Whiteside County, Illinois - Chapter 3, 1877

The History of Whiteside County would be incomplete without a chapter upon the part borne by the county in the great struggle between the North and the South. It is the duty of the Historian to chronicle the deeds of the brave men in the field and of the patriotic women and men who, away from the din and smoke of battle, assisted with money, and encouragement, to bring success to the armies.

The gun fired upon Fort Sumter April 11th, 1861, was echoed in Whiteside to the most remote farm house; the loyal blood of the citizens was stirred to its depths, and they at once prepai'ed to afford the State and National Governments substantial evidence of their loyalty. Almost immediately the recruiting of men was commenced. Meetings were held in the different towns, patriotic speeches were made, strains of martial music fioated upon the air, and everywhere the National banner was displayed, and the people of Whiteside County solemnly resolved to stand or fall by the principles of the fathers of the Government.

The following resolutions, adopted in mass meeting of the citizens of Morrison, Monday, April 21, 1861, will serve as an index to the popular feeling at that time:

Whereas, It is understood that there are those in our midst who are disloyal to the Union, and who are in league and sympathy with the traitors against the Government, therefore

Resolved, That we will hold all sympathizers ^vith the. traitors, whether North or South, as enemies to our countr}', and will deal with them accordingly.

Resolved, That the citizens of Morrison are hereby requested to display the Union flag as an emblem of their loyalty to the Government, and of their allegiance to its authority.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the Chairman whose duty it shall be to wait upon any who do not comply with the above resolutions, and if such individuals are found to be in sympathy with traitors or in any way engaged in aiding or abetting treason, then it shall be the duty of said committee to give such individuals twenty-four hours notice to leave the town.

Resolved, That in the case of the refusal of such person or persons to leave town after such notice shall have been served on them, then the committee shall call to their , aid any assistance they may require to enable them to enforce said notice, and that the citizens of this town "will not be responsible for any violence or damage that may be done them or their property.

Within two weeks after the firing upon Fort Sumpter Whiteside County had companies fully enlisted, and the enthusiasm of the people was \inbounded, the all absorbing topic being "the war."

Whereas, This Board deems it proper in view of the distracted condition of public affairs, the great peril which threatens our beloved country, and the new duties which current events impose upon loyal citizens, to give public expression to the patriotic sentiments of the people of this community, therefore be it

Resolved, That over-looking and forgetting all past political parties and differences, the people of Whiteside County renew their pledges of devotion and fidelity to the Government of our fathers, and to the flag of our country consecrated by the blood of patriots, and hallowed by the thousand glorious recollections of the past.

Rcsoh'cdy That the Government of our fathers inaugurated by the Declaration of Independence, and consummated by the War of the Revolution was not made for a day but for all time to come; that we will transmit the glorious inheritance to our posterity, to endure as long as patriotism and virtue are held in grateful remembrance, and the blood of heroes runs in the veins of their descendants.

Resolved, That the Constitution of the United States having been adopted and ratified by the people of the original States and accepted by those which suDsequently became "parties to it, formed of many, one Sovereignty, vested in all the people of the United States and binding upon all, and that all attempts by a portion of the people against the will of the majority to throw off the common obligations of the Constitution by an appeal to arms is unauthorized and unjust to all others, and all wlio engage in any such measures are traitors to all Republican Governments and Democratic institutions.

Resolved, That the people of Whiteside County endorse and applaud the patriotic stand taken by our Government, State and Nation, for the maintenance of the authority of the laws and constitution, for avenging the insult offered to our flag at Fort Sumpter, and for making traitors, degenerate sons of noble sires, feel the power of a brave and free people, and they will sustain and support the constituted authorities in all measures directed to those ends, with all the ability which Heaven has given them to do and to suffer.

Measures were promptl}^ taken to provide assistance for volunteers and their families, and to this end the Board of Supervisors adopted the following resolutions;

Resolved, That the people of Whiteside County do, without regard to party, unanimously pledge to the Governor of this State the entire resources of our county for the defense of our State and Union, and that we will pledge the entire credit of our county to furnish men or money as the Government may require.

Resolved, That we do hereby appropriate a fund of $20,000 to be placed in the hands of five commissioners, to be appointed by our Chairman, to be used for the support of needy families of volunteers while said volunteers are engaged in the service of their country.

