Tazewell County, Illinois - Chapter 14, 1879 (part 3 of 4)

Various Depredations

It was thought by many, and indeed the circumstances seem to warrant the conclusion, that the assassins of Smith had arranged that the murder should occur while the Governor was in Nauvoo; that the Mormons would naturally suppose he planned it, and in the first outpouring of their indignation put him to death, as a means of retaliation. They thought that if they could have the Governor of the State assassinated by Mormons, the public excitement would be greatly increased against that people, and would cause their extermination, or at least their expulsion from the State. That it was a brutal and premeditated murder cannot be and is not denied at this day; but the desired eifect of the murder was not attained, as the Mormons did not evacuate ISTauvoo for two years afterward. In the meantime, the excitement and prejudice against this people were not allowed to die out. Horse-stealing was quite common, and every case that occurred was charged to the Mormons. That they were guilty of such thefts cannot be denied, but a great deal of this work done at that time was by organized bands of thieves, who knew they could carry on their nefarious business with more safety, as long as suspicion could be placed upon the Mormons. In the summer and fall of 1845 were several occurrences of a nature to increase the irritation existing between the Mormons and their neighbors. A suit was instituted in the United States Circuit Court against one of the apostles, to recover a note, and a marshal sent to summons the defendant, who refused to be served with the process. Indignation meetings were held bj the saints, and the marshal threatened for attempting to serve the writ. About this time, General Denning, sheriff, was assaulted bj an anti-Mormon, whom he killed. Denning was friendly to the Mormons, and a great outburst of passion was occasioned among the friends of the dead man.

Incendiarism

It was also discovered, in trying the rights of property at Lima, Adams county, that the Mormons had an institution connected with their church to secure their effects from execution. Incensed at this and other actions, the anti-Mormons of Lima and Green Plains, held a meeting to devise means for the expulsion of the Mormons from tliat part of the country. It was arranged that a number of their own party should fire on the building in which they were assembled, in such a manner as not to injure anyone, and then report that the Mormons had commenced the work of plunder and death. This plot was duly executed, and the startling intelligence soon called together a mob, which threatened the Mormons with fire and sword if they did not immediately leave. The Mormons refusing to depart, the mob at once executed their threats by burning 125 houses and forcing the inmates to flee for their lives. The sheriff of Hancock county, a prominent Mormon armed several hundred Mormons and scoured the country, in search of the incendiaries, but they had fled to neighboring counties, and he was unable either to bring them to battle or make any arrests. One man, however, was killed without provocation; another attempting to escape was shot and afterwards hacked and mutilated ; and Franklin A. "Worrell, who had charge of the jail when the Smiths were killed, was shot by some unknown person concealed in a thicket. The anti-Mormons committed one murder. A party of them set fire to a pile of straw, near the barn of an old Mormon, nearly ninety years of age, and when he appeared to extinguish the flames, he was shot and killed.

The anti-Mormons left their property exposed in their hurried retreat, after having burned the houses of the Mormons. Those who had been burned out sallied forth from Nauvoo and plundered the whole country, taking whatever they could carry or drive away. By order of the Governor, Gen. Hardin raised a force of 350 men, checked the Mormon ravages, and recalled the fugitive anti-Mormons home.

Making Prepakation To Leave

At this time a convention, consisting of delegates from eight of the adjoining counties, assembled to concert measures for the expulsion of the Mormons from the State. The Mormons seriously contemplated emmigration westward, believing the times forboded evil for them. Accordingly, during the winter of 1845-'46, the most stupendous preparations were made by the Mormons for removal. All the principal dwellings, and even the temple, were converted into work-shops, and before spring, 12,000 wagons were in readiness; and hy the middle of February the leaders, with 2,000 of their followers, had crossed the Mississippi on the ice.

The Battle Of Nattvoo

In September a writ was issued against several prominent Mormons, and placed in the hands of John Carlin, of Carthage, for execution. Carlin called out a posse to help make the arrest, which brought together quite a large force in the neighborhood of Nauvoo. Carlin, not being a military man, placed in command of the posse, first, Gen. Singleton, and afterward Col. Brockman, who proceeded to invest the city, erecting breastworks, and taking other means for defensive as well as offensive operations. What was then termed a battle next took place, resulting in the death of one Mormon and the wounding of several others, and loss to the anti-Mormons of three killed and four wounded. At last, through the intervention of an anti-Mormon committee of one hundred, from Quincy, the Mormons and their allies were induced to submit to such terms as the posse chose to dictate, which were that the Mormons should immediately give up their arms to the Quincy committee, and remove from the State. The trustees of the church and five of their clerks were permitted to remain for the sale of Mormon propert}'^, and the posse were to march in unmolested, and leave a sufiicient force to guarantee the performance of their stipulations. Accordingly, the constable's posse marched in with Brockman at their head. It consisted of about 800 armed men and 600 or TOO imarmed, who had assembled from all the country around, through motives of curiosity, to see the once proud city of Nauvoo humbled and delivered up to its enemies. They proceeded into the citj slowly and carefully, examinin,^ the way for fear of the explosion of a mine, many of which had been made by the Mormons, by burying kegs of powder in the ground, with a man stationed at a distance to pull a string communicating with the trigger of a percussion lock affixed to the keg. This kind of a contrivance was called by the Mormons " hell's half-acre." When the posse arrived in the city, the leaders of it erected themselves into a tribunal to decide who should be forced away and who remain. Parties were dispatched to hunt for fire-arms, and for Mormons, and to bring them to judgment. When brought, they received their doom from the mouth of Brockman, who sat a grim and unawed tyrant for the time. As a general rule, the Mormons were ordered to leave within an hour or two; and by rare grace some of them were allowed until next day, and in a few cases longer time was granted.

Nothing was said in the treaty in regard to the new citizens, who had with the Mormons defended the city; but the posse no sooner had obtained possession than they commenced expelling them. Some of them were ducked in the river, and were in one or two instances actually baptized in the name of some of the leaders of the mob; others were forcibly driven into the ferry-boats to be taken over the river before the bayonets of armed ruffians. Many of these new settlers were strangers in the country from various parts of the United States, who were attracted there by the low price of property; and they knew but little of previous difficulties or the merits of the quarrel. They saw with tlieir own eyes that the Mormons were industriously preparing to go away, and they knew "of their own knowledge " that any effiirt to expel them by force was gratuitous and unnecessary cruelty. They had been trained, by the States whence they came, to abhor mobs and to obey the law, and they volunteered their services under executive authority to defend their town and their property against mob violence, and, as they honestly believed, from destruction; but in tliis they were partly mistaken; for although the mob leaders in the exercise of unbridled power were guilty of many injuries to the persons of individuals, although much personal property was stolen, yet they abstained from materially injuring houses and buildings.

The Mormons Reach Salt Lake

The fugitives proceeded westward, taking the road through Missouri, but were forcibly ejected from that State and compelled to move indirectly through Iowa. After innumerable hardships the advance guard reached the Missouri river at Council Bluflfs, when a United States officer presented a requisition for 500 men to serve in the war with Mexico. Compliance with this order so diminished their number of effective men, that the expedition was again delayed and the remainder, consisting mostly of old men, women and children, hastily prepared habitations for winter. Their rudely constructed tents were hardly completed before winter set in with great severity, the bleak prairies being incessantly swept by piercing winds. While here cholera, fever and other diseases, aggravated by the previous hardships, the want of comfortable quarters and medical treatment, hurried many of them to premature graves, yet, under the influence of religious fervor and fanaticism, they looked death in the face with resignation and cheerfulness, and even exhibited a gayety which manifested itself in music and dancing during the saddest hours of this sad winter.

At length welcome spring made its appearance, and by April they were again organized for the journey; a pioneer party, consisting of Brigham Young and 140 others, was sent in advance to locate a home for the colonists. On the 21 of July, 1847, a day memorable in Mormon annals, the vanguard reached the valley of the Great Salt Lake, having been directed thither, according to their accounts, by the hand of the Almighty. Here in a distant wilderness, midway between the settlements of the East and the Pacific, and at that time a thousand miles from the utmost verge of civilization, they commenced preparations for founding a colony, which has since grown into a mighty empire.

Mexican War

During the month of May, 1846, the President called for four regiments of volunteers from Illinois for the Mexican war. This was no sooner known in the State than nine regiments, numbering 8,370 men, answered the call, though only four of them, amounting to 3,720 men, could be taken. These regiments, as well as their officers, were everywhere foremost in the American ranks, and dis- tinguished themselves by their matchless valor in the bloodiest battles of the war. Yeterans never fought more nobly and effectively than did the volunteers from Illinois. At the bloody battle of Buena Vista they crowned their lives - many their death - with the laurels of war. Kever did armies contend more bravely, determinedly and stubbornly than the American and Mexican forces at this famous battle; and as Illinois troops were ever in the van and on the bloodiest portions of the field, we believe a short sketch of the part they took in the fierce contest is due them, and will be read with no little interest.

