Sangamon County, Illinois - City of Springfield 563, 1881 (part 13 of 25)

" Springfield, Illinois, April 15, 1861. I, Richard Yates, Governor of the State of Illinois, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, hereby convene the legislature of the State, and the members of the Twenty-second session of the General Assembly are hereby required to be and appear in their respective places, at the Capitol, on Tuesday, the twenty-third day of April, A. D. 1861, for the purpose of enacting such laws and adopting such measures as may be deemed necessary upon the following subjects: The moi'e perfect organization and equipment of the militia of the State, and placiag the same upon the best footing to render assistance to the general Government in preserving the Union, enforcing the laws and protecting the property and rights of the people; also the raising of such money and other means as may be required to carry out the foregoing objects; and, also, to provide for the expense of such session.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my band, and cause the great seal of the State to be hereunto affixed at the city of Springfield, the fifteenth day of April, A. D., 1861.

Allen C. Fuller, of Boone county, was appointed Adjutant-General. General Order No. 1 was issued on the 15th, from headquarters at Springfield, directing all commandants of divisions, brigades, regiments and companies, to hold themselves in readiness for actual service; and on the 16th, Order No. 2 provided for the immediate organization of six regiments, and within ten days more than ten thousand men had offered their services; and in addition to the force despatched to Cairo, more than the full quota was in camp at Springfield.

The readiness with which the first call was made, together with the embarrassments which surrounded President Lincoln in the absence of sufficient laws toauthorize him to meet the unholy, unlooked-for and unexpected emergency - an emergency that had never been anticipated by the wisest and best of America's statesmen, together with an under-estimate of the magnitude of the rebellion, and a general belief that the war could not and would not last three months, checked, rather than encouraged the patriotic ardor of the people. But few of the men, comparatively speaking, who volunteered in response to President Lincoln's call for seventy-five thousand men for three months, were accepted. But the time soon came when there was a place and a musket for every man. Call followed call in quick succession, until the number reached the grand total of 3,339,748, as follows:

When the news came that the rebels had fired upon Fort Sumter - that the first overt act had been committed, indignation filled the heart of everyone; and when the news came that the gallant Major Anderson had surrendered - that the Star-spangled Banner had by traitor hands been trailed in the dust, all party feelings were laid aside, and the people of Sangam,on county, with those of all the loyal States of the Union, were united together as one, and each and everyone determined that the insult should be wiped out, and that traitors should receive a just punishment.

A public meeting of the citizens of Springfield was called for Monday evening, April 10, which was to be addressed by John A. McClernand, Lyman Trumbull and others. To suit the convenience of the speakers, it was postponed until the following evening, on which occasion thousands of excited citizens assembled to listen to the addresses. The meeting was organized by calling N. M. Broadwell to the chair. Mr. Broadwell accepted the honor in a patriotic and eloquent speech, which was loudly applauded. A secretary was appointed, and also a committee on resolutions, composed of the following named gentlemen: Charles H. Lanphier, Edward L. Baker, Charles A. Keyes, N. W. Matheny, H. G. Reynolds, E. B. Hawley, B. A. Watson, C. L. Morrison, T. J. V. Owen and J. Bunn. While the committee were out Mr. McClernand took the stand by invitation, and was received with a storm of applause. He gave a full history of the secession movement, and pronounced secession a dastardly and cowardly way to commit treason. He said he had been a Democrat and was one now, but that he would sacrifice party on the altar of his country. He painted the evils of secession with the hand of a master - pointed out the way to defeat it, and closed with a powerful appeal to stand unflinchingly by their Government and their flag. He was frequently and loudly cheered.

Senator Trumbull was next called out, and was greeted with loud applause. He made a strong, telling speech, and roused the enthusiasm of the people to the highest pitch. Speaking of this Government defending itself and defending the Capital against the traitors, he said he scorned the idea of this great Government defending itself against secessionists. "Let us," said he, " make them defend Montgomery and Charleston." This sentiment was responded to by the vast audience by wild cheering, which lasted for some minutes. Mr. Trumbull closed by introducing Captain Wyatt, of Logan county, who had raised a company of volunteers and tendered them to the Governor. Mr. Wyatt was T'eceived with loud shouts of applause. He said he did not come to make a speech; be did not come to see the people, but he did come to see to it that his company was received. He said he was not a man of words, but a man of action. Others might talk; he was going to act for his country. He made a good speech, and at its close the crowd gave him three cheers.

-Resolved, Tha,t the Union of the States, in the spirit of the Constitution, and the just administration and observance of its laws, are indispensable to the preservation of the liberties and happiness of the people.

" Hesolved, That the Union of these States was intended by them all to be a perpetual Union, and that no power is reserved to any State to withdraw from the compact, except in the manner prescribed by the Constitution.

" Resolved, That the attempt now being made to dissolve the Union and destroy the Government by the array of military force, the seizure of arsenals and public property, the firing upon and capturing the forts and ships of the Government, the shedding of blood, and the dishonoring of the National flag, is revolutionary and treasonable, and, if successful, will reduce the Nation to anarchy, demoralization, and endless civil war.

^^ Resolved, That it is the duty of the Government to maintain its Constitutional authority throughout its entire jurisdiction by all proper means of compromise and conciliation; and when these fail, by the military power at its command.

That the Mississippi is a great National highway, in which the States of the Northwest have a right which they will not suffer to be disturbed or impaired by the attempted jurisdiction of any State or poAver whatever.

" Resolved, That it is the duty of all patriotic citizens of Illinois, without distinction of party or sect, to sustain the Government through the peril which now threatens the existence of the Union, and of our legislature to grant such aid of men and money, as the exigency of the hour and the patriotism' of our people shall demand.

That, while we recognize the dutv of thus sustaining the Government and preserving the Constitution, we shall continue to seek a restoration of peaceful relations between the States; and we earnestly recommend that a Na- tional Convention be called, for a final adjustment in a Constitutional manner, the difficulties now disturbing the peace and endangering the liberties of our beloved country "

The Zouave Grays, under command of Captain John Cook, offered their services on Tuesday, and were accepted by the Governor. This was the first company from Sangamon county, and the first on the Adjutant General's roll from the State.

Jacob Bunn, N. H. Ridgely and the Marine and Fire Insurance Company, principal banking institutions in Springfield, patriotically offered to Governor Yates a loan of one hundred thousand dollars to facilitate necessary preparations for organizing and collecting the State troops to aid in suppressing the rebellion. The war spirit was evidently high. The Journal, under date of April 20, only five days after the issuance of the proclamation, said:

" Springfield is ablaze with excitement. Flags ai*e flying all over the city; the martial music of drum and fife resounds wherever we turn our steps; companies are being drilled in almost every hall of sufiicient capacity, and, in fact, appearances indicate that something is going to be done. Numbers are employed on military duty, and find scope for the development of all their energies. Prominent men from different parts of the State are here, aiding by every means in their power, of advice and otherwise, the Executive in the discharge of his official functions."

A second company, under command of Captain Sands, was accepted from this county, but the good work did not cease. The City Council of Springfield, with commendable liberality, appropriated 110,000 from the city treasury for the purpose of defraying expenses attending the equipment of volunteers and for the sl^pport of their families while absent. The offer of the bankers of Springfield was accepted by Governor Yates, who addressed them the following letter:

To Messrs. J. Bunn^ N. H. Ridgely and President of the Marine Fire Innurance Companxj : Gentlemen: - Your communication of the iVth inst., tendering to me, and, through me, to the State of Illinois, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, as a loan to facilitate necessary preparations for the organizing and collecting of the State troops to put down resistance to the laws and open rebellion, has been duly received.

Your generous offer is gratefully accepted, and permit me to express to you, on behalf of the State, my sincere thanks for the devotion you have shown to the honor of our noble State and our common country in this hour of peril. Your patriotic act will be a worthy example to other citizens, and will ever be a source of pride to yourselves and your families, as well as to your fellow-citizens. With the wish that the great unanimity of sentiment respecting the upholding of oui" Union and the laws of our conntry, and the many generous acts of patriotic citizens, denoting a spirit of earnestness and self-devotion, will have a most favorable effect in restoring peace and prosperity to the country, I remain, respectfully,

"The scene at the Great Western Railroad depot last night was worthy the pencil of an artist. Two companies from Quincy, two from Jacksonville, and a squad of artillery, with three guns and fifty men, the entii'e command numbering nearly five hundred men, fully equipped for active service, left under sealed orders. Before leaving, the detachment was formed into line, when the oflicers received their commissions and were sworn in, and a few touching and appropriate remarks were made by Captain Prentiss, who commanded the battalion. These companies were the flower of the camp, well drilled, soldierly, and fully qualified to defend the honor of our country. The Star Spangled Banner was sung with thrilling effect, and the soldiers took their place in the cars amid the hearty 'God bless them' of the crowd. In the gray of the night the scene was sublimely impressive. The half repressed ardor of the troops, fully alive to the responsibilities devolving upon them, sadly regretful of the causes which necessitated their services, but sternly resolved to allow no traitor hands to tarnish the glory of the starry flag which waved over them; the earnest farewells to parting friends - greetings, perhaps, the last they would be permitted to exchange on earth, all combined to impress beholders with the solemnity of the occasion. The feeling aroused in the North carries with it a deep significance. Anger slow to be called forth, only excited after long and patient forbearance, not loud nor noisy in its demonstration, but irresistible in its force as the cataract of Niagara, more terrible than the tempests of the Heaven - this was what we saw manifested last night. There was no hotspur courage in that detachment, which flames up in an instant and exhausts itself as speedily; but a deep, quiet consciousness of wrongs too long endured, and which are now to be redressed. These troops do not go out to fight for the support of Illinois, or for the North, or for any section of the United States, but for the Star Spangled Flag, under whose folds they were born, and which they love better than their lives."