In 1861 the Legislature passed what is known as the -'Ten Regiment Bill." Under this act the 13th Illinois Infantry was organized, the first three year regiment from the State. Within two weeks two companies were recruited in Whiteside County for the 13th: Company B. by Major D. R. Bushnell. of Sterling, and Company Gr. by Captain Geo. M. Cole, of Morrison. As hostilities progressed the interest of the citizens grew apace and at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors it was decided to pay the board of volunteers from the date of their enlistment until mustered into the service. During the summer of 1861 recruiting for the army went on briskly and companies were formed in the county for the 34th Regiment of Infantry and the 8th Regiment of Cavalry; also for the 46th Infantry. In 1861 a large number of citizens of the county enlisted in the 2nd, 4th. 9th, 12th and 13th Cavalry, also fifteen or twenty men in the 33d Infantry, and about the same number in the 39th regiment; Homer A. Plimpton, of Sterling, was ]Major of the latter regiment. Soldiers from the county also enlisted in the 12th. 'l5th, 17th, 19th, 27th. 37th, oOth, 51.st, o7th, 58th and 64th regiments of Infantry in 1861. In the fall of 1861 Company F. of the 52nd regiment, was recruited principally from Fulton and Albany townships. The Sturgis Rifles, Fremont's Body Guard, Barker Dragoons, First and Second Artillery, Cogswell's and Henshaw's Batteries, the Fusilleers, Gunboat and Naval service and Iowa regiments contained a large number of men from Whiteside County.

The women were equally as earnest and enthusiastic as their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers. -* Soldiers' Aid and Relief Societies" were organized in the towns and townships of the county, with proper officers and a systematic plan for providing the volunteers in the field and hospitals with necessaries and luxuries of life so urgently demanded. Clothing, bed-clothing, cots, slippers, books, papers, writing paper, and hundreds of delicacies as well as thousands of dollars in money were sent to the army from Whiteside County. The ladies of the county worked nobly and lent a mighty impulse to the men in the field. It is impossible to fully estimate the force exerted by the women of the Nation in crushinf out the rebellion, and as a part of the women of the north, the women of Whiteside County won undying honor worthy to be ranked with the glory gained by the armies on the battle ground.

July 6, 1862 the President issued a call for 300,000 men to serve three years, and at once the citizens of the county responded. Still later, in August, 300,000 additional men were called for, and it being believed a draft would be necessary, the Secretary of War ordered an immediate enrollment of the militia. Whiteside County determined to fill her quota by volunteers, and as it was necessary to accomplish this before August 15th, work was earnestly commenced. The Board of Supervisors was petitioned to pass an order paying each volunteer $100.00 bounty. August 5, the Board resolved to pay each man who should enlist under the call $60.00. War meetings were held in all parts of the county and recruiting officers were indefatigable in their efforts to enlist men. Stirring speeches were made and citizens at the meetings offered liberal premiums to the first, second and third man who should volunteer, while others pledged themselves to pay a stipulated sum a month to the families of those who should enter the service. A wave of patriotism swept over the county, and in a few days the quota of 359 men was filled, and still men offered themselves. The words of Adjutant General Fuller apply perfectly to Whiteside County : ''These volunteers must come from the farmers and mechanics of the State. The farmers were in the midst of harvest, and it is no exaggeration to say that inspired by a holy zeal, animated by a common impulse, and firmly resolved upon rescuing the (xovernment from the brink of ruin and restoring it to the condition our fathers left it, that over 50,000 of them left their harvests ungathered. their tools and their benches, the plows in the furrows, and turning their backs upon their homes, before eleven days expired met the demands of the Government and filled both quotas. Proud indeed was the day for Tllinoians, and when the Historian shall record the eventful days of August, 1862, no prouder record can be erected to the honor and memory of a free people than a plain and full narrative of actual realities."

In 1862 the 75th Illinois Regiment was recruited in Whiteside and Lee counties, the former county furnishing five companies which were rendezvoused at Dixon. Company F. of the 93d Illinois Eegiment was also enlisted in the county during the summer of 1862. August, 1862 the county had furnished 1,600 men for the war, two-fifths of the voting population. During that month a statement was published that Erie with a voting population never exceeding 120 had furnished 70 volunteers. To provide for the bounties of soldiers and meet the heavy expenses entailed by tlie war taxed the county to its utmost, and at the September meeting of the Board of Supervisors resolutions were adopted by which a committee was dispatched to Chicago to effect a loan of $40,000. Even the dogs were compelled to do their share, as, the revenue derived from the taxation was ordered paid into the 'Relief Fund for Soldiers' Families." Money was so stringent that in 1861-62 the merchants issued their personal "script" in fractions of one dollar. This paper was known as "shin-plasters." It served its purpose, and assisted in "tiding" over until a more substantial currency came into circulation.

In the latter part of 1863 and spring of 1864 large bodies of men were furnished from Whiteside County to fill the thinned ranks of the regiments in the field. In 18G4 a large proportion of the men whose terms of service had nearly expired re-enlisted for three years or during the war. In 1864 the President issued a call for 100,000 men to serve one-hundred days in garrison duty to relieve the volunteers who were demanded for a grand forward movement. The call fell principally on the west and northwestern states. The County of Whiteside voted $25.00 to each man who should enlist under the call. In a few days two full companies and nearly half of a third were recruited in the county. Company A, 81 men, Company B, 83 men, and Company D, Fulton Cadets, members of the college of that town. The companies were assigned to the 140th Regiment. The regimental oificers from Whiteside County were M. W. Smith, Lieut. Col., L.E. B. Holt, Adjutant, and W. A. Lipe, Chaplain. Oificers, Company A - J.A.Morgan, Captain; Charles M. WorthingtonandBenj. Gurtisen, Lieutenants. Company B - Charles W. Hills, Captain. George H. Fay and Erastus Fuller, Lieutenants.

