Logan County, Illinois - Chapter 7: The Civil War, 1886

Chapter 7: The Civil War

The First Gun. - Springing to Arms. - Patriotism in This County. - First Companies from Logan. - County Action. - Attitude OF the Press. - Sketches of Regiments to Which the County Largely Contributed. - Soldiers' Monument.

About daybreak on the 12th of April, 1861, the stillness of Charleston Bay was disturbed by the firing of a large mortar and the shriek of a shell as it rushed through the air. The shell burst over Fort Sumter, and the war of the great Rebellion was begun. In the North the hope had been tenaciously clung to that the peace of the country was not to be disturbed. This dream was rudely broken by the siege of Fort Sumter. The North awakened suddenly to the awful certainty that civil war was begun. There was a deep feeling of indignation at the traitors who were willing to ruin their country that slavery might be secure. There was a full appreciation of the danger, and an instant universal determination that, at whatever cost, the national life must be preserved. Personal sacrifice was unconsidered; individual interests were merged in the general good. Political differences, ordinarily so bitter, were for the time almost effaced. Nothing was of interest but the question how the audacious rebellion was to be suppressed and the American nation upheld in the great place which it claimed among men.

Two days after the fall of Fort Sumter Mr. Lincoln intimated by proclamation the dishonor done to the laws of the United States, and called out the militia to the extent of 75,000 men. The free States responded enthusiastically to the call. So prompt was their action that on the very next day several companies arrived in Washington. Flushed by their easily won victory, the Southerners talked boastfully of seizing the capital. In a very short time there were 50,000 loyal men ready to prevent that, and the safety of Washington was secured.

preparations. Rich men offered money with so much liberality that in a few days nearly $25,000,000 had been contributed. The school-teachers of Boston dedicated fixed proportions of their incomes to the support of the Grovernment while the war should last. All over the country the excited people gathered themselves into crowded meetings and breathed forth in fervid resolutions their determination to spend fortune and life in defense of the Union. Yolunteer companies were rapidly formed. In the cities ladies began to organize themselves for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers. It had been fabled that the North would not fight. With a fiery promptitude unknown before in modern history, the people sprang to arms.

Logan County had at this time less than 16,000 inhabitants. With a population mainly devoted to agriculture, who knew nothing of war except by history or tradition, it could hardly be expected that a warlike spirit would soon disturb the peaceful population. But we know little of the fire that slumbers in quiet breasts until occasion calls it forth. Under the call for 75,000 volunteers the quota of Illinois was fixed at six regiments. The response was prompt from all parts of the State, and from none more hearty than from Logan County. Being but an hour's travel by rail from Springfield the first company raised in this county was one of the first to be accepted by the United States. From that time on the patriotic county poured forth for its country's services a continuous procession of volunteers, and in all nearly 2,000 enlistments were credited to Logan, or thirteen per cent, of the population, and sixty per cent of the voting strength.

The stars and stripes were unfurled in all the principal public and business places in Lincoln, and meetings were held all over the county to express the loyal sentiment of the people. The promptness and unanimity with which Logan County's citizens set about contributing their quota for the Union army will ever be a source of pride and wonder. At this date it seems almost inconceivable that the young farmers, mechanics, clerks and professional men could so soon drop their respective avocations and arrange themselves by companies and regiments to march at the word of command. Political and other differences seemed completely forgotten.

The first company to arrive at Camp Yates, Springfield, was the Lincoln Guards, commanded by Captain W". D. Wyatt. They left on the 19th of April, on the Alton & St. Louis Railroad, and were met at the Springfield station by the Grays of that place, and escorted to camp. The second company was that, of Captain C. W. Holdeu, the Yates Rangers. These two companies numbered eighty-four and 120 men respectively, and were in camp in less than a week from the firing on Sumter. Three other companies were in process of formation a week later - a rifle company, a cavalry company and one of naturalized citizens. There was no immediate use for these troops, but it was generally felt that there would be another call for volunteers by the President. The newspapers were foremost in urging the good work. The following is taken from the Lincoln Herald of April 25, 1861:

"Fall into Line! - Let not the work of recruiting volunteer companies cease when the regiments now asked for are full. There is every probability of another requisition being made for additional troops in a short time. Let us be ready for all emergencies. Let companies organize and drill ail over the State. Fall into line, patriots ! We may all have to go to the war to battle for our country before a peace is conquered, and the sooner we are ready, and the better organized we are, the better for us and our country both."

