McLean County, Illinois - The whole text, 1879 (part 7 of 42)

Discretionary Premiums Superintendent Of Grounds

Sec. 18. The Board shall appoint a Superintendent of Grounds, whose duty it shall be to superintend the general arrangement, assign stalls and locate stock and other articles to be exhibited, and«xercise a general oversight over same, and see that the articles and stock are placed where designated for them.

Sec. 19 There may be also appointed one or more Marshals, whose duty it shall be to superintend the exhibition of stock, and such other duties as may be directed by the President, or officer presiding.

March Meeting Repealing Clause

Sec. 22. All propositions for amendments to these By-laws shall be made in writing at a regular meeting of the Board or Society, and lie over until next regular meeting, when they may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present ; or the propositions may be amended and be adopted in like manner.

The foregoing By-laws were adopted unanimously by the regular meeting held at Enginehouse No. 2 (agreeable to public notice), March 5, 1866.

Sec. 23. That the premiums awarded at any annual fair/ if not called for before the 1st day of November following, shall be considered donated to the Society; discretionary and other premiums awarded at other times than at the time of the fair, within thirty days thereafter.

Transactions Op The Society

It will be seen by Section Third of the Act of Incorporation that the Society was necessarily organized in March, 1853. Tradition says that the beginnings of the Society were humble and quite limited in the number of its attendants, and in the magnitude of its operations, all of which is quite credible, and almost necessarily true from the nature of the enterprise and its early date. Tradition saith furthermore that Time's busy fingers, and the licking tongues of a fire have rendered the records of the proceedings of the Society for several years intangible - non sunt.

The new records of the Society commence with tbe annual meeting, March 5, 1866, held in Bloomington, William L. Bosworth in the chair and J. H. Loehr, Secretary.

A committee consisting of Cyrus Jones and W. R. Duncan was appointed to audit the books of J. E. McClun, Treasurer. Books reported correct, and balance in Treasurer's hands, $473.98.

The President appointed a committee, consisting of A. J. Barnes and J. 0. Davis, to examine the condition of the fair grounds, who reported that they had been damaged to the amount of $50.

The Board of the previous year having closed its business, R. H. Holder occupied the chair, and Jesse A. Willson acted as Secretary. The retiring Secretary, John H. Loehr, presented the minutes of the meeting, electing officers for the current year, as follows : At a meeting of the McLean County Agricultural Society, held at their fair grounds on the 13th day of September, 1865, the following-named persons were elected officers for the ensuing year : R. H. Holder, President ; George Funk, Vice President ; James Kennedy, Vice President ; J. E. McClun, Treasurer ; Jesse A. Willson, Secretary.

The President then appointed the following Advisory Committee for the current year : William P. Withers, George Parke, H. Spencer, Cyrus Jones, J. F. Humphreys, W. R. Duncan and George W. Parke.

On motion, the President was directed to appoint delegates to the State Agricultural Society. Thereupon the following-named gentlemen were appointed such delegates: James Kennedy, Jesse A. Willson and William L. Bosworth.

On motion, it was agreed as the sense of the meeting, that the premiums for the next fair shall be paid in plate or money, at the option of the exhibitor.

At a subsequent meeting of the Board and Advisory Committee, March 13, it was agreed to hold the next annual fair on September 4, 5, 6 and 7, with Monday, the 3d, as a preparation day. The day was principally spent in reviewing and arranging the premium-list for the next fair.

Fair Grounds, September 5, 1866. - The Society met at the fair grounds on the second day of the annual fair, whereupon George Parke and James Allen, Jr., were appointed tellers, and the following officers were then duly elected to serve the ensuing year: R. H. Holder, President; William L. Bosworth, Vice President; James Kennedy, Vice President; Ralph E. Brown, Treasurer; John T. Didlake, Secretary.

Pursuant to adjournment, the Society met at the Court House in Bloomington. October 13, 1866. On motion, it was ordered that T. P. Bryan and J. P. Shough have duplicate stock issued to them for shares lost or destroyed.

On motion, a committee, consisting of Samuel Lander, George Hinshaw, A. J. Barnes, R. H. Holder and Jesse A. Willson, were appointed a committee to draw up an amendment to the charter, especially in regard to Section Third.

On motion, the President, R. H. Holder, was appointed to negotiate for additional grounds south of the present grounds, and report to the next meeting.

Pursuant to adjournment, the Society met at the Court House, November 5, 1866. The President reported the proposal of Mr. J. Y. Calhoun to sell the Society the ground south of the fair grounds and north of Washington street, supposed to be from eight to ten acres, for the sum of $165 per acre. The proposal was accepted, and the Board directed to purchase the same, and contract to pay therefor in three equal annual payments.

The Board then held a meeting, at which the Secretary reported having issued orders from March 5 to November 5, 1866, in detail, all amounting to $5,025.23. Of this sum, $1,720.45 were paid in premiums, and there remained uncalled for $148 of the premiums of the current year.

On motion, the Board rejected the proposition of J. Y. Calhoun to open a street along the east side of their grounds. Adjourned. John T. Didlake, Secretary.

At the meeting of the Board on the next day, it was agreed that the next fair should be held on the 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th of September next, with Monday the 2d, for making general arrangements. On the next day, it was resolved by the Society that the fire company as a body should not be allowed on the grounds.

June 22, 1867. - At a special meeting of the Society, it was resolved that the Society ratify the purchase of the land situated on the south side of the fair grounds, and known as the Catholic Grounds.

On motion, it was resolved that the Society issue sufficient stock to pay for the recent purchase of land, and sell the same on the fair grounds at public sale, to the highest bidder for cash, on Monday, September 2, at 2 o'clock P. M.

Fair Grounds, September 4, 1867. - The Society met this day, and Duncan Funk and James Allen, Jr., were appointed tellers, and the following-named officers were duly elected to serve the ensuing year : W. L. Bosworth, President ; A. J. Barnes, Vice President ; John 0. Davis, Vice President ; Ralph B. Brown, Treasurer ; John T. Didlake, Secretary.

On motion of W. R. Duncan, the thanks of the Society were tendered President Holder and his associates in office, for their untiring efforts in behalf of the Society.

The President appointed the following persons as Advisory Committee : John E. McClun, E. Horr, Nelson Jones, W. H. Mann, James K. Orondorff and John Kelley.

At the meeting of the Society, January 20, 1868, it was resolved that the Treasurer pay the Secretary $150 per annum as compensation for his services. At the meeting of the Board the next day. the 21st, it was resolved that the Society hold their next annual fair commencing on Tuesday, September 8, and continue four days, with Monday, the 7th, as preparation day.

Fair Grounds, September 8, 1868. - On the 2d day of the annual fair, J. E. McClun and Samuel Lander were appointed tellers, and the following-named officers were elected to serve the ensuing year : W. S. Bosworth, President ; Elijah Horr, James K. Orondorff, Vice Presidents ; R. E. Brown, Treasurer ; John T. Didlake, Secretary.

On motion, resolved that both political parties be allowed the use of the Grounds under control of the Society, during the present campaign.

At a meeting of the Society, October 3, it was resolved " That the officers of this Society be authorized to borrow sufficient money to pay present indebtedness, and to make the necessary improvements for the next annual fair, and if necessary, to mortgage the grounds to secure payment."

On motion, resolved that if the sum of $5,000 can be raised by private subscription, we make an effort to get the State fair for the next two years. For that purpose, J. E. McClun, C. Toms, J. W. Fell, Elijah Horr and John Kelley were appointed a commitiee to solicit subscriptions.

At the annual meeting of the Board, November 2, the Secretary was directed to issue a duplicate certificate of stock, $200, to Isaac M. Pearson, the original having been lost.

The President appointed the following Advisory Committee: George Hinshaw, John 0. Davis, R. E. Strimple, John Kelley, Nelson Jones, William M. Loehr and L. D. Haines.

January 11, 1869. - The Board resolved to send B. Horr and Cyrus Jones, as delegates to represent this Society before the State Board, at Springfield.

Fair Grounds, September 15, 1869. - The Society met on the second day of the annual fair, to elect officers. John Kelley was appointed teller, and the followingnamed officers were duly elected for the ensuing year : William L. Bosworth, President ; Elijah Horr and James Boulware, Vice Presidents ; Ralph E. Brown, Treasurer; Daniel Holder, Corresponding Secretary; John T. Didlake, Secretary.

February 7, 1870. - Board met at call of the President, and, on motion, it was resolved that the next annual fair commence on Tuesday, September 13, and continue four days. The President appointed the following persons to serve the following year as Advisory Committee: George W. Funk, R. E. Strimple, Nelson Jones, John Kelley, James K. Orondorff, L. W. Betts and William M. Loehr.

Fair Grounds, September 14, 1870. - At the annual fair of the Society, on the second day, George Parke and G. W. Funk were appointed tellers, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: W. L. Bosworth, President; E. Horr and John Kelley, Vice Presidents ; W. M. Loehr, Treasurer ; John T. Didlake, Secretary.

November 26, 1870. - At the present meeting of the Board, the Treasurer made his annual report as follows: Total amount of money on hand and receipts of the year, $7,574.67, of which the sale of tickets amounted to $4,759. The amount of premiums paid, $2,356.50 ; and after paying the expenses, there remained on hand, $3,438.99.

The President announced the following persons as the Advisory Committee for the ensuing year: Nelson Jones, Duncan Funk, George Parke, James Boulware, Ellis Dillon, O. M. Coleman and Isaac Lash. Adjourned. John T. Didlake, Secretary.

February 14, 1871. - Board resolved to offer premiums for Alderney cattle, and make premiums same as crosses The Treasurer was authorized to issue original stock to L. W. Betts, and certificate to George P. Davis.

Board met June 10, 1871, at fair grounds; and after looking around, resolved to have built, fifty additional pens for sheep and swine. Being convinced that the dininghall was insufficient, the Chair appointed Messrs. Boulware, Funk, Kelley, Dillon, Parke, and Secretary Didlake to be a committee to present plans and estimates for building a new one near the same place, at the next meeting.

At a meeting of the Board, June 17, on motion, the President and Secretary were appointed a committee to have dining-hall built and other improvements made.