At the September meeting of the Board of Supervisors it was decided to pay all men who should enlist under the call for 500,000 men a bounty of $200.00, and at the same meeting $10,000 was appropriated for the relief of the families of volunteers. LTp to 1864, the county had furnished one hundred men for every 100,000 called for, and was drained of able bodied men to such an extent that it was with difficulty that the crops were gathered. September 27th, 1864, the county owed 87 men and a draft was appointed for October 5th. To evade this, subscription papers were circulated and large sums raised to be added to the $200.00 bounty of the county. Mt. Pleasant subscribed $3,000 which was apportioned among seven men owed on quota. Other towns were equally liberal, and all escaped the conscription except Hahnaman, at that time a sparsely settled and financially poor township. Three citizens were drafted. The only conscription suffered by Whiteside Count); during the long and exhausting war.

The last call for troops, 300,000, was made December 19th, 1864. The quota of Whiteside County under this call was 250 men. It was thought to be an impossibility to raise this number of men from the able bodied population of the county, and a draft was considered inevitable, and so published by the county press, yet the citizens resolved to honor the call of the Nation with volunteers, and at the December term of the Board of Supervisors a bounty of $500.00 to each man who should enlist was voted, and at the February term an additional $100.00. The different townships also voted a tax sufficient to pay each volunteer $100.00. Recruiting was vigorously prosecuted and by untiring efforts the quota was filled and the conscription averted. In addition to the men sent to the old regiments in the field 81 men were enlisted for Company B, 147th Regiment, also a large number for Co. G, 156th Regiment, was recruited in the county.

In 1865 the war closed, recruiting was ordered to cease, the armies were mustered out, and the men returned to their homes and usual avocations. In

The expenses of the war were enormous and taxation necessarily high. The indebtedness caused by the Eebellion to Whiteside County was $529,402.17. P'ortunately it was resolved to pay the indebtedness at once, during the times of high prices for produce, and abundance of money, as was the case at the close'of hostilities. September, 1867, 70 per cent of the debt of the county was paid and every order of the county stood at par. In a fcAV years the entire indebtedness was paid, and the treasury plentifully supplied with money. To the citizens of the county who urged and secured immediate payment of the war debt, the tax payers owe a debt of gratitude.

To complete the narrative of AVhiteside County's part in the great struggle it will be proper to briefly sketch the salient points of the campaigns of the regiments in which the county was represented by campaigns :

8th lUinois Caved nj. This regiment was recruited in Northern Illinois, and organized at St. Charles, Kane County, in September, 1861, and mustered the 18th day of the same month. Company C. was raised for the regiment by D. K. Clendenin, then a citizen of Morrison, who was afterwards Major and Lieutenant Colonel of the organization and promoted Brevet Brigadier General. The Company was commanded by Alpheus Clark, of Lyndon, until May 24, 1863, when he was promoted Major. He was wounded at the battle of Beverly Ford, Virginia, June 9, 1863. from the efi'ects of which he died July 5, 1863. The Company commanders, after the promotion of Captain Clark, were Daniel D. Lincoln and Porteus J. Kennedy. The First Lieutenants were John C. Mitchell, Truman Culver and Delos P. Martin. Second Lieutenants: Clarence N. McLemore and Charles S. Gilbert. The latter officer was mortally wounded in the defences of Washington and died July 12, 1864.

