our dead brothers who have already fallen; Fifth,

Resolved, That any call for peace, for armistice, or compromise with armed men who sneer at any terms except the destruction of our government, is to ensnare, to beguile, and to cheat; Sixth,

Resolved, That though it may be that for our sins God in His wrath is passing us through the baptism of fire, still we cannot believe He will allow us to be utterly consumed; for not with blasphemous pomp, but reverent faith, we exclaim, " Into thy hands, O God, we commend our cause;" Seventh,

Resolved, That we are not politicians, but citizen soldiers fighting for the best interests of the human race, and against those who upon the destruction of our now free government would establish a tyrannical oligarchy, depending upon force for its maintenance, and fatal to all human freedom, independent of color or race; Eighth,

Resolved, That there is as much good sense in making the inferior negro help us in our struggle for free government in any way which his capacit}7 will admit of as there is in the rebels using him in their struggles for despotism, and we will not weaken our struggle for American freedom, from any squirmish regard to the desire that rebels may have, - that nobody shall use negroes but themselves; Ninth,

Resolved, That, though happily desertions are few, we regard it the duty of our friends at the North to discountenance by all practical means all desertions, and to use all available means to have deserters returned to their respective commands; Tenth,

Resolved, That we are amidst enemies, with our numbers constantly diminishing by the casualties of war; therefore we hear with delight of the efforts of the government to fill the decimated ranks of our armies, upon whose efficiency alone the safety of our government depends. Hence we regard the passage of the late conscript law as eminently wise, expedient and just; Eleventh,

Resolved, That we utterly repudiate those public presses of the North which persistently vilify our officers in the field, and by constant carping at the government seek to weaken its hold upon the affections of the people, and thus injure us more than they could with arms in their hands in open warfare; Twelfth,

Resolved, That for ourselves, come weal or come woe, we will fight treason to the bitter end; that by every consideration dear to man we will sustain our country in this struggle for life, or we will perish with her.

Company

The 17th Reg. Ill Inf. Vols, was mustered into the United States service at Peoria, 111., on the 24th clay of May, 1861. Left for Alton, 111., late in July, proceeded to St. Charles, thence to Warren ton, 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 were again sent in pursuit of Jeff Thompson; participated in the engagement near Greenfield; returned to Cape Girardeau and performed provost duty until Feb. 1862. Were then ordered to Fort Henry; participated in that engagement and Fort Donelson, losing several men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. Soon after, went to Pittsburg Landing and was assigned to the army of West Tennessee; engaged in the battle of the 6th and 7th of April, suffering great loss in killed and wounded ; was in the advance lo Cornith ; after the evacuation of Corinth, marched to Jackson, Tenn.; remained until July, when they were ordered to Bolivar, where they remained until Nov. 1862, participating during the time in the expediti n to Iuka to reinforce Gen. Rosecrans, where they were engaged in the battle of the Hatchie; marched to Lagrange, Tenn.; the middle of November reporting to Gen John A. Logan, and were assigned to duty as provost guard. Early in December marched to Holly Springs, via Abbyville and Oxford. After the battle of Holly Springs were assigned to Gen McPherson's command, then proceeded to Moscow, Colliervil'e and Memphis, and were assigned to duty at the navy yard, remaining until June 16, then embarking for Vicksburg, re-embarking for Lake Providence, La , where they 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. After the surrender of that city, remained there, making frequent incursions into the enemy's country until May, 1864, the term of service expiring on the 24ih of May of that year.

The regiment was ordered to Springfield, 111., to muster 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 ihe 8th 111. Inf., and were finally mustered out wilh that regiment in the Spring of 1866.

Company Ci

Was organized at Camp Butler in 1861. Sept. 20, moved to Iroiiton, Mo., remained during the winter. March, 1862, moved with the command of Gen. Steele, southward, passing into Arkansas at Pitman's Ferry, and marching via Pocahontas and Jactisonpoit to Batesville, where it joined Gen. Curtis' army; thence via Jacksonport, Augusta and Clarendon, to Helena. Was engaged in the battle of Cache, and in many skirmishes. At the battle of Cotton Plant, Co. A., on skirmish line, met and checked a charge of 2,000 Texan Rangers.