At the annual meeting of the Society, at the fair, September 13, 1871, J. E. McClun and George W. Funk were appointed tellers, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: John Kelley, President; James Kennedy and F. M. Funk, Vice Presidents ; W. C. Watkins, Treasurer ; Daniel Holder, Corresponding Secretary, and John T. Didlake, Secretary.

Court House, November 6, 1871. - At the annual meeting of the Board, the Secretary reported having issued orders on the treasury to the amount of $6,070.18, the amount paid for premiums at the fair, for. the current year, being S3, 709. On motion, the premium of $20, for the best five acres of corn, and $10 for the best one-fourth acre of potatoes, were awarded to Jesse Brainard. Adjourned. John T. Didlake, Secretary.

Court House, January 9, 1872. - On motion, the Board fixed on Tuesday, September 10 next, to commence the next annual fair, and continue four days.

Fair Grounds, September 11, 1872. - On the second day of the fair, the annual meeting of the stockholders was held on the grounds, and J. W. Funk and J. E. McClun being appointed tellers, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : W. L. Bosworth, President ; Isaac Vanordstrand and J. L. Leckley, Vice Presidents ; W. C. Watkins, Treasurer; John T. Didlake, Secretary.

At the meeting of the Board, December 16, the Secretary reported having issued orders on the treasury to the amount of $5,319.27, of which $2,856 were paid for premiums awarded at the fair of 1872. Adjourned. John T. Didlake, Secretary.

Court House, January 14, 1873. - Board met pursuant to call, and the followingnamed persons were appointed as Advisory Committee: Daniel Holder, J. K. Orondorffr J. L. Shorthose and Isaac Lash. The President and the Secretary were authorized to execute a note to D. M. Funk, for $2,190, and give security on real estate of the Society. On motion, the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th of September were fixed upon as the time for holding the next annual fair.

Fair Grounds, September 10, 1873. - At the annual meeting of the Board, on the second day of the fair, F. M. Funk and Dr. W. A. Elder being appointed tellers, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : W. L. Bosworth, President ; J. O. Davis, William Karr, Vice Presidents; E. B. Steere, Treasurer; John T. Didlake, Secretary.

At the annual meeting of the Executive Board, the private premium offered by Messrs. E. W. and A. M. Bakewell, for the best five acres of corn was awarded to Abram Harrison. On motion, the President was allowed $150, and W. C. Watkins, Treasurer, $100, for services rendered to the Society. The Secretary then made his annual report, showing that he had issued orders on the treasury to the amount of $4,413.36, of which sum $2,513 had been paid in premiums at the fair.

The President then appointed the following persons as Advisory Committee for the year : D. M. Funk, George P. Davis, Isaac Dillon. Daniel Holder, E. Horr, Isaac Lash and James K. Orondorff'. Adjourned. J. T. Didlake, Secretary.

Court House, January 27, 1874. - Board met and adopted a resolution instructing the President to borrow $6,158.23, and to execute notes for the same, giving real estate security owned by the Society for the said amount, to pay off the indebtedness of the Society.

January 31, 1874. - On motion, the time for holding the next annual fair was fixed for September 8, 9, 10 and 11. At the meeting of the Board, February 14, the following premiums were agreed upon : Stallion trotting in harness, best two in three, first premium, $50 ; second premium, $25. Gelding or mare trotting in harness, best two in three, first premium, $30 ; second, $20.

At the annual meeting of the stockholders, on the second day of the annual fair, September 9, 1874, Samuel Lander and D. M. Funk being appointed tellers, the following persons were elected for the current year: W. L. Bosworth, President; G. A. Ross, J. A. Ewins,Vice Presidents ; Daniel Holder, Treasurer ; J. T. Didlake, Secretary.

On motion, the premium on flaxseed, offered by Waddle & Moore, was awarded to Edward Wilson ; and premium on five acres best corn, $10, to Joshua Sells. The Secretary was instructed to issue checks, as follows : To Ira Merchant, for surveying, $14; to W. L. Bosworth, services as President, $150 ; to E. B. Steere, for official services, $50 ; to D. M. Funk, to apply on note, $1,000.

The Treasurer made his annual report, showing orders issued on treasury to be $4,966.95, of which sum $2,619.65 were paid for premiums. The President appointed the following persons as Advisory Committee for the ensuing year: D. M. Funk, Daniel Holder. George P. Davis, W. M. Smith, F.. M. Jones, W. H. Oglevee and E. Horr. Adjourned. J. T. Didlake, Secretary.

Board met at Court House January 12, 1875. Appointed J. Brewster, Treasurer, to fill vacancy, and John Peck, Superintendent of Grounds. January 19, Board fixed upon the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th of September as the time of holding the annual fair for 1875. Messrs. Funk and Davis appointed Committee on Finance. Trials of speed to take place every day except Thursday ; gate fees, 50 cents, single.

Fair Grounds, September 8. - At the close of the polls, the Judges of the election for officers, Thomas F. Mitchell, D. M. Funk and George P. Davis, declared the following persons elected : W. L. Bosworth, President ; G. A. Ross, John A. Ewins, Vice Presidents ; J. Brewster, Treasurer ; John T. Didlake, Secretary.

From the Treasurer's books we get the following item : Total amount of receipts for the current year, $7,139.63 ; amount paid in premiums, $3,682.63. Adjourned. J. T. Didlake, Secretary.

On motion of Mr. Funk, a class was introduced for thorough-bred draught-horses, with same premiums as other classes of horses. The time for holding the annual fair was agreed upon - September 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Fair Grounds, September 6, 1876. - At the closing of the polls for the election of officers, the Judges, Messrs. D. M. Funk, George P. Davis and Nelson Jones, declared the following persons elected : T. D. Hartsen, President ; G. A. Ross, John A. Ewins, Vice Presidents ; J. Brewster, Treasurer ; J. T. Didlake, Secretary.

At the annual meeting of the Board, November 6, the President and the Secretary were instructed to execute a note, payable to D: M. Funk, for $8,300, for five years, and to give security on the real estate of the Society, in order to borrow money sufficient to pay off" the entire indebtedness of the association.

From the Treasurer's books we learn that the receipts for the current year, it being very rainy and disagreeable at the fair, were $3,369.39 ; the disbursements were

Court House, January 9, 1877. - Board met pursuant to notice. The President appointed as Advisory Committee W. M. Smith, F. M. Funk, E. Horr, John Stubblefield, James Boulware and Isaac Lash. The time for holding the fair was fixed on September 4, 5, 6 and 7. Messrs. Funk, Horr and Ross appointed Committee on Speed. John Peck was appointed Superintendent of Grounds, B. F. Funk, Chief Marshal, and the Treasurer, to solicit private premiums for ladies' equestrianship. Grate fees as last year.

Fair Grounds, September 5, 1877. - After closing the polls, the Judges of the election of officers for the current year declared the following-named persons elected : President, T. D. Hartsen ; Vice Presidents, F. M. Funk, John 0. Davis ; Treasurer, Jabez Brewster ; Secretary, J. T. Didlake.

At the annual meeting of tbe Executive Board, the Treasurer presented his report, showing the total receipts to have been $6,390.64, of which sum $5,038.24 was for tickets at the fair - the largest ever realized. The disbursements were $6,043.48, of which sum $3,168.19 was paid in premiums, leaving on hand $347.16.

The President appointed as Advisory Committee, William Karr, Isaac Lash, O. Barnard ; I. G. Lane, Elias Brock, Ellis Dillon and Nelson Jones.

At the meeting of the Board, December 11, the time of holding the next fair was fixed for September 3, 4, 5 and 6, 1878, J. L. Keckley was appointed Superintendent of Grounds, and B. F. Funk, Chief Marshal, and Mr. Dillon appointed as delegate to the State Agricultural Board at Springfield. Premium on speed and gate fees as usual. <Grounds leased to J. L. Peck for the season at $300. President's and Secretary's salary fixed at $50 each for coming year. On motion, separate classes and premiums were made out for Norman and Clyde draught-horses - the one to'be classed as imported and full-blood Norman horses, and the other as imported and full-blood Clyde, English draught and Belgian horses. Adjourned. J. T. Didlake, Secretary.

At the annual meeting of the Board, March 4, 1878, the Secretary made his report for 1877, showing amount of orders issued on treasury to be $5,238.65 ; amount of premiums offered, $3,637; amount paid, $3,216.25.

The polls being closed at an election held on the fair grounds, September 4, 1878, the Judges, W. M. Loehr and Isaac Lash, declared the following persons to be elected as officers of the Board for the ensuing year : President, T. D. Hartsen ; Vice Presidents, B. F. Funk, John O. Davis ; Treasurer, J. Brewster ; Secretary, J. T. Didlake.

The Treasurer made his report for the year 1878, showing the total receipts to have been $5,296.90, and the premiums paid, $1,676.80. Adjourned. J. T. Didlake, Secretary.

Court House, January 14, 1879. - Board met at call, and the President appointed as Advisory Committee Elias Brock, John Stubblefield, I. G. Lane, Isaiah Dillon, George Tryner, James Rayburn and Samuel H. Lewis.

At the meeting of the Board, January 17, 1879, the gate fees were fixed substantially as last year, and the time of holding the next fair to be on the 23d, 24th, 25th and 26th of September, 1879. Adjourned. J. T. Didlake, Secretary.

We have thus given the form of the McLean County Agricultural Society, and a hasty sketch of its skeleton history, as well as some idea of the persons who have taken leading parts in its operations ; but its inner life and its influences, its purposes and its claims upon public recognition and patronage, have scarcely been noticed. Like other institutions, the Society has been obliged to battle on its way, and to struggle, from small beginnings, up to its present proportions, until it is now one of the few leading associations of its kind in the State ; and it is pushing its rivals hard for the foremost rank. In some features it has already taken the lead. Other counties have done nobly. Some of them took prominent positions earlier in the field, but they have been obliged to struggle manfully to retain their relative positions. In stock-raising, Morgan County has been a noble rival. Logan County has taken the lead in corn-raising, and Greene County in some kinds of fruit ; but in general cultivation and productions, they can scarcely compete with McLean.