The first of the Sangamon county men to leave for the front was on Saturday morning, April 2*7, when Colonel Cook's regiment took its departure. Says the same reporter already quoted:

"At an early hour Saturday morning, April 27, the depot of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad was crowded with men, women and children, assembled to bid good-bye to the Springfield boys of Colonel Cook's regiment, which, it was understood, was to leave at eight' o'clock. The troops left the camp at seven o'clock, proceeded to the arsenal, where they were provided with arms, and thence marched to the depot, where they were drawn up in line on Jefferson street, and received the greetings of their friends and loved ones. The drenching rain which fell all the morning did not seem in the least to dampen the ardor of the soldiers, or prevent the ladies from crowding through the muddy streets to bid them good-bye. For about two hours and a half they stood in the shower, giving frequent vent to their patriotism and variety to the occasion by loud cheering, the train having orders to leave at ten o'clock. Our readers can fancy the leave-taking - we cannot attempt to portray it - for what pen can paint the feelings which swelled the hearts of fond mothers, sisters and wives as they bade farewell to those they loved so dearly, not knowing whether they would ever again be permitted to meet on earth? - or who can depict the emotions of those gallant boys, in whose breast patriotism and love for their country's honor struggled with regrets at their separation from those so closely entwined around their hearts? Those who were present felt all this deeply, and theie are few in all our broad State who read these lines who have not, within the last few days, been witnesses of similar scenes, and who cannot, in some measure, appreciate the solemnity of the occasion. At length the companies were all seated in the cars, and as the long train swept gradually from the depot, drawn by two powerful locomotives, which never before bore a freight so precious, the air was rent by the loud shouts of the crowd on the platform, iinited with those of the men in the cars. The okl toast, 'Woman, God bless her!' which we have all drank so often, came forcibly to the minds of all, for with Spartan firmness, those women, who all had on the receding train some son, or brother, or some ' dearer one and nearer one,' with the strong heart of patriotism, wept, but consented to the sacrifice for their country's sake. Forever bless their noble hearts !"

The patriotism was not confined to the aged. A little daughter of J. C. Luce, only about seven years of age, told her mother she was determined to enlist for a soldier - saying that although she could not carry a musket and shoot, she could take care of the wounded soldiers; make bandages and lint, read to them when restless, or write home to their friends their last wishes if they were about to die. As she was so extremely in earnest about the matter, she was allowed to go to Colonel Williams' office, who put her name down, and told her she was the first female volunteer he had on his list. She went home really thinking she had enlisted for the war, gathered up from the neighbors all the old sheets they would spare her, which she made into bandages - several hundred in all - for the surgical department. There was something deeply touching in the artless conduct of the little girl - so young, yet so earnestly anxious to do something to relieve the suffering of the wounded soldiers her fancy had painted on the black canvass of battle.

The year 1862 was a dark one for the Union armies. Defeated in the field and harrassed by enemies in the rear, many friends of the Union were discouraged. Even in Sangamon county were to be found many who believed that the war was prosecuted in vain and that some compromise or peace measures should be adopted. The Government was urgently calling for volunteers, and enlistments were slow. At this juncture war meetings were held all over the county and every effort was made to awaken a more lively interest and to secure enlistments. At Chatham, on the evening of July 19, an enthusiastic meeting was held and the following resolutions adopted:

Mesolved, That this meeting is of the opinion that the war against treason and rebellion should be prosecuted with the utmost vigor, and that the sword should not be sheathed until the authority of the Federal Government is restored to its former power and glory.

x;ntiring exertions in behalf of the troops on the battlefield, and for his zeal in making arrangements for the new troops required by ihe recent call of the President, and this meeting pledges itself to render him all the support in its power toward crushing out the rebellion."

Some time in the fall of this year President Lincoln issued a proclamation stating that upon the first day of January, 1863, he would issue a Proclamation of Emancipation of the slaves in those States engaged in the rebellion, if, in the meantime, they did not return to their allegience to the General Government. The rebel States, paying no heed to the note of warning, the proclamation was accordingly issued. Many loyal men throughout the North doubted the propriety and even the authority of the President in this matter. Meetings were held approving and denouncing the act throughout the L^nion. In Springfield a large meeting was held on Saturday evening, January 10, 1863, which was adjourned till Thursday, the 15th, which v as addressed by several eminent speakers who had formerly acted with both parties, when the following resolutions were adopted:

That in the present condition of our National affairs, and in the existence of the troubles which surround our country, it is the duty of all good citizens cordially to support the National and State Administrations, and that we hereby offer to the Administration of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and Richard Yates, Governor of the State of Illinois, our earnest and cordial support in the efforts of their respective Administrations to put doM'n the present most infamous rebellion.

That while we admit that during the present terrible and unjustifiable rebellion it would be impossible for the President of the United States to discharge his duties so as to satisfy all the people of the United States, yet as he is the officer invested with the constitutional power to act as the Government in putting down the present rebellion, which is seeking our overthrow, it becomes the duty of all loyal citizens to strengthen the President's arm for the contest, and to give him that material moral aid and support, regardless of mere party differences of opinion, that Avill be effectual to put down insurrection and sustain our Government - and we hold that no man can be regarded as a lover of his country who will not make any

liesolved^ That it is the first and highest duty of the National Government to crush out the existing rebellion; that our own happiness, prosperity, and power as a people, and the fate of Republican institutions throughout |he world are involved in this great issue; and in order to accomplish that result, it is both the right and duty of the Government to use all means recognized by the laws of civilized warfare.

That the Constitution of our fathers and the irrepealable laws of nature unite in indissoluble bonds the Great Northwest and the mouth of the Mississippi and the eastern seaboard; that we should be ready, if need were, to crush secession in the east, as in the south; and that we will never consent to a dissolution of the Union, or to an abandonment by the National Government of its constitutional authority over any, the least portion of our territory.

'-Hesolved, That we have no terms of compromise to propose to rebels in arms; that we should regard propositions by the loyal States for a cessation of hostilities as both fruitless and humiliating, and that any settlement of our National troubles by species of concession to the rebels, or by any mode short of an unconditional suppression of the rebellion, would be an acknowledgment of the principle of secession, and would be ottering a premium to treason for all time to come.

"liesolmd. That the Constitution of the United States confers upon the Government of the same, all the powers necessary to the effectual suppression of the rebellion, and to punish the rebels for a vie lation of their allegiance, and to this end it may deprive them of life, liberty or property, if required, in its judgment; and that an imperious necessity demanded of the President of the United States the issuing of his proclamation of freedom to the slaves in rebellious States and parts of States, and we pledge ourselves to sustain him in the same.

"Jiesolved, That the President, as commanderin-chief of the army, and executive head of the Government, has the same undoubted right to suspend the writ of habeas corjms, during an armed rebellion, as General Jackson had to suspend that writ in New Orleans; that even if individual cases of hardship have occurred in consequence of false information furnished to the Government, which it had good reason to believe to be true, still no thoroughly loyal citizen, who earnestly desires the suppression of the rebellion, would seek, for such causes, to create disaffection among the people towards the Government, or to make them believe their liberties are in danger; and that we have yet to hear of the first truly loyal man who believes himself in danger of military arrest or imprisonment in the so-called bastiles.

" Mesolved, That the late State Government of Virginia, having treasonably abdicated its legitimate authority, the same devolved upon that portion of her citizens which organized a loyal Government in that section of her territory where they could safely assemble, and that such loyal Government was invested with the whole power of the State of Virginia, and had the rightful authority under the National Constitution, with the sanction of Congress, to consent to the formation of a new State, carved out of its territory.

"Jiesolved, That the courts of the United States would be wholly inefficient to maintain its authority against rebels in arms, and that the only mode in which the rebellion can be put down is through the military arm of the Government, and that the proper duty of our courts is to follow, and not precede, our armies, and that we will hail the day when military aid can be dispensed with in the administration of our affairs, and the civil authority restored to its wonted supremacy.

^'Hesolved, That the Democratic principle that the frequency of elections and of submission to the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box, dispenses entirely with the necessity of forcible revolution to correct any real or fancied errors of administration, and this fact takes away all excuse for those who seek to inaugurate a state of anarchy or rebellion, and invests their crime Avith a ten-fold atrocitj'.