Battle Of Buena Vista

General Santa Anna, with his army of 20,000, poured into the valley of Aqua Nueva early on the morning of the 22d of February, hoping to surprise our army, consisting of about 5,000 men, under Gen. Taylor and which had retreated to the " Narrows." They were hotly pursued by the Mexicans who, before attacking, sent Gen. Taylor a flag of truce demanding a surrender, and assuring him that if he refused he would be cut to pieces; but the demand was promptly refused. At this the enemy opened fire, and the conflict began. In honor of the day the watchword with our soldiers was, " The memory of Washington." An irregular fire was kept up all day, and at night both armies bivouacked on the field, resting on their arms. Santa Anna that night made a spirited address to his men, and the stirring strains of his own band till late in the night were distinctly heard by our troops; but at last silence fell over the hosts that were to contend unto death in that narrow pass on the morrow.

Early on the following morning the battle was resumed, and continued without intermission until nightfall. The solid columns of the enemy were hurled against our forces all day long, but were met and held in check b}' the unerring fire of our musketry and artillery. A portion of Gen. Lane's division was driven back by the enemy under Gen. Lombardini, who, joined by Gen. Pacheco's division, poured upon the main plateau in so formidable numbers as to appear irresistible.

Bravery Of The Second Illinois

and gallantly received the concentrated fire of the enemy, which they returned with deliberate aim and terrible effect; every discharge of the artillery seemed to tear a bloody path through the heavy columns of enemy. Says a writer: "The rapid musketry of the gallant troops from Illinois poured a storm of lead into their serried ranks, which literally strewed the ground with the dead and dying." But, notwithstanding his losses, the enemy steadily advanced until our gallant regiment received fire from three sides. Still they maintained their position for a time with unflinching firmness against that immense host. At length, perceiving the danger of being entirely surrounded, it was determined to fall back to a ravine. Col. Bissel, with the coolness of ordinary drill, ordered the signal "cease firing" to be made; he then with the same deliberation gave the command, "Face to the rear, Battalion, about face; forward march," which was executed witli the regularity of veterans to a point beyond the peril of being outfianked. Again, in obedience to command these brave men haltedfaced about, and under a murderous tempest of bullets from the foe, resumed their well-directed fire. The conduct of no troops could have been more admirable; and, too, until that day they had never been under fire, when, within less than half an hour eighty of their comrades dropped by their sides. How different from the Arkansas regiment, which were ordered to the plateau, but after delivering their first volley gave way and dispersed.

Saddest Event Of The Battle

But now we have to relate the saddest, and, for Illinois, the most mournful, event of that battle-worn day. "We take the account from Colton's History of the battle of Buena Yista. "As the enemy on our left was moving in retreat along the head of the Plateau, our artillery was advanced until within range, and opened a heavy fire upon him, while Cols. Hardin, Bissell and McKee, with their Illinois and Kentucky troops, dashed gallantly forward in hot pursuit. A powerful reserve of the Mexican army was then just emerging from the ravine, where it had been organized, and advanced on the plateau, opposite the head of the southernmost gorge. Those who were giving way rallied quickly upon it; when the whole force, thus increased to over 12,000 men, came forward in a perfect blaze of fire. It was a single column, composed of the best soldiers of the republic, having for its advanced battalions the veteran regiments. The Kentucky and Illinois troops were soon obliged to give ground before it and seek the shelter of the second gorge. The enemy pressed on, arriving opposite the head of the second gorge. One-half of the column suddenly enveloped it, while the other half pressed on across the plateau, having for the moment nothing to resist them but the three guns in their front. The portion that was immediately opposed to the Kentucky and Illinois troops, ran down along each side of the gorge, in which they had sought shelter, and also circled around its head, leaving no possible way of escape for them except by its mouth, which opened upon the road. Its sides, which were steep, - at least an angle of 45 degrees, - were covered with loose pebbles and stones, and converged to a point at the bottom. Down there were our poor fellows, nearly three regiments of them (1st and 2d Illinois and 2d Kentucky), with but little opportunity to load or fire a gun, being hardly able to keep their feet. Above the whole edge of the gorge, all the way around, was darkened by the serried masses of the enemy, and was bristling with muskets directed on the crowd beneath. It was no time to pause. Those who were not immediately shot down rushed on toward the road, their number growing less and less as they went, Kentuckians and Illinoisans, officers and men, all mixed up in confusion, and all pressing on over the loose pebbles and rolling stones of those shelving, precipitous banks, and having lines and lines of the enemy firing down from each side and rear as they went. Just then the enemy's cavaliy, which had gone to the left of the reserve, had come over the spur that divides the mouth of the second gorge from that of the third, and were now closing up the only door through which there was the least shadow of a chance for their lives. Many of those ahead endeavored to force their way out, but few succeeded. The lancers were fully six to one, and their long weapons were already reeking with blood. It was at this time that those who were still back in that dreadful gorge heard, above the din of the musketry and the shouts of the enemy around them, the roar of Washington's Battery. No music could have been more grateful to their ears. A moment only, and the whole opening, where the lancers were busy, rang with the repeated explosions of splierical-case shot. They gave way. The gate, as it were, was clear, and out upon the road a stream of our poor fellows issued. They ran panting down toward the battery, and directly under the flght of iron then passing over their heads, into the retreatingj cavah-y. Hardin, McKee, Clay, Willis, Zabriskie, Houghton - but why go on? It would be a sad task indeed to name over all who fell during this twenty minutes' slaughter. The whole gorge, from the plateau to its mouth, was strewed with our dead. All dead! No wounded there - not a man; for the infantry had rushed down the sides and completed the work with the bayonet."

Victory For Our Army

The artillery on the plateau stubbornly maintained its position The remnants of the 1st and 2d Illinois regiments, after issuing from the fated gorge, were formed and again brought into action, the former, after the fall of the noble Hardin, under Lieut. Col. Weatherford, the latter under Bissell. The enemy brought forth reinforcements and a brisk artillery duel was kept up; but gradually, as the shades of night began to cover the earth, the rattle of musketry slackened, and when the pall of night was thrown over that bloody field it ceased altogether. Each army, after the fierce and long struggle, occupied much the same position as it did in the morning. However, early on the following morning, the glad tidings were heralded amidst our army that the enemy had retreated, thus again crowning the American banners with victory.

Other Honored Names Of This War

Other bright names from Illinois that shine as stars in this war are those of Shields, Baker, Harris and Coffee, which are indissolubly connected with the glorious capture of Yera Cruz and the not less famous storming of Cerro Gordo. In this latter action, when, after the valiant Gen. Shields had been placed hoi's de combat, the command of his force, consisting of three regiments, devoled upon Col. Baker. This officer, with his men, stormed with unheard-of prowess the last stronghold of the Mexicans, sweeping everything before them. Such indeed were the intrepid valor and daring courage exhibited by Illinois volunteers during the Mexican war that their deeds should live in the memory of their countrymen until those latest times when the very name of America shall have been forgotten.

The War Foe The Uniok

On the fourth day of March, 1861, after the most exciting and momentous political campaign known in the history of this country, Abraham Lincoln - America's martyred President - was inaugurated Chief Magistrate of the United States. This fierce contest was principally sectional, and as the announcement was flashed over the telegraph wires that the Republican Presidential candidate had been elected, it was hailed by the South as a justifiable pretext for dissolving the Union. Said Jefferson Davis in a speech at Jackson, Miss., prior to the election, "If an abolitionist be chosen President of the United States you will have presented to you the question whether you will permit the government to pass into the hands of your avowed and implacable enemies. Without pausing for an answer, I will state my own position to be that such a result would be a species of revolution by which the purpose of the Government would be destroyed, and the observances of its mere forms entitled to no respect. In that event, in such manner as should be most expedient, I should deem it your duty to provide for your safety outside of the Union." Said another Southern politician, when speaking on the same subject, ".We shall fire the Southern heart, instruct the Southern mind, give courage to each, and at the proper moment, by one organized, concerted action, we can precipitate the Cotton States into a revolution." To disrupt the Union and form a government which recognized the absolute supremacy of the white population and the perpetual bondage of the black was what they deemed freedom from the galling yoke of a Republican administration.