This Society now owns about fifty acres of beautiful grounds in the immediate vicinity of the city, with good and convenient buildings and outstructures, a fine new circus for trial of speed, all well inclosed and nicely arranged for the purposes of its existence. These grounds and fixtures, even at the present nominal values of property, cannot be worth less than $25,000. But as a financial speculation, the Society has not been a success - that was not its motive ; it had in view a nobler purpose, and well has it already accomplished much of that intended purpose. Several of its members have already come to the front in the State, and even in the West, in their particular departments.

Many very fine cattle, sheep and swine have been imported directly from Scotland and England, and splendid horses from those countries and Normandy, Belgium and France, as well. Even while writing these lines, the crow and the cackle of imported fowls are within hearing. " Many of the members of this Society, and others under its influence, have taken high premiums on fine stock of their own raising, in State Fairs in this State, and in neighboring States.

The Dillons and the Stubblefields of this county have been for some time, and they still are, importing direct from Europe as fine horses, of their kind - monsters in their proportions - as can be found anywhere. Their stock has been purchased and raised in every direction, and they have thus been instrumental in improving the stock of horses all over the country.

Mr. W. R. Duncan and Ryburn Brothers, of this county, have been prominent in introducing and cultivating the finest breeds of foreign animals, especially of cattle, and the best crosses. Their stock is spread all over the country, and the influence has been incalculable. The Brothers Shorthose have taken many State premiums on their stock. The Rayburns and Stewarts and Karrs and Funks have been very successful in this line, as well as many others.

The influence of the Society has been felt, also, in other cultures, as grains, fruits of several varieties, vegetables, small fruits, fowls, domestic manufactures and flowers. It has also contributed to the encouragement of excellence in several kinds of manufactures, as of carriages, wagons, plows, cultivators, and various implements and conveniences of agricultural and domestic pursuits. Some of these articles, the products of McLean County industry and enterprise, as well as chairs and stoves, are favorably known far and wide in the country.

But the influences of this Society have been indirectly beneficial, also. The frequent meetings on a common subject, and the free interchange of views and sentiments, free from all political and theological biases, are always beneficial to those who participate in them. Then the great annual gatherings of the people at the fair tend to promote social and friendly relations among themselves. They break the monotony, to some extent, inevitable to rural pursuits, and cultivate kindly feelings between the residents in the country and those of the city. In short, we cannot enumerate, in specialties, all the beneficial influences of the McLean County Agricultural Society. They are as numerous as human relations, and as precious as human interests.

Horticulture

Horticulture, in its broadest sense, is another branch of industry in which McLean County acknowledges no rival in the State, scarcely one in the West. In early times, Mr. Nelson Buck was the standard nurseryman in Bloomington, who carried on the business here, in a small way, adapted to the demand for several years ; but a certain widow lady opened another nursery in Pontiac, and he emigrated in that direction. Mr. Buck was a man of many good qualities ; but his most prominent characteristic was eccentricity. However, the people were under obligation to him for introducing thus early among them much very tolerable fruit.

Since his day, there have been several candidates for public favor in the same line. The Fell Brothers have always been active friends of tree and fruit culture. Bloomington is largely indebted to Mr. Jesse W. Fell for its surnames, Evergreen City and Grove City. But the latter appellation is now the more appropriate one, as evergreens are not now so generally cultivated in this vicinity. Mr. Fell did also quite a business, for those early times, in fruit-tree raising. He has since created quite a paradise in Normal, sursounding his pleasant residence there with the finest assemblage of shrubbery in the country, and filled it with fruit enough to tempt Eve to forfeit more paradises than Mohammed ever claimed to have visited. Mr. Kersey H. Fell has more recently cultivated successfully an excellent and quite extensive grapery. The people ought to be thankful to these gentlemen, and some of their relations, for their example in cultivating nature, and developing the capabilities of our soil in good time.

The Messrs. Wills have also done a very good work for the locality in the same line. Mr. C. Bell has had quite a grapery, for several years, in the immediate vicinity. Everybody knows Dr. Schroeder, and his great and successful efforts to promote the cultivation of fruit-trees and of grapes, and of his own wealth. Mr. Lange, over on South Hill, raises some of the finest grapes in the country. Many others have done well in this line, and their labors have been worthy of imitation. Mr. James Robinson & Son, and Mr. Ballard have done much for floriculture, and to cultivate in the community a love for the beautiful children of nature - the flowers, the innocent, the lovely flowers. Their efforts have been appreciated by the community.

But the horticulturist of McLean County, Mr. F. K. Phoenix, did not make his appearance among us until 1852. He then purchased ten acres of land, just north of the city, where the Wesleyan University buildings now stand, and commenced operations - experimenting upon soil and climate and the adaptations thereto of the different varieties of fruit and shade trees, of vegetables, plants and flowers. He gradually extended the area and the magnitude of his operations as means and demands increased,

It would require a book alone to name and describe all the flowering plants and their varieties cultivated by Mr. Phoenix. He has an acre under glass, and therein and in the extensive surroundings may be found represented all the families of hardy and hot-house plants that are cultivated elsewhere.

As the business prospered and the demands increased, Mr. Phoenix extended his operations so as to embrace seven hundred acres of surface, and. as one may readily suppose, the business assumed gigantic proportions. During the busy season, in fall and spring, he has employed daily as many as three hundred hands; and the daily shipment of a carload of trees in bulk, was a regular business; and this represented only about one-tenth of tbe actual sales - immense quantities of the productions being delivered in boxes and packages.

Some conception of the magnitude of these operations may be formed from the fact that they have amounted annually from $275,000 to $300,000, involving the delivery of several thousand dollars worth daily during the busy season. The principal points to which these shipments have been made are Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City, and occasionally Cincinnati - Kansas City being a very prominent point.

During these years, Mr. Phoenix has let many of his trees go to fruitage, as tests and illustrations of their qualities and adaptations to soil and climate, the result being the production of much excellent fruit. Like all other kinds of business, this particular branch has, of course, its incidental and periodical experiences. Mr. Phoenix lost, in one season, by the severe frosts, $50,000 worth of sprouts, young trees and plants, the loss being especially severe in incipient pear-trees.

As one may well suppose, Mr. Phoenix has severely felt the inevitable embarrassments resulting from the derangements and partial suspension of business consequent upon the financial storm that has swept over the country, and the money dry-rot that has followed, carrying many a prosperous man to destitution and involving unspeakable suffering. But he is still struggling on and hoping, under shortened sails.

Educational History

McLean is an educational county. Tradition has handed down to these later times the name of Delilah Mullen as that of the first school-teacher in McLean County. She is spoken of as a good teacher and a good woman, though her discipline is said not to have been as applicable as that of her successor, Mr. Green Hickory. She taught the little hopefuls in the house of Mr. John Dawson, and afterward in the first schoolhouse in the county. It was built by Mr. Dawson in 1828, and was constructed of logs and covered by a roof.

Mr. William H. Hodge and Mr. Amasa C. Washburn - the latter still living - were model teachers in those days. What the boys did not get in lessons, at school, they got in larruping, at home. The parents frequently took a hand in such matters, and it was not seldom that the scholars got marks as high as their shoulders on deportment. Vigor rather than consideration seemed to be the characteristic in the administration of discipline. For quite a number of years, the schools in the county were supported by the tuition paid by the scholars for the privilege of attendance. The schools were generally kept open for only a few months in the year.

The first official transaction on the subject of education in the county seems, from the records, to have been the appointment, by the Commissioners' Court, of Messrs. William H. Hodge, John Hendrix and William Orondorff as Trustees of school lands in Township 23 north, Range 2 east ; Ephraim Stout, Robert Drain and Isaac Sample, in Town 24 north, Range 1 west; John Moore, Gardner Randolph and Elijah Hedrick, in Town 22 north, Range 2 east ; James Murphy, Andrew Biggs and Samuel Murphey, in Town 22 north, Range 1 east; Walter McPhearson, Benjamin Day and John Glenn, Esq., in Town 21 north, Range 1 east; William Conaway, James Merrifield and Officer Rutledge, in Town 22 north, Range 4 east.

The Court also appointed James Latta Commissioner of the school sections numbered 16 in the county. The appointments were made at the December term, 1831.

It seems now to be a great misfortune that such appointments were not delayed twenty or thirty years, and the school lands entirely neglected for that length of time ; for these lands, in those early times, brought prices so insignificant that the amounts of their sales did the people very little good, and lands were so abundant and so cheap that the sale of the sixteenth school sections was scarcely an accommodation to those who wished to make purchases for actual occupation, and the sale of them to speculators tended rather to retard than to hasten the settlement of the country.

The first report of the sale of school lands in the county was made to the Commissioners' Court at the March term, 1834, by William Durley, Esq., County Commissioner of School Lands. It was for Township 24 north, Range 1 west. Among the early teachers in the county were : Miss Charlotte Wheeler, Mr. John Greenman and his daughter Lydia, in 1831. In 1835, Rev. Lemuel Foster erected a seminary building on South Main street, in which he taught for several years, and Rev. George W. Minier, for some years, had a school in the same building. This was the first seminarybuilding in the county, and it was standing but a few years since.

Gradually, schools were started at different points in the country, and the people became more and more active and interested in the subject. But in 1854, 1855 and 1856, there was a general awakening in reference to common schools and to education generally. The 2- mill tax went into operation, which distributed a respectable sum annually to the counties, which was to be exclusively employed in the support of common schools. This gave a new impetus to the movement and greatly encouraged the people to enter actively into its promotion.

In 1853, the first Teachers' State Convention was held here, in Bloomington. It is not too much to say that this Convention was set in motion by a few active individuals who were residents of Bloomington. Especially may we refer to those who had been active in starting the Wesleyan University in this city, an institution which, like most similar enterprises in a new country, passed through many and trying experiences in its early existence. It has now become a very successful institution, but it will be more particularly noticed in another part of this work.

That same convention discussed several subjects of great educational interest, and put on its feet the movement that has resulted in having a State Superintendent of Schools, a Normal State University and the whole machinery that is now operating one of the most magnificent systems of common schools in existence ; and the people of McLean County have maintained their consistency of character for energy and enterprising liberality in securing in their midst the location of the said Normal

University, by subscribing more largely to its cost of erection than those of any other county in the State - $140,000 - one-half by the county and one-half by individuals.