^^ Jiesolved, That, the gallant sons of Illinois who have gone forth to fight our battles, have achieved for themselves and their State imperishable renown; that the page which shall record their deeds will be among the brightest of our country's history, and having sealed their hatred of treason by the baptism of the battlefield, they will, upon their return, pronounce at the ballot-box their condemnation of all men who have dared to express a covered sympathy with traitors or to denounce the sacred cause for which they have shed their blood."

Among the speakers at the meeting was Colonel Cummings. He said that he appeared before them as a Democrat - always had been and was still a Democrat; but like a certain old Roman, his "voice was still for war." He was therefore a war Democrat, and was in favor of pushing the war with the utmost power of the Goverment until the unhoiy rebellion should be put down and an honorable peace secured. He fully endorsed the resolutions, and if he desired any changi in them it would be i«iraply to add "My country, right or wrong." After referring to the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, and the Emancipation Proclamation, and defending the right of the President to suspend the one and issue the other, the Colonel referred to a suggestion that had found its way into print that New England should be thrown off and a Western Confederacy formed. "Another position," said he, "occupied by some of these gentlemen, is their expressed desire to cast off New England and form a Western Confederacy. And just here T would like to know who of these gentlemen is to be the President of this new Government. This question may be somewhat significant as applied to these men. But why cast off New England with all her glorious deeds and memories? The officers and soldiers of New England have done their duty nobly; have done what no one of these gentlemen have done - taken up arms, and on the battlefield defended the Government against its traitorous enemies. Witness the devotion of General Butler, General Banks, and the host of loyal hearts from New England, while traitors, both North and South, have been doing their utmost to destroy the Government, and tell me if Ncav England deserves to be cast out of the Union? In addition to all this, Illinois has reason to be proud of New England, for she gave us that great statesman, that stern and unflinching patriot, Stephen A. Douglas, whose name will live and be honored in Illinois for all time. Besides all this, we have the fraternal greeting of New England to Illinois, at the battle of Fort Donelson:

The year 1863 witnessed an effort on the part of many to secure peace between the States. On the iVth of June a mass convention was held at Springfield, presided over by Senator Richardson, which passed the following resolution:

" Mesolved, That the further offensive prosecution of this war tends to subvert the Constitution and the Government, and entails upon this nation all the disastrous consequences of misrule and anarchy. That we are in favor of peace upon the basis of a restoration of the Union, and for the accomplishment of which we propose a National Convention to settle upon terms of peace, which shall have in view the restoration of the Union as it was, and the securing by constitutional amendments such rights to the several States and people thereof as honor and justice demand."

The effect of this meeting was to I'ouse the unconditional Union men to renewed action. A mass convention was, therefore, called and held in Springfield, Thursday, September 3, which was addressed by a number of the most eminent men of the country, among whom were Zachariah Chandler, of Michigan; J. R. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, and General McClernand, of Springfield. Strong resolutions were adopted pledging all to faithfully stand by the Government until the last traitor was disarmed. iVmong the resolutions were the following:

Hesolvecl, That we will lay aside all party questions and forget all party prejudices, and devote ourselves unreservedly to the support of our Government, until the rebellion shall be finally and forever crushed.

Resolved, Thixt whatever else may die, the Union shall live, to perpetuate civil liberty; whatever else may perish, the Govornment shall survive in all its Constitutional integrity; whatever else may be destroyed, the Nation shall be preserved in its territorial unity; and to this end we pledge anew our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

iirday, December 12,1863, the farmers of the county, notwithstanding the condition of the roads, hauled to the city and distributed among the needy, nicety-three loads of wood. The Board ol Supervisors during the same winter appropriated -15,000 to aid the suffering.

The gallant Seventh Regiment, an account of whose departure to the seat of war is given on a preceding page, in December, 1863, re-enlisted as veterans, and in January following, received a furlough to visit their homes. On Monday, January IS, the regiment arrived in Springfield. At an early hour that morning, flags were flung to the breeze from many of the business houses and offices around the square, and also from private dwellings, in anticipation of the arrival of the regiment. At about two o'clock the booming of cannon and the ringing of bells announced the fact they were near at hand. The streets were immediately crowded with men, women, and children, all surging in the direction of the Great Western depot, to witness the debarkation of the regiment from the cars and their march to the State House. So great was the interest felt to see this veteran and gallant regiment, that had sustained the flag of the country with so much honor to themselves and the State, that the teachers of the public schools allowed their pupils to go to the place of rendezvous to gratify their curiosity.

On the arrival of the cars at the depot, cheer after cheer was given to the veterans. After leaving the cars, they formed into line, and were escorted by the Fire Department, preceded by bands of music, to the Hall of Representatives. The galleries were crowded with ladies, to give the veterans a patriotic welcome home to Illinois. After the arrival at the Hall, Governor Yates was introduced to the regiment and large audience present. Three cheers were proposed for Governor Yates and three cheers for the "Old Seventh," which were given with a will.

The Governor addressed the assembly in a speech of about three-quarters of an hour in length, in which he spoke of the regiment as being one of the first that entered the field at the call of the country - their gallantry in many a hard-fought field, and welcomed them home to Illinois. At the close of the Governor's speech, General John Cook was called for, and proceeded to address them in a speech of about one hour in length, in which he gave a history of the regiment from the time of its organization and its march from Camp Yates to that time. Colonel Rowett, commander of the regiment, was next called to the stand, and delivered a brief and appropriate speech, in which he thanked the citizens of Springfield for their friendly welcome, as beyig totally unexpected, not having heard anything about the matter until about twelve miles of the city. He said the question of re-enlisting was propounded on the 22d of December, and the regiment said as Dave Lee said, "they would not stop fighting until the rebels did first." They did not say as some others did, "that they had tried it for two years and nine months, and now let others try it," but they were determined to fight until this rebellion was crushed out. His remarks were received with much applause. Major Estabrook delivered a short and telling speech which was well received. The exercises were interspersed with several patriotic airs from the band present, which added much to the interest of the occasion.

Never was there a more cordial and heart- felt reception than was extended by the citizens of Springfield to this veteran regiment. They seemed to vie with each other in their expression of gratitude to the brave men who had risked their lives in the defense of their country and homes. The regiment brought with them the National colors of the regiment, riddled and torn with shot and shell, showing the deadly nature of the conflict in which they had been engaged.

During the year 1864, a Presidential campaign occurred, in which the issues virtually were: Shall the Government be sustained in the prosecution of the war? The result of the election was such as to nerve the President to renewed action. Several calls were made for volunteers which were quickly responded to, and vigorous measures were pursued in the prosecution of the war.

The " Ladies' Loyal League of Springfield " was organized May 13, 1863. Two hundred and sixteen names were enrolled at the first meeting. At the expiration of the first year it numbered five hundred and twenty-nine. From the annual report of the secretary, Mrs. Paul Selby, in 1864, the following extract is taken:

"At its first organization, the League was simply designed as an associated expression of loyal sentiment, in which its members pledged themselves to an 'unconditional support to the National Government in its present struggle against rebellion, and to do whatever may lie in their power for the maintenance of our Government and the Union.' Beyond this, it had no distinctive object. But 'faith without works is dead.' It soon became evident that, to give vitality to the organization and fulHll tlie design of its creation, it must have some object for which to labor. This, indeed, was required by our further pledge to 'encourage our brave soldiers in the field by the language of patriotism, and to soothe the anguish of the sick and wounded by deeds of kindness; to discountenance every tendency to disloyalty, and to evince on every proper occasion our determination to stand by the flag of the Union; to honor those who bravely hazard their lives in its defense, and to express our abhorrence of every enemy, open or disguised, who would trail its proud glory in the dust.' This requires something more than professions - it requires action,

"In looking around for a field of operations, one opened to us at the very outset. In our midst were many families of those who, having patriotically offered themselves upon the altar of their country, had been compelled to leave those dependent upon them illy provided to carry on the ' battle of life ' in their absence. The difficulty of their situation was still further increased by the expeditions continually advancing farther and farther into the enemy's country, se^»>arating soldiers uStill farther from their families, and rendering communication from them less frequent; from the unfrequent visits of paymasters to distant commands, often leaving the men composing them unpaid for several months at a time; by the fortunes of war, resulting in the capture and protracted imprisonment of many of our soldiers; and last, and saddest of all, the surrender of the lives of man)'' in protecting that flag which they had volunteered to defend. The field here opened was a wide one, - and it expanded as we proceeded to explore it.

" The county Board of Supervisors had already done much to prevent distress which must otherwise have resulted, among this class of persons, by liberal appropriations of money; but it was practically impossible that this system should reach some of the most deserving cases. In some cases, those who needed and deserved assistance most, were most reluctant in making their condition known. Committees were therefore appointed in the various wards of the city, to seek out and investigate cases requiring attention. Besides, there were, almost weekly, arriving many individuals and families from the rebel States - refugees from their homes on account of Union principles. These often came among us in actual want of the common necessities of life, food and clothing - penniless, sick, dispirited, and suffering. Their condition appealed to every loyal heart, and to the best of

" In this field, so nearly allied to that of the noble organization of patriotic and Christian women, the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, we have labored for a year past, as we, hope, not >A^ithout results for good. Up to the first of June, when our fiscal year closed, as shown by the report of the Treasurer, the League has received into its treasury $81 7.90, of which $794.35 have been expended. About seventy-five persons and families have received aid from the association. This does not include donations of dry goods, groceries, shoes, clothing, etc., to the amount of several hundred dollars, contributions from various sources during the year.