Abraham Lincoln Did Not Seek The Pkesidenct

Hon. R. W. Miles, of Knox county, sat on the floor by the side of Abraham Lincoln in the Library-room of the Capitol, in Springfield, at the secret caucus meeting, held in Janur.ry, 1859, when Mr. Lincoln's name was first spoken of in caucus as candidate for President. When a gentleman, in making a short speech, said, " We are going to bring Abraham Lincoln out as a candidate for President," Mr. Lincoln at once arose to his feet, and exclaimed, "For God's sake, let me alone! I have suffered enough!" This was soon after he had been defeated in tlie Legislature for United States Senate by Stephen A. Douglas, and only those who are intimate with that important and unparalleled contest can appreciate the full force and meaning of these expressive words of the martyred President. They were spontaneous, and prove beyond a shadow of doubt that Abraham Lincoln did not seek the high position of President. Nor did he use any trickery or chicanery to obtain it. But his expressed wish was not to be complied with; our beloved country needed a savior and a martyr, and Fate had decreed that he should be the victim. After Mr. Lincoln was elected President, Mr. Miles sent him an eagle's quill, with which the chief magistrate wrote his first inaugural address. The letter written by Mr. Miles to the President, and sent with the quill, which was two feet in length, is such a jewel of eloquence and prophecy that it should be given a place in history:

Dear Sir : - Please accept the eagle quill I promised you, by the hand of our Representative, A. A. Smith. The bird from whose wing the quill was taken, was shot by John F. Dillon, in Persifer township, Knox Co., Ills., in Feb., 1857 Having heard that James Buchanan was furnished with an eagle quill to write his Inaugural with, and believing that in 18G0, a Republican would be elected to take his place, I determined to save this quill and present it to the fortunate man, whoever he might be. Reports tell us that the bird which furnished Buchanan's quill was a captured bird, - fit emblem of the man that used it ; but the bird from which this quill was taken, yielded the quill only with his life, - fit emblem of the man who is expected to use it, for true Republicans believe that you would not think lite worth the keeping after the surrender of principle. Great difficulties surround you ; traitors to their country have threatened your life ; and should you be called upon to surrender it at the post of duty, your memory will live forever in the heart of every freeman ; and that is a grander monument than can be built of brick or marble.

States Seceding

At the time of President Lincoln's accession to power, several members of the Union claimed they had withdrawn from it, and styling themselves the " Confederate States of America," organized a separate government. The house was indeed divided against itself, but it should not fall, nor should it long continue divided, was the hearty, determined response of every loyal heart in the nation. The accursed institution of human slavery was the primary cause for this dissolution of the American Union. Doubtless other agencies served to intensify the hostile feelings which existed between the Northern and Southern portions of oar country, but tlieir remote origin could be traced to this great national evil. Had Lincoln's predecessor put forth a timely, energetic effort, he might have prevented tlie bloody war our nation was called to pass through. On the other hand every aid was given the rebels; every advantage and all the power of the Government was placed at their disposal, and when Illinois' honest son took the reins of the Republic he found Buchanan had been a traitor to his trust, and given over to the South all available means of war.

The Fall Of Sumter

On the 12th day of April, 1861, the rebels, who for weeks had been erecting their batteries upon the shore, after demanding of Major Anderson a surrender, opened fire upon Fort Sumter. For thirty-four hours an incessant cannonading was continued; the fort was being seriously injured; provisions were almost gone, and Major Anderson was compelled to haul down the stars and stripes. Tliat dear old flag which had seldom been lowered to a foreign foe by rebel hands was now trailed in the dust. The first blow of the terrible conflict which summoned vast armies into the field, and moistened the soil of a nation in fraternal blood and tears, had. been struck. The gauntlet thus thrown down by the attack on Sumter by the traitors of the South was accepted - not, however, in the spirit with which insolence meets insolence - but with a firm, determined spirit of patriotism and love of country. The duty of the President was plain under the constitution and the laws, and above and beyond all, the people from whom all political power is derived, demanded the suppression of the Rebellion, and stood ready to sustain the authority of their representative and executive officers. Promptly did the new President issue a proclamation calling for his countrymen to join with him to defend their homes and their country, and vindicate her honor. This call was made April 14, two days after Sumter was first fired upon, and was for 75,000 men. On the 15th, the same day he was notified. Gov. Yates issued his proclamation convening the Legislature. lie also ordered the organization of six regiments. Troops were in abundance, and the call was no sooner made than filled. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school-house, - every calling ofi'ered its best men, their lives and their fortunes, in defense of the Government's honor and unity.

Bitter words spoken in moments of political heat were forgotten and forgiven, and joining hands in a common cause, they repeated the oath of America's soldier-statesman : " By the Great Eternal^ the Union must and shall he preserved.^^ The honor, the very life and glory of the nation was committed to the stern arbitrament of the sword, and soon the tramp of armed men, the clash of musketry and the heavy boom of artillery reverberated throughout the continent; rivers of blood saddened by tears of mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and sweethearts flowed from the lakes to the gulf, but a nation was saved. The sacrifice was great, but the Dnion was preserved.

Call For Troops Promptly Answered

Simultaneously with the call for troops by the President, enlistments commenced in this State, and within ten days 10,000 volunteers offered service, and the sum of $1,000,000 was tendered by patriotic citizens. Of the volunteers who offered their services, only six regiments could be accepted under the quota of the State. But the time soon came when there was a place and a musket for every man. The six regiments raised were designated by numbers commencing with seven, as a mark of respect for the six regiments which had served in the Mexican war. Another call was anticipated, and the Legislature authorized ten additional regiments to be organized. Over two hundred companies were immediately raised from which were selected the required number. No sooner was this done than the President made another call for troops, six regiments were again our proportion, although by earnest solicitation the remaining four were accepted. There were a large number of men with a patriotic desire to enter the service who were denied this privilege. Many of them wept, while others joined regiments from other States. In May, June and July seventeen regiments of infantry and live of cavalry were raised, and in the latter month, when the President issued his first call for 500,000 volunteers, Illinois tendered thirteen regiments of infantry and three of cavalry, and so anxious were her sons to have the Hebellion crushed that the number could have been increased by thousands. At the close of 1S61 Illinois had sent to the field nearly 50,000 men, and had 17,000 in camp awaiting marching orders, thus exceeding her full quota by 15,000.

A Vast Army Raised In Eleven Days

In July and August of 1862 the President called for 600,000 men - our quota of which was 52,296 - and gave until August 18 as the limits in which the number might be raised by volunteering, after which a draft would be ordered. The State had already furnished 17,000 in excess of her quota, and it was first thought this number would be deducted from the present requisition, but that could not be done. But thirteen davs were granted to enlist this vast army, which had to come from tlie farmers and mechanics. The former were in the midst of harvest, but, inspired by love of country, over 50,000 of them left their harvests ungathered, their tools and their benches, the plows in their furrows, turning their backs on their homes, and before eleven days had expired the demands of the Government were met and both quotas filled.

The war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush out and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugurated. But to every call for either men or money there was a willing and ready response. And it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. On the 21st of December, 1861, the last call for troops was made. It was for 300,000. In consequence of an imperfect enrollment of the men subject to military duty, it became evident, ere this call was made, that Illinois was furnishing thousands of men more than what her quota would have been, had it been correct. So glaring had this disproportion become, that under this call the quota of some districts exceeded the number of able-bodied men in them.

A General Summary

Following this sketch we give a schedule of all the volunteer troops organized from this State, from the commencement to the close of the war. It is taken from the Adjutant General's report. The number of the regiment, name of original Colonel, call under which recruited, date of organization and muster into the United States' service, place of muster, and aggregate strength of each organization, from which we find that Illinois put into her one hundred and eighty regiments 256,000 men, and into the United States army, through other States, enough to swell the number to 290,000. This far exceeds all the soldiers of the Federal Government in all the war of the Revolution. Her total years of service were over 600,000. She enrolled men from eighteen to forty-five years of age, when the law of Congress in ISG-i - the test time - only asked for those from twenty to forty-five. Her enrollments were otberwise excessive. Her people wanted to go, and did not take the pains to correct the enrollment; thus the basis of fixing the quota was too great, and the rjuota itself, at least in the trying time, was far above any other State. The demand on some counties, as Monroe, for example, took every able-bodied man in the county, and then did not have enough to fill the quota. Moreover, Illinois sent 20,844 men for one hundred days, for whom no credit was asked. She gave to the country 73,000 years of service above all calls. "With one-thirteenth of the population of the loyal States, she sent regularly one-tenth of all the soldiers, and in the perils of the closing calls, when patriots were few and weary, she sent one-eighth of all that were called for by her loved and honored son in the White House. Of the brave boys Illinois sent to the front, there were killed in action, 5,888; died of wounds, 3,032; of disease, 19,496; in prison, 967; lost at sea, 205; aggregate, 29,588. As upon every field and upon every page of the history of this war, Illinois bore her part of the suffering in tlie prison-pens of the South. Mere than 800 names make up the awful column of Illinois' brave sons who died in the rebel prison of Andersonville, Ga. "Who can measure or imagine the atrocities which would be laid before the world were the panorama of sufterings and terrible trials of these gallant men but half unfolded to view? But this can never be done until new words of horror are invented, and new arts discovered by which demoniacal fiendishness can be portrayed, and the intensest anguish of the human soul in ten thousand forms be painted. ^

No troops ever fought more heroically, stubbornly, and with better effect, than did the boys from the "Prairie State." At Pea Eidge, Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, luka, Corinth, Stone River, Holly Springs, Jackson, Yicksburg, Chicamauga, Lookout Mountain, Murfreesboro, Atlanta, Franklin, JSTashville, Chattanooga, and on every other field where the clash of arms was heard, her sons were foremost.