There is also the Soldiers' Orphans' Home. Although the county did not officially subscribe to the funds of that institution, yet such was the liberality of citizens of McLean County, especially of Judge David Davis, that it was located in our midst. Many hundreds of soldiers' orphans have been there educated, and no pen can tell the amount of good that may eventually result from its erection and maintenance. It is a monument of gratitude, nobly merited by the fathers of those children.

The County Superintendent's reports for several years furnish the following general statistics, showing the condition of the common schools of the county, number of scholars, etc. In looking over these statements it should be remembered that Bloomington, containing fully one- third of the population in these latter years, has city schools distinct from those of the county in general :

In 1865, the number of school districts in the county was 215 ; number of schools, 220 ; number of persons between six and twenty-one years of age, 11,693 ; number of scholars in attendance, 10,337 ; number of teachers, 337 ; number of schoolhouses, 195; amount of State tax, $13,683; received from special school tax, $42,546; total amount expended, $65,606 ; amount of principal of township fund, $88,834.

In 1866, the number of school districts was 255 ; the number of schools, 225 ; number of persons between six and twenty-one years of age, 14,390 ; number of scholars in attendance, 10,716; number of teachers, 376 ; number of schoolhouses, 216; amount of State tax, $15,456; received from special school tax, $77,160; total amount expended, $108,974; amount of principal of township funds, $100,944.

In 1874, the number of persons between six and twenty-one years of age was 19,113 ; the number of pupils in schools, 14,299 ; the whole number of school districts, 253 ; number of schoolhouses, 258 ; number of teachers, 493 ; the principal of the township funds, $157,541.55.

The Township Treasurer's reports show that the amount received from the County Superintendent was $21,621.75; received interest on township funds to the amount of $14,356.13 ; received from special district taxes, $153,158.72. The amount paid teachers was $120,700.81 ; paid for new schoolhouses, $4,343.31 ; paid for repairs and improvements, $9,332.77 ; paid lor school furniture, $2,743.08 ; for fuel and incidental expenses, paid $17,835.56 ; paid interest on bonds, $18,071.53 ; other items make the whole amount paid out during the current year, $196,818.96.

Similar statistics for the previous year, 1873, areas follows: Number of school districts, 252 ; number of pupils in school, 13,786 ; number of persons between twenty-one and six years of age, 18,879 ; the whole amount expended for school purposes, $234,- 141.88; principal of township funds, $155,015.93 ; received from State, $22,397.29. It seems to be a great pity that the school lands in this county, and in the State generally, should have been sacrificed as they were in early times. In this county, many of the school sections were sold as low as $1.25 ; and even as late as in 1848 and 1849, they sold at from $1.25 to $1.50 per acre. The very prices at which they sold, prove conclusively that there was no demand for them such as to justify their sale. The sixteenth section in this township, lying in the center of Blooming Grove, was sold in 1834, while timber-land was still plenty. It was sold for four dollars and some cents to thirteen dollars and some cents per acre ; and a large portion of the fund arising from the sale has since been lost through the failure of the State Bank. Some of the same lands have since sold for two hundred dollars per acre. Had their sale been delayed until a proper time, the result would have been a handsome and permanent income for the support of the public schools in the township.

It will be seen by the statistics given above, that the expenses of running the public schools in this county are really assuming a respectable amount. Recent inquiry at the proper sources of information shows that the amount of money annually expended in McLean County on education is $350,000 - more than one-third of a million dollars, saying nothing about the expenses of books, board of students and the like. Probably not a parallel case can be found in the country.

We claim that this airay of facts puts McLean County in the lead among her sister-counties on education as well as in other matters. This proud position she still proposes to maintain, not from love of invidious comparisons, but because her citizens see their best interests to be promoted by favoring every enterprise that has a tendency to make virtue and intelligence universal. Therefore she vould say to her neighbors, do your best and we will do better if we can.

Military History

The first military experiences of the citizens of McLean County occurred in the Black Hawk war, which broke out in 1832. It is not the intention to give the causes in full that brought about this war, nor the history of the war itself, but to speak as briefly as may be of the scenes in which the volunteers from this county were engaged. It seems that Black Hawk had figured extensively in the war of 1812, and always on the British side ; so there could be expected, on his part, no very good feeling toward the Americans fixed in his breast after the war was over. In 1830 and 1831, most of the Indians, and the Sacs and the Foxes with the rest, and Black Hawk, too, had passed to the west side of the Mississippi, and had agreed, by treaties with the United States Government, to remain on that side of the river. It is said that Keokuk, the principal chief of the Sacs and Foxes insisted on remaining faithful to their agreements. But from various motives, good or bad, Black Hawk determined to return to the old scenes of his former exploits in Northern Illinois. Accordingly, he inspired the fiery spirits of his people with his own sentiments, and, in the spring of 1832, came over the Mississippi with six or seven hundred warriors, and was joined by some fragments of other tribes. Upon his appearing on Rock River and showing hostile intentions, the Governor of Illinois called for volunteers to repel their invasion of surrendered territory.

Of the mounted volunteers, McLean County furnished one company, Gen. Meritt L. Covel beijg Captain, and Gen. Asahel Gridley, Lieutenant. They joined other companies from Tazewell, Peoria and Fulton Counties, and mustered^ early in May, about two hundred and seventy -five strong, under command of Maj. Stillman, at Dixon. There seemed to be considerable dissatisfaction, as usual on such occasions among the volunteers, at the tardiness of the movements of the regular troops under the command of Oen. Atkinson, who were moving up Rock River, and with whom they were to act in

These men had volunteered their services for thirty days to drive the redskins out of the country, and they wanted to get about it and return to their own homes. This feeling was so strong among the men that Maj. Stillman and Gov. Reynolds reluctantly consented to make a reconnoitering excursion to hunt Indians, who were known to be somewhere about at no great distance. They started out accordingly on the 13th of May, and were quite successful in finding the Indians, or being found by them - a point that has not yet been settled even unto the present day. The various versions of the movements of the hostile parties on the following day are considerably confused ; but the members of the company from McLean do not hesitate to say that they were actively engaged in the battle of Stillman's Run, and that the scenes at the close of the battle were considerably nearer Dixon than the opening ones. Some accounts say that only about forty Indians were actually engaged in the fight, while others say that there were more than forty and four hundred. Be this as it may, those who were engaged in it agree that there were enough.

In reference to this unfortunate affair, we find the following remark in the History of Illinois, by Stuve ; " Perhaps no better material for an army could be found thau Maj. Stillman and his men, and their defeat was not the lack of bravery, but the want of experience and discipline. No body of men, under similar circumstances, would have acted more efficiently ; yet for years afterward they were made the subject of thoughtless merriment and ridicule, as undeserving as their expedition was disastrous."

Probably this presentation of the case is, in a few words, judicious and conclusive. Military history furnishes many instances of incomprehensible panics that have at times taken possession of even regular soldiers; and of those, too, who on previous and on subsequent occasions gave examples of splendid qualities as reliable and brave men. It is certain that the Illinois volunteers afterward, in this same war, showed themselves to be fully equal to the emergency, and were among the foremost of those who acted efficiently in driving Black Hawk and his murderous gang out of the State.

After this rout of the volunteers at Stillman's Bun, the Indians immediately spread over the country, and indulged in the most execrable and wanton murder, even making themselves merry over their innocent and defenseless victims - women and. children - as their screams filled the air with unavailing cries for help, amid the smoke and flames of their dwellings. Terror took possession of the minds of the people in all the northern part of the State, as the infuriated brutes busied themselves in their work of destruction, and the danger was undoubtedly greatly magnified ; and an efficient re- enforcement of fresh volunteers and regular troops, not very long afterward, drove the hostile gang into the Mississippi Biver.

There can be no reasonable doubt that the Indians had been cheated and crowded by the white men of the time; but the circumstances before this war, and the manner in which it was carried on by Black Hawk, show conclusively that the motive on his part was revenge, pure and simple. They had bargained away their country on this side of the Mississippi, and had left it. There was no possible chance for them to recover it, nor to hold it for any length of time should they succeed in getting temporary possession of it. In plain language, the motive of the war was revenge ; and dearly did they pay for the madness of their conduct.

One thing quite remarkable in reference to this comparatively insignificant war is the number of men taking an active part in it who became afterward very distinguished in public life, both civil and military. Gen. Scott commanded the regular troops, though he did not arrive in time to take any active part in the fighting. He was Commander-in-Chief of the American army, afterward, for many years, and a candidate for the Presidency. Gen. Robert Anderson, of Fort Sumter fame, was a young Lieutenant at that time in the regular army. Col. Zachary Taylor commanded the regular troops actually engaged in the Black Hawk war, afterward the distinguished commander in the Mexican war, and subsequently President of the United States. Hon. John T. Stuart, of Springfield, who has been repeatedly in Congress, and ought to have been in the Senate, was a private among the volunteers in that war. Capt. Harney, of the regular army, was afterward a distinguished General in the Mexican war.

Edward Baker, P]sq., then a private among the volunteers, became a distinguished orator, a member of Congress, then United States Senator, and was killed only too soon to prevent his becoming a distinguished commander in the recent war. Lieut. Albert Sidney Johnson, then oF the regular army, was a man of splendid abilities, who, fortunately for the Union army, was killed at the battle of Shiloh, his loss being felt by the Confederate army to be almost irreparable. Lieut. Jefferson Davis, then of the regular army, did good service as a Colonel in the Mexican war, afterward a United States Senator, and President of that figment called the Southern Confederacy.

But last and greatest of them all was Abraham Lincoln, at first a private and afterward a Captain in the Black Hawk war. What he afterward became needs not to be told in these pages. These coincidences are certainly very remarkable.

Among those who went on this expedition in the first company from McLean County, were Capt. M. L. Covel, First Lieut. Asahel Gridley, Second Lieut. Moses Baldwin, First Sergt. Bailey H. Coffey, Fourth Sergt. David Simmons, and William McCullough, Thomas 0. Rutledge, Michael Gates, James Phillips, James K. Orondorffr Isaac Murphey, Samuel Durley, Clement Oatman, James Paul, Reuben Windham, John Vittito, Jesse Vandolah, Mr. Harris, George Wiley, Benjamin Conger and Joseph Draper, who was wounded at the fight at Stillman's Run. At the expiration of the thirty days for which they enlisted, the McLean County men returned home. Capt. Robert McClure, of Stout's Grove, raised another company ; but tradition says that they did only guard duty in ranging over several counties to prevent the Indians from committing depredations upon the people.