The entire county was represented in Company C. Whiteside also furnished men to Companies G. H. and I. In October the regiment proceeded to Washington, where the men were subjected to drill and discipline for about two months, then transferred to Alexandria, Virginia, where the winter was passed. While lying here Company C. lost Asa W. Shelby, Joy T. Canfield, W. J. Davis, John Porter and Kollin C. Sholes, by disease. March 10, 1862, the Eighth, as a portion of Gen. Sumner's division, of the grand army, joined the advance on Manassas, and saw its first fighting on the Bappahannock Biver in April. May 4, 1862, the regiment was moved to Williamsburg, and assigned to Gen. Stolieman's Light Brigade. The battle of Williamsburg was participain by the Eighth. During the eventful days of the l^euinsular Campaign, the '-Big Abolition Begiment,' as President Lincoln named the Eighth, nobly performed its duty. June 26, 1862, six companies met the enemy under Gen. Jackson, at Mechanicsville, and had a stubborn fight. While on the Chickahominy the regiment was complimented by Gen. Sumner. A New York officer enquired of the General how far to the front he should go, and was answered - '- As far as you dare go, and you will find the Eighth Illinois Cavalry ahead stealing horses." When the change of base was made by the army, the regiment did most important duty. At Gaines' Hill, Dispatch Station and Malvern Hill, the Eighth won new laurels. It was in the extreme rear of the army and was engaged in an almost continuous skirmish with the advancing Confederate cavalry. At the time of the second occupation of Malvern Hill the regiment led the advance, and did heavy fighting. John Duggan. of Company C., was killed in the battle, and Lieut. Col. (lamble severely wounded. When the Federal army retreated from Barrett's Ford the Eighth hovered upon the rear and were the last to cross the river. The '' Peninsular Campaign" was a failure, and the regiment, with other troops, was shipped from Yorktown and arrived at their starting point, Alexandria, September 1st, 1862. September 4th, the order to " march" came, and the Eighth filed across the Potomac. At Poolsville, IVfaryland, the enemy were again met, and a dashing fight resulted. At Monocacy Church the regiment captured the colors of the Twelfth A^irgiiiia Rebel Cavalry. The Eighth went through the hard fights of Barnsville, Sugar Loaf Mountain, South Mountain and Boonsboro, winning new glory. At South Mountain the fight was hand to hand between the Eighth and Fitzhugh Lee's rebel troopers. In these engagements the regiment captured two guns and two hundred prisoners. At Antietam the Eighth was engaged prominently, and was in the advance of the Potomac army, and was engaged at Philemont, Uniontown, IJpperville, Borbee's Cross Roads, Little Washington and Amesville. The regiment arrived at Falmouth November 23, 1862. November 15, 1862, Chas. F. Brauer, of Company C, accidentally shot himself while cleaning his pistol. The Eighth was engaged at Fredericksburg and crossed the pontoons under a heavy fire. It was on the left flank of the army across the Peninsula and up the Rappahannock to Port Conway, when it was moved to Dumfries. Loss, up to this time, twenty-seven killed, seventy-one wounded, twenty missing.

During the campaign of 1863, the regiment was actively employed, and was engaged at Sulphur Springs, W^arrenton, Rapidan, Northern Neck, Borstly Ford, IJpperville, Fairville, Pa., Gettysburg, Williamsburg, Md., Boonsboro, Funktown, Falling Water, Chester Gap, Sandy Hook, Culpepper, Brandy Station, and in the raid from Dumphries to Falmouth, Pony Mountain, Raccoon Ford, Liberty Mills, Manassas, Warrentown Junction, Roxleysville, Mitchell's Station and Ely's Ford. Loss in campaign, twenty-three killed, one hundred and sixteen wounded, thirty-seven missing. The Eighth commenced the campaign of 1864 with ranks recruited, and rendered good service in the defences of Washington, at Frederick City, and on the Monocacy. A number of fights occurred with (len. Early and the guerrillas of Mosby. Many rebel prisoners were picked up and property destroyed, and the regiment was actively engaged in the pursuit nf the assassin of Preside'nt Lincoln. Col. Clendenin, of the regiment, was appointed one of the court to try the conspirators. The Eighth was mustered out of service at Benton Barracks, Missouri, July 17, 1865.

The Eighth furnished a large number of staff officers, twenty-two ofiicers for colored regiments, three colonels, two majors, two surgeons, and a number of captains for other Illinois regiments; also two full Brigadier Generals and five Brigadiers by Brevet. OflScers from the Eighth also entered the regular army at the close of the war, one of them being Gen. Clendenin, now major of the Eighth U. S. Regular Cavalry. The ranks of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry were generally well filled, and the aggregate strength was 2,412 men. The men of Company C, in addition to those mentioned heretofore, who died in the service, were Jas. E. Wilson, died of disease, 1862, Thos. Freek, died at Erie. Illinois, 1865, Joseph Reed, killed at Piedmont, Virginia, October 9, 1864. Ezra F. Sands, died of wounds at Stevensburg, Virginia, October 11, 1863, Adam Cornrad, died of wounds July 11, 1863, H. B. Meyers, died at Union Grove. Illinois, January 2, 1864, Alf. Beardsworth, died at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, January 23, 1865, J. W. Heaton, died at Giesboro Point, April 27, 1864,

The original Company C. numbered ninety-seven men, every man of whom was from Whiteside County. In 1864, forty-nine of the men re-enlisted. Eighty-six men were recruited for the company during the war, in addition to the original muster. The total enlistment for the company from Whiteside County was 172 men exclusive of officers. The county was well represented in other companies of the regiment.