Capture Of The St. Louis Arsenal

Illinois was almost destitute of firearms at the beffiniiino; of the conflict, and none could be procured in the East. The traitorous Flojd had turned over to the South 300,000 arms, leaving most arsenals in the North einptj. Gov. Yates, however, received an order on the St. Louis arsenal for 10,000 muskets, which he put in the hands of Captain Stokes, of Chicago. Several unsuccessful attemjjts were made by the Captain to pass through the large crowd of rebels which had gathered around the arsenal, suspecting an attempt to move the arms would be made. He at last succeeded in gaining admission to the arsenal, but was informed by the commander that the slightest attempt to move the arms would be discovered and bring an infuriated mob upon the garrison. This fear was well founded, for the following day Gov. Jackson ordered 2,000 armed men from Jefferson City down to capture the arsenal. Capt. Stokes telegraphed to Alton for a steamer to descend the river, and about midnight land opposite the arsenal, and proceeding to the same place with 700 men of the 7th Illinois, commenced loading the vessel. To divert attention from his real purpose, he had 500 guns placed upon a different boat. As designed, this movement was discovered by the rabble, and the shouts and excitement upon their seizure drew most of the crowd from the arsenal. Capt. Stokes not only took all the guns his requisition called for, but emptied the arsenal. When all was ready, and the signal given to Btart, it was found that the immense weight had bound the bow of the boat to a rock, but after a few moments' delay the boat fell awaj from the shore and floated into deep water.

"Which way?" said Capt. Mitchell, of the steamer. "Straight in the regular channel to Alton," replied Capt, Stokes. "What if we are attacked?" said Capt. Mitchell. " Then we will fight," was the reply of Capt. Stokes. "What if we are overpowered?" said Mitchell. " Run the boat to the deepest part of the river and sink her," replied Stokes. "I'll do it," was the heroic answer of Mitchell, and away they went past the secession battery, past the St. Louis levee, and in the regular channel on to Alton. When they touched the landing, Capt. Stokes, fearing pursuit, ran to the market house and rang the fire bell. The citizens came flocking pell-mell to the river, and soon men, women and children were tugging away at that vessel load of arms, which they soon had deposited in freight cars and off to Springfield.

Liberality As Well As Patriotism

The people were liberal as well as patriotic; and while the men were busy enlisting, organizing and equipping companies, the ladies were no less active, and the noble, generous work performed by their tender, loving hands deserves mention along with the bravery, devotion and patriotism of their brothers upon the Southern fields of carnage.

The continued need of money to obtain the comforts and necessaries for the sick and wounded of our army suggested to the loyal women of the North many and various devices for the raising of funds. Every city, town and village had its fair, festival, picnic, excursion, concert, which netted more or less to the cause of hospital relief, according to the population of the place and the amount of energy and patriotism displayed on such occasions. Especially was this characteristic of our own fair State, and scarcely a hamlet within its borders which did not send something from its stores to hospital or battlefield, and in the larger towns and cities were well-organized soldiers' aid societies, working systematically and continuously from the beginning of the war till its close. The great State Fair held in Chicago in May, 1865, netted $250,000. Homes for traveling soldiers were established all over the State, in which were furnished lodging for 600,000 men, and meals valued at $2,500,000. Food, clothing, medicine, hospital delicacies, readino- matter, and thousands of other articles, were sent to the boys at the front.

Messages Of Love And Encottkagement

Letters, messages of love and encouragement, were sent by noble women from many counties of the State to encourage the brave sons and brothers in the South. Below we give a copy of a printed letter sent from Knox county to the "boys in blue," as showing the feelings of the women of the North. It was headed, " From the Women of Knox County to Their Brothers in the Field." It was a noble, soul-inspiring message, and kindled anew the intensest love for home, country, and a determination to crown the stars and stripes with victory :

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

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

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

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

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

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

"This war will leave none of us as it found us. "We cannot buflfet the raging wave and escape all trace of the salt sea's foam. Toward better or toward worse we are hurried with fearful haste. If we at home feel this, what must it be to you! Our hearts throb with agony when we think of you wounded, suffering, d3nng; but the thought of no physical pain touches us half so deeply as the thought of the temptations which surround you. We could better give you up to die on the battle-field, true to your God and to your country, than to have you return to us with blasted, blackened souls. When temptations assail fiercely, you must let the tliought that your mothers are praying for strength enable you to overcome them. But figliting for a worthy cause worthily ennobles one; herein is our confidence that you will return better men than you went away.

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

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

tliatliand; those footsteps are obliterated. In liis own good time we feel that God will give us the victory. Till that hour comes we bid you fight on. Though we have not attained that heroism, or decision, which enables us to give you up without a struggle, which can prevent our giving tears for 3'our hlood^ though many of us must own our hearts desolate till you return, still we bid you stay and fight for our country, till from this fierce baptism of blood she shall be raised complete,' the dust shaken from her garments purified, a new Memnon singing in the great Godlight."

On the 15th of November, 1864, after the destruction of Atlanta, and the railroads behind him, Sherman, with his army, began his march to the sea-coast. The almost breathless anxiety with which his progress was watched by the loyal hearts of the nation, and the trembling apprehension with which it was regarded by all who hoped for rebel success, indicated this as one of the most remarkable events of the war; and so it proved. Of Sherman's army, 45 regiments of infantry, three companies of artillery, and one of cavalry were from this State. Lincoln answered all rumors of Sherman's defeat with, " It is impossible; there is a mighty sight of fight in 100,000 "Western men." Illinois soldiers brought home 300 battle fiags. The first United States flag that floated over Kichmond was an Illinois flag. She sent messengers and nurses to every field and hospital to care for her sick and wounded sons.

One other name from Illinois comes up in all minds, embalmed in all hearts, that must have the supreme place in this sketch of our glory and of our nation's [honor: that name is Abraham Lincoln. The analysis of Mr. Lincoln's character is difiicult on account of its symmetry. In this age we look with admiration at his uncompromising honesty; and well we may, for this saved us. Thousands throughout the length and breadth of our country, who knew him only as "Honest Old Abe," voted for him on that account; and wisely did they choose, for no other man could have carried us through the fearful night of war. When his plans were too vast for our comprehension, and his faith in the cause too sub- lime for our participation ; when it was all night about us, and all dread before us, and all sad and desolate behind us; when not one ray shone upon our cause; when traitors were haughty and exultant at the South, and fierce and blasphemous at the North; when the loyal men seemed almost in the minority; when the stoutest heart quailed, the bravest cheek paled ; when generals were defeating each other for place, and contractois were leeching out the very heart's blood of the republic; when everything else had failed us, we looked at this calm, patient man standing like a rock in the storm, and said, " Mr. Lincoln is honest, and we can trust him still." Holding to this single point with the energy of faith and despair, we held together, and under God he brought us through to victory. His practical wisdom made him the wonder of all lands. With such certainty did Mr. Lincoln follow causes to their ultimate effects, that his foresight of contingencies seemed almost prophetic. He is radiant with all the great virtues, and his memory will shed a glory upon this age that will fill the eyes of men as they look into history. Other men have excelled him in some points; but, taken at all points, he stands head and shoulders above every other man of 6,000 years. An administrator, he saved the nation in the perils of unparalleled civil war; a statesman, he justified his measures by their success; a philanthropist, he gave liberty to one race and salvation to another; a moralist, he bowed from the summit of human power to the foot of the cross; a mediator, he exercised mercy under the most absolute obedience to law; a leader, he was no partisan ; a commander, he was untainted with blood ; a ruler in desperate times, he was unsullied with crime; a man, he has left no word of passion, no thought of malice, no trick of craft, no act of jealousy, no purpose of selfish ambition. Thus perfected, without a model and without a peer, he was dropped into these troubled years to adorn and embellish all that is good and all that is great in our humanity, and to present to all coming time the representative of the divine idea of free government. It is not too much to say that away down in the future, when the republic has fallen from its niche in the wall of time; when the great war itself shall have faded out in the distance like a mist on the horizon; when the Anglo-Saxon shall be spoken only by the tongue of the stranger, then the generations looking this way shall see the great President as the supreme figure in this vortex of history.