War With Mexico

As the leading men of the nation were at the time very much divided in their sentiments as to the sufficiency of the causes that brought on the war with Mexico, their discussion seems not to be called for in this sketch. The magnificent territory of Texas was, of course, the prize which Mexico wished to retain, and which the United States had no objection to take in. Moved by such desires, it was quite easy for the parties to find a pretext for the contest. The question of boundary was a sufficient one. Although Mexico could have no rational expectation of ever recovering Texas, it cut her to the heart to see so large a portion of her former territory annexed irrevocably to her already too powerful neighbor.

As it was not necessary to raise a large force, each county was called on for but few men. In June, 1846, a company of 100 men volunteered in McLean County.

This company went to Springfield on the 9th of June; but from some misunderstanding about the time for which they were to enlist, about half the company refused to be sworn in, and returned home, and the company was filled up from another county.

Dr. J. Elkin, at that time a practicing physician in the county, was Captain ; James Withers was First Lieutenant, and William Duncan, Second Lieutenant. Benjamin Wyatt was Orderly Sergeant, and John W. Lander and Shorty Dukestine Sergeants. The following names comprise those who were mustered into the Fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, as Company B, from McLean County :

The Fourth Regiment was under the command of that splendid specimen of a man, an orator, an officer and a gentleman, Edward D. Baker. He was very ably supported by a strong and most reliable man in the person of Lieut. Col. John Moore, of this county, who was afterward Lieutenant Governor of the State, and for eight years State Treasurer of Illinois. The worth of these two men was appreciated by the regiment and by the people. The State voted Lieut. Col. Moore a splendid sword in acknowledgment of his eminent services. The sword is still among the family treasures, and has been admired by many of his fellow- citizens.

The regiment went first to Matamoras on its way to join Gen. Taylor, but was ordered to join Gen. Scott, which it did at Vera Cruz. It was engaged in the siege of that strongly-fortified place, and in the storming of Cerro Gordo. The time of its enlistment expired soon after, and it then returned home. Mr. Andrew Hodge and Mr. John Misner died of sickness before being under fire. The two instances above mentioned were the only ones in which the company from this county was engaged in severe fighting. They represent Cerro Gordo as a very strong place and difficult of approach. If it had been as bravely defended as it was stormed, the result might have been different. Yet the Mexicans fought as bravely as could be expected of men who were facing an enemy that all experience told them they could not defeat.

The Americans suffered more from the climate than from the valor of the enemy until they arrived upon the elevated plateau of the central part of the country. Yet it must be admitted that in several instances, in their strongholds, the Mexicans fought bravely. Nearly all the commanding officers from Illinois were strong men, and won much honor to themselves and to the State.

The Civil War

When that fearful calamity, the civil war for the rending in twain this magnificent country, this glorious union of States, burst upon the public with the vibrations of the cannon thundering upon Fort Sumter, in the air, it did not find McLean County unprepared to meet the terrible responsibilities resting upon the friends of union and of human liberty. This county had given in the previous November election, the largest majority for the Republican ticket, with Mr. Lincoln at its head, that it had ever given any party on any subject. McLean County was justly regarded as the political center of Illinois. Here in Bloomington, the Republican party was born in Major's Hall, <m Front street. Mr. Lincoln's name first appeared in the columns of a public newspaper in this city as a candidate for the Presidency. The citizens of McLean County had done more to place him before the American people than those of any other county, East or West. Therefore, much was expected from her and nobly did she respond.

Whatever differences of political sentiments might have before divided her citizens, when the one question of the hour arose - union or disunion - there was but one response, "The Union must and shall be preserved.'' When the ninety-days volunteers were called for, more than men enough answered immediately, and they went on answering as long as they were called for.

A little calculation will show whether the people of McLean County were worthy of the great confidence which was reposed in them. The census of 1860 puts the population of the county at 28,772, but as the war continued for some time we will call it 30,000. Suppose one-half of the population to be female and one-half to be children and aged persons, and we have 7,500 left. Well, McLean County sent over 4,000 men into the Union armies, showing quite evidently that the county sent more than one-half of her able-bodied men into the field. Scarcely could more be expected from any people.

The first company raised in the county, early in the summer of 1861, under the call of the President for 75,000 men for ninety days, was that of Captain Harvey. They mustered in at Springfield a full company, and joined the Eighth Illinois Regiment. Quite a number of the boys shed tears at the disappointment in not getting into the service - there were too many of them. They spent most of their time at Cairo, and when at the expiration of their time the Eighth Illinois was re-organized, nearly all of Capt. Harvey's company re-enlisted and remained with him in the Eighth. The company suffered severely at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and Capt. Harvey, already acting Lieutenant Colonel, was killed.

Under the call of the President for 300,000 men, in the summer of 1861, when the light began to break upon the people of the Northern States as to the kind of a job they had on their hands, the Thirty-Third Regiment of Illinois Volunteers was raised. This regiment was largely made up of Normal students from all parts of the State, with a large element of McLean County boys in its composition. Company A was made up of men from all parts of the State. As Normal students, most of them had been under voluntary drill for some time. They became the first company ready to make up the Thirty-Third, and the rallying center for other companies. Prof. L. H. Potter, of the Normal University, was chosen Captain.

Company C was a McLean County company, with Dr. E. R. Roe for Captain. But, being promoted to Major on the organization of the regiment, Dr. Roe was succeeded by Captain Daniel B. Robinson, who resigned, and went into another regiment as Lieutenant Colonel. Lieutenant John L. Burnham was promoted to Captain and resigned. First Lieutenant Henry M. Kellogg became Captain, and was killed at Vicksburg. First Lieutenant Edward J. Lewis became Captain, and was mustered out with the regiment. Lieutenant George H. Fifer died from wounds. Lieutenants Amandus L. Bush and George W. Jones were mustered out with the regiment. Company G was mostly composed of McLean County men, with Prof. Ira Moore, -of the Normal, for Captain, who resigned in 1864. First Lieutenant George P. Ela resigned, and First Lieutenant John T. Russell became Captain, and mustered out with the regiment. Lieutenant William Elbert resigned, and Lieutenant Russell Puntenney mustered out with the regiment.

The Deaths

The deaths of twenty -five members of this company occurred, as by the records of the company, and it is known that several others died soon after their discharge, from disease contracted in the service. The list of names is : William M. Jones, Narcisso Livernois, David Irish, Andrew J. Boyd, Samuel B. Oswalt, Samuel J. Fogle, Alexander W. Wood, William Turnipseed, Warner A. Blue, William H. Sizemore, Leven A. Moore, Isaac W. Shiner, Chapman Shores, David H. Mitchell, William D. Shoup, William H. Hawkins, Peter D. Jones, John H. Childers, Charles S. Shinn, Francis Cuvillier, James Stevenson, John Riley, William P. Lanphier, Isaac Oswalt, William Trimmer, Charles S. Smith.

Field And Staff

This regiment passed through a variety of experinces. It was organized at Camp Butler August 29, 1861, and, on the 19th of September, went on the cars to St. Louis. A part of the regiment was soon sent out to guard bridges on the railroad leading southwest, where they had their first experiences of the enemy, a few being wounded, and a considerable number taken prisoners. Their first battle was at Fredericktown, soon after, in which they did excellent service, and in which Jeff Thompson and Col. Lowe were badly whipped with heavy loss, and Col. Lowe was killed. On the 1st of March, the regiment went southward with Gen. Steele, and joined the main army in Arkansas. In July, it assisted to defeat Rusk's heavy force at the battle of Cache Bayou. The rest of the summer was spent at Helena. Early in 1863, the regiment went to Vicksburg, and participated in the battles at Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, and in the terrible assault on Vicksburg May 22. In the siege, Col. Roe was wounded, and Capt. Kellogg was killed.

The regiment was present at the memorable surrender of Vicksburg. Soon after, it participated in the capture of Jackson, and went thence to New Orleans. It participated in Banks' expedition up the Teche, and, in November, went down the Texas coast, was engaged in the fight at Matagorda Bay, and a part of the Thirty-third was the first to enter the deserted fort and raise the national flag on its walls. In January, 1 864, the regiment re-enlisted in the veteran service. In the following spring, it was sent to Brashear City, and was a long time employed as bridge and station guards. Early in 1865, the Thirty-third was ordered to join the Mobile expedition. Just as it was starting on its way, it met with the terrible railroad accident that resulted in the death of eleven men, and the injury of seventy others. The regiment participated in the taking of Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, and the surrender of Mobile. It went thence to Montgomery, marched to

Selma ; thence it went to Meridian, Miss., and thence to Vicksburg, about the middle of August. It beat about to various points until the middle of November, when the order came to be mustered out. The regiment reached Camp Butler on the 30th of the month, and early in December it was paid off and discharged.

Ninety-Fourth Illinois Volunteers

In the summer of 1862, the call for 600,000 men aroused the people of McLean County to a more earnest determination than ever before to meet every demand upon their devotion to the defense of the Union. Men of position and of means, took hold of the matter ; public and private liberality were not wanting, and it was determined to raise an entire regiment complete of McLean County men.

In less than ten days, 1 ,200 men responded, and two companies were obliged to join other regiments. The idea of a solid regiment of men, most of whom were personally acquainted with each other, was very popular ; and had the movement been taken at its flood, probably two regiments could have been raised in a few days. The pride of McLean was up, and such enthusiasm to enter the service is not often seen twice in a life-time.