" It is proper in this connection to state that the Ladies' Loyal League of Springfield is purely a local organization, and that its revenue has been derived solely from the citizens, churches, etc., of Springfield and its immediate vicinity. In no case has it received contributions from distant parts of the States.

" In these times, when our country is passing through the perils of the most causeless, wicked and most stupendous rebellion, there seems to be an especial demand for associated, organized effort. While the husbands, brothers, sons and fathers of the loyal women of America are baring their breasts to the foe upon the field in defense of our homes and all we hold most dear, is it not fitting we should do our part by endeavoring to lighten the burdens of war, to relieve the fatherless and the widow, to encourage and sustain the soldier as he goes to meet the enemies of our country. We have done little, it is true, in comparison with Avhat was demanded of us. The demand for effort still remains. May it be said of each of us, ' She has done what she could.' Mrs. P, Selby,

The year 1865 opened auspiciously for the Union armies. Evidences that the rebels were weakening were daily shown. In order to make one last grand effort to suppress the rebellion,

President Lincoln issued his proclamation for more men, and ordered a draft if not complied with by February 15. Previous to this time, Sangamon county had honored every call and had always an excess. In order to provide for this last call without resort to a draft, the Board of Supervisors were called together and passed a sei'ies of resolutions, among which was the following:

That the county of Sangamon, State of Illinois, in its corporate capacity, will pay a bounty of $I500 to each volunteer who may enlist and be properly mustered into the United States service, and duly crtdited to any sub-district in said county, in arrears under said call; that the said county will pay a like bounty of $500 to any man who has heretofore or w ho may hereafter furnish a substitute, who has been or who shall hereafter be accepted, mustered into the service, and duly credited to any sub-district in said county in arrears under said call; and that said county will pay a like bounty of -tSOO to any man who may be drafted in said county and mustered into the United States service under said call."

Every public man becomes, in the highest and most sacred sense, the embodiment of his constituents, whose number expands in direct ratio with the dimensions of the position he is called to fill and the height he attains as a representative of the ideas, desires and interests of a people. He being thus an epitome of the community. State or Nation whose servant he is, his acts and his life become the property of the commonwealth with whose history his deeds are interwoven. Biography, then, of every public man is history ; and so interblended is it with the important events of this American Republic that the complete biographies of a score of its representative officials would furnish a pretty satisfactor)' history of the Nation. .The biography of Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand is of this character. Being a citizen of Sangamon county, the military life of Gen. MoClernand will be of interest to every citizen of the county, especially as it embraces several campaigns and many battles in which Sangamon county men participated.

Soon after the birth of John, the family removed to Shawneetown, Illinois, where subsequently the elder McClernand died, his son then being only four years of age.

The boyhood and yoiith of eminent men, though frequently devoid of interest, is often pregnant with instruction. We shall be prepared to form some estimate of the energy and indomitable will of young McClernand when we reflect that at the early age of twenty, he had already overcome difficulties which weaker minds would have shrunk from as insurmountable, and that he was in consequence enabled to take a respectable position at the bar in the practice of the legal profession. The same year, 1832, he volunteered as a private in the Black Hawk War, where he served with honor till its close. In his experience in the field, he laid that foundation of military knowledge, and gained that practical insight into human character, which have been so valuable to him in after life, and which, in the rebellion enabled him to serve his country so well in the important positions which he was called upon to fill, first as a Brigadier, and subsequently, as a Major General.

In 1835 he established the first Democratic press that ever existed in Shawneetown; and in the same year re-commenced the practice of law, which he continued with success, up to the time of his election to Congress, in 1843.

In 1836, he was elected to the State Legislature, from the county of Gallatin, In this session he successfully vindicated the character of the President (Jackson), from certain charges preferred against him by Governor Duncan. In this session he also advocated that mode of constructing the Illinois and Michigan Canal which was known as the "Deep Cut Plan," and which was finally adopted. He was elected, we believe, unanimously, by the legislature, as Commissioner and Treasurer of the canal, and so faithfully did he discharge the duties confided to him, that vai'ious public meetings throughout the country complimented him by resolution, recognizing the value of his services.

In 1838 he was urged by his friends to accept the nomination for Lieutenant Governor, but declined, on the ground that he was under the Constitutional age - thirty years.

Among the resolutions adopted at the same convention in which he was offered the nomination for Lieutenant Governor, Mr. McClernand prepared and offered the following, which he regarded, most justly, as breathing the spirit of true Democracy:

^^ Resolved, That the Democratic principle is founded on an inapeiishable basis of truth and justice, and perpetually striving to suhtain society in the exercise of every power which can promote honor or happiness, and elevate our condition; that, instead of warring against order, and encroaching on the privileges of others, the spirit of Democracy maintains an active principle of hope and virtue.

liesolved. That we recognize no power but that which yields to the restraints of duly, and is guided by mind: That we only seek to obtain influence by means of free conviction; that we condemn all appeals to brute force and the exercise of violence, and that our only means of persuasion are reason and truth.

That our first aim is to connect our party with the cause of intelligence and morality; to seek the protection of every right consistent with the genius of our Constitution and the spirit of the age. We desire to extend moral culture, and to remove, as far as i^ossible, all inequalities in our human condition, by embracing all improvements which can ameliorate our moral and political state."

These resolutions tell their own story, and they have only to be read to be appreciated by all lovers of liberty, all true Democrats everywhere. They are chiefly remarkable as emanating from so young a mind, and they are applicable to all times and all circumstances: - for though they were written some forty years ago, when the political atmosphere was calm and serene, they yet embody the only principles on which a free government can stand anywhere. For these reasons, and because these principles have actuated their author through his whole life, both civil and military, as this record will attest, they demand our highest consideration and respect.

In 1840 Mr. McClernand was elected a second time to the legislature from the county of Gallatin. In this session, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, Theophilus W. Smith, took exception to some remarks made by Mr. McClernand in a debate on a reform of the Judiciary, and sent a challenge to Mr. McClernand, which he accepted; but the Judge failing to appear, the meeting did not take place.

In 1839 Mr. McClernand was nominated by a State Convention, as one of the electors to support Van Buren and Johnson in the Presidential election. The result Avas a majoiity of about four thousand votes for Van IJuren and Johnson in that part of the State.

Mr. McClernand was re-elected to the legislature in 1842, from the covmty of Gallatin. As Chairman of the Committee of Finance, he brought forward several measures calculated to relieve the State from those financial troul)les which he attributed to the banking system; and he had the good fortune to see all these measures adopted.

Before taking his seat, he married Sarah, daughter of Colonel Dunlap, of Jacksonvi'le, Illinois, of one of the most reputable and influential families in the State.

His first speech in Congress was on the bill to refund the fine imposed on General Jackson by Judge Hall, and it evinced the warm affection which he had cherished for that illustrious man.

During the second session of the same Congress, as a member of the Committee on Public Land, he brought forward a comprehensive and interesting report, accompanied by a bill for a grant of land to and in completion of the Illinois and Michigan canal.

By an act of the legislature, a change in the usual time for holding elections had been made, and Mr. McClernand was re-elected to Congress in 1844.

He was one of the members who insisted on the maintenance of the extreme claim to fiftyfour degrees, forty minutes, in the Oregon controversy with Great Britain; and he was earnestly bent on its assertion. As Chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, he brought forward a bill, accompanied by a report, to grant to the State of Tennessee the public lands of the United States lying within her borders. This bill became a law.

He gave a zealous support to the Administration in its measures touching the Mexican war. He voted to place at the disposal of the Executive all the men and money required to give success to our arms. His views as to the justice of the war, the plan of prosecuting it, and its consequences, were fully explained in a speech delivered by him in Congress on the 16th of June, 1846.

During the first session of the Twenty-ninth Congress, he Inought forward the bill to reduce and graduate the price of the public lands, upon

In the ensuing session, as Chairman of the same Committee, lie took an active part in favor of the bill to bring into market the mineral region lying around Lake Superior, valuable for its extent and the quantity and rich (piality of the copper found there. This bill became a law.

During the same session, he was called upon by the Jackson Monument Committee to present their memorial, which he did. On that occasion, he pronounced a eulogy on General Jackson, which was highly esteemed, and an extract from which M^e give below.

