Round Grove Township

Twenty-Ninth Regiment, 1908

During the Civil War, this county bore a considerable part, hundreds of the young men enlisting in the various companies. Several who thus exchanged home and family comforts for the hardships and sufferings of camp and field, in addition, sacrificed their lives for the principles which they loved better than fireside, and even better than existence. Some of them were killed outright in the affair; others received wounds of which they died after a lingering illness; and others, though never receiving a saber cut or a musket shot, received the seeds of disease, contracted from exposure and hardships which finally terminated their existence. The census of 1860 showed there were 15,576 inhabitants in Livingston County. Scarcely onefourth of this number were subject to military duty, yet this county sent 1,444 soldiers to the field. A number went singly and in twos and threes, and enlisted in various batteries and

TWENTIETH INFANTRY. - Away back in 1861, when the dark cloud of rebellion rose in threatening, angry tempest and when the shot which "echoes round the world" was heard from Fort Sumter and Lincoln called for 75,000 men to maintain the unity of these states, then it was that the men (100 from this county) who afterward were mustered into Company D, of the 20th Illinois Infantry, enlisted in the service of their country to die, if need be, that the Union might be preserved. Just twenty-two days after Fort Sumter was fired upon, the 20th was organized and went into camp at Joliet, and one month later (June 13) was mustered into the service and on its way to active service. October 21, 1861, found it engaged in its first battle at Fredericktown, Mo., and after camp life and various marches, in February of next year was in front of Fort Donelson, engaged in three days' battle, where many of them gave up their lives. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Shiloh on April 6 and 7 and at Corinth on June 3. In May, 1862, it took part in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Run and then through the siege of Vicksburg. The next year after Kenesaw Mountain, the regiment was engaged in the battles at Atlanta. After the fall of Atlanta, this regiment joined Sherman in his march to the sea, and after the fall of the Confederacy, took part in the grand review at Washington. The regiment was mustered out July 16, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., and arrived in Chicago three days later for final payment and discharge. The officers of Company B were as follows: Captain, Charles L. Page (promoted to sergeant major, then to captain, killed at Atlanta) ; Captain Frederick Shearer (enlisted as sergeant, promoted to captain, mustered out as first sergeant); First Lieutenant Joshua Whitmore (resigned March 28, 1862); First Lieutenant George McFadden; Second Lieutenant Henry B. Reed (enlisted as sergeant); First Sergeant Charles W. Clark; Sergeant Albert S: Jones (died Nov. 28, 1861); Sergeant Warren

Robinson; Corporal Pleasant Zeph (died at Pontiac, March 4, 1862); Corporal- Jacob Gilmore; Corporal Anthony Knight (supposed to have been killed at Shiloh, April 7, 1862); Corporal James G. Lord (killed at Raymond, Miss., May 12, 1863) ; Corporal Theodore Higgins (disabled June 13, 1864); Cor- poral Thomas Kelly (died at La Grange, Tenn., May 12, 1863); Corporal H. McArthur (died at Avoca, Ill, March 4, 1862); Musician Esam Johnson (died November, 1861); Musician John R. Garner (died February 14, 1863); Wagoner John Mossholder (died at Pontiac, December 4, 1861).

One Hundred And Twenty-Ninth Infantry

- President Lincoln had issued his call for three hundred thousand volunteers, and loyal men, all over the North, were enlisting in the service of their country. The idea that seventy-five thousand men could crush the rebellion in three months had exploded; and the call of the President met a hearty response in Livingston County. Professional men, mechanics and farmers left their families and their business, and enrolled their names "for three years or during the war." Company A was raised in Pontiac, Reading, Odell, Long Point and other towns; Company B in Dwight and vicinity; Company C largely in Rooks Creek, Nevada, Odell, and other townships; Company E in Fairbury, and Company G mainly in Pontiac and vicinity. Of course it will not be understood that other townships are excluded from the credit of representation in this regiment; but, on account of an unfortunate method which prevailed, of giving the name of the post office, instead of the township, the actual residence of a large number was not recorded. The balance of the regiment was raised in the counties of Scott and Rock Island.

John A. Hoskins, who was subsequently promoted to the office of Major, was elected Captain of Company A; J. F. Culver, who afterward, by promotion, succeeded Hoskins as Captain, was elected First Lieutenant, and John W. Smith subsequently promoted to the First Lieutenancy, was elected Second Lieutenant. To the last named office C. C. Yetter eventually succeeded.