13^/i Illitiois Infantn/ W^as organized under the "Ten Regiment Bill," at Dixon, Illinois, and mustered into service May 24th, 1861. The rebel disturbances called for prompt action at St Louis and in Missouri, and the Thirteenth was ordered to Caseyville, June 16th, and Jxily 6th to Rollo, Missouri, October 10th to Springfield, Missouri, and November 10th, back to Rollo where it wintered. The regiment was given but little opportunity to distinguish itself, but a detachment managed to get into the Wilson Creek fight. In March, 1862, the Thirteenth started upon its '-big march," going to Pea Ridge, Arkansas, thence to Batesville, thence to Helena, Arkansas. Apparently the most circuitous routes were travelled, and it is estimated that the soldiers ''measured 1,200 miles with their legs." December 22d, 1862, the Thirteenth left Helena for Vicksburg by steamer, and December 26th, landed on Yazoo River fifteen miles from its mouth near Vicksburg and commenced skirmishing with the rebels. December 27th, approached Vicksburg and met the enemy. December 28th, was in the hard fought battle of Chickasaw Bayou, where Col. Wyman was killed. December 29th, the brigade to which the Thirteenth was attached made a terrible charge upon the Confederate works and carried the first line, but being unsupported were obliged to fall back. They lost 160 men killed, wounded and missing. Company Gr went into the fight with fifty men and lost twenty-three, nine killed, ten wounded and four missing. The killed of Company Gr were T. J. Kennedy, John E. Hayes, Thomas Riley, LaFayette DeGrroot, Thomas Comstock, J. D. Sperry, Frank D. Johnson, John C. Richards and Alvin Bartholomew. The Thirteenth evacuated the Yazoo with other forces December 31st, 1862. Then went up Arkansas River and was engaged at Arkansas Post, January 11th, 1863. Returningto Vicksburg, went on the Green River expedition and had a running fight of four days with the rebel Greneral Forrest. The regiment afterwards lay at Young's Point, opposite Vicksburg, until spring, working upon the "famous canal," and when the fleet ran the blockade,, with the army marched down on the Louisiana side and crossed the river at Grand Glulf. May 13th, 1863, the regiment was specially selected to go on a secret expedition in the night, to establish communication between the 13th and 15tli corps ; in this it was successful, although passing very near 1,400 confederates. May 14th, the 13th saw fighting at Raymond and Jackson, Mississippi, and at Champion Hills. After returning to Vicksburg, engaged in assaults upon the fortifications until the surrender. Was in the Jackson campaign when Joe. Johnston was besieged two weeks, and then destroyed railroads from Jackson to Bolton; afterwards laid in rear of Vicksburg during the summer. Thence proceeded to Chatanooga ; at Tuscumbia, Alabama, fought General Forrest. By the destruction of the pontoon the First Division of the corps was unable to cross the river with the corps and thus fell under orders of General Hooker, and was in the battle of Lookout Mountain, November 24th, 1863. November 25th, turned the enemy's left flank at Rossville, capturing a battery. Here the 13th captured the battle flag of the 18th Alabama Regiment. November 27th, was in the bloody battle of Ringgold, where Major D. R. Bushnell, of Sterling, was killed. The regiment went into the fight with 216 men and left -14 dead upon the field and a number wounded. After Ringgold went into winter quarters at Woodville, Alabama. In the spring of 1864 the decimated regiment successfully fought 3,000 of Roddy's rebel cavalry at Madison Station. June 18th, 1864, the remnant of the 13th was mustered out, and the few survivors, whose time had not expired, were consolidated with the 56th Illinois as Company I. Company B was recruited at Sterling and numbered 86 men. During the term of service received 22 recruits - 97 of the entire membership were (Titizens of Whiteside County. The officers of the Company were Captains: D. R. Bushnell, afterwards Major, and George P. Brown, of Fulton. First Lieutenants : N. C. Cooper, J. M. Patterson. Second Lieutenants : Wm. M. Kilgour and John J. Russell. Company G. was recruited at Morrison by Captain Geo. M. Cole, 77 strong. During service 29 recruits were received - 77 of the company were from Whiteside County. Captains, Geo. M. Cole and Wm. M. Jenks; First Lieutenant, Silas M. Jackson; Quartermasters, Wm. C. Henderson and John S McClary were also from Whiteside County.

S4:th lUinnis Infantry. The 34th Regiment was organized at Camp Butler, September 7, 1861. by Col.E. N. Kirk of Sterling, Companies A and B and a portion of D, I and K were from Whiteside County. Company A was enlisted at Sterling, and numbered 98 men exclusive of officers; with but two exceptions the original members of the company were all from this county. During the term of service the company received 85 recruits, and January, 1864, 43 of the original company re-enlisted as veterans. Of the entire membership of the company, 166 were citizens of Whiteside County. The company commanders were : E. Brooks Ward, Peter Ege and William C Robinson. Captain Ege was afterwards Major and Colonel of the regiment. Ward resigned and Robinson commanded the company to close of the war. First Lieutenants: Jonathan A. Morgan, Lewis D. Wescott and R. J. Heath. Second Lieutenants: Edwin C Payne and Edward Whitcomb. Company B was enlisted principally at Morrison by H. W. Bristol, and was locally known as the "Whiteside Blues." The company numbered 100 men, 98 being from Whiteside county; 35 of the men "veteraned" and 68 recruits were received while in the service. Whiteside county furnished 130 of the entire membership of the company. The company commanders were Hiram W. Bristol, afterwards promoted to be Major and Lieutenant Colonel, John A. Parrott, killed at Resaca May 14, '64, and

David Cleveland. First Lieutenants : Cornelius Quackenbush, Leland L. Johnson and David L. Eagle. Second Lieutenants : Thomas Marshall and Phillip S. King. In Company K. Robert J. Thompson, Clinton B. Minchen and E. P. Beardsley of Prophetstown held Lieutenant's commission.'*. Adjutants David Leavitt and Jesse H. Clements, and Quartermaster Jabez B. Robinson were from Whiteside county.