After the organization of the companies was complete, a meeting was held on the 14th of August, in Bloomington, and the " McLean County Regiment," the Ninety- Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was completed. The result was as follows: Colonel, W. W. Orme ; Lieutenant Colonel, John McNulta ; Major, R. G. Laughlin ; Adjutant, Hudson Burr; Quartermaster, M. L. Moore; Chaplain, Robert E. Guthrie; Surgeon, Joseph C. Ross; Assistant Surgeon, A. E. Stewart; Sergeant- Major, Henry C. Provost; Quartermaster Sergeant, R. S. Mclntyre ; Commissary Sergeant, Carlton Goring ; Hospital Steward, H. W. Boyd; Wagonmaster, Charles W. Lander. Company A - Captain, A. T. Briscoe; First Lieutenant, Guy A. Carlton; Second Lieutenant, A. S. Lawrence. Company B - Captain, J. C. McFarland ; First Lieutenant, Patrick Gorman ; Second Lieutenant, W. W. Elder. Company C - Captain, John Franklin ; First Lieutenant, G. B. Okeson ; Second Lieutenant, James A. Elder. Company D - Captain, G. W. Brown; First Lieutenant, Timothy Owens; Second Lieutenant, William Vangundy. Company E - Captain, John L. Routt ; First Lieutenant, W. H. Wright ; Second Lieutenant, J. B. Hopkins. Company F - Captain, A. W. Walden ; First Lieutenant, Joseph Denison; Second Lieutenant, J. W. Beatty. Company G - Captain, Aaron Buckles; First Lieutenant, Peter Vanatta; Second Lieutenant, M. E. Ferguson. Company H - Captain, J. P. Orme; First Lieutenant, L. S. Johnson; Second Lieutenant, H. C. Steere. Company I - Captain, W. H. Mann; First Lieutenant, Osborn Barnard; Second Lieutenant, S. P. Howell. Company K - Captain, J. M. Burch ; First Lieutenant, George Hayes ; Second Lieutenant, W. J. Bowlby.

As the regiment was permitted to rendezvous at Bloomington, the men were dismissed until August 25 ; and on re-assembling on that day, they went on board the cars for St. Louis, amidst great excitement in the assembled multitude.

The regiment tarried at Benton Barracks until the 10th of September; then it shipped for Rolla, and on the 16th set out on a hot, thirsty march for Springfield, Mo., arriving on the 24th, where it remained a few weeks, fortifying that town, and practicing battalion drill. Here the regiment was brigaded in Gen. Herron's Division, Gen. Blunt and Gen. Totten commanding the two other divisions in the Southwest.

Toward the last of November, Gen. Blunt moved to the front as far as Cane Hill, Ark., and found himself almost in the presence of Gen. Hindman, with greatly superior forces. There were some slight collisions between them, but no decisive actions. Meantime, Hindman had been busy gathering up men in all directions, and was about ready to surround, with his 30,000 men, the little force of Gen. Blunt, when the latter got wind of the movements and sent to Gen. Herron for help. Blunt managed to avoid being taken in by his enemy for the time being; and on receiving the message December 3, Gen. Herron immediately broke camp, and moved to his relief, the Second Division following closely behind. On the 7th, Gen. Herron's Division, after a forced march of 120 miles, was about ten miles southwest of Fayetteville, Ark., and half way between that place and Cane Hill.

Hindman, hearing of the approaching re-enforcements, very shrewdly allowed the Union cavalry, which was in advance, to pass through his lines, and then brought around his main force, leaving enough to keep Blunt busy upon the road leading from Fayetteville, and located his men very advantageously at Prairie Grove, on Illinois Creek. He undoubtedly intended, and with excellent prospects of accomplishing his purposes, to cut to pieces their re-enforcements, and then to make a short job of Biunt's little army. But he lost the precious opportunity by not immediately assuming the aggressive, instead of putting himself upon the defensive. A part of the First Arkansas Cavalry, forming the advance guard of Herron's Division, having been driven back and scattered by the enemy, in the forenoon of the 7th of December, came rushing past the infantry in a decidedly demoralized condition.

Gen. Herron's forces numbered between four thousand and five thousand men, being composed of six regiments of infantry and four batteries. But not in the least expecting to meet five times their number in almost immediate action, without waiting for the Second Division to arrive, the men prepared for any contingency, by ridding themselves of their knapsacks, and forming a line across the road. Crossing Illinois Creek, the cavalry of the enemy falling back, our army found themselves in front of Hindman's main force, posted on high ground about a mile from the creek, soon after noon. In front of their position was an open field, with a border of timber on the creek sufficient to allow the Union regiments, under at least partial cover, to fall into line of battle as fast as they came up. When it is taken into consideration, that this little army was excessively fatigued by a forced march of three days and nights, composed, mostly, of men who had never seen a battle, and faced by a vastly superior force in a strong position, and well acquainted with the surroundings, the only wonder is, that it was not utterly defeated and taken captive. Why this did not occur, as everything indicated that it must, may be discovered by closely watching the progress of the battle, which lasted from 2 o'clock until dark. We have been thus particular in stating the circumstances in general, that the reader may have a better chance to appreciate the conduct of the McLean County Regiment - the Ninety-fourth - in this, the first and the severest trial of its metal. While the artillery was vigorously shelling the enemy's position, the Ninety-fourth holding the extreme left, advanced and exchanged volleys with the enemy. This firing of artillery and musketry went on for about an hour, with scarcely any change of position on either side, the Confederate army being in the edge of the woods on the brow of the hill, and the Union forces lying on the opposite side of the field, at the foot of the hill.

About 3 o'clock commenced an inexplicable movement by the Nineteenth Iowa and Twentieth Wisconsin, occupying a position toward the right. These two regiments advanced into the field, swinging toward the left ; and the Twentieth Wisconsin struck a battery on the bluff, and, driving away the gunners, shot the artillery horses. But the blunder was dearly attoned for. An overwhelming concentration of fire upon them broke their ranks and drove them from the field. The utter rout of these two regiments left a gap in the Union line, cutting the Ninety-fourth with Foust's Battery off from the rest of the army, with the road to their rear laying in the gap.

Seeing this opening, the enemy repeatedly sent heavy masses of men forward to take possession of the opening and overwhelm the small remaining forces. But all their efforts were in vain. Every time they left their cover, a withering fire of musketry and grape drove them back with severe loss. But the situation was becoming critical. Ammunition was giving out - cartridges were handed from man to man - all but two of the guns of Foust's battery had .withdrawn from want of ammunition, and still the battle raged all along the line.

Under such circumstances, if the Ninety-fourth had committed a single error, with an enemy ten to one in their front, eager and confident of victory; had it wavered for a moment and taken fright at the fearful odds against it, all would have been lost ; the little army would have been destroyed or scattered ; Blunt would have fallen an easy prey, and the Union forces would have been driven back into Missouri with heavy losses.

But the fearful results of the rashness, in dashing so small a force against such. an army, were not experienced. Just as night was approaching, the joyful rattie of Union musketry was heard away toward the setting sun on the right, and the shout, Blunt ! Blunt ! ran through the whole line, from right to left, and the scene was changed. A& soon as the roar of battle was heard, Gen. Blunt had burst through the thin guards left behind by Hindman, and hurried to the rescue. He came in good time. The decisive moment had arrived, and it looked desperate to the boys in blue. This blowr struck so opportunely, carried confusion into the enemy's ranks. A part of the forces that were pressing the Ninety-fourth so severely, were withdrawn to meet this new movement, and the boys were able to maintain their ground, still fighting till darkness ended the contest.

Gen. McNulta endeared himself to the regiment by his intrepid conduct during that eventful day, and he was nobly seconded by Maj. Laughlin. Every member of the regiment seemed to have done his duty promptly and well. They bivouacked upon the battle-field that night, expecting to renew the contest in the morning. But when the morning came, they were equally astonished to find that the enemy had fled, and that, of their own numbers, only one had been killed and twenty-six wounded. That a regiment should come out of such a battle with so light a loss looks like a paradox. But it can be readily explained.

It will be recollected that the Ninety-fourth changed its position but slightly during the battle, and was not, therefore, exposed to fire while in motion. Again, the enemy was posted on a bluff of considerable elevation, and the Ninety-fourth was located near the foot of the hill, on the opposite side of the field ; consequently, in firing down hill, the enemy had almost uniformly overshot. But the best joke was, that the Ninetyfourth had been carefully drilled in firing while lying down. To hit a man thus ljing head to is almost impossible in the smoke and confusion of a battle. It will also be borne in mind that the enemy came out into the field in masses, and were thus exposed to a fire which no volunteer troops can be brought to stfend, and before which even regular troops would not last long.

The regiment went on the expedition which took Van Buren, about the last of December ; was in Fayetteville in January, 1863, and after splashing around in the mud and slush for a couple of months, it returned to Lake Spring. During these marches, from exposure, a very fatal pneumonia, in February, took seventeen men out of the regiment. In June, the Ninety-fourth was called to Vicksburg, as that place could not be taken without its assistance. In that memorable siege, the regiment lost only one man killed and five wounded, though it was employed in active service and was present at the surrender of that place. During the summer, the regiment was around generally, and in October, it was sent down fooling around in Texas, where there was nothing to do worthy of such a body of men. In July, 1864, they returned to New Orleans. Went to Mobile in August, arriving just in time to witness the surrender of Fort Gaines. Took a hand in the siege of Fort Morgan, and having been deprived of vegetables for a long time, the men suffered from scurvy, and were greatly relieved b\ a supply of vegetables taken down to them from old McLean by Lieut. Osborne Barnard.

The regiment had considerable experience on the tramp, building bridges and corduroy roads ; was at the siege and taking of Spanish Fort. The last severe service of the regiment was in clambering over all obstructions of a warlike character at midnight, and taking possession of Fort Alexis. Mobile surrendered two days afterward, April 11, and thus virtually ended the war. On the 18th of June, the regiment took another apparently aimless trip down to the coast of Texas, and remained at Galveston awhile. Thence, in July, it moved on Camp Butler ; took that place on the 2d of August, and arrived in Bloomington on the 9th, having traveled 8,000 miles, been in nine encounters with the enemy, served in six States, never been defeated nor repulsed, and having seen the object of its mission accomplished.

Col. W. W. Orme was promoted to Brigadier General in November, 1862 ; Lieut. Col. McNulta became Colonel; Maj. Laughlin became Lieutenant Colonel ; Capt. Briscoe was promoted to Major; Capt. McFarland became Major; Capt. Routt, Assistant Quartermaster; Adjt. Burr, Adjutant General; Capt. J. P. Orme, shot by accident; Capt. Burch, Provost Marshal ; Lieuts. Okeson, Owen, Denison, Vanatta, Moore, Howell and Hays became Captains. Seven deaths occurred in action, and forty-five were wounded. The Ninety-Fourth served three years, and everywhere did honor to itself and to McLean County. One hundred and fifty-seven died from various causes, 164 were discharged, 149 were recruits, and 26 were neither killed, discharged, mustered out, nor did they die in the service.