Company B was officered as follows: Samuel T. Walkley, Captain; George W. Gilcrist, First Lieutenant, and Elihu Chilcott, Second Lieutenant. John B. Perry was elected Captain of Company C; Robert P. Edgington was chosen First Lieutenant, and A. A. McMurray, who on the resignation of Perry was promoted to the Captaincy, was elected Second Lieutenant. To the office made vacant by the promotion of Me- Murray, S. H. Kyle was advanced.

Fitch, Second Lieutenant, To the last mentioned oflice W. H. H. McDowell succeeded, on the resignation of Blackburn, Fitch being promoted to the First Lieutenancy.

The officers of Company G were H. B. Reed, Captain; Lemuel Morse, First, and John P. McKnight, Second Lieutenant, which offices they respectively held, without succession, until they were mustered out. È

The regiment was organized September 8. 1862, with George P. Smith, of Dwight, as Colonel; Henry Case, of Winchester, Lieutenant Colonel ; A. J. Cropsey, of Fairbury, Major; Philip D. Plattenburg, of Pontiac, Adjutant; W. C. Gwinn, Regimental Quartermaster; Dr. Darius Johnson, of Pontiac, Assistant Surgeon, and subsequently promoted to Surgeon, with Dr. O. S. Wood as his Assistant, and Rev. Thomas Cotton, of Pontiac, Chaplain; and non-commissioned officers, I. G. Mott, of Pontiac, Hospital Steward, to which office John A. Fellows, of Pontiac, succeeded on Mott's death; W. H. H. McDowell, of Fairbury, Sergeant Major, and George W. Quackenbosh, Quartermaster Sergeant.

The regiment remained in camp, at Pontiac, until the 22nd of September, when it was ordered to Louisville, Ky., where it joined the Thirtyeighth Brigade of the Twelfth Division, under Maj. Gen. Gilbert. On the 3rd of October, they were ordered forward, in pursuit of Gen. Bragg, who was threatening Louisville. His retreat led them by way of Frankfort and Danville, to Crab Orchard. On the 20th of October, the brigade having been transferred to the Tenth Division, commenced a return march to Bowling Green, arriving at which place, they remained until the 21st of November, when they were ordered to Mitchellville, to guard the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. In this duty the regiment, being stationed in detachments at Mitchellville, Buck's Lodge, Fountain Head and South Tunnel, continued until June 9, 1863, when they were ordered to Gallatin, where they went into camp and remained until August 20, when they received orders to move forward to Nashville. Here the regiment remained for six months, when, on the 24th of February, 1864, tents were struck, and they again took up the line of march, this time to make their way to Chattanooga, to join the army under Gen. Sherman. From this point to Atlanta, Ga., the regiment was engaged in almost a continuous fight with the enemy. On the 14th of May, the regiment came in contact with the rebels at Resaca, which was a continual fight of two days, ending in the capture of the place. On the 25th, they came upon the enemy at Burnt Hickory, where a bloody battle was fought; and from the 18th of June till the 3rd of July, they were engaged at Kenesaw Mountain and Marietta. On July 17th, they crossed the Chattahoochie River, and continued their march to Peach Tree Creek, where they were confronted by the rebels under Gen. Hood, who had superseded Johnson. After a hard fought battle, lasting through the day, the rebel army fled, the Union army pursuing toward Atlanta, which place they reached on the 22d. After a siege of six weeks, the rebels abandoned Atlanta, and the Union army took possession. This was one of the most important victories of the war. On the 13th of November, the army began to move forward, further into the interior of the enemy's country. From here until the entrance of the army into the City of Savannah, their progress was, in a measure, without opposition, though the fatigue and privations to which the soldiers were subjected were severe in the extreme. They reached the neighborhood of Savannah on the 10th of December, and entered the city in triumph, just as the last of the enemy were retiring. Their sore feet and tired limbs were permitted to rest here, until the last of January, 1865, when they commenced the march through the Carolinas. Their route now lay through Columbia, Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Goldsboro to Raleigh, reaching the last named place on the 18th of April. Their advance to this place, with the exception of the sharp conflict at Bentonville, in which the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth took a prominent part, met with no opposition of importance, and the work of the army consisted mainly in destroying railroads and bridges, and foraging on the country. While resting here, negotiations were in progress for the surrender of the rebel armies ; and on the 30th of April, the army was on its way to Washington, where it arrived without incident of importance, on the 24th of May. After a few days. the One Hundred and Twentyninth was mustered out of service, and on the Sth of June, took leave of the city, and arrived at Chicago on the 11th. On the 19th, the men received their discharges and final pay, and, at once, those from Livingston County took the train for Pontiac, having been absent from their homes two years and nine months.