Uistory Of Illixois

The rebellion was ended witli tlie surrender of Lee and his army, and Johnson and his command in April, 1805. Our armies at the time were up to their maximum strength, never so formidable, never so invincible; and, until recruiting ceased by order of Secretary Stanton, were daily strengthening. The necessity, however, for SO vast and formidable numbers ceased with the disbanding of the rebel forces, which had for more than four years disputed the supremacy of the Government over its domain. And now the joyful and welcome news was to be borne to the victorious legions that their work was ended in triumph, and they were to be permitted "to see homes and friends once more."

Histoey Of Illinois

Schedule - Showiug statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field, commeuciuf? April, 18iJl, aud eudiug Decembur 3t, 186j, \vith number of regiment, name of original commanding officer, date of organization and muster into United States' service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength^ of each organization.

Infantry

ScH-EDULE - Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within tho State, and sent to the field, commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31, 18(1."), with uumlier of regiment, name of original commanding officer, date of organization and muster into United States' service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization.

Schedule - Showing statement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field, commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31, 1865, with number of regiment, name of original commanding; officer, date of organization and muster into United States' service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization.

Cavalry

ScETEDtrLE - Showing ptatement of volunteer troops organized within the State, and sent to the field commencing April, 1861, and ending December 31, 1865, with number of regiment, name of original commanding officer, date of organization and muster into United States service, place of muster, and the aggregate strength of each organization.

Recapitulation

The code of chivalry so common among Southern gentlemen and so frequently brought into use in settling personal differences has also been called to settle the " affairs of honor " in our own State, however, but few times, and those in the earlier days. Several attempts at duels have occurred; before the disputants met in mortal combat the differences were amicably and satisfactorily settled; honor was maintained without the sacrifice of life. In 1810 a law was adopted to suppress the practice of dueling. This law held the fatal result of dueling to be murder, and, as it was intended, had the effect of making it odious and dishonorable. Prior to the constitution of 18-18, parties would evade the law by going beyond the jurisdiction of the State to engage in their contests of honor. At that time they incorporated in the Constitution an oath of office, which was so broad as to cover the whole world. Any person who had ever fought a duel, ever sent or accepted a challenge or acted the part of second was disfranchised from holding office, even of minor importance. After this M^ent into effect, no other duel or attempt at a duel has been engaged in within the State of Illinois, save those fought by parties living outside of the State, who came here to settle their personal differences.

The Fikst Duel

The first duel fought within the boundaries of this great State was between two young military officers, one of the French and the other of the English army, in the year 1765. It was at the time the British troops came to take possession of Fort Chartres, and a woman was the cause of it. The affair occurred early Sunday morning, near the old fort. They fought with swords, and in the combat one sacrificed his life.

Bond And Jones

In 1809 the next duel occurred and was bloodless of itself, but out of it grew a quarrel which resulted in the assassination of one of the contestants. The principals were Shadrach Bond, the first Governor, and Rice Jones, a bright young lawyer, who became quite a politician and the leader of his party. A personal difference arose between the two, which to settle, the parties met for mortal combat on an island in the Mississippi. The weapons selected were hairtrigger pistols. After taking their position Jones' weapon was prematurely discharged. Bond's second, Dunlap, now claimed that according to the code Bond had the right to the next fire. But Bond would not take so great advantage of his opponent, and said it was an accident and would not fire. Such noble conduct touched the generous nature of Jones, and the difficulty was at once amicably settled. Dunlap, however, bore a deadly hatred for Jones, and one day while he was standing in the street in Ivaskaskia, conversing with a lady, lie crept up behind him and shot him dead in his tracks. Dunlap successfully escaped to Texas.

Rector And Barton

Rector who bore such a noble part in the war of 1812, ana Joshua Barton. Tlicy liad espoused the quarrel of older brothers. The affair occurred on Bloody Island, in the Mississippi, but in the limits of Illinois. This place was frequented so often by Missourians to settle personal difficulties, that it received the name of Bloody Island. Barton fell in this conflict.

Stewart And Bennett

In 1819 occurred the first duel fought after the admission of the State into the Union. This took place in St. Clair county between Alphonso Stewart and William Bennett. It was intended to be a sham duel, to turn ridicule against Bennett, the challenging party- Stewart was in the secret but Bennett was left to believe it a reality. Their guns were loaded with blank cartridges. Bennett, suspecting a trick, put a ball into his gun without the knowledge of his seconds. The word "fire" was given, and Stewart fell mortally wounded. Bennett made his escape but was subsequently captured, convicted of murder and suffered the penalty of the law by hanging.

Pearson And Baker

In 1840 a personal difference arose between two State Senators, Judo-e Pearson and E. D. Baker. The latter, smarting under the epithet of "lalsehoud," threatened to chastise Pearson in the public streets, bv a " fist fight." Pearson declined making a "blackguard'' of himself but intimated a readiness to fight as gentlemen, according to the code of honor. The affair, however, was carried no further.

Hardin And Dodge

The exciting debates in the Legislature in 1840-'41 were often bitter in personal "slings," and threats of combats were not infrequent. During these debates, in one of the speeclies by the Hon. J. J. Hardin, Hon. A. R. Dodge thought he discovered a personal insult, took exceptions, and an " affair" seemed imminent. The controversy was referred to friends, however, and amicably settled.

Hon. John A. McClernand, a member of the House, in a speech delivered during the same session made charges against the Whig Judges of the Supreme Court. This brought a note from Judge

T. W. Smith, by the hands of liis " friend " Dr. Merriman, to McClernand. This was construed as a challenge, and promptly accepted, naming the place of meeting to be Missouri; time, early; the weapons, rifles; and distance, 40 paces. At this critical juncture, the Attorney General had a warrant issued against the Judge, whereupon he was arrested and placed under bonds to keep the peace. Thus ended this attempt to vindicate injured honor.

Lincoln And Shields

During the hard times subsequent to the failure of the State and other banks, in 1842, specie became scarce while State money was plentiful, but worthless. The State officers thereupon demanded specie payment for taxes. This was bitterly opposed, and so fiercely contested that the collection of taxes was suspended.

During the period of the greatest indignation toward the State ofiicials, under the nom de plume of " Rebecca," Abraham Lincoln had an article published in the Sangamo Journal^ entitled " Lost Township." In this article, written in the form of a dialogue, the officers of the State were roughly handled, and especially Auditor Shields. The name of the author was demaded from the editor by Mr. Shields, who was very indignant over the manner in which he was treated. The name of Abraham Lincoln was given as the author. It is claimed by some of his biographers, however, that the article was prepared by a lady, and that when the name of the author was demanded, in a spirit of gallantry, Mr. Lincoln gave his name. In company with Gen. Whiteside, Gen. Shields pursued Lincoln to Tremont, Tazewell county, where he was in attendance upon the court, and immediately sent him a note "requiring a full, positive and absolute retraction of all offensive allusions " made to him in relation to his "private character and standing as a man, or an apology for the insult conveyed." Lincoln had been forewarned, however, for William Butler and Dr. Merriman, of Springfield, had become acquainted with Shields' intentions and by riding all night arrived at Tremont ahead of Shields and informed Lincoln what he might expect. Lincoln answered Shields' note, refusing to offer any explanation, on the grounds that Shields' note assumed the fact of his (Lincoln's) authorship of the article, and not pointing out what the offensive part was, and accompanying the same with threats as to consequences, Mr. Shields answered this, disavowing all intention to menace ; inquired if he was the author, asked a retraction of that portion relating to his private character. Mr. Lincohi, still technical, returned this note with the verbal statement " that there could be no further negotiations until the first note was withdrawn." At this Shields named Gen. Whiteside as his " friend," when Lincoln reported Dr. Merriman as his "friend," These gentlemen secretly pledged themselves to agree upon some amicable terms, and compel their principals to accept them. The four went to Springfield, when Lincoln left for Jacksonville, leaving the following instructions to guide his friend. Dr. Merriman:

" In case "Whiteside shall signify a wish to adjust this affair without further difficulty, let him know that if the present papers be withdrawn and a note from Mr. Shields, asking to know if I am the author of the articles of which he complains, and asking that I shall make him gentlemanly satisfaction, if I am the author, and this without menace or dictation as to what that satisfaction shall be, a pledge is made that the following answer shall be given:

I did write the "Lost Township " letter which appeared in the Journal of the 2d inst., but had no participation, in any form, in any other article alluding to you. I wrote that wholly for political effect. I had no intention of injuring your personal or private character or standing, as a man or gentleman ; and I did not then think, and do not now think, that that article could produce or has produced that effect against you ; and, had I anticipated such an effect, would have foreborne to write it. And I will add that your conduct toward me, so far as I know, had always been gentlemanly, and that I had no personal pique against you, and no cause for any.

" If this should be done, I leave it to you to manage what shall and what shall not be published. If nothing like this is done, the preliminaries of the fight are to be:

" 1st. Weapons. - Cavalry broad swords of the largest size, precisely equal in all respects, and such as are now used l)y the cavalry company at Jacksonville.