The 34th Regiment was moved to Lexington, Kentucky, October 2, 1861, thence to Camp Nevin, Kentucky, thence to BoAvling Green, and Nashville, Franklin, Columbia and Savannah on the Tennessee river. April 7, 1862, the regiment was hotly engaged at Pittsburg Landing, losing a Major and 15 men and 112 Avounded; also at Corinth. The 3-lth was also at luka, Florence, Athens, Huntsville and Stevenson. The regiment w^as also in the race for Louisville via Pelham, Murfreesboro and Nashville. The marching qualities of the regiment won for the soldiers the title of "McCook's Cavalry.'" October 1,

1862. started for Nashville and marched and skirmished the distance. December 27, the regiment met the enemy at Triune and withstood severe fighting. Suffered severely at Murfreesboro, the loss being 21 killed, 93 wounded and ^Q missing. Col. Kirk received a wound here from the effects of which he died July, J863.

On the 25th of June, 1863, the Second Brigade, Twentieth Corps, of which the regiment formed a part, was ordered forward toward Liberty Gap, and without help, and in the face of a rebel brigade advantageously posted, drove the enemy from his position - the 2nd Arkansas Infantry leaving their battle flag on the hill, where they fought in front of the 34th. The regiment lost 3 killed and 26 wounded. It afterwards moved to different points, sometimes acting as Provost Guard, and others in guarding pontoon bridges, until November 25th,

1863, when it was ordered to join the Brigade on the battle field of Chattanooga, where they arrived at 11 o'clock, p. M., meeting the retreating enemy near Graysville, and engaged there for a short time. In December, 1864, the regiment was mustered as a veteran organization, and after receiving veteran furlough, went back to Chattanooga, by the way of Louisville and Nashville, arriving at Chattanooga March 7, 1864, from whence it joined the Second Brigade, then in camp near Rossville, Georgia, and took an active part in the war until its conclusion. The 34th was mustered out July 12, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, and arrived at Chicago, July 16. 1865, for final payment and discharge.

46^/i JUinois Infantry. The regiment was organized at Camp Butler, December 28th, 1861, by Col. John A. Davis of Stephenson County, who was mortally wounded at the battle of Hatchie. Company E. of this regiment was a AVhiteside company. Wm. Lane, of Morrison, Wm. N. Haney, of Hopkins, Albert Seizick, of Morrison and Sani'l V. Boyer, of Fulton, were Lieutenants in the company. The regiment was at Fort Donelson and Fort Henry. Was assigned to Gen. Ilurlburt's Division, afterwards known as "Hurlburt's Fighting Fourth Division." The 46th suffered severely at Shiloh, losing one half of its men and ofiiccrs, killed, wounded and missing. The regiment was engaged at Corinth; at Hatchie won new laurels; until the siege of Vicksburg was engaged in skirmishing and marching. In May, 1863, five companies were captured by the rebels while on picket duty ; 70 of the men afterwards escaped. Hard fighting and marching was the lot of the organization until January, 1864, when it was mustered as a veteran regiment. Company E. numbered 31 men at expiration of term of service, and of this number 30 re-enlisted. Until the close of the war the 46th performed

In 1861, 66 men were enlisted in Whiteside County for Company F. of this regiment, principally from Fulton and Albany. Nine recruits from the county were afterwards received. Officers from the county - Captains: Nathan P. Herrington and Oscar Summers; First Lieutenants: Lucien S. Kinney and Luther A. Calvin; Second Lieutenants: John Dyer and Stephen Withrow.

The 52d Regiment mustered into the service November 19, 1861, with 945 men. Moved to St. Louis, thence to St. Joseph, thence to Cairo, thence to Smithland. Arrived at Fort Donelson February 17, 1862, escorted prisoners to Chicago. March 20th arrived at Pittsburg Landing. The regiment was prominently engaged at Shiloh losing 170 men; also at Corinth where 70 men were lost; October 13th, moved to Hatchie river; December, 1862, went upon expedition into Alabama and had an engagement near Little Bear Creek. December 19th, was on expedition to intercept Forrest and marched 100 miles in four and a half days. January 2, 1863, moved to Tennessee river, January 26th to Hamburg, Tennessee, February 25th to Jacinto, Mississippi, from thence to Corinth. In April advanced into Alabama; April 20th, met the enemy; April 27th and 28th was engaged with the rebels and entered Corinth May 2, 1863. Nothing of great importance in the history of the regiment transpired until January 9, 1864, when three-fourths of the men re-enlisted and returned home on furlough. February 24th the regiment was sent to Pulaski, Tennessee, and arrived at Chattanooga May 2d. Was in the Atlanta campaign, particularly in the battles of Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Lay's Ferry, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw, Nickajack, Decatur, Atlanta and Jonesboro. The 52d was in the "March to the Sea," in the Carolina campaign and at the battles of Bentonville and Goldsboro; was in grand review at Washington; mustered out July 5,1865.