Twenty-Sixth Illinois Infantry

Company K, of the Twenty-sixth Illinois, was recruited in Bloomington, and organized in December, 1861, Ira J. Bloomfield, Captain; Allen H. Dillon, First Lieutenant, and John B. Bruner, Second Lieutenant. The company joined its regiment at Hannibal, Mo., February 6, 1862. It participated in the battles and skirmishes attending the capture of New Madrid, Point Pleasant, Riddle's Point and Island No. 10.

The company with its regiment, in the summer, went down the Mississippi, then up the Tennessee, and fought all over Northern Mississippi and Western Tennessee - at Farmington, Corinth, Iuka, Holly Springs, Collierville, and around generally. In 1863, it was at the siege of Vicksburg and Jackson ; thence it marched to Memphis, and went with Sherman to Chattanooga, and suffered severely at the battle of Mission Ridge, one third of the men and officers of the regiment being killed or wounded. They were then hurried up to the relief of Knox'ville ; thence to Marysville and to Scottsboro, Ala. In these marches, the men suffered severely for the want of clothes and shoes.

In 1864, the company figured in all the terrible and exciting scenes around Atlanta, Ga., thence in the grand march to the sea ; soon after it appeared in South Carolina, then in North Carolina; was at the capitulation of Johnston, and moved thence through Richmond to Washington ; participated in the grand review of Gen. Sherman, tarried awhile at Crystal Springs, D. C, and mustered out at Louisville July 20, 1865.

Capt. Bloomfield was promoted, in the mean time, to Lieutenant Colonel, and then to Colonel; and Lieutenant Bruner to Captain, and then to Major. Out of the company there were killed Second Lieut. Thomas E. Ludwig, Melville R. Haynie, Martin Hanley, August Oker, Daniel Allison, Benjamin C. Hill, John D. Weaver and Edwin S. Loveland. Died of disease, Robertson Grant, Mark F. Onion, William R. Beers, William R. Cheney, John McKay and Timothy Crane.

First Illinois Cavalry

By admitting thirty men from Putnam County, Company A of the First Illinois Cavalry, was formed at Bloomington, and mustered into the United States service July 5, 1861, with John McNulta, Captain; George F. Jannatt, First Lieutenant; and J. B. Dent, from Putnam County, Second Lieutenant. The company soon passed over into Missouri, and was ordered to report to Col. U. S. Grant, commanding at Mexico. Capt. McNulta's company was employed to break up the organizations of rebels around the country, and to employ home-guards and friendly citizens to drive the enemy out of the vicinity, and operate against an organizing force under Gen. Harris, in which they were successful.

The company was then ordered to move on to Lexington via Jefferson City, with the rest of the regiment, and there relieved a small garrison of men besieged by a greatly superior force of the enemy. Soon after, the news came that the enemy, under Gen. Price, was approaching with overwhelming numbers. The garrison at Lexington, under command of Col. Mulligan, could muster only 2,300 efficient men, and the approaching enemy numbered 25,000. From the 12th to the 20th of September, this little army did everything that brave men could do to repel the enemy, fighting continually and losing heavily, till it was compelled on that day to surrender, though just in the act of making one more effort at resistance.

The company was re-organized at Benton Barracks, and employed in the spring and early summer of 1862 in fighting small parties of the rebels in Southwest Missouri until July 17, when it was mustered out, and returned to Bloomington bearing the flag which the ladies had presented to it, having in its folds the marks of more than three hundred musket-balls. The reception of the company was enthusiastic. Capt. Mc- Nulta had received a wound in the breast, but was soon ready to enter the Ninety-fourth Illinois Regiment.

Eighth Regiment

McLean County furnished Company K in the Eighth Regiment of three months' volunteers, who re-enlisted at the expiration of their time - Col. Oglesby's regiment. Company officers: Captain, William H. Harvey; First Lieutenant, Price Keith ; Second Lieutenant, Abram Vandenburg.

The regiment was organized April 25, and spent its three months at Cairo. On July 25, it re-organized for three years. It remained at Cairo till October, then at Bird's Point, Mo., with occasional excursions, till February 2, 1862, thence it went up the Tennessee, drove the enemy back"' from Fort Henry on the 5th, and on the 11th was in the advance in attacking Fort Donelson. On the 15th it had a very severe engagement with the enemy who were trying to cut their way out of the fort, and sustained their assaults for more than three hours, losing 57 men killed and 191 wounded, 10 missing.

In March the regiment went to Pittsburg Landing, and lost in the terrible battles on the 6th and 7th of April in succession, its acting commander, Capt. Ashmore, and Capt. Harvey, killed instantly. The regiment did splendid service, losing 26 men kdled, 95 wounded and 11 missing. The Eighth spent the rest of 1862 in Tennessee, in hard service, and in May, 1863, at the battle near Raymond, its splendid charge on the center of the enemy saved the day. It was at Champion Hill, at Jackson, Big Black River and at Vicksburg, distinguishing itself on several occasions. It was in nearly all the hard fights in Northern Mississippi and Tennessee in the latter part of 1863 and in 1864. January 1 , 1865, it started for New Orleans, having previously veteranized, and went thence to Mobile. It had the usual experiences of a hard-fighting regiment among the forts around Mobile Bay, losing 10 men killed and 54 wounded in a triumphant charge on the works at Blakely. In May, 1865, the Eighth returned to New Orleans and was up the Red River and at Marshall, Texas, until fall. In May, 1866, it was discharged at Springfield.

Twentieth Regiment

McLean County furnished Company C in the Twentieth Regiment, with John 0. Pullen, Captain ; John W. Champion, First Lieutenant, and Andrew J. Taylor, Second Lieutenant. The Twentieth was mustered into service June 13, 1861, at Joliet, for three years. (Some stay longer.) It was at St. Louis Arsenal, at Bird's Point, Cape Girardeau and Fredericktown, having a victorious brush with Jeff Thompson. In 1862, it was at Fort Henry, in the three-days fight at Donelson. The regiment was in the battle at Shiloh, in April, and at Britton's Lane, in September. It was mostly in Northern Mississippi and Tennessee. Mustered out July 16, 1865, at Louisville, Ky.

Twenty-Fourth Regiment

McLean County furnished Company B to the Twenty-fourth. Captain, George Heinrichs ; First Lieutenant, Julius Fritsch ; Second Lieutenant, Otto W. Block. The regiment was mustered into service July 8, 1861, at Chicago. It spent the summer in Missouri and the next winter and summer in Kentucky and Tennessee. It was in the battle at Perry ville, October 8, 1862, losing 25 killed, 77 wounded, 8 prisoners and 2 missing It was employed variously the next year in Kentucky, and mustered out July 31 1865 at Louisville. The Perry ville battle was its only severe experience.

Thirty-Ninth Regiment

McLean County furnished Compaoies B and H and part of I to the Thirty-ninth. Company B - Captain, Isaiah W. Wilmeth ; First Lieutenant, David F. Sellards ; Second Lieutenant, James Haldeman. Company H - Captain, Gasper S. F. Dericks ; First Lieutenant, Charles J. Wilder ; Second Lieutenant, Charles Flickinger. Company I - Captain, Hiram M. Phillips: First Lieutenant, Emory L. Waller; Second Lieutenant, Albert W. Fellows.

This regiment was called the " Yates Phalanx," and was much favored by the Governor. Under command of Col. Austin Light, it reported at Camp Benton, St. Louis, about the middle of October, 1861, and was soon ordered to Williamsport, Md. For several months, the Thirty-ninth was employed on guard duty on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, having occasional collisions with the enemy, and suffering, in the winter, very severely from exposure and want of quarters. In March, it took a hand in the brilliant fight at Winchester, and went down the Shenandoah Valley, and was afterward at Harrison's Landing and at the second battle of Malvern Hill.

The Thirty-ninth was in North and South Carolina in 1863, in active service, and was the first to mount the walls at the capture of Fort Wagner. It re-enlisted, met a splendid reception in Chicago, 450 strong, in January, 1864, and recruited to 750. It was in Gen. Butler's disastrous expedition up the James River, in May, 1864, and was at one time completely surrounded by the enemy, but cut its way out, with a loss of nearly two hundred men killed, wounded or missing. On the 2d of June, it was again in battle near the same place, and lost forty men, Lieut. Albert W. Fellows being killed and Lieut. Al. C. Sweetzer shot through both legs, losing one by amputation. On the 16th, 17th and 18th of June, the regiment fought day and night with Longstreet's Corps, near Petersburg, losing thirty-five men, Captain 0. F. Rudd being one of them.

On the 16th of August, the Thirty-ninth was in the charge upon the works of the enemy at Deep Run, and lost 104 men - Capt. L. A. Baker, Capt. Chauncy Williams, and Lieuts. Frane, Lemons, Warner, Knapp and Butterfield being among them. On the 13th of October, it was in the charge upon the enemy's works on the Darlington road, seven miles from Richmond. Of the 250 men who went into the charge, 60 fell - Capt. Heritage and Lieuts. C. J. Wilder and N. E. Davis among them, leaving First Lieut. James Hannum, one Adjutant and one Second Lieutenant the only officers remaining. During the winter, the regiment was again recruited, and participated in the fearful charge on Fort Gregg, the 2d day of April, 1865. Surrounding the fort was a ditch six feet deep and twelve feet wide. Over this ditch, digging holes in the sides with swords and bayonets, so as to climb up and get over the parapet, and over slippery ground, did the Thirty-ninth mount, and engage in a desperate hand-to-hand fight lor half an hour, before the fort and entire garrison were captured. It was the first regiment across the ditch and the first to plant its flag on the parapet, losing sixteen killed and forty-five wounded out of the 150 who went into the charge. Seven out of nine of its color-guard were shot down.

For its gallantry on this occasion, Maj. Gen. Gibbons, at the grand review of the corps, placed upon its regimental staff a magnificent brazen eagle, which had been cast for that purpose. The regiment was engaged in the pursuit and heading-off of Lee's army and was present at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. This regiment gave the Eastern people a splendid specimen of Illinois material for soldiers, and probably went through more suffering and fierce encounters with the enemy than any other one in which McLean County was represented. It was mustered out at Norfolk, Va., December 6, 1865.