Captain Wyatt's command became Company E of the Seventli Regiment, three-months service; that of Captain Holden, Company H of the Seventh, three-years service (the first six numerals were not used in numbering Illinois regiments in the civil war, as the State furnished six regiments in the Mexican war). The third company accepted from this county was Captain Thomas J. Larison's cavalry company, which left the Lincoln station on the 12th of August. It was assigned to the Third Cavalry. Captain G. W. Estabrook led the fourth company into the field, and the fifth was a rifle company raised at Atlanta. Many of the first volunteers went into companies for other counties. Thus twenty-eight were raised in Mt. Pulaski and credited to a Macoupip County organization.

These companies were followed by others at various times, Logan County contributing her full quota. In the summer of 1862 the Government called for 300,000 more volunteers, and accompanied the call with the significant statement that a draft would be made in delinquent States. Though this intimation was hardly needed in the case of Illinois, renewed eiforts were made all over the country to swell the number of lives already placed at the dis-

"Our citizens have about all abandoned business and gone to work organizing companies. Never was excitement so intense. Chicago street has been one cheer and chatter since Monday. The people from the country catch the 'war fever ' on coming to town, and remain during the day, talking about the 'new call' and the ' 300,000 men' that are to be drafted. There is a general good feeling up, and as a matter of course volunteering is in rapid progress."

"/i! is Ordered by the court, in consideration of the recent call of the War Department for additional volunteers, and in order to encourage enlistments and raise a regiment in Logan County under said call, that an appropriation of fifty dollars ($50) be made for the use of every non-commissioned officer and private who shall be a resident of said county and I'oining any company made or making up within this county, and becoming attached to said regiment.

"In order to secure the benefit of this appropriation, the Captains of the different companies comprising said regiment will furnish the clerk of this court with a list of the non-commissioned officers and privates of each company, designating in such list the precinct in which they reside, those who are married and those who are unmarried, said appropriation being paid to the family of such as are married, and to such persons as those who are unmarried shall designate by an order filed with the clerk of this court.

"For the purpose of meeting said appropriation, the court will levy a military tax at the rate of four (4) mills to the dollar upon the basis of the assessment of each year, which tax may be discharged in U. S. Treasury notes or specie, to be collected at the same time and in the same manner as the State and county taxes are now collected.

"There will be appointed a county agent, whose duty it shall be to receive from the collector, every month during the time the collector shall be engaged in collecting the revenue for the year 1862 and following years, whatever he may have collected of said military tax, and to receipt for the same, and such receipt shall be a voucher therefor to the collector. Said county agent shall pay over to the precinct agents herein designated, or to snch as may hereafter be designated or appointed, as fast as the same shall be received by him the quota to which each precinct shall be entitled, said quota to be determined by the residence of the families of such noncommissioned officers and privates as are married, and of such persons as may be designated to receive the same, by those unmarried and without families, as before provided. The receipt of such precinct agent shall be a voucher to the county agent for all payments so made.

"It shall be the duty of the agent in each precinct to receive the amount due his precinct from the county agent, and to make equal distribution of the same among the persons hereinbefore designated, and shall take vouchers for all such payments.

"The collector, county agent and precinct agents will report quarterly to this court, and at the same time tile their vouchers for all money collected, received or paid out under this order.

" It is hereby ordered by the court, that George Musick be, and is hereby, appointed county agent, and also the following named persons are appointed precinct agents, each in his respective precinct under this order, to wit:

"It ia further ordered that said appropriation is made only for the benefit of such non-commissioned oflicers and privates as shall be sworn in and accepted into the service of the United States, and whose names shall have been tiled in the oflSce of the clerk of this court. If any entitled to receive the same shall desert, or be discharged from the service for conduct unbecoming a soldier, the appropriation for his benefit shall thereupon cease."

