Washington County, Illinois - Chapter 7: Patriotism, 1879

Chapter 7: Patriotism

OTHING is more natural thau for Americans to love America. Its vast territory, embracing every variety of climate, every quality of soil; and its mighty rivers, on whose bosoms float the pro¬ ducts of its fertile valleys and its mammoth manufactories; its silvery lakes and snow-capped mountains; its stupendous cascades and gor¬ geous scenery; its inexhaustible mines and gigantic internal improvements, are objects sufficient to awaken the pride and strengthen the devotion of any citizen for our country.

Nor is this all. Americans find in their country, its history, its tradi¬ tions and its institutions, something worthy to love, something worthy to pre¬ serve. In our country that grandest political doctrine, that " all men are created equal " in the scale of human rights, first found enunciation, and was first incorporated in the organic law of the land. The government stretches out its broad and strong arms for the protection of all its citizens in the enjoyment of personal liberty and freedom of conscience.

History 01 Washington County, Illinois

tected by the benigu institutions of our country, should hasten when dangers threaten and the lurid flames of war have lit our shores, to exchange the sober civilian's duties and habits for the gay uniform of the soldier and the dangers and privatious of the tented field.

Illinois has ever been proud of the record of her distinguished civilians, whose deeds of statesmanship adorn with lustre the brightest pages of our country's history ; but she takes no less pride in the brilliant achievements of her brave sons upon the battle-field, wherever the voice of their country called them, all the way from the " Wisconsin and the Bad Axe " to the

Halls of the Montezumas." Illinois has ever been true to the government. In the hours of the nation's direst calamities never has she called upon our State for aid that the call went unheeded.

When it was known that Black Hawk and his merciless savages were visiting the pioneers of the North with death and destruction, the citizens of Illinois, the citizens of Washington county, laid aside their civil duties and at once repaired to the scene of hostilities.

When the intelligence came that " American blood bad been spilled on American soil " by a semi-civilized race, and that war had been declared, Illinois, through her Shields, her Bissell, her Baker, and thousands of others less distinguished but no less brave, tendered her services to the nation, and from Lake Michigan to the Ohio went up the cry - " On to Mexico! " Washington couuty was not behind her neighbors in furnishing men and means in this war.

In the dark days of'61, when the fate of.the nation wa3 trembling in the balance, when the old ship of State was rocking to and fro on the billows of secession, wheu the deep aud dark-mouthed cannon of a belligerent enemy were turned upon the national capitol at Washington, the course of Illi¬ nois was patriotic, prompt and decisive. Illinois patriotism asked for no compromises, sought nothing but the perpetuation of American institutions and the vindication of the nation's honor.

was the universal santiment of Illinois citizens. No state excelled ours in the performance of her duty, in furnishing men and munitions of war in this terrible crisis; and Washington was not behind her sister counties in con¬ tributing to place Illinois among the foremost on the nation's escutcheon of honor

A complete roster of the enlisted men from this county in the War of the Rebellion, will be found in another portion of this work.* In addition to the number of troops accredited to the county, as shown by the Adjutant General's report, were two companies, viz.: company E, commanded by Capt. E. H. Henry, and company F, commanded by Capt. Andrew C. Todd, that joined the 10th Missouri Regiment, and were mustered into the service of the United States at St. Louis, on the 8th day of August, 1861.

They were in the victorious armies of Scott and Taylor in their march to the " City of the Aztecs." They were with McClellan on the Peninsula; with Banks at Baton Rouge and Port Hudson; with " Hooker above the clouds," aud with Meade at Gettysburg. They fought with Grant at Vicks¬ burg, Chattanooga aud Fort Donnelson, and followed Sherman in his "March to the Sea." Their blood stained the fields of Appomattox, Stone River and the Wilderness; they shared the dangers of Autietam, Look-Out Mountain and Manassas Gap. Whether in the tumult of victory or in the gloom of defeat, her colors were never disgraced.

When the white-winged messenger of Peace had conveyed the joyous tidings that war was over, those that had survived the din of battle returned to their homes to receive the congratulations of all lovers of their country. The brave men who met a soldier's fate on the sanguinary field

Black-Hawk War

The following comprise a list of the Officers and Privates who served in the Black-Hawk War, from Washington couuty ; also the date of their en¬ listment, which was on the 28th of May, 1832, according to the rec ollection of two of the veuerable veterans, M. G. Faulkner, Esq., and J. M. McElhanon, Esq. The company to which they belonged numbered fifty men (although about one hundred men were desirous to go, but fifty only were mustered.) They were all mounted, each man furnishing his own horse, gun, ammunition, clothing, etc. and their provisions until they arrived at Beardstown, on the Illinois river, the place of rendezvous, where they joined the Brigade commanded by the gallant General Henry.

Mexican Avar

The following are the names of the men who served in the war with Mexico, fiom AVashingtou county, as taken from the muster roll of com¬ pany A, 2d Regiment Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Col. William H. Bissell, (afterwards Governor of Illinois). They were mustered iuto service.

Mustek Roll Of

Company H, 2d Regiment Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Col. James Collins. The Regiment was mustered into service on the 18th of July, 1847, for during the war, unless sooner discharged, and rendezvoused at Alton, Illinois.

Commissioned Officers Of Company H.

I^rovtottons . - The folio Hing promotions were made after the organization .of the company: Stephen -G. Hick, promoted Lieutenant Colonel; John Rice, promoted 4th Sergeant, Sept. 18ih, 1848.

Death List

The above-named company was organized in Washington County, and left Nashville on the 10th day of July, 1847, and marched to Alton, Illinois, arriving there on the 12th following, where the company was mustered into service as above stated. On the 13th of August they were, with several other companies, ordered on board a U. S. transport, aud by river conveyed to New Orleans, landing there on the 21st of the same month, and three days after were taken on board a steamer, crossed the Gulf, landing at Vera Cruz, Mexico, on the 31st of August. Companies A, H, and K, left Alton on the same transport

The principal skirmishes that they participated in were, San-Juan, on the 18th of September, 1847; camped on the battle-field until November following, when the Regiment was marched to Jalapa, where they took up winter quarters; remained there until the middle of March, 1848 ; then or¬ dered to Puebla, where they remained until June. The war being practically ended, they were ordered to Vera Cruz, thence to Alton, Illinois, where they were discharged on the 22d of July, 1848, and returned to their respective homes.