"This is not the occasion to pronounce a formal eulogy on the man whose last aspirations were for the welfare, the glory and happiness of his country. But I may be allowed to say, that Andrew Jackson was a man of no common order. Left fatheiless and friendless in his youth, he wrote the word excelsior on his crest, and pushed his way upward and onward to power and distinction, from the rank of a private to that of a general, and from the position of a citizen to that of (.hief Magistrate of the Republic. The name of Jackson, the indomitable, the strong willed, the honest, the unflinching, - the man of iron, - has become a household "word to his countrymen - an invocation of patriotism and duty to all lands. What he said and did is written in that word of words and deeds accumulated from the wisdom and heroism of ages; and as a lesson and incentive of posterity, it will remain written forever. Endowed, perhaps, with a less bold and subtle philosophy than Jefi^erson, with a less dazzling and theoretic genius than Napoleon, he was the equal of either in energy and concentration of purpose - the superior of both in the attribute of common sense. His principles M'ere lofty and stern - proof alike against power and corruption. Like Susticles, he could have written, unmoved, the ballot of his own ostracism, or watched by the flickering torches of night, untempted over the treasure which strewed the tield of Plato. As a General he was active and daring, yet vigilant and judiciary; to constancy and fortitude he added impetuous, almost romantic valor. At the battle of New Orleans, he won the crowning glory of his military career. There he conflrmed the great truth proclaimed upon the classic plains of Marathon - the pre- eminence of free States in defense of their hearth-stones and independence, over the unwieldy empires of crowned conquerors. As it is the habit of a free people to delegate great authority to one man who is the reflex of the popular will - the individualized Agora, through which the voice of. the Nation is heard, not only in the present, but in after times also, so, it is not to be wondered, that Jackson, with such qualities as he possessed, should have been that man to the people of his time. The pride we feel in the man is not a })artizan pride; it arises from what he did for his country. There is no vandal hand to tear away the tirst leaf in chaplet of laurels, and the smoke of destruction which was to obscure his fame has passed away for ever."

In 1846 Mr. McClernand was elected a third time to Congress, and this time also without opposition. In the course of the following summer, he was frequently called upon to address the soldiers returning from the war. At a public dinner given in Fairfield, to celebrate the return of our Illinois Volunteers, being called upon, he delivered an address which thus concludes:

"Now, gentlemen, in conclusion, allow me to exhort you to support our civil institutions, as one of the highest duties encumbent on citizens and patriots. Study and understand their twofold character. Remember that they are both local and general, State and Federal; and to what is Federal accord the things which are Federal, and to what is State the rights of the States. In short, uphold the whole system of conflning the action of the several parts to their appointed spheres. Thus guarded and protected, the Union will long endure as the ark of our political safety. Like the grain of mustard seed compared in the parable to the Kingdom of God, it will grow and continue to grow, until its shadow shall cover the whole earth."

In 1849, as a member of a select committee on certain charges against President Polk for having established a taritt' of duties in the posts of the Mexican Republic, Mr. McClernand, in a minority report on behalf of himself and Mr. Venable, another member of the committee, defended the action of the President with great power and incontrovertible argument.

In 18.50, at the instance of other leading men, Mr. McClernand prepared and oftered the first draft of the famous compromise measures of that year. But the same subject being taken up in the Senate by the committee of which Mr. Clay was the chairman, who reported a bill which passed both Houses. Mr. McClernand presided in a committee of the whole during its progress through the House. During this

He also, at the same session, drafted the bill granting a quantity of land in aid of the construction of tiie Illinois Central Kailroad and its Chicago branch. His colleague, Senator Douglas, being furnished with a copy, introduced it into the Senate, and, with amendments, it passed both Houses and became a law.

In the same year and during the same session, as chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, he brought forward a plan for the re-organization of the State Department.

In 1851, declining re-election, he retired from Congress, after eight years' faithful service and a most brilliant and successful career in the cause of his country" and of good government, and removed to Jacksonville, Illinois.

In 1856 he made a powerful speech at Alton, Illinois, deprecating the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and predicting danger to the country as its consequence.

This speech produced a great sensation at the time, and provoked the wrath of many of the Democratic leaders. Mr. McClernand being asked how he dared to give expression to such heterodoxical sentiment, answered, that it was "because he esteemed his country and his fame of higher value than the interests of party."

In 1860, he introduced a bill repealing the law organizing the Territory of Utah, and merging that Territory in others. This was his plan for overcoming the ascendancy of the Mormons, and arresting the evils of polygamy.

But on the 14th of January, 1861, he delivered a speech in the House of Representatives on the Union and the phantom of "no coercion" while from its comprehensiveness, its accurate historical reseai'ch, its close and conclusive argument, cannot be surpassed and scarcely equalled in the whole range of parliamentary literature. Those who wish to make themselves familiar with this great subject and its masterly treatment, ought, by all means, to peruse the speech as it was delivered. We shall only be able to give one or two passages here which appears to us perfect of their kind, and very gems of patriotism and eloquence. Mark the following: ^

"No! the Mississippi valley is a geographical unit. Its grand ri^er, with its intersecting tributaries, reaching out in every direction to its utmost limits, is the hand of Almighty God binding it together in one homogeneous and complete whole. It is an organic body, inseparable except by violence to the laws of nature, and those other laws of commerce, education and society, which are the necessary results of the former. Let it be divided to-day, and ere long, when the frenzy of the hour shall have subsided, its dismembered parts will cleave together again by irresistible attraction; will reunite as the lips of an incised wound, by ihe just intention. A liigher law than the slave-law must control the destiny of the Mississippi Valley, the law of mutual attraction and cohesion. I say this in no offensive, but in a philosophical sense, and the reconstruction jobbers of the day, if they would make permanent w-ork, must bear it in mind.""

" We hear the clamor of 'coercion' - of coercion of States. What is the foundation for this clamor? Do the friends of the Union propose to invade South Carolina for the ])urpose of subjugating her people? Do they propose to force them to send her members of Congress back here, or to perform any other active Federal duty? Not so! All we propose is to protect the property and jurisdiction of the United States by defensive measures, no moie. Is that coercion?

"Again, sir, is it coercion of a State, for us to do that we are sworn to do - to support the Constitution and the laws and treaties of the United States? Is it coercion for us to maintain possession of the treasures and other property of the United States? To stay the violent and lawless hand that would tear down the noble structure of our Government? Nay, more, is it coercion for us to let the Hag of the Union stand upon the bosom of our country where our fathers planted it? To let the eagle of America sweep with buoyant wing the entire domain of this great Nation. Is this coercion? Why, sir, it is a perversion of all language, a mocking of all ideas to say so! Rather is it coercion for a State to require us to submit to her spoliation of the posts, ursenals, dock-yards, custom houses, post offices and the arms and munitions of the United States. Such submission, sir, in mv opinion, would be in the last degree reprehensible and disgraceful. Utter imbecility alone can tolerate it, and, if this be the condition of our Government, let us at once abolish it, and proclaim to the world the sad fact that the last and most auspicious experiment of free Government has signally failed!"

In April, 18G1, at the instance of Governor Yates, Mr. McClernand being still a member of Congress, accompanied an armed volunteer force from the Capital of Illinois to Cairo and occupied that place.

While there, he caused the steamers passing frum St. Louis to Louisville and other intermediate points in Missouri and Kentucky, to be brought to at Cairo, and thus he wrested from rebel agents a considerable quantity of arms and munitions designed for rebel use.

While at Cairo, he took great pains to inform himself respecting the condition of aft'airs in the southwest. He learned that there was, as yet, no rebel force either at Memphis, Corinth, Columbus or Madrid; and that public sentiment was still fluctuating between treason and loyalty, and that the most favorable opportunity for striking a decisive blow in the interest of the Union was still open.

Hastening back to Springfield, he laid this important fact before Governor Yates, and drawing up a plan of operations, accompanied the Governor to Washington, and laid it before the President, and, at the instance of the latter, before Scott, the General in Chief.

It would have been well for the interests of the country, had Mr. McClernand's plan been carried out at that time. But Kentucky neutrality seemed to stand in the way, until those strongholds were seized and fortified by the enemy. Then, indeed, the Government and the whole country awoke to a full sense of their importance, and no wonder; for before tliey could be removed, the battles of Belmont, Forts Henry and Donelson, the fields of Shiloh and Madrid, the naval battle of Memphis, and the sieges of Lsland No. Ten and of Corinth, had to be fought, all of which might have been saved, if Mr. McClernand's prudent counsel had been followed in time.

In July, 1861, Mr. McClernand took his seat in Congress, and was active and influential in inspiring and arming the Nation for the approaching conflict. With this view, he offered the following preamble and resolution :

"Whereas, A portion of the people of the United States, in violation of their constitutional obligations, have taken up arms against the National Government, and are now striving, by aggressive and iniquitous war, to overthrow it and break up the LTnion of these States ; therefore,

That this House hereby pledges itself to vote any amount of money, and any number of men that may be necessary to insure a speedy and efficient suppression of such rebellion, and the permanent restoration of Federal authority every where within the limits and jurisdiction of the LTnited States."

In the following month (August 4th), in common with his colleagues from Illinois, he was called upon by the President, to recommend to him a list of names for appointment as Brigadiers, and to fix the order of their rank. All his colleagues united in recommending him for the first appointment ; but, refusing to recommend himself, and joining with the others in recommending U. S. Grant, the latter thus gained seniority of rank.

Immediately resigning his seat in Congress, Mr. McClernand returned to Illinois, with written authority to raise a brigade. His influence soon brought to his aid men of the highest character. There was considerable competition to join his command; and before the expiration of August, he was ordered to Cairo by Major General Fremont.