" 2d. Position. - A plank ten feet long and from nine to twelve inches broad, to be firmly fixed on edge, on the ground, as a line between us which neither is to pass his foot over on forfeit of his life. Next a line drawn on the ground on either side of said plank, and parallel with it, each at the distance of the whole length of the sword, and three feet additional from the plank; and the passing of his own such line by either party during the fight, shall be deemed a surrender of the contest.

" Any preliminary details coming within the aboverules, you are at liberty to make at your discretion, but you are in no case to swerve from these rules, or pass beyond their limits."

The position of the contestants, as prescribed by Lincoln, seems to have been such as both would have been free from coming in contact with the sword of the other, and the first impression is that it is nothing more than one of Lincoln's jokes. He possessed very lono" arms, however, and could reach his adversary at the stipulated distance.

I^ot being amicably arranged, all parties repaired to the field of combat in Missouri. Gen. Hardin and .Dr. English, as mutual friends of both Lincoln and Shields, arrived in the meantime, and after much correspondence at their earnest solicitation the affair was satisfactorily arranged, Lincoln making a statement similar to the one above referred to.

Shields And Butlee

William Butler, one of Lincoln's seconds, was dissatisfied with the bloodless termination of the Lincoln-Shields affair, and wrote an account of it for the Sangamo Journal. This article reflected discreditably upon both the principals engaged in that controversy. Shields replied by the hands of his friend Gen. Whiteside, in a curt, menacing note, which was promptly accepted as a challenge by Butler, and the inevitable Dr. Merriman named as his friend, who submitted the following as preliminaries of the fight:

The parties to stand with their right sides toward each other - the rifles to be held in both hands horizontally and cocked, arms extended downwards. Neither party to move his person or his rifle after being placed, before the word fire. The signal to be: "Are you ready? Fire! one - two - three!" about a second of

Gen. Wliiteside, in language cnrt and abrupt, addressed a note to Dr. Merriman declining to accept the terms. Gen. Shields, however, addressed another note to Butler, explaining the feelings of his second, and offering to go out to a lonely place on the prairie to figlit, where there would be no danger of being interrupted; or, if that did not suit, he M'ould meet him on his own conditions, when and where he pleased. Butler claimed the affair was closed and declined the proposition.

Whiteside And Meeeiman

Now Gen. "Whiteside and Dr. Merriman, who several times had acted in the capacity of friends or seconds, were to handle the deadly weapons as principals. While second in the Shields-Butler ^^5(7(9, Whiteside declined the terms proposed by Butler, in curt and abrupt language, stating that tlie place of combat could not be dictated to him, for it was as much his right as Merriman's, who, if he was a gentleman, would recognize and concede it. To this Merriman replied by the hands of Capt. Lincoln. It will be remembered that Merriman had acted in the same capacity for Lincoln. Whiteside then wrote to Merriman, asking to meet him at St. Louis, when he would hear from him further. To this Merriman replied, denying his right to name place, but offered to meet in Louisiana, Mo. This Whiteside would not agree to, but later signified his desire to meet him there, but the aff'air being closed, the doctor declined to re-open it,

Pratt And Campbell

These two gentlemen were members of the Constitutional Convention of 1847, and both from Jo Davies county. A dispute arose which ended in a challenge to meet on the field of honor. They both repaired to St. Louis, but the authorities gaining knowledge of their bloody intentions, had both parties arrested, which ended this " aff'air."

Deess And Manners

The dress, habits, etc., of a people throw so much light upon their conditions and limitations that in order better to show the circumstances surrounding the people of the State, we will give a short exposition of the manner of life of our Illinois people at different epochs. The Indians themselves are credited by Charlevoix with being "very laborious," - raising poultry, spinning the wool of the buffalo and manufacturing garments therefrom. These must have been, however, more than usually favorable representatives of their

" The working and voyaging dress of the French masses," says Keynolds, "was simple and primitive. The French were like the lilies of the valley (the Old Ranger was not always exact in his quotations), - they neither spun nor wove any of their clothing, but purchased it from the merchants. The white blanket coat, known as the capot, was the universal and eternal coat for the winter with the masses. A cape was made of it that could be raised over the head in cold weather.

" In the house, and in good weather, it hung behind, a cape to the blanket coat. The reason that I know these coats so well is, that I have worn many in my youth, and a working man never wore a better garment. Dressed deer-skins and blue cloth were worn commonly in the winter for pantaloons. The blue handkerchief and the deer-skin moccasins covered the head and feet generally of the French Creoles. In 1800, scarcely a man thought himself clothed unless he had a belt tied around his blanket coat, and on one side was hung the dressed skin of a pole-cat, filled with tobacco, pipe, flint and steel. On the other side was fastened, under the belt, the the butcher-knife. A Creole in this dress felt like Tarn O'Shanter filled with usquebaugh; he could face the devil. Checked calico shirts were then common, but in winter flannel was frequently worn. In the summer the laboring men and the voyagers often took their shirts off in hard work and hot weather, and turned out the naked back to the air and sun."

" Among the Americans," he adds, "home-made wool hats were the common wear. Fur hats were not common, and scarcely a boot was seen. The covering of the feet in winter was chiefly moccasins made of deer-skins, and shoe packs of tanned leather. Some wore shoes, but not common in very early times. In the summer the greater portion of the young people, male and female, and many of the old, went barefoot. The substantial and universal outside wear was the blue linsey hunting-shirt. This is an excellent garment, and I have never felt so happy and healthy since I laid it off. It is made of wide sleeves, open before, with ample size so as to envelop the body almost twice around. Sometimes it had a large cape, which answers well to save the shoulders from the rain. A belt is mostly used to keep the garment close around the person, and, nevertheless, there is nothing tight about it to hamper the body. It is often fringed, and at times the fringe is composed of red, and other gay colors. The belt, frequently, is sewed to the hunting-shirt. The vest was mostly made of striped linsey. The colors were made often with alum, copperas and madder, boiled with the bark of trees, in such a manner and proportions as the old ladies prescribed. The pantaloons of the masses were generally made of deer-skin and linsey. Course blue cloth was sometimes made into pantaloons.

" Linsey, neat and fine, manufactured at home, composed generally the outside garments of the females as well as the males. The ladies had linsey colored and woven to suit their fancy. A bonnet, composed of calico, or some gay goods, was worn on the head when they were in the open air. Jewelry on the pioneer ladies was uncommon; a gold ring was an ornament not often seen."

In 1820 a change of dress began to take place, and before 1830, according to Ford, most of the pioneer costume had disappeared. "The blue linsey hunting-shirt, with red or white fringe, had given place to the cloth coat. [Jeans would be more like the fact.] The raccoon cap, with the tail of the animal dangling down behind, had been thrown aside for hats of wool or fur. Boots and shoes had supplied the deer-skin moccasins; and the leather breeches, strapj^ed tight around the ankle, had disappeared before unmentionables of a more modern material. The female sex had made still greater pro. gress in dress. The old sort of cotton or woolen frocks, spun, woven and made with their own fair hands, and striped and cross- barred with blue dye and turkey red, had given place to gowns of silk and calico. The feet, before in a state of nudity, now charmed in shoes of calf-skin or slippers of kid; and the head, formerly unbonneted, but covered with a cotton handkerchief, now displayed the charms of the female face under many forms of bonnets of straw, silk and leghorn. The young ladies, instead of walking a mile or two to church on Sunday, carrying their shoes and stockings in their hands until within a hundred yards of the place of worship, as formerly, now came forth arrayed complete in all the pride of dress, mounted on fine horses and attended by their male admirers."

The last half century has doubtless witnessed changes quite as great as those set forth by our Illinois historian. The chronicler of to-day, looking back to the golden days of 1830 to 1840, and comparing them with the present, must be struck with the tendency of an almost monotonous uniformity in dress and manners that comes from the easy inter-communication afforded by steamer, railway, telegraph and newspaper. Home manufacturers have been driven from the household by the lower-priced fabrics of distant mills. The Kentucky jeans, and the copperas-colored clothing of home manufacture, so familiar a few years ago, have given place to the cassiraeres and cloths of noted factories. The ready-madeclothing stores, like a touch of nature, made the whole world kinand may drape the charcoal man in a dress-coat and a stove-pipe hat. The prints and silks of England and France give a variety of choice, and an assortment of colors and shades such as the pioneer women could hardly have dreamed of. Godey, and Demorest, and Harper's Bazar are found in our modern farm-houses, and the latest fashions of Paris are not uncommon.

Physical Featukes Of Illinois

In area the State has 55,410 square miles of territory. It is about 150 miles wide and 400 miles long, stretching in latitude from Maine to North Carolina. The climate varies from Portland to Richmond. It favors every product of the continent, including the tropics, with less than half a dozen exceptions. It produces every great food of the world except bananas and rice. It is hardly too much to say that it is the most productive spot known to civilization. With the soil full of bread and the earth full of minerals; with an upper surface of food and an under layer of fuel; with perfect natural drainage, and abundant springs, and streams, and navigable rivers; half way between the forests of the North and the fruits of the South; within a day's ride of the great deposits of iron, coal, copper, lead and zinc; and containing and controlling the great grain, cattle, pork and lumber markets of the world, it is not strange that Illinois has the advantage of position.