The unusual efforts made in the summer of 1862 resulted in the raising of nearly a full regiment in this county. This was called the " Logan Regiment," and was commanded by Colonel R. B. Latham. The regiment was encamped at the fair grounds near Lincoln, while forming and drilling, and the grounds were dubbed "Camp Latham." This regiment became the One Hundred and Sixth Illinois, and left for the field on the 7th of November, after its ors-anization.

By January, 1863, Logan County had furnished about 1,800 men to the war, though not credited with that many in the records of the War Department. These were in the following companies: Colonel Wyatt's company, Lincoln; Captain Holden's, Lincoln; Captain Larison's, Lincoln; Captain Fisk's, Lincoln; Captain Alsop's, Middletowu; Captain Newton's, Elkhart; Captain Mead's, Atlanta; Captain Estabrook's. Atlanta; Captain Church's, Atlanta; Captain Pegram's, Lincoln ; Captain Shockey's, Elkhart; Captain Vanhise's, Mt. Pulaski; Captain William's, Lincoln; Captain Hart's, Lincoln; Captain Beaseley's, Sugar Creek; Captain Christy's, Atlanta; Captain Brown's, Lincoln; Captain Miller's, thirty men, Lincoln; Lieutenant Searight's detachment, Lincoln, making in all seventeen full companies, of 100 men each, and two detachments. The total number furnished during the war was not far from 2,000.

Twenty-Eighth Infantry

This regiment, which contained from the Hrst a respectable number of Logan County men, was organized at Camp Butler, in August, 1861, and Sept. 9 following was ordered to Bird's Point, Mo. Oct. 2 it moved to Fort Holt, Ky., where it remained three months, engaged in the meantime in several marches south and east from the fort. During February and March it was near the Teimessee River and Pittsburg Landing. Here it participated, April 6 and 7, in the great engagement which has been since called the battle of Shiloh. The regiment here suffered severely, and lost 239 in killed and wounded. It was engaged in the siege of Corinth during the month of May, 1862. Minor movements and such duties as railroad guarding occupied the next twelve months. The most serious engagement during this period was that of Matamora, on Hatchie Piver, wliere ninety-seven were reported as killed, wounded and missing.

The regiment was engaged in the siege of Vicksburg, from June 11 to July 4, 1863. On the 12th of the latter month, near Jackson, Miss., the Twenty-eighth lost seventy-three in killed and wounded and sixteen prisoners, out of 128 men in line, in a gallant but fruitless assault upon a strong position. The remainder of the year was passed in provost guard duty at Natchez. The regiment re-enlisted tor three years in January, 1864, and in the spring fol- lowing received its veteran furlough. After this it participated in numerous marches and short excursions, and also was present at the capture of Spanish Fort and Mobile. After the close of active hostilities, the regiment was assigned to duty in Texas until its discharge. From first to last, 1,720 men belonged to this organization. *

Thirty-Second Infantry

In this regiment all of Compan>' B was from Lincoln and vicinity. Tiie organization was effected by Colonel John Logan, and the command mustered into the United States service Dec. 31, 1861. Ic moved to Cairo, thence to Bird's Point, Mo., and thence up the Tennessee River, where it bore an honorable part in the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862, losing forty killed and about 200 wonnded. It was engaged in the advance on Corinth, and pursuit to Cold Water, Miss., afterward returning to Lagrange and Memphis. It camped at Bolivia for a time, and in October moved to Corinth, to re-inforce General Rosecrans. The following day it was engaged in the battle of Matamora, where it lost seven killed and twenty-nine wounded. It was next engaged in a number of trying marches and minor movements, and in June, 1863, participated in the siege of Vicksburg, afterward marching against Jackson. Most of the remainder of the year was passed at Natchez and in the vicinity. Jan. 23, 1864, the regiment was mnstered as a veteran organization and the month following it was employed in the Meridian expedition, in which it marched nearly 300 miles. In March and April the veterans enjoyed the customary furlough at home; and on re-assembling, they marched to numerous points in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, where they joined Sherman's army. With that great General, the regiment fought at Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek and Marietta. It then marched with Sherman to the sea, and through the Caroliuas to Washington, being delayed at several points, particularly in the siege of Savannah. The summer of 1865 was spent in the far West in the Department of Missouri, and it was not until Sept. 16 that the regiment was mustered out of the service, after having marched 11,000 miles for Uncle Sam.