During July and August were camped 20 miles south of Helena, and engaged in eight expeditions up and down the river. Sept, 1, was moved up theriver to Sulphur Springs, and thence to Pilot Knob. Nov. 15, moved to Van Buren, Ark. Made winter campaign in Southeast Missouri. Was ordered to Ste. Genevieve, Mo., where, with the command, it embarked for Milliken's Bend, La. Attached to the 1st Brig., 1st Div., 13th Army Corps, it was engaged in all its battles, participating in the battles of Foit Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, assault and siege of Vicksburg and the siege of Jackson. In August, moved to "New Orleans with 13th Corps. In October engaged in the campaign up the Ba}rou Teche. Returned to New Orleans in November. Thence ordered to Brownsville, Texas, but, before landing, -\\ as ordered to Arkansas Pass. Disembarked on St, Joseph's Island, marched up St. Joseph's and Matagorda Islands to Saluria, participating in the capture of Fort Esperanza, Thence moved to Indianola and Port Lavaca. June 1, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and March 14 reached Bloomington, 111., and received veteran furlough. April 10, 1864, was re-organized at Camp Butler, and proceeded to New Orleans, arriving 20th and camping at Carrollton. May 17, ordered (oBra^hear City, La. Soon after its arrival the regiment was scattered along the line of road as guard. Sept. 17, 1864, the non-veterans, were started home, via New York city with rehel prisoners in charge March 2, 1863, ordered to join the 16th Army Corps. Near Boutte Station 1 he train was thrown from the track, and 9 men killed and 70 wounded. 18th Regiment embarked on Lake Ponchartrain for Mobile expedition. Moved, via Fort Gaines and Navy Cove, landed on Fish River, Ala., and marched with Gen. Canby's army up east side of Mobile Bay. March 27, arrived in front of Spanish Fort, the main defense of Mobile, and until its capture, April 8, was actively engaged. After the surrender of Mobile, marched for Montgomery, Ala. Here it received the news of Lee and Johnson's surrender. Moved to Vicksburg, April 14, 1865. Mustered out of service Nov. 24, 1865.

Was organized at Chicago, July 22, 1861. Moved to St. Louis Sept. 21, 1861 ; joined Maj.-Gen. Hunter at Tipton, Mo, Oct. 18, 1861, and was assigned to Col. Palmer's brigade. Arrived at Warsaw, Oct. 25. Moved, Nov. 1, at 10 o'clock, P. M., and reached Springfield, Mo., a distance of 97 miles, at 4 o'clock, P. M., on the 4th. Moved from Springfield on the 9th, and went into winter quarters at Smithton, Mo. Marched from Smithton. Feb. 3, 1862, to St. Charlef, Mo. Arrived at Fort Holt, Kan , Feb. 20. Occupied Columbus, March 4, 1862. Moved to Island No. 10, March 15, and was engaged until its surrender on the 11th of April. Col. Roberts, with 50 men of Co. A., spiked 6 guns of the enemy on the night of April 1; joined Gen. Pope's army 11th; moved to Fort Pillow, 14th; moved to Hamburg, Tenn., arriving April 22. Was engaged in the siege of Corinth. Engaged in the battle of Farmington, May 9, 1862, losing 2 killed, 12 wounded, and 3 missing. Led the advance in the pursuit of Beauregard's army to Baldwin, Miss. The 42nd occupied Courtland, Ala., from July 25 until Sept. 3, 1862, when it left for Nashville, Tenn. Skirmished with the enemy Dec. 30, and was engaged in battle of Stone River Dec. 31, with loss of 22 killed, 116 wounded, and 85 prisoners. Engaged in the pursuit of Van Dorn. June 24, entered upon the Tullahoma campaign. July 31, camped at Bridgeport, Ala. Sept. 2, engaged in the Chattanooga campaign marched to Alpine, Ga., thence to Trenton, and crossed Lookout Mountain. Engaged Sept. 19 and 20 in the battle of Chickamauga, Ga., losing 28 killed, 128 wounded, and 28 prisoners, and retreated to Chattanooga. Nov. 28, engaged in ihe battle of Mission Ridge, lost 5 killed and 40 wounded, being on the skirmish line during the whole engagement. Jan. 1, 1864, regiment re-enlisted; entered Atlanta campaign May 3; was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station, encamping at Atlanta Sept. 8. Total loss in the campaign, 20 killed, 89 wounded, and 7 prisoners. June 15, moved by rail to Johnsonville, Tenn., and thence by water to New Orleans, and camped at Chalmette June 23. Jan. 10, 1866, received final payment and discharge.