There are no mountains in Illinois; in the southern as well as in the northern part of the State there are a few hills; near the banks pf the Illinois, Mississippi, and several other rivers, the ground is elevated, forming the so-called bluffs, on which at the present day may be found, uuetfaced by the hand of Time, the marks and traces left by the water which was formerly much higher; whence it may be safe to conclude that, where now the fertile prairies of Illinois extend, and the rich soil of the country yields its golden harvests, must have been a vast sheet of water, the mud deposited by which formed the soil, thus accounting for the present great fertility of the country.

Illinois is a garden 400 miles long and 150 miles wide. Its soil is chiefly a black, sandy loam, from 6 inches to 60 feet thick. About the old French towns it has yielded corn for a century and a half without rest or help. She leads all other States in the number of acres actually under plow. Her mineral wealth is scarcely second to her agricultural power. She has coal, iron, lead, zinc, copper, many varieties of building stone, marble, fire clay, cuma clay, common brick clay, sand of all kinds, gravel, mineral paint, - in fact, everything needed for a high civilization.

Agriculture

If any State of the Union is adapted for agriculture, and the other branches of rural economy relating thereto, such as the raising of cattle and the culture of fruit trees, it is pre-eminently Illinois. Her extremely fertile prairies recompense the farmer at less trouble and expense than he would be obliged to incur elsewhere, in order to obtain the same results. Her rich soil, adapted by nature for immediate culture, only awaits the plow and tiie seed in order to mature, within a few mouths, a most bountiful harvest. A review of statistics will be quite interesting to the reader, as well as valuable, as showing the enormous quantities of the various cereals produced in our prairie State:

In 1S76 there was raised in the State 130,000,000 of bushels of corn, - twice as much as any other State, and one-sixth of all the corn raised in the United States. It would take 375,000 cars to transport this vast amount of corn 1o market, which would make 15,000 trains of 25 cars each. She harvested 2,747.000 tons of hay, nearly onetenth of all the hay in the Republic. It is not generally appreciated, but it is true, that the hay crop of the country is worth more than the cotton crop. The hay of Illinois equals the cotton of Louisiana*

Go to Charleston, S. C, and see them peddling handfuls of hay or grass, almost as a curiosity, as we regard Chinese gods or the cryolite of Greenland; drink your coffee and condensed milk; and walk back from the coast for many a league through the sand and burs till you get up into the better atmosphere of the mountains, without seeing a waving meadow or a grazing herd; then you will begin to appreciate the meadows of the Prairie State.

The value of her farm implements was, in 1876, $211,000,000, and the value of live stock was only second to New York. The same year she had 25,000,000 hogs, and packed 2,113,845, about one-half of all that were packed in the United States. She marketed $57,000,000 worth of slaughtered animals, - more than any other State, and a seventh of all tlie States.

Illinois excels all other States in miles of railroads and in miles of postal service, and in money orders sold per annum, and in the amount of lumber sold.

Illinois was only second in many important matters, taking the reports of 1876. This sample list comprises a few of the more important: Permanent school fund; total income for educational purposes; number of publishers of books, maps, papers, etc.; value of farm products and implements, and of live stock; in tons of coal mined.

The shipping of Illinois was only second to New York. Out of one port during the business hours of the season of navigation she sent forth a vessel every nine minutes. This did not include canalboats, which went one every five minutes.

She was fifth in value of real and personal property, in theological seminaries, and colleges exclusively for women, in milk sold, and in boots and shoes manufactured, and in book-binding.

She was only seventh in the production of wood, while she was the twelfth in area. Surely that was well done for the Prairie State. She then had, in 1876, much more wood and growing timber than she had thirty years before.

A few leading industries will justify emphasis. She manufactured $205,000,000 worth of goods, which phiced her well up toward New York and Pennsylvania. The number of her manufacturing establishments increased from 1860 to 1870, 300 per cent. ; capital employed increased 350 per cent.; and the amount of product increased 400 per cent. She issued 5,500,000 copies of commercial and financial newspapers, being only second to New York. She had 6,759 miles of railroad, then leading all otlier States, worth $636,- 458,000, using 3,245 engines, and 67,712 cars, making a train long enough to cover one-tenth of the entire roads of the State. Her stations were only five miles apart. She carried, in 1876, 15,795,- 000 passengers an average of 36|- miles, or equal to taking her entire ])opulation twice across the State. More than two-thirds of her land was within five miles of a railroad, and less than two per cent, was more than fifteen miles away

The State has a large financial interest in the Illinois Central railroad. The road was incorporated m 1850, and the State gave each alternate section for six miles on each side, and doubled the price of the remaining land, so keeping herself good. The road received 2,595,000 acres of land, and paid to the State one-seventh of the gross receipts. The State received in 1877, $350,000, and had received up to that year in all about $7,000,000. It was practically the people's road, and it had a most able and gentlemanly management. Add to the above amount the annual receipts from the canal, $111,000, and a large per cent, of the State tax was provided for-

Goyernorsof Illinois

Shadrach Bond - Was the first Governor of Illinois. He was a native of Maryland and born in 1773; was raised on a farm; received a common English education, and came to Illinois in 1794. He served as a delegate in Congress from 1811 to 1815, where he procured the right of pre-emption of public land. He was elected Governor in 1818; was beaten for Congress in 1824 by Daniel P. Cook He died at Kaskaskia, April 11, 1830.

Edward Coles - Was born Dec. 15, 1786, in Yirgiuia. His father was a slave-holder; gave his son a collegiate education, and left to him a large number of slaves. These he liberated, giving each head of a family 160 acres of land and a considerable sum of money.

He was President Madison's private secretary. He came to Illinois in 1819, was elected Governor in 1822, on the anti-slavery ticket; moved to Philadelphia in 1833, and died in 1868.

Niiiian Edwards. - In 1809, on the formation of the Territory of Illinois, Mr. Edwards was appointed Governor, which position he retained until the organization of the State, when he was sent to the United States Senate. He was elected Governor in 1826. He was a native of Maryland and born in 1775; received a collegiate education; was Chief Justice of Kentucky, and a Eepublican in politics.

Joh7i Reynolds - Was born in Pennsylvania in 1788, and came with his parents to Illinois in 1800, and in 1830 was elected Governor on the Democratic ticket, and afterwards served three terms in Congress. He received a classical education, yet was not polished. He was an ultra Democrat; attended the Charleston Convention in 1860, and urged the seizure of United States arsenals by the South. He died in 1865 at Belleville, childless.

Joseph Duncan. - In 1834 Joseph Duncan was elected Governor by the Whigs, although formerly a Democrat. He had previously served four terms in Congress. He was born in Kentucky in 1794; had but a limited education; served with distinction in the war of 1812; conducted the campaign of 1832 against Black Hawk. He came to Illinois when quite young.

Thomas Carlin - Was elected as a Democrat in 1838. He had but a meager education ; held many minor offices, and was active both in the war of 1812 and the Black Hawk war. He was born in Kentucky in 1789; came to Illinois in 1812, and died at Carrollton, Feb. 14, 1852.

Thomas Ford - Was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1800 ; was brought by his widowed mother to Missouri in 1804, and shortly afterwards to Illinois. He received a good education, studied law; was elected four times Judge, twice as Circuit Judge, Judge of Chicago and Judge of Supreme Court. He was elected Governor by the Democratic party in 1842; wrote his history of Illinois in 1847 and died in 1850,

Augustus C. French - Was born in New Hampshire in 1808; was admitted to the bar in 1831, and shortly afterwards moved to Illinois when in 1846 he was elected Governor. On the adoption of the Constitution of 1848 he was again chosen, serving until 1853. He was a Democrat m iDolitics.

Joel A. Matteson - Was born in Jefferson county, N". Y., in 1808. His father was a farmer, and gave his son only a common school education. He first entered upon active life as a small tradesman, but subsequently became a large contractor and manufacturer. He was a lieavy contractor in building the Canal. He was elected Governor in 1852 upon the Democratic ticket.

William H. Blssell - Was elected by the liepublican party in 1856. He had previously served two terms in Congress; was colonel in the Mexican war and has held minor official positions. He was born in JS'ew York State in 1811; received a common education; came to Illinois early in life and engaged in the medical profession. This he changed for the law and became a noted orator, and the standard bearer of the Republican party in Illinois. He died in 1860 while Governor.