Thirty-Eighth Infantry

under Captain James P. Mead, was raised entirely at Atlanta and in the immediate neiajhborhood. The regimeot's first duty was Pilot Knob, where it remained until March 3, 1862. It marched into Arkansas, thence back to Cape Girardeau, Mo., and the last of May was before Corintii, Miss., during the last days of the siege. It was ordered in August to join the army of the Ohio, under General Buell, and at once marched to Louisville, Ky., 500 miles distant. Oct. 8 it fought at the battle of Perry ville, receiving honorable mention afterward in the General's report. The next serious engagement was the battle of Stone River, Dec. 20, 1862, to Jan. 4, 1863, in which the Thirty-eighth lost thirty-four killed, 109 wounded and thirty-four missing.

After this it was encamped at Murfreesboro until June. It fought at Tullahoma, and later marched to Stevenson, Ala. Thence it moved into Tennessee, and Sept. 19 and 20 it took an honorable part at Chickamauga, where it lost 180 men out of 300 engaged. During October it was stationed at Chattanooga, and on the 25th it went into winter quarters at Bridgeport, Ala. Feb. 29, 1864, the regiment re enlisted, and April was spent at home, on veteran furlough. On resuming active service, the regimentfirst found the enemy at Pine Top, Ga., and next at Kenesaw Mountain. It was actively engaged in the Atlanta campaign, but its loss was not severe. In October it marched in pursuit of Hood, arriving at Chattanooga, Oct. 30. It was engaged with the enemy at Columbia, Tenn., Nov. 25 and 26, and at Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30. Dec. 15 it was in the charge on Montgomery Hill, and among the first to enter the enemy's works. Joining in the pursuit, it followed as far as Lexington, Ala., and then marched to Huutsville. The next eight months was passed in making a number of arduous marches and minor expeditions, and then the regiment was engaged in garrison duty the remainder of 1865. Dec. 31 it was ordered to Springfield, 111., for final payment and discharge.

became a part of General Buell's army. It fought nobly at Perryville and Nashville. It was in every battle fought by the army of the Cumberland from October, 1862, until the rout of General Hood's army at Nashville, and the close of that campaign. The dead of the regiment were left at Perry ville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and in the succession of battles from Chattanooga to the fall of Atlanta. When Sherman pushed down south, the Seventy-third remained with General Thomas. It formed a part of Opedyke's brigade at -Franklin, which saved the day and gave him his star, and lost its last man killed in driving Hood's army from Nashville. It was more than once complimented by its Generals. It lost heavily at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga. Missionary' Ridge and Franklin. It had two Majors and two Adjutants killed, and nearly every officer of the regiment wounded, at some time - several of them many times. It left the State one of the largest and returned one of the smallest regiments. Its officers and men, and especially the men, were never surpassed for bravery, endurance and devotion to the country. Probably two-thirds of the organization wasted away, either by disease, death or battles, during the three-years service.

One Hundkbd And Sixth Infantry

The One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Regiment was composed of eight companies organized and enrolled in Logan County, one company from Menard County, and one from Sangamon County. The regiment was organized some time in August, 1862, by Colonel Robert B. Latham, and went into camp at Lincoln, 111., where it was drilled and mustered, and otherwise prepared for active tield service. It was mustered into the United States service on Sept. 18, 1862.

On the 7th of November, 1862, the regiment left camp under orders for the held, and, proceeding to Alton, III., tliey embarked on a steamer, and on Nov. 10 it arrived at Columbus, Ky., and at once proceeded on the railroad to Jackson, Tenn., when the regiment was divided and placed by companies on the line of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, as guards. Here the regiment remained scattered for a distance of 100 miles along the railroad, until about the Ist of March, 1863, when they were reunited and ordered to Bolivar, Tenn. While on the railroad, the several companies became engaged with a detachment of the enemy sent against them from the command of General N. B. Forrest.