l^th Illinois Regiment. This noted regiment was recruited in Whiteside and Lee Counties. Companies B, C, D, H and I being from Whiteside County. Company B was recruited by Captain John Whallon, of Lyndon, Lieut. James Blean, of Newton, and others. Company C at Morrison by John E. Bennett, E. Altman and Geo. R. Shaw. Company D was recruited under the auspices of the Chicago Board of Trade, but owing to a misunderstanding joined the regiment at Dixon. CompanyH was enlisted by efforts of John G. Price and J. W.R. Stambaugh. Company I, the " Reaper Company," was principally recruited in Sterling, Erie, Fulton and Ustick, by efforts of Col. Kilgour and others. The regimental officers from Whiteside County were Col. John E. Bennett, promoted Brevet Brigadier General, Wm. M. Kilgour, Lieutenant Colonel, promoted Brevet Brigadier General, Henry Utley, surgeon, and Wm, H. Smith, chaplain. Captains of Company B;

John Whallon, C. B. Hubbard and Chas. R. Richards; First Lieutenant: Albert M. Gillett; Second Lieutenants: James Blean and Elisha Bull. Company C, Captains: Ernst Altman, Geo. R. Shaw; First Lieutenant: P. S. Bannister; Second Lieutenants: Thomas G. Bryant and Henry C. Parrott. Company D, Captain: Andrew 3IcMoore; First Lieutenants: Joseph E Colby and Francis A. Caughey; Second Lieutenants: Edward H. Barber, R. L. Mangan and John Stauffer. Company H, Captains: John G. Price, Joseph W. R. Stambaugh and Frank Bingham; First Lieutenant: John L. Newton; Second Lieutenants: Abner R. Hurless and Flavins M. Wolf. Company I, Captains: Robert Hale and Amos B. Segur: First Lieutenants: Joel A. Fife and Lewis E. Chubbuck; Second Lieutenants: Ezekiel Kilgour and James H. Woodburn.

The regiment was organized at Dixon, September 2, 1862, and September 27th, ordered to Louisville, Kentucky. October 8th a little more than a month after the organization of the regiment, it was engaged in the bloody battle of Perryville or Champliu Hills. Loss 47 killed, 166 wounded and 12 missing. The men of the regiment were fresh from their homes, but fought like veterans. Gen. Mitchell officially said: "The 75th Illinois, having a reputation to gain as soldiers, nobly did the work before them." In this battle Lieut. Blean was killed, and Lieut. Col. Kilgour so severely wounded that it was supposed his wound was mortal. The regiment with other troops pursued the retreating enemy into Tennessee. December 31, 1862, the 75th was engaged at Murfreesboro and lost heavily; also in the sanguinaiy struggle at Liberty Gap.

The winter was spent in inactivity, but the spring and summer brought stirring times for the regiment. In September the 75th was at the battle of the Chickamauga, and from thence moved to Chattanooga. The organization bore an honorable part in the hard fought battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ringgold. The winter was passed at Whiteside, the monotony being broken by a reconnoisance in front of Dalton. At Resaca the regiment was engaged and participated in the fights at Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain. Kenesaw, Adairsville, Culp's farm. Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station; also in the series of battles and skirmishes before Atlanta.

After the fall of this rebel stronghold the regiment moved hastily to Nashville, fighting Hood before that city, and being engaged at Franklin and in the defence of Pulaski. After the defeat of Gen. Hood went upon an expedition in eastern Tennessee.

The 75th was in service two years and nine months. Lost 64 men killed, 31 died of wounds, and 91 of disease. 216 were discharged for disability; 184 men were wounded. Total casualties, 586. No regiment in the service has a brighter or more deserving record.

93d Illinois Infantry. The regiment was organized in September, 1862, 998 men, by Col. Holden Putman, of Freeport, afterwards killed at Mission Ridge, November 29, 1863. Company F: 99 men were recruited in Whiteside County, from Garden Plain, Fulton, Mt. Pleasant, Newton, Albany, Erie and Fenton. Captains of the Company: Alfred F. Knight, who died April 29, 1863, Wm. A. Payne and Wm. M. Herrold; First Lieutenants: John Dyer and Henry 31. Eddy; Second Lieutenant: Robert A. Adams, who died of wounds. Dr. C. A. Griswold, of Fulton, M'as surgeon. The regiment was assigned to Gen. Grant's army, and went through the Northern 3Iississippi campaign; went through on the " Yazoo Pass Expedition." The next April commenced the Vicksburg campaign; was at Jackson, Mississippi, 3Iay 14th, being in the advance at the battle. On the 16th participated in the fight at Champion Hills, and sufi'ered severely. During the same month was engaged in the assaults upon Yicksburg until the middle of June. The regiment went from Vicksburg to Jackson and back, thence to Helena, Arkansas, thence to Memphis, Chattanooga and Bridgeport, Alabama. Was next engaged at Mission Ridge, losing a large number of men. Pursued the rebels to Grayson. Moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and in December was at Dalton. In the spring and summer of 1864 the 93d marched over much of the soil of Alabama, and in the autumn moved to Allatoona. In October the regiment was a part of the force of 2,100 that "held the Fort" against 7,000 confederates through a desperate fight, signally beating them. November 12, 1864, the regiment started upon the memorable "march to the sea," and reached the enemy's lines before Savannah, Georgia, December 10, 1864. The 93d skirmished with the rebels about the city until December 21st, when it marched into the city, where it remained until January 19, 1865. Went through the "Campaign of the Carolinas," and arrived at Columbia February 17, 1865. From Columbia the march was continued to E^leigh, that town being reached April 14th. The march was then continued via Petersburg and Richmond to Washington, where the regiment participated in the grand review May 24th, and was mustered out, receiving final pay and discharge July 7, 1865. The 93d was in service two years and seven months. The ofiicial report says: " The casualties in battles of the 93d Illinois Regiment were 446 killed, and one officer and 31 men accidentally wounded. The regiment has marched 2,554 miles, traveled by water 2,296 miles, by rail 1,237 miles. Total, 6,087 miles."