On the 5th of September, 1861, Brigadier General McClernand assumed command at Cairo, and within tvt^o hours afterwards he had provided the outfit and transports for the expedition which resulted in the occupation of Paducah by General Grant.

While at Cairo, he inspired the soldiers with a laudable ambition to excel in drill and in discipline. Under his command, Cairo itself became one of the most orderly and temperate cities of the Union.

On the 6th of November, he embarked his brigade at Cairo, under orders to descend the Mississippi and make a demonstration against Belmont, on the Missouri shore, opposite Columbus, in Kentucky. On the 7th he disembarked his forces, about a mile and a fourth above Belmont, and advanced rapidly upon that place. Several times he rallied his men and led them to the charge in person. Several times he rode between the hostfle lines, and encouraged his men by his presence and example. His saddle harness was torn in several places by hostile bullets; his horse was wounded in two places; one of his aides was killed, and the horses of the others killed or wounded under them.

The enemy, after Laving been driven from their works, and their camp burned, were heavily reinforced fiom Columbus, and intercepted the Union forces on their return to their transports. Another battle must now be fought, to extricate our forces from perilous position, - and our little band of heroes proved themselves equal to the emergency. They fought with a valor and desperation that would do honor to veterans; and after a terrible struggle gained the landing, where our transports were waiting to receive them. General McClernand, with Captains Schwartz and Hatch, were the last to embark, and they remained on shore till the last transport was being pushed off.

In January, 1862, General McClernand made an armed reconnoissance of the enemy's stronghold, at Columbus. This expedition was designed as a diversion in favor of General Buell, who was expected to attack Johnson, at Bowling Green, and it caused a rebel force to evaciiate Camp Beauregard, in Tennessee, destroy a railroad bridge across Obien river, and to seek shelter within the fortifications of Columbus; and by it the dormant Union feeling in the hearts of the people was greatly encouraged.

In February, 1862, General McClernand, commanding a division, led the advance of the fleet of transports up the Tennessee river; and on the 6th of that month, co-operating with the Mississippi flotilla under Commodoi'e F'oote, moved by land upon Fort Henry. That fortress, assailed in front by gunboats, and threatened in the rear by the rapid advance ot McClernand, was abandoned by the enemy; leaving seventeen heavy guns to fall into our possession, besides eight field pieces, abandoned in their flight before the rapidly advancing forces of General McClernand.

On the 11th of February, McClernand led the advance against Fort Donelson, and on the following day attacked and drove in the enemy's })ickets.

On the fall of Fort Henry, the rebel ti'oops that had evacuated that position rushed across the peninsula to Fort Donelson, a distance of some ten or twelve miles, adding their strength to the already powerful garrison at that point.

General Buckner had been in command of that post; General Pillow, from Columbus, had already been ordered to strengthen him, and General Floyd was also ordered to proceed immediately to Donelson with heavy reinforcements. Guns, ammunition, and all the necessary material of war, were sent there in great abundance from Nashville. The rebels had made their preparations for a long and desperate stiuggle; and on the 13th of February there were assembled within the ramparts not less than twenty thousand troops. They were commanded by Generals Floyd, Pillow, Buckner and Bushrod R. Johnson. Floyd held the chief command.

These rebel forces, sheltered as they were behind the works of Fort Donelson, ought to have successfully resisted three or four times their number of an enemy in the open field, - yet the Union forces, which did not much exceed those of the rebels in number, in an incredibly short time overpowered the garrison and occupied the fortress, in spite of the efforts of the enemy to repel their attack. We shall soon see by what agency this was effected.

The disposition of the Union troops was as follows: General McClernand's division constituted the right wing of the besieging forces, and lay to the west and south of the fortifications; General Smith's division occupied the left wing, menacing the foe to north and west. As yet, there was no center; this was to be occupied by^ the troops which were expected in the transports, on their w,aj with the gunboats. The two wings of McClernand and Smith, together, constituted a force of twenty thousand men, with seventeen batteries of artillery and from twelve to fifteen hundred cavalry. The two wings touched each other, and at that central point, directly west of the fort, General Grant established his headquarters.

Early in the afternoon of the 13th, "The Carondolet," one of the gunboats, arrived, and the entire fleet about midnight, when the work of disembarking the troops and stores commenced. By noon of Friday, 14th, the troops, ten thousand in number, were landed and marched to join their comrades, and, under General Lew Wallace, formed the center of the besieging force.

The morning of Saturday, loth, opened cold and gloomy. A snow had fallen. The condition of both armies was miserable; that of the rebels desperate. They were now surrounded on all sides. They were sliut in from re-inforcements and supplies. During the night the rebel officers held a consultation and decided on a sortie. For this purpose, under the veil of darkness and the storm, they massed nearly their entire force upon the southern, or left wing of the fortifications. They also quietly moved several of their batteries to this position. It was their plan to cut through the National line at this point. The line, thus broken and thrown into disorder, wouW be compelled to make a sudden change of position. In the confusion of this change they were to be attacked botli in front and flank and driven back to the outposts. The rebels hoped thxis to effect a safe retreat to the South by cutting their way through our lines.

The National array enclosed, tiie rebel fortifications in the foim of a crescent. The extreme left touched the river on the north at the point where the transports landed. The extreme right touched upon Indian creek, at that time unfordable, on the south, and that creek emptied itself into the Tennessee river less than half a mile from the point touched by the right wing. As before stated. General McClernand was in command of the right wing. General Smith of the left, and General Lew Wallace of the center.

About daylight on the morning of the 15th (Saturday) the enemy, Avith nearly triple of Mc- Clernand's men, has made a furious attack on his line, in order to effect their purpose of cutting their way through his command and making their escape.

The enemy's habit of massing his forces and precipitating them upon a single point was not so familiar to our Generals at that time as it afterwards became, and no precautions had been taken to provide against or counteract it. On the contrary, General Grant had given orders on the previous day to Generals Wallace and Smith not to move from their respective positions on any account whatever until they should, hear from him, and it unfortunately happened at this particular juncture that he was absent from his headquarters to consult Commodore Foote at the landing respecting a renewal of the assault by the gunboats. The consequence was that (General McClernand, with an effective force under ten thousand men, had to sustain the brunt of the battle, unsupported, from the early dawn until 1 o'clock p. m., not a solitary shot having been fired from any other part of our lines. On him, therefore, and his heroic soldiers alone, rested the whole burden of this terrible conflict for more than seven dreary hours, and impartial history will attest how he and his men bore themselves during this fiery ordeal, so trying to the spirit of the man and the soldier. They came out of that ordeal like gold purified in the furnace, and by it were enabled to prove their undying patriotism, their unconquerable valor ! Had they wavered or faltered never so little on that occasion, the battle was lost, and the great glory of the capture of Donelson would have eluded our grasp.

"Our troops, as usual, were outnumbertd, but they fought with a bravery never surpassed by veterans. Even the foe was constrained to do homage to their valor. Notwithstanding the vastly superior force of the enemy, and, though unsupported by adequate artillery, the National troops drove their assailants back twice almost into their intrenchments."

Though Genei'al McClernand's urgent appeals for re-inforcements were unanswered, owing to the absence of General Grant, still he fought on intrepidly against his overwhelming assailants, until the woods and thickets in his front were riddled and whitened with bullets, and the line which he and the enemy held alternately was strewn with the dead bodies of friend and foe.

The rebel General, Pillow, in his official report of this transaction, bears witness to the indomitable bravery and perseverance of our troops on this occasion. He says:

"For five hours, the blood-red tide of battle surged to and fro. For a long time, one brigade of General McClernand's division, under Colonel Oglesby, had to meet the whole force of the battle alone. General McClernand sent to General Wallace for re-inforcements, but he had received his instructions. General Wallace, however, forwarded his request to headquarters. General Grant was not there."

General Grant, having at length made his appearance, and re-inforcements arriving about the same time, the enemy were driven back within their intrenchments, and next morning (Sunday, 16th) they surrenr'ered unconditionally, and were made prisoners of war.

General McClernand's forces having mainly fought this glorious battle, suffered, consequently, the gi-eatest loss in killed and Avounded, nearly every fifth man being found on the list of killed, wounded, or missing.

The personal bravery of General McClernand throughout the whole of this terrible conflict was so conspicuous that the members of his staff frequently remonstrated with him for exposing himself so recklessly to the bullets of the foe; but on such occasions he would ansAver that "it was a case of desperation, and that desperation knows no reserve." When his oflicers sent in dispatches, stating that they were hard-])ressed, he would dash fearlessly among the men, and by liLs courage and example .sliiiiulaLe them tu perform their duty, exhorting them to maintain their ground at all hazards, "till General Grant or re-inforceraents should arrive."

This forcibly reminds us of the Duke of Wellington and the British army at Waterloo. Whilst the Duke's soldiers were being mowed down by the French artillery, and it seemed to some of his staft' impossible that the troops could maintain their ground much longer, the Duke kept looking at his watch, and was heard to exclaim: "Would to God, that either night or Blucher would arrive!" Then, turning to his officers, he exclaimed: "Well, gentlemen, in any event, we must not submit while a man of us remains! What would they say of us in England?"