On Dec. 18, 1862, at a point some fifteen miles south of Jackson, Tenn., Lieutenant Henry Johnson was guarding a trestle bridge with some twenty men of Company C, when he was attacked by a large body of men. Having previously protected his position by a block house, he successfully defended himself and the bridgekilling and wounding eight or ten of the enemy, without lost or injury to a man. On the morning of Dec. 19, 1862, some eight miles above Jackson, Tenn,, at Oarrol Station, parts of companies 0 and G, under command of Captain Pegram, were surrounded and captured. On the 20th parts of companies H and I, under command of Captains Hart and Shockey, were surrounded at the bridge over the Obion Kiver, and after a successful defense of four hours the enemy veas driven back, and this little band was the only point, except Jackson, Tenn., between Holly Springs and Columbus, Ky., that was not captured. Here Henry Fox, a Sergeant of Company H, while in the heart of battle, and surrounded by the enemy, ventured to run across the bridge, in open view of the enemy, and carry word to the garrison at Jackson, Tenn., - which feat he successfully performed without injury to himself, and brought relief to the little band at the close of the day. From Bolivar the regiment was ordered to Vicksburg, Miss., about the 1st of May, 1863, where the regiment was engaged in the investment and bombardment of the place. During this period the regiment was on a march up to Sargent and Snyder's Bluffp, and were compelled to make a forced march in the month of June, in which the regiment lost, by exhaustion and over-heating, more men than in all their previous and subsequent service. After the fall of Vicksburg the regiment was ordered to Helena, Ark., where they arrived about the 1st of August. Its ranks had been greatly depleted by sickness, and a few hundred men were all that were found in its ranks as they slowly marched over the red hills westward on their march toward Little Rock. They were in the advance, and engaged in the capture of that place. Here the regiment took up winter quarters, and during the winter was frequently called out to disturb and annoy the enemy. In October, 1863, they were ordered to Benton. They afterward destroyed the enemy's salt works at Arkadelphia, Ark. The regiment was stationed at Benton, twentyfive miles southwest of Little Eock, for several months, and during tlie cold days, about New Year, in the winter of 1863-4, the regiment was marched back to Little Rock, where they fottiid themselves without shelter, and went into the business of constructing winter quarters at Little Eock. Here, about tlie let of October, 1863, the entire regiment was united - tlie paroled prisoners having been exchanged, after being absent abont one year. Here the regiment remained until about May 1, 1864, when they were ordered on the railroad east of Little Rock, and were soon after Ofdered to Dn Vall's Bluff, on White River. In June they made a march northward to Batesville, and thence to Lewisburg, thence returning to Little Rock, clearing that portion of the State of the bands of the enemy. About the 25tli of June, 1864, they were engaged in the battle of Clarendon, under General Carr, where there were some 5,000 men engaged on each side. The enemy was driven back and the town burned, and after a fruitless pursuit of a week the regiment again returned to Da Yall's Bluff and were soon afterward scattered over the railroad between "White and Arkansas rivers. Here during July and August the regiment lost a large number of men from the malaria arising from the cypress swamps. About the 1st of September, 1864, the regiment was ordered to Pine Bluff, where their camp was nothing more than a hospital. Only 130 men were able for daty out of a total of over 800. Many men were absent from the injuries received by exhaustion on the forced march in June, 1863, near Vicksburg, Miss., known as the satartia march. At Pine Bluff the regiment remained until its muster out, July 12, 1865. Nothing of interest occurred here. The regiment was recruited by the return of better health and the return of many absent men, and altogether the last seven months of service was the best time the regiment enjoyed. The men marched from Pine Blnff, Ark., to St. Charles, on White River, immediately after their muster out. The weather here proved very rainy and bad, and in fording the greatly swollen streams a number of men were lost in other regiments.