Company F lost by death: Joseph A. Wilbur, July 13, '63, wounds; Chas. Doty, May 23, '63, wounds; Henry E. Allen, disease, July 13, '63; Edward P. Bliss, May 17, '63, wounds; Francis M. Baird, May 23, '63, wounds; John H. Brightman, killed at Vicksburg, May 23, '63; Wm. Bennett, killed at Champion Hills, May 16, '63; M. K. Booth, died, August 25, '63; Henry Hawk, October 5, '63, wounds; Henry Lewis, died, July 13, '63, wounds; Patrick Marren, killed at Champion Hills, May 16, '63; John McCline, killed at Champion Hills, May 16, '63; Asa W. Mitchell, killed at Mission Ridge, November 26, '63; Ira A. Payne, killed at Mission Ridge, November 26, '63; L. S. McAllister, died, January 28, '63; Russell S. Park, killed at Allatona, Georgia, October 5, '64; Thomas Say, killed at Champion Hills, May 16, '63; James M. York, died, March 2, '63.

This regiment was enlisted in the Spring of 1864, lender the call for troops to serve one hundred days, to take the place of veterans, who were needed for active service. Two whole companies and part of another were formed in this county. For list of ofiicers see the preceding part of this chapter. The regiment was mustered into service at Dixon, Illinois, in June, 1864, and was immediately sent to Memphis. From thence companies were sent to different points on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, relieving veteran troops. The regiment garrisoned these stations for several months, when it returned to Memphis and proceeded to Chicago to be mustered out. At this time the rebel General Price was in Missouri with a large force, and St. Louis feeling herself endangered, troops were ordered to that place, among them the 140th Regiment. After doing duty along the line of the Iron Mountain Railway for several weeks, the regiment returned to Chicago and received its discharge October 29th, 1864.

The one hundred day troops served the purpose of the Government well in a time of special need, and each member of these regiments received a handsomely engraved certificate embodying the thanks of the President, signed by President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward.

This regiment was enlisted to serve one year, and mustered into the service February 19, 1865. Company B was from Whiteside county, also a large proportion of Company G. Company B was officered by George H. Fay, Captain, and AV. H. H. Jones and Charles Bent, Lieutenants. Company G was commanded by A. C. Bardwell. Frank Clendenin, of Morrison, was Major of the regiment.

February 25th, the 147th arrived at Nashville, thence to Chattanooga and Dalton, Georgia. March 13th, dispersed guerillas at Mill Creek. March 20th was on Spring Place Expedition. March 28th, to llinggold. In April had a number of skirmishes with the rebels on the Coosawatchie river. June 2Gth, moved to JMarietta, thence to Macon, Andersonville, Americus and Albany, Georgia. October 28th, to Hawkinsville, Georgia. November 25th, to Savannah Georgia, where it remained until January 21, 1866. The 147th was mustered out January 20, 1866, and returned to Springfield, Illinois, where it was discharged in February, being one of the last Illinois regiments to be discharged.

156^/t Illinois Regiment. Company G of this regiment was from Whiteside County, and numbered 100 men. Captain: Chauncey B. Hubbard; Lieutenants: William H. Shears and Peter K. Boyd. The regiment was in service until September 20, 1856, being engaged in garrison duty, watching guerillas and escorting prisoners. The company lost a number of men by disease. The regiment served about six months of the one year for which it was enlisted.

Twelve years have elapsed since the last of the foe laid down their arms; the great armies called into being have been disbanded, and as good citizens, in the quiet avocations of the merchant, the husbandman, artisan and professions, become as renowned in peace as in war. The weeds of the widow, mother and daughter have well nigh disappeared, yet thousands of hearts sadly turn to the graves in Northern cemeteries, and unmarked trenches on Southern battle fields, where the sod covers the clay once wrapped in the blue. Hundreds of Whiteside's noble sons sleep upon the battle fields, where with sabre and bayonet they wrote their title to glory in blood.