March 4th, 1862, the division of General Mc- Clernand was ordered to march for the Tennessee river, and it arrived at Pine Landing on the 5th. On the 10th, he moved up the river and arrived at Savannah, Tennessee, on the same day.

March 26th, General McClernand had ascended to Pittsburg Landing, and encamped near the west bank of the Tennessee river, twenty miles from Corinth, where the rebels were in large numbers. On the 2Yth he wrote to General Grant, urging him to come up from Savannah and see that a proper disposition of the divisions were made to meet the contingency of an attack.

On the 6th and 7th of April, 1862, was fought and won for the Union cause, the celebrated battle of Shiloh, a victory like that of Fort Donelson, snatched from the jaws of defeat.

The forces of the rebels were over eighty thousand, and some say one hundred thousand, while the Union forces on the ground did not exceed forty thousand.

The attack was sudden and unexpected. The rebels had concentrated an overwhelming force, according to their usual tactics, for the purpose of crushing out the small body of Union troops in advance of the main army, and thus securing an easy victory over the remainder; and it is almost a miracle that they did not succeed, and that our forces were enabled to escape utter annihilation. But the same untiinching courage which had saved them before, came to their succor once again, and, by the same almost superhuman exertions, saved them from destruction.

Wiien C-ieiiei-al McClernand had been aroused by the heavy sound ot liring m his fiont, and observed the enemy to dash through the positions of General Prentiss, he at once realized the danger, and instantly prepared to meet it. Addressing a few brief but burning words to his soldiers, to inspire them with courage and arouse their patriotism, and seizing a standard and waving it in the breeze, he led his men to the attack. A terrible struggle ensued. But it will be more satisfactory if we give here a few extracts from General McClernand's official report of this great battle. He says:

"Before my left, consisting of the Third Brigade, could form for the support of General Sherman, the enemy had pierced General Prentiss' line, afterwards taking him and a number of his men prisoners, and rapi-dly forcing back General Sherman's left wing, was pressing on my left with a mass five regiments deep, bearing the American flag.

"Discovering that this honored emblem was not borne by General Prentiss' retiring forces, but was used by the enemy as a means of deception, I ordered the Third Brigade to form in line of battle, fronting the enemy's advance, nearly at a right angle with General Sherman's line. But before the order had been fully executed, the enemy had appeared within short musket range, and opened a deadly fire upon us.

"Colonel Raith, commanding the Third Brigade, ordered a charge upon the enemy, in which he fell mortally wounded, whilst encouraging his men by his heroic and daring example. Several other officers besides were killed or wounded in this charge.

"The situation of the Third Brigade was now most critical. Generals Prentiss' and Thomas' Divisions had retired, leaving the Brigade exposed to a combined attack of the forces of Beauregard and Polk, which were sweepinground on the right and left. In obedience to my command, the Brigade fell back, under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Engleman, about three hundred yards, and re-formed in front of my headquarters, joining the Second Brigade, under Colonel C. C. Marsh.

"The action, both by infantry and artillery, now became desperate all along the line. Our forces, however, were overborne by superior numbers, which still continued to flank the right of my line. Burrough's battery was soon lost, including seventy horses killed.

"Making another stand upon the ground here indicated, the contest was carried on for some time by infantry and artillery. Trees of considerable size were cut off or scathed by the rounded shot of opposing batteries, and considerable loss in killed and wounded was sustained on both sides.

"At length, checking the enemy in front, I pressed the advantage, driving him back some distance, but, re-inforced by fresli troops, bis wavering lines were strengthened, and commenced turning my right and left, driving me back about two hundred yards, to the fourth position, in an open road, skirting an open field.

portion* of Taylor's battalion, and by a portion of Sherman's division, and the contest was again renewed with increased fury on both sides.

"Continuing the sanguinary engagement, until several regiments of my division had exhausted their ammunition, and its right ilank had been borne back and was in danger of being turned, the remainder of my command, with the exception hereinafter noticed, also fell back to the camp of the first brigade. Here the portion which had first fallen back re-formed, in obedience to my orders, parallel with the camp and fronting the approach of the enemy from the west, while the other portions formed at a right angle with it, still parting the approach of the enemy from the south. It was ten o'clock p. m., when my fifth line had thus been formed.

"I kept the enemy in check for some time by the fire of my batteries. Detained from a direct advance, he moved a considerable force to the right flank, with the evident intention to turn my left. To defeat this purpose, I ordered my command to fall back in the direction of the landing, across a deep hollow, and to re-form on the east side of another piled on the skirt of a wood. This was my sixth line.

"Here we rested a half hour, continuingto supply our men with ammunition, until the enemy's cavalry were seen rapidly crossing the field to the charge. Waiting until they had approached within some thirty paces of our line, I ordered a firs, which was delivered with great coolness and destructive eft'ect. First halting, then wavering, they turned and fled in confusion, leaving behind them a number of riders and horses dead on the field.

"In the meantime, strengthened by large reinforcements the enemy continued his endeavors to turn the flanks of my line, and to cut me off from the landing. To prevent this, I ordered my left to fall back a short distance and form an obtuse angle with the centre, opposing a double front facing the enemy's approach. Thus disposed, my left held the enemy in check while my whole line slowly fell back to the seventh position.

" Here I re-formed the worn and famishing remnant of my division, on favorable ground, along a north and south road; supported on my right by fragments of General Sherman's division, and on my left by the Fifteenth and Forty-sixth Illinois, under command of Colonel Veatch, acting Brgadier. Hastily completing this disposition, I ordered up McAlister's battery, which took position about the center of my line, supported by the Eighteenth Illinois, Captain Anderson, Company F, commanding. The Seventh Illinois being separated from the Second Division, was formed by me as a reserve.

" The enemy renewed the contest by trying to shell us from our position. McAlister's battery replied with great spirit - first alone, and soon after in conjunction with another battery, whose name was unknown to me. Attempting so often in vain to turn the flanks of my line and gain its rear, the enemy now gave evidence of a change of tactics. Led by the Louisiana Zouaves, he advanced in heavy column to break our center, while we awaited his approach within sure range, and opened a terrible fire upon him. The head of his advancing column wbs instantly mowed down. The remainder of it swayed to and fro, a few moments, and then turned and fled. This second success in the two last engagements terminated a struggle of ten and a half hours' duration, namely: from six o'clock a. m. to four and a quarter p. m., and saved our army, transports and all, from capture.?'

Such is the simple but thrilling language in which the narrative of that terrible conflict is given by one who acted a conspicuous part in it, and who might justly say, Quneque ipse misserruna vidi et quorum pars magna fui."

The last paragraph, in particular, is siiblime, and reminds us more of the echo of Bunker Hill than anything else we remember in history: " We awaited his approach within sure range, and opened a terrible fire upon him. The head of his advancing column vms instantly mo-wed down; the remainder of it swayed to and, fro, for a few moments, and then turned and fled V

It is not necessary to give further details of this terrible battle. It is known to all, that our army, being reinforced, attacked the enemy next morning and drove him from the field, - but it is also known that our victory was purchased dearly.

All comment on this great battle seems to us supertiuous. We will venture the remark, hov/- ever, that on no former occasion in this war, or in the annals of history were officers and men more severely tested, as to every quality which consitutes the soldier and the man, then our officers and men were tested in those two days' bloody conflict at Shiloh.

After the victory of Shiloh, preparations were made to advance upon Corinth. General Mc- Clernand's command was increased, by General Halleck's order, to a corps. This, together with his former command constituted the army corps of reserve.

Our troops advanced cautiously upon Corinth, and after a smart skirmish with a remnant of the enemy, purposely detached from their main body to deceive us, they took possession of Corinth, without further resistance, as it had been evacuated by the enemy. This conspicuous event occurred on the 30th of May, 1862.

By the 12th of June, General McClernand's forces had seized Bethel, Jackson, Bolivar, Somerville, and occupied all the country between Pittsburg Landing and Memphis, establishing order and quieting the fears of the inhabitants.

August 28th Major General McClernand left Jackson, Tennessee to report to Governor Yates, of Illinois, to assist in raising and organizing the new levies of that year. Not long after he left, the enemy returned to West Tennessee, seized Jackson and the railroads, stopped navigation on the Tennessee river, and pushed their incursions almost to Columbus.

Shortly after reporting to Governor Yates in Illinois, General McClernand repaired to Washington, by order of the Governor, on some business connected with the War Department respecting the organization of the troops.

While at Washington, General McClernand paid his respects to the President, and in the course of conversation, he pointed out to Mr. Lincoln, the necessity of opening the Mississippi, at an early day, to the traffic of the great Northwest.

The President seemed pleased with the familiarity displayed by the General with this subject, and invited him to reduce his ideas to writing, to which he gladly consented, and on the 28th of September, submitted to Mr. Lincoln an elaborate paper, setting forth and explaining his view in regard to the conduct of the war in the Southwest, and again urging the speedy organization of an expedition to carry these views into execution.