One of the saddest periods of the war, and one that made the heart of every soldier sick, was the news of the tragic death of Lincoln. The camps were quiet and the men remained in their quarters brooding over the matter as though it was a personal and private calamity to each of them. The spirit of the man who had said, " With malice toward none, and charity for all," had a secret influence over the soldiers throughout every camp, and when this influence was gone in the announcement of the assassination of Mr. Lincoln, it shed a gloom over the camps such as the death of the most loved commander would not have created.

after July, 1863, was not so exposed to the armies of the enemy as the troops east of the Mississippi River. Indeed, little was done in and about Little Rock for eighteen months before the close of the war, except to protect the lines and hold the points occupied by the Federal troops. The Confederate army consisted of a roving band of horsemen, who would run and then dash on a post «r small detachment of men and give a short and spirited contestssuch as the attack on Pine Bluif, when General Powell Clayton so signally defeated the enemy.

The regiment arrived at Springfield, 111., about the 25th of August, 1865, and were paid and discharged Sept. 6, 1865, after which they separated, and breaking from the many ties and associations formed during three long, weary, laborious and dangerous years, and severally departing to their respective homes, to again follow the peaceful avocations of their previous lives - carrying in their memories and in their hearts the kind wishes of all - and the recollection of the many events that bound their comrades to them like the recollections of childhood unite brothers and sistdrs.

One Hundred And Foett-Fifth Infantby

This was a 100-days regiment which was raised for garrison duty in the South during the summer of 1864. Companies D and H and part of Company K were contributed by this county.

Second Cavalry

Company B of this organization was from Logan County, and was raised by Captain Thomas J. Larison. The regiment was mustered in during August, 1861, and discharged in November, 1864. J^o history of the regiment appears in the Adjutant-General's report.

Fourth Cavalry

This regiment was organized in the fall of 1861 by T. Lyle Dickey, under authority of the War Department, and rendezvoused at Camp Hunter, Ottawa. Company H, under Captain Wemple, was raised in Logan County. The regiment first moved to Cairo. It was in Grant's advance on Columbus, Ky., at Fort Henry, battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, siege of Corinth and pursuing the enemy as far as Holly Springs, Miss. During the last six months of 1862 the Fourth was on scouting duty in Western Tennessee and Northern Georgia for Generals Sherman and Logan. It then was in numerous skirmishes and engagements in Western Mississippi and Eastern Tennessee. In September, 1863, the regiment took steamer for Yicksburg, and was in General McPherson's raid toward Canton and Sherman's raid on Meridian, February, 1864. The Fourth was then on scouting duty in Central Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana until October, when it embarked for Springfield, 111., and mustered out Nov. 3, 1864. The regiment left about 500 men in the field, who joined the Twelfth Consolidated Cavalry, and remained until May, 1866.

Tenth Oavalkt

The Tenth Cavalry was organized at Camp Butler on the 25th of November, 1861. Dudley Wickersham was appointed Colonel May 15, 1862. Most of Company G was from Logan County. Dec. 20, 1861, the regiment moved to Quincy, and March 13, 1862, to Benton Barracks, Mo. April 4 it moved toward Springfield, Mo. July 8 it marched to Keittsville, and on the 20th it returned. Aug. 10 it moved to Yera Cruz, and on the 16th to Marshfield, where it remained until Nov. 13, from which time formed a part of the army of the frontier, and operated from Springfield, Mo., to Cane Hill, Ark. The Second and Third battalions participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., Dec. 7, 1862.

The First Battalion, Major E. P. Shaw commanding, was ordered to join General Curtis, and reported to him at Jacksonport, Ark., July 4, 1862. Was assigned to Third Brigade, Colonel Hovey, of the Thirty-third Illinois commanding; First Division, Brigadier-General F. Steele commanding. Moved to Helena, arriving July 12. Aug. 7 moved to Old Town Landing. Oct. 6, 1862, returned to Helena, and assigned to First Brigade, Colonel J. B. Wyman, of Thirteenth Illinois Infantry; Second Division, Brigadier-General E. A. Carr. Nov. 16, marched with the expedition to the mouth of White River, and on the 27th to Oakland, Miss. Had a skirmish with the enemy, and returned to Helena, Dec. 7. The regiment was mustered out of service Nov. 22, 1865, at San Antonio, Tex., and ordered to Springfield, 111., for final pay and discharge.