Bichard Yates - "The war Governor of Illinois," was born in Warsaw, Ky., in 1818; came to Illinois in 1831: served two terms in Congress; in 1860 was elected Governor, and in 1865 United States Senator. He was a college graduate, and read law under J. J. Hardin. He rapidly rose m his chosen profession and charmed the people with oratory. He filled the gubernatorial chair during the trying days of the Rebellion, and by his energy and devotion won the title of " War Governor." He became addicted to strona: drink, and died a drunkard.

Richard J. Ogleshy - Was born in 1824, in Kentucky; an orphan at the age of eight, came to Illinois when only 12 years old. He was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade; worked some at farming and read law occasionally. He enlisted in the Mexican War and was chosen First Lieutenant. After his return he ao-ain took up the law, but during the gold fever of 1849 went to California; soon returned, and, in 1852, entered upon his illustrious political career. He raised the second regiment in the State, to suppress the Rebellion, and for gallantry was promoted to Major General. In 1864 he was elected Governor, and re-elected in 1872, and resigned for a seat in the United States Senate. He is a staunch Republican and resides at Decatur.

Shelby M. Cullom - Was born in Kentucky in 1828; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice of his profession in 1848; was elected to the State Legislature in 1856, and again in 1860. Served on the war commission at Cairo, 1862, and was a member of the 39th, 40th and 41st Congress, in all of which he served with credit to his State. He was ao-ain elected to the State Legislature in 1872, aad re-elected in 1874, and was elected Governor of Illinois in 1876, which office he still holds, and has administered with marked ability.

Lieutenant Goveknoes

Pierre Menard - Was the first Lieut. Gov. of Illinois. He was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1767. He came to Illinois in 1790 where he engaged in the Indian trade and became wealthy. He died in 1844. Menard county was named in his honor.

Zadock Casey - Although on the opposition ticket to Governor Reynolds, the successful Gubernatorial candidate, yet Casey was elected Lieut. Gov. in 1830. He subsequently served several terms in Congress.

John Moore - Was born in England in 1793; came to Illinois in 1830; was elected Lieut. Gov. in 1842. He won the name of " Honest John Moore."

Gustavus P. Koerner - Was elected in 1852. He was born in Germany in 1809. At the age of 22 came to Illinois. In 1872 he was a candidate for Governor on Liberal ticket, but was defeated,

United States Senators

Ninian Edwards. - On the organization of the State in 1818, Edwards, the popular Territorial Governor, was chosen Senator for the short term, and in 1819 re-elected for full term.

Jesse B. Thomas - One of the federal judges during the entire Territorial existence was chosen Senator on organization of the State, and re-elected in 1S23, and served till 1829.

John McLean - In 1824 Edwards resigned, and McLean was elected to fill his unexpired term. He was born in North Carolina in 1791, and came to Illinois in 1815; served one term in Congress, and in 1829 was elected to the U. S. Senate, but the following year died. He is said to have been the most gifted man of his period in Illinois.

the expiration of his term. He was a native of New York, and in 1814 came to Illinois. He was first Secretary of State, and afterwards State Senator.

David Jewett Baker - W&s appointed to fill the unexpired term of John McLean, in 1830, Nov. 12, but the Legislature refused to endorse the choice. Baker was a native of Connecticut, born in 1T92, and died in Alton in 1869.

JohnM. RoUnso7i. - Instead of Baker, the Governor's appointee, the Legislature chose Robinson, and in 1834 he was re-elected. In 1843 was elected Supreme Judge of the State, but within two months died. He was a native of Kentucky, and came to Illinois while quite young.

native of Kentucky; was Circuit Judge before his election to the Senate, and Supreme Judge in 1842. He died in an insane asylum at Washington.

Samuel McRoberts - The first native Illinoisian ever elevated to the high office of U. S. Senator from this State, was born in 1T99, and died in 18-i3 on his return home from Washington. lie was elected Circuit Judge in 1824, and" March 4, 1841, took his seat in the U. S. Senate.

Sidneij Breese - ^'A% elected to the U. S. Senate, Dec. 17, 1842, and served a full term. He was born in Oneida county, N. Y. He was Major in the Black Hawk war; Circuit Judge, and in 1841 was elected Supreme Judge. He served a full term in the U. S. Senate, beginning March 4, 1843, after which he was elected to the Legislature, again Circuit Judge, and, in 1857, to the Supreme Court, which position he held until his death in 1878.

James Semple - Was the successor of Samuel McRoberts, and was appointed by Gov. Ford in 1843. He was afterwards elected Judge of the Supreme Court.

Stephen A. Douglas - Was elected Dec. 14, 1846. He had previously served three terms as Congressman. He became his own successor in 1853 and again in 1859. From his first entrance in the Senate he was acknowledged the peer of Clay, Webster and Calhoun, with whom he served his first term. His famous contest with Abraham Lincoln for the Senate in 1858 is the most memorable in the annals of our country. It was called the battle of the giants, and resulted in Douglas' election to the Senate, and Lincoln to the Presidency. He was born in Brandon, Vermont, April 23, 1813, and came to Illinois in 1833, and died in 1861. He was appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Carlin in 1840, and shortly afterward to the Supreme Bench.

James Shields - Was elected and assumed his seat in the U. S. Senate in 1849, March 4. He was born in Ireland in 1810, came to the United States in 1827. He served in the Mexican army, was elected Senator from Wisconsin, and in 1879 from Missouri for a short term.

Lyman Trumlull - Took his seat in the [J. S. Senate March 4, 1855, and became his own successor in 1861. He had previously served one term in the Lower House of Congress, and served on the Supreme Bench. He was born in Connecticut; studied law

Orvill H. Browning - Was appointed U. S. Senator in 1861, to fill the seat made vacant by the death of Stephen A. Douglas, until a Senator could be regularly elected. Mr. Browning was born in Harrison county, Kentucky; was admitted to the bar in 1831, and settled in Quincy, Illinois, where he engaged in the practice of law, and was instrumental, with his friend, Abraham Lincoln, in forming the Republican party of Illinois at the Bloomington Convention. He entered Johnson's cabinet as Secretary of the Interior, and in March, 1868, was designated by the President to perform the duties of Attorney General, in addition to his own, as Secretary of the Interior Department.

William A. Richardson - Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1863, to fill the unexpired term of his friend, Stephen A Douglas. He was born in Fayette county, Ky., about 1810, studied law, and settled in Illinois; served as captain in the Mexican War, and, on the battle-field of Buena Vista, was promoted for bravery, by a unanimous vote of his regiment. He served in the Lower House of Congress from 1847 to 1856, continually.

John A. Logan - Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1871. He was born in Jackson county. 111., Feb. 9, 1826, received a common school education, and enlisted as a private in the Mexican War, where he rose to the rank of Regimental Quartermaster, On returning home he studied law, and came to the bar in 1852; was elected in 1858 a Representative to the 36th Congress and re-elected to the 37th Congress, resigning in 1861 to take part in the suppression of the Rebellion; served as Colonel and subsequently as a Major General, and commanded, with distinction, the armies of the Tennessee. He was again elected to the U. S. Senate in 1879 for six years.

David Davis - Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1877 for a term of six years. He was born in Cecil county, Md., March 9, 1815, graduated at Kenyon College, Ohio, studied law, and removed to Illinois in 1835; was admitted to the bar and settled in Bloomington, where he has since resided and amassed a large fortune. He was for many years the intimate friend and associate of Abraham Lincoln, rode the circuit with him each year, and after Lincohi's election to the Presidency, was appointed by him to fill the position of Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Forty-Sixth Congress

"While we cannot, in the brief space we have, give more than a meager sketch of such a city as Chicago, yet we feel the history of the State would be incomplete without speaking of its metropolis, the most wonderful city on the globe.

be inclined to doubt were it not a stern, indisputable fact. Eapid as is the customary development of places and things in the United States-, the growth of Chicago and her trade stands without a parallel. The city is situated on the west shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Chicago river. It lies 11 feet above the lake, having been raised to that grade entirely by the energy of its citizens, its site having originally been on a dead level with the water of the lake.

The city extends north and south along the lake about ten miles, and westward on the prairie from the lake five or six miles, embracino- an area of over 10 square miles. It is divided by the river into three distinct parts, known as the Korth, West and South Divisions, or "Sides," by which they are popularly and commonly known. These are connected by 33 bridges and two tunnels.

The first settlement of Chicago was made in 1801, during which year Fort Dearborn was built. At the close of 1830 Chicago contained 12 houses, with a population of about 100. The town was organized in 1833, and incorporated as a city in 1837. The first frame building was erected in 1832, and the first brick house in 1833. The first vessel entered the harbor June 11, 1831; and at the first oflicial census, taken July 1, 1837, the entire population was found to be 4,170. In 1850 the population had increased to 29,963; in 1860, to 112,172; in 1870, 298,977; and, according to the customary mode of reckoning from the number of names in the City Directory, the population of 1879 is over 500,000.