This document being the real motive power of the advance upon Vicksburg and Port Hudson, is destined to become of great historical importance, inasmuch as it changed comjiletely the war policy of the Government, in that section of the country, substituting a war of aggression on the vital and vulnerable points of the enemy, for that desultory and inefficient borderwarfare which had previously been the rule.

" First - As affording cheap and easy communication between our troops scattered along the Mississippi and its tributaries, and would facilitate their concentration at any given point.

"Commercially, the whole Nation is deeply interested in the free and unobstructed navigation of the Mississippi river, but more immediately and intimately is the great Northwest concerned in that important movement. The people of the whole Mississippi valley are painfully alive to this subject. They have not yet complained in this matter; they have sympathized with the Administration in the difficulties with which it had to contend, and, therefore, refrained from selfishly obtruding their own grievances upon its attention. Nay, they are grateful for what the Government has done, rather than complaining of what it has left undone.

"Yet, it is true that this river, wdiich carries annually on its bosom a commerce amounting to I; 150,000,000, is virtually closed and rendered useless by an insignificant garrison at Vicksburg, so that the products of agriculture have been accumulating in the hands of the producers, until they have beCome well nigh worthless.

"If this continues, general bankruptcy must ensue, and the Government itself must suffer from the inability of the people to contribute to its support. No wonder the people, in large assemblies, should cry out earneslly for a relief which they would hail with such delight. If this is not conceded, have we not reason to fear a violent popular reaction unfavorable to the success of our arms and the cause which they are upholding?

"In order, then, to remove all obstructions to navigation, a force of sixty thousand men should descend the Mississippi in transports, convoyed by gunboats, to the mouth of the Yazoo river, and ascend that river to the first eligible landing on its south bank.

"This column, assisted by the gunboats, should then seize Vicksburg, ^and, having garrisoned that place, should advance upon Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, only forty-five miles distant, and, having in like manner seized and fortified that city, it should re-open the railroad to New Orleans. Our forces at the latter place might co-operate with this column in effecting this object.

"The column should next push forward to'the junction of the Southern Mississippi and Ohio and Mobile railroads, at the town of Meridan, seventy-five miles east of Jackson, where it would be within threatening distance of both Mobile and Montgomery, the capital of Alabama. Having secured their places, our forces should establish a depot of military stores at Mobile, only one hundred and sixty-five miles by railroad from Montgomery, and this latter place is only seventy-five miles from Opilika, near the western boundary of Georgia, a most important place, for at Opilika the whole railroad system of the Southern States converges into the Montgomery and West Point railroad, which is one of the two links connecting that system by rail with the Gulf system. By seizing this place, the Atlantic communication by rail between the revolted States, east and west, would be severed.

"To aid this enterprise a Federal force should be advanced from Port Royal into the interior, and naval demonstrations ought to be made along the Southern Atlantic and Gulf coast. The Union forces now in West Tennessee or a portion of those in Kentucky, might be sent to seize the noticeable railroad triangle, of which Boyce and Dalton are the base, and Cleveland on the Tennessee and Georgia railroad is the apex. This would greatly facilitate the movement upon Vicksburg. This auxiliary movement is deemed indispensable, unless the column operating against Vicksburg should be increased to more than (30,000 men.

"The seizure of the above mentioned triangle would place our army in a favorable position to march South <jn Rome, in Georgia, one of the principal arsenals and manufactories of arms in the revolted States, or it might thence march northward on Knoxville, in Tennessee.

"The two railroads above alluded to are the umbilical cords of the two systems, and form their only band of union. By cutting these a serious blow would be struck at the rebellion.

"Experience proves that the rebellion cannot be conquered by a desultory border warfare. This can only be done by destroying the enemy's railroad communications, and by aggressive war upon his vital parts. These are in the Gulf States - the home and the first love of the archtraitor who initiated our present National difficulties. Strike home a deadly blow on these States, and the rebellion will be virtually subdued."

Such, substantially, was the plan of operations which General McClernand laid before the President and Secretary Stanton, both of whom entirely coincided with the General in his views, and promised to give his plan due consideration at an early day. But the Geiieral-in-Chief, for some reason, appeared unwilling to consider the plan, pretending he was otherwise engaged. This delayed the execution of the plan considerably.

(general McClernand, however, persevered against all obstacles, declaring that something must be done for the relief of the great Northwest, and so urged the matter, that Mr. Stanton at length informed him that an expedition of land and naval forces would be organized for the purpose of opening the Mississippi river, and that the land forces would for the present consist of thirty thousand men.

On examination, however, it was found that no forces could be spared from their present positions, and that a new force must be raised for the purpose; so that the Mississippi expedition was on the point of being abandoned for the present.

But this would not satisfy General McClernand. He again urged on the President and Secretary of War, the absolute necessity of the expedition, and so far prevailed, that they agreed to draft a confidential but conditional document, ordering Major-General McClernand to organize the troops remaining in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, and such as should be raised by volunteering and draft, and to forward them to such point as may be designated by the General-in-Chief, that an expedition may be organized under Gen- eral McClernand's command against Vicksburg, and to clear the Mississippi river and open navigation to New Orleans. The forces thus organized, however, were "subject to the designation of the General-in-Chief, according to such exigencies as the service, in his judgment, may require."

The day after receiving this order, Major- General McClernand left Washington and arrived at Indianapolis on the twenty-third of October, where he found Governor Morton disposed to aid him in organizing the contemplated expedition; as he afterwards found Governors Yates and Kirkwood, of Illinois and Iowa.

In the short f.pace of sixteen days. General McClernand had forwarded from the different camps in Illinois, six regiments of infantry and one six gun battery, to Memphis, Tennessee.

In addition to these, there was another regiment of infantry in Illinois under marching orders; and three othei's in the same State were ready for muster, and two other regiments of infantry in Iowa.

This great activity in those three States, and the rapidity with which these preparations were iirged forward, demonstrated the energy and zeal of the General, as well as of the different Governors and State officers engaged in them, and clearly illustrates the deep interest which the people of the northwest felt in the re-opening of the " Father of Waters" to lawful navigation and commerce.

The Secretary of War relied largely on General McClernand's personal influence in the West, as well as in the local interest manifested in the expedition, for filling up the ranks with the elite of our western soldiers; nor was he mistaken. Men came forward in great numbers to enlist under the banner of a General who had distinguished himself in the Halls of Congress as their Representative, and who still more recently had won well merited fame and glory on the bloody battle fields of his country. Forty thousand troops were raised in thirty-five days.

But General McClernand, fearing that after all the project might be abandoned, and believing that General Halleck had disposed of the troops raised for the expedition, in some other way; and moreover, understanding that in answer to General Grant's enquiry respecting the command of these troops, General Halleck replied that he (Grant) should have the command of them. For these reasons, General McClernand expressed his views and feelings in a remarkable letter to the Secretary of War, of which we can only give here a brief synopsis:

'- The avidity of the people for carrying out this expedition exposes all charged with it to the consequences of popular fury, if they fail in carrying it out.

"If, from any cause, it has become an uncertainty or shall be long delayed, I trust you wnll cut my supposed connection with it, and order me to other duty in the field at once.

" By the blockade of the Mississippi, the people have but one outlet open to them - that by the lakes and railroads alone. By combinations or otherwise, close corporations controlling these outlets have raised freights so as to stop shipments or sacrifice traders. The monopolists are interested in continuing the blockade. The people, therefore are not disposed to brook fuiher delay in removing that obstacle; indeed, such delay may add another geographical question to the one which is now undergoing the arbitrament of arms. Already there are those who look beyond Federal authority to secure the freedom of the Mississippi river. The resentment of the people will be inflamed by demagogues, to array them against the people of the East, on the pretended ground that the interests of the latter induce them to favor the blockade of the Mississippi.

" This sentiment is criminal, we must preserve the Union and the Govei-nment. Y^et wise Statesmen will not overlook the difiiculties and dangers which surroimd them.

General McClernand, hearing from a arious rumors and newspaper reports, that his command of the expedition had been given to another, repfatedly telegraphed to Washington to ascertain the truth. At length, after much 2)ainful suspense, he was relieved of duty at Springfield, and ordered to report to General Grant, for " the purpose specified in an order of the General-in-Chief."

On his arrival at Memphis, General Hurlbut, who was in command, there informed him that General Grant had abandoned his plan of advancing upon Oxford, Mississippi, having been compelled to fall back to Holly Springs, fortyfive miles distant from Memphis. General Mc- Clernand now received a communication from General Grant, to the effect that orders assigning him (General McClernand) to the immediate command of the expedition, had been forwarded to Mempliis. General Grant also remarked, that he had received information from rebel sources, that Sherman had already attacked and captured Vicksburg.

The orders of General Grant were received by General McClernand on the 29th. They consisted of two letters; one dated Oxford, Mississippi, December 18, 1862, informed General McClernand of his appointment to the command of an army corps in Grant's department, giving him command of the Mississippi river expedition; and orders that the written instructions given General Sherman, shall be turned over to McClernand on his arrival at Memphis. The other letter of General Grant's was dated at Holly Springs, December 25, and was directed "to the Commanding Officer of the Expedition Down the River."