Soon after the war had passed into history, and the people were pursuing the arts of peace once more, the idea was broached of erecting a soldiers' monument at Lincoln. An association was formed to promote this work, in the spring of 1867, and canvassers were sent out in the county to raise means for a suitable memorial. Said the Lincoln Herald, in urging the matter :

" We consider tliat this is something we owe to the fallen soldiers; 'tis the last act of respect the living can show the dead. Today in every nook and corner of our land the desolate hearthstone, the empty sleeve and the widow's black drapery plainly tell the story of the war, and what it meant; but in another generation at least these solemn teachers will have passed away, and the great lesson of our time live only in history, ballad and song. Let us then do our part to supplant these recollections, and guard these traditions by monuments of stone, marble and enduring brass.

"By the desperate cruelty of a barbarous and inhuman foe, we can nevermore do iionor to the scattered bodies of the heroes who have fallen mai'tyrs to the unity of our land and nation.

" By the wayside and on the hills, in the morass and pestilential swamps, in the golgothas around the murderous prison pens of Dixie, they sleep unshrouded, nncoffined and unknown, there to I'est until dissolvin^f time shall burst the seals of the grave, and bid the eartli reveal lier guilty secrets. No reverential mound maiks the sput where their sacred ashes repose. No gentle hand scatters flowers o'er their narrow homes. None go to weep where they rest hidden from sight and knowledge, but perchance the busy husbandman plows o'er the spot where tliey silent lie, and the tall green grass chants their solemn requiem.

"To the eternal cherishing of their memory then, and of the deeds they have done, should these piles be raised. Let cenotaph and pillar rise to keep alive through unending time, or until stone and marble shall crumble into dust, the recollections of those days when by the freely given blood of thousands, and the tears of millions of her children, this land was consecrated anew to liberty and freedom."

The building committee of the Logan County Soldiers' Monument Association held a meeting Aug. 20, ls67, and passed the following resolution : construction of a soldiers' nionnmeiit, with the necessary drawings and specifications, from this date until the 1st day of September, A. D. 1867; the monument to be constructed of the best quality of American marble, the statue of a life-sized soldier to be placed on the top of said monument, and said statue to be made of the best quality of Carara statuary marble, tiie monument to be surrounded by a suitable fence, and tlie die to furnish sufficient room to record 300 names witli the date of death, the regiment and company to which the soldier belonged."

The contract was let according to these specifications, but on account of the dilatory payment of the money subscribed, the work progressed slowly. It was not completed until the spring of 1869. The formal dedication took place on Wednesday, June 9, 1869, with appropriate ceremonies. The day was clear and fine, and a large number of the citizens of the county came to Lincoln to participate in the proceedings. A procession was formed in front of the court-house at 10 o'clock, under the direction of Marshal R. B. Latham and his assistants. The Board of Supervisors, the Masonic and Odd Fellows' lodges, and a large number in wagons and on horseback participated in the procession. After marching through the principal streets the crowd was led to the park on North Kickapoo street, where a bountiful repast had been prepared. The number of people partaking thereof was variously estimated, the whole park fairly swarming with human beings.

The exercises at the speaker's stand commenced at 2 o'clock. After an invocation by Rev. A. J. Layenberger, and music by the Mt. Pulaski band, the president of the day, J. G. Ghalfant, introduced to the audience Hon. Richard J. Oglesby. The Governor had prepared his address and delivered it from the manuscript. On it he had spent much time and thought, and it was indeed a noble effort. For over an hour the speaker held the vast audience spell-bound by the power of his eloquence. He dwelt with much pathos upon the history of our nation during the years of strife, and paid splendid tributes to the memory of the martyrs who died in defense of liberty.

The monument is conspicuously located nortli of the court-liouse, and is admired by all visitors. The names of 326 of the heroic dead are engraved on the column. On the top of the second disc is the plinth, on which stands the life-size statue of a uniformed soldier. Tiie monument was designed and built by F. C. Bushway, at a cost of $5,600.. The whole height is twenty-three feet.