Sixty-Second Regiment

Company H represented McLean County in the Sixty-second Regiment. Captain, Samuel Sherman ; First Lieutenant, John Foley ; Second Lieutenant, Robert B. Wilson. This regiment - Colonel, James M. True - was organized April 10, 1862. It fissured in Tennessee and in Arkansas, having but little experience with the enemy. Veteranized in 1864, and was mustered out at Little Rock, March 6, 1866.

Sixty-Third Regiment

Company D - Captain, John W. Champion ; First Lieutenant, James Isaminger ; Second Lieutenant, Benjamin M. Tabler - was contributed by McLean County to the Sixty-third Regiment - Colonel, Francis Mora. It was mustered in at Camp Dubois, April 10, 1862. Went to Cairo, then to Kentucky and Tennessee. It was at Vicksburg, in May, 1863, and at the battle of Mission Ridge, in November. In 1864, it was in Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, at Atlanta, and went down to the sea at Savannah. It was in the busy scenes in the Carolinas ; lost twenty-five men by an explosion at Columbia, S. C, and five men at Little Lynch's Creek. It was at Richmond May 10, and at the grand review at Washington, 24th May, 1865. Mustered out ar Camp Butler, July 13, 1865.

Sixty-Eighth Regiment

Company F - Captain, John W. Morris; First Lieutenant, John R. Larrimore ; Second Lieutenant, Lewia Ijams ; and Company G, Captain, James P. Moore; First Lieutenant, Harvey C. De Mott ; Second Lieutenant, John H. Stout - were contributed by McLean County to the Sixty-eighth - Colonel, Elias Stuart, and George W. Lackey, Major. As this was a three-months regiment, the Adjutant General's Report gives no history. It was mustered in July 16, 1862, and mustered out September 26, 1862.

Seventieth Regiment

McLean County contributed Company H - Captain, James O. Donald, First Lieutenant, John A. Robinson ; Second Lieutenant, Albert Braxton, to the Seventieth Regiment - Colonel, 0. T. Reeves ; Major, Joseph H. Scibird. The regiment was mustered in July 23, 1862, and, as the Adjutant General's Report gives no date of musteringout, it is supposed to be still in the service, though it was a three-months regiment.

Eighty-Second Regiment

Company E - Captain, Robert Sender ; First Lieutenant, Rudolph Mueller ; Second Lieutenant, John Brech Celler - was, in part, contributed by McLean County - Colonel, Frederic Hecker. It was mustered in October 23, 1862. The regiment started for Washington City November 3, and was in Gen. Burnside's second movement against Fredericksburg, in January, 1863. It was engaged in the battle at Chancellorsville, losing 155 men, killed, wounded and missing. It was again heavily engaged at Gettysburg, losing 112 men, killed, wounded and missing. In September, 1863, it was transferred to the Department of the Cumberland, and was in the movements at Lookout Mountain. It was mustered out June 9, 1865, at Washington City.

One Hundred And Sixteenth Regiment

McLean County contributed Company F, Captains, N. Bishop, Nicholas Greschwind, William P. Gardner ; First Lieutenants, John B. Tutt, Samuel R. Biggs, John A. Cochran ; Second Lieutenants, Edward B. Pratt, Jonathan C. Stansbury, John P. Lewis. These gentlemen were all, except one, from Cheney's Grove. The regiment was mustered in September 20, 1862, and mustered out June 7, 1865. The Adjutant General's Report gives no further history.

One Hundred And Seventeenth Regiment

Company A - Captain, Samuel B. Kinsey ; First Lieutenant, Harrison W. Wood, Second Lieutenant, Dennis Kenyon - was made up in McLean County - Colonel, Bisdon M. Moore. The regiment was mustered in Sept. 19, at Camp Butler, and went to Memphis in November, and remained there a year. In December, it pursued Forrest, and lost three men killed. In February, 1863, it lost, is a skirmish, two killed and live wounded. It was up Bed Biver, and assisted in the capture of Fort De Bussey. In 1864, it was down in Louisiana, and skirmished its way back to Memphis. In the fall, it was all over Missouri, and back again in Tennessee, in December, chasing Hood. In January, 1865, it was again in New Orleans; and in March and April, at Spanish Fort and at Blakely, helping to capture those places. Thence it returned to Camp Butler, and was mustered out August 5, 1865.

Besides the regiments and companies noticed heretofore, McLean County furnished many men who enlisted in other regiments and in other States - some in Eastern regiments. We will gather up a few of these scatterings : James A. Landon, from Le Boy, Captain Company B in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Infantry. Joseph Pitman, Blue Mound, Captain Company G ; Troy Moore, Blue Mound, Captain Company E ; Alexander H. Brown, Belleflower, Second Lieutenant, and Jesse D. De Witt, Bloomington, First Lieutenant, Company C ; William Harness, Lexington, and Albert W. Collins, Mount Hope, Second Lieutenants, De Witt C. Mears, Chenoa, First Lieutenant, and Isaac P. Strayer, Bloomington, Captain, Company B, and John H. Nale, Blue Mound, Major, in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. Captains John H. Stout and Clarence D. Perry ; First Lieutenant Augustus W. Bodgers ; and Albert L. Piatt, Second Lieutenant, Company A, Bloomington ; Captain William B. Lawrence, Bloomington ; First Lieutenant William Weaver, Oldtown ; and Second Lieutenant William Van Gundy, Padua, Company B, in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois Begiment - George W. Kuner, Oldtown, Colonel ; Major Isaiah W. Wilmeth, Bloomington ; Bobert W. McMahon, Chenoa, Surgeon ; and Henry Kuhlman, Second Lieutenant, Bloomington, Company G, of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry.

Colonel George W. Lackey ; Adjutant John W. Morris ; Chaplain John C. Hanna ; First Lieutenant Marmontell B. Geter, Company B, all of Bloomington. Second Lieutenant, Company D, James Palmer, Mount Hope; Captain Paphiras B. Keyes, and Jonah S. Scovel, First Lieutenant, Company I; James P. Moore, Captain, and, First Lieutenant Clarence D. Perry, Company K, all from Bloomington, of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry. -Henry W. Boyd, First Assistant Surgeon, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry.

Second Lieutenant John P. McKnight, Chenoa, Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry. Allen Ellsworth, Bloomington, First Lieutenant Company I, One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Infantry.

Cavalry

We have already spoken of the First Cavalry Regiment. Of the officers of that regiment, Bloomington furnished, of Company A, John McNulta, Captain, afterward Colonel of Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry ; First Lieutenant, George F. Tannatt, afterward killed in Virginia ; and Second Lieutenant, James B. Dent, afterward Major of the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry.

Lieut. Col. Harvey Hogg, of the Second Cavalry Regiment, was from Bloomington, and was killed in the battle of Bolivar, Tenn., August 30, 1862. Col. Hogg was as brave a man as ever fell in defense of the rights of the human race. If it were admissible to speak of the faults of the noble dead, one could say that his bravery bordered upon temerity. In private life, he was a model gentleman in manners and sentiments.

Third Cavalry

Bloomington furnished the following officers of Company I in the Third Illinois Cavalry: Captains, James Nicolls and Samuel F. DollofF; First Lieutenants, Samuel F. DollofF and John Duncan ; Second Lieutenants, Edward 0. Rowley, John- Paul and Francis Cullum.

The Third Cavalry was organized at Camp Butler in August, 1861, by Col. E. A. Carr. It operated in Missouri until the next summer, on guard duty, then went over into Arkansas and returned in December, and six of the companies went down to Vicksburg. It had lost, in an all-day engagement on the 7th of March, ten men killed and forty wounded. One Captain and five men were drowned in crossing the White River May 25. On the 7th of June, Capt. Sparks, with sixty-six men, cut his way through a greatly superior number of the enemy, losing four wounded and four prisoners. The regiment did good service in Tennessee, around and below Vicksburg, participating in several engagements. Mustered out October 13, 1865.

Fourth Cavalry

Bloomington furnished to the Fourth Cavalry Regiment Lieut. Col. William McCullough, Surgeon Hiram C. Luce, Chaplain Alfred Eddy, First Lieut. Ruthven W. Pike, and Second Lieut. David Quigg, of Company L, and Le Roy sent Capt. John M. Longstreth and Second Lieut. Robert D. Taylor, of the same company. Colonel McCulbugh was killed in battle near CofFeeville, Miss., December 6, 1862, being suddenly set upon by a greatly superior force. It is perhaps enough to say that he left no braver man behind him. Mild and gentlemanly by nature, when aroused he was a terror to evil-doers, and a stranger to personal fear. The regiment was afterward re-organized and consolidated.

Fifth Cavalry

McLean County furnished the following officers to the Fifth Cavalry : To Company C - Captains, William P: Withers, Francis A. Wheelock and Clarendon W. Wheelock ; First Lieutenants, James Depew and Alcinous Y. Davidson ; Second Lieutenants, James A. Lawrence, Thaddeus B. Packard and Joseph Smith ; and to Company D, Alonzo G. Payne, Captain.

The Fifth Regiment was mustered into service in November, 1861, Hall Wilson' Colonel. In February, 1862, it passed over into Missouri, and soon moved on to Doniphan, capturing a camp of the enemy, killing three and taking seven prisoners. In June, it started for the Mississippi, and arrived at Helena July 13. On October 22, the enemy attacked one of their forage trains, killing one, wounding six, and capturing seventy-eight men and a Lieutenant. For the next year, sometimes single, sometimes with other regiments, the Fifth was employed in the active scenes then passing all over Mississippi, centering on Vicksburg. In 1865, it was in active and efficient service in Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas. Louisiana and Tennessee, having several sharp and successful encounters with the enemy. It was mustered out October 27, 1865. ,

Besides these contributions, there are several cases of individuals who have served in other regiments. Samuel R. Bush, of Chenoa, was First Lieutenant in Co. D of the Eleventh Cavalry. Henry M. Stahl, of Bloomington, was Adjutant in the Twelfth. John A. Edwards, of Bloomington, was First Lieutenant of Company C in the Fourteenth. Lewis J. Ijams, of Bloomington, was Captain of Co. L in the Sixteenth.