The 43rd Infantry was organized at Camp Butler in September, 1861, by Col. Julius Raith. Oct. 8 the regiment was ordered to St. Louis. Feb. 6, 1862, moved to Fort Henry, arriving on the 10th; 18th moved to Fort Donelson. March 4, moved to Bell's Landing, and 14th arrived at Savannah, Tenn.; 22nd moved to Pittsburg Landing. The strength of the regiment was then 610 men. The regiment was in the two days' bloody battle of Shiloh, losing in killed and wounded 200. Was engaged duriDg the siege of Corinth. In the spring of 1863, 200 men of the regiment were mounted, by order of Brig.-Gen. Mason Brayman, commanding post, and did excellent service capturing guerrillas. At Jenkin's Ferry, the army of Kirby Smith having come up, they were attacked with great fury. The 43rd, and a section of Vaughn's Battery, being rear guard, were first attacked; loss in this battle, 700; but that of the enemy over 2,000. About 4,000 men engaged the enemy's force, which amounted to 20,000 men. May 3, arrived at Little Rock, Ark., where the regiment was mustered out Nov. 30, 1865.

Second Lieutenants. Nels P. McCool, Galesburg, e. Sept. 1, 1861, died. Nels Knutson, Galesburg, e. Sept. 1, 1851, trans, to Co. A, con., term ex.

Com Pasty

The Washburne Lead Mine Regiment was organized at Chicago, Dec. 25, 1861. Mustered into service as the 45th Infantry Jan. 15, 1862, moved to Cairo, 111., Feb. 11 ; moved toward Fort Donelson, and during the succeeding days bore its part of the suffering and of the battle. The flag of the 45th was the first planted on the enemy's works. Loss, 2 killed, 26 wounded. The 45th took a conspicuous and honorable part in the two days' battle of Shiloh, losing 26 killed, 199 wounded and missing - nearly half the regiment. On the 5th marched to Bethel, 7th to Montezuma, and on 8th to Jackson, Tenn., the enemy flying at its approach. Mustered out July 12, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., and arrived at Chicago, July 15, 1865, for final payment and discharge.

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 position with an effective force of 873 men. Col. Stewart was wounded and 9 of the line officers, 3 of whom died of wounds; 103 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, with Gen, Sherman, westward along Memphis 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 woundedv Was at Vicksburg in 1863, participating in the fight. Participated in the siege of Jackson, Miss. On 30th Oct., 1863, marched from East Point, on Tennessee river, for Chattanooga. During night of 23rd, with rest of brigade, manned a fleet of pontoon boats in North Chickamauga creek, and in the rnidst 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, 164, participated in assault upon Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. July 22 the regiment was again engaged, with an effective force of 239 men, and came out of the engagement with 180 men. Was in the siege of Atlanta ; in battle of Jonesboro. In a short campaign of a little over two months the regiment lost half its number. Marched with army, via Richmond, to Washington ; participated in the grand review at Washington. During its term of service the regiment marched 3,374 miles.

The 9th Infantry Missouri Vols, was organized at St, Louis, Sept. 18, 1801. The companies composing the regiment had been raised in Illinois, and mustered in at sundry times. Sept. 21, 1861, ordered to Jefferson City; 30tk moved to Booneville; Dee. la, 1861, moved to Georgetown, Mo.; 23rd, returned to Lamine Bridge. Jan. 1, P. Sidney Post was commissioned Major. Feb 12, 1862, by an order of the War Department, the 9th Missouri Vols was changed to the 59th Illinois Vol. Infantry. Feb. 22, moved to Cross Hollows. March 6, moved to Pea Ridge. On the 7th, fought the enemy all day; Major P. Sidney Post was sevcre'y wounded. Lieut.-

Col. Frederic was severely wounded, and Capt. Hale commanded the regiment during the fight. April 1, Col. Kelton having resigned, Maj. Post was commissioned Colonel. After evacuation of Corinth, pursued the retreating enemy as far as Booneville'; 18th, crossed the Tennessee at Eastport, and camped at Waterloo; Col. Post took command of brigade. Oct. 8, was heavily engaged at Chaplin Hills, losing 113 killed and wounded, out of 861 men going into action. Arrived at Nashville, Nov. 7, near which place the regiment remained during the year.

Nov. 20, 1861. Southerland, John, Knoxville, e. July 17, 1861. Tanner, Frank, Knoxville, e. July 17, 1861, transferred to Miss, mortar fleet. Williams, Thomas, Knoxville, July 17, 1861, vet.,