THIRTY-THIBD INFANTRY. - About one-half of Company F of the Thirty-third were from this county and enlisted from the northwestern townships. It was organized at Camp Butler, Ill., in September, 1861, by Col. Charles E. Hovey and mustered into service by Capt. T. G. Pitcher, U. S. A., September 20, the regiment moved to Ironton, Mo., where it remained during the winter. In 1863, the regiment was ordered to St. Genevieve, Mo., where, with the command, it embarked for Milliken's Bend, La. Attached to the First Brigade, First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, it was engaged in active service, participating in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, assault and siege of Vicksburg, and the siege of Jackson. January 1, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans and March 14 reached Bloomington, Ill., and received yeteran furlough. April 18, 1864, the regiment was reorganized at Camp Butler and proceeded to New Orleans. September 17, 1864, the non-veterans of the regiment were started home, via New York, in charge of rebel prisoners and were mustered out at Camp Butler about October 11, 1864. March 2. 1865, the regiment joined the Sixteenth Army Corps. Three weeks later it was after engaged in the battle of Mobile. After the surrender of Mobile, marched with the Sixteenth Army Corps for Montgomery, Ala., thence to Meridian, Miss., afterward to Vicksburg, where it remained until mustered out of service, Nov. 24, 1865.

THIRTY-NINTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS. - Company C (88 men and 6 musicians) was raised in this county in August, 1861. This regiment was better known as the "Yates Phalanx," so named after Gov. Richard Yates. John Gray was captain, but he resigned on May 26, 1862, and James Wightman was promoted from first lieutenant to captain. Wightman died May 16, 1864 and John H. Johnson was elected captain. He was killed in battle and James Hannum was made captain. Wallace Lord was first lieutenant, but resigned January 24, 1862, and Simon S. Brucker was promoted to that office. Brucker resigned April 20, 1864, and Daniel Guisinger was elected in his stead. Upon his resigning, Henry H. DeLong was elected first lieutenant. The company was mustered into U. S. service, October 18, 1861, and moved to St. Louis, Mo., October 29th, received orders to move to Williamsport, Md., where it was fully armed and equipped. The following are the most impor- tant events in the history of this celebrated regiment: Held a force of 10,000 rebels under command of Stonewall Jackson, for twenty-four hours. Participated in battle of Winchester.

Four companies, under Major S. W. Munn, captured thirty prisoners at Columbia Bridge. Was in Gen. McClellan's seven days' fight. Was at Suffolk, Va., September, October and November, fortifying the place and making frequent raids, capturing, on one occasion, two cannon and forty prisoners; January 5, 1863, broke camp and marched to Chowan River, where it took transports and reported to Gen. Foster, at Newburn, N. C. Here its Colonel, T. O. Osborn, took command of the Brigade. Moved on expedition to Hilton Head. Was in Gen. Hunter's expedition against Charleston. At Morris Island, was assigned to Gen. Terry's expedition, and participated in capture of Fort Wagner. Was first in the fort. Left Hilton Head on veteran furlough, January 1, 1864, via New York. Returned 750 strong, and was on Butler's expedition up James River, the entire loss being nearly 200. At Wier's Bottom Church, May 20th, the Thirtyninth was ordered to dislodge the enemy, which it did most gallantly, losing forty, but capturing many prisoners. including Gen. Walker. On the 16th of May, had an engagement with Longstrett's command, losing some .thirty-five On the 2nd of June, the regiment was again called into action, on nearly the same ground as on the 20th of May, in which engagement it lost, in killed. wounded and missing, some forty men. Lieutenant Albert W. Fellows was killed soon after the action commenced, and Lieutenant Al C. Sweetzer was severely wounded in both legs, losing one by amputation above the knee. August 14th, crossed James River and operated with Army of the James. On August 15th, the regiment lost 104 men, among them several valuable officers. October 13th, in a charge, the Thirty-ninth lost sixty out of 250 engaged. Captain George Heritage, commanding the regiment. was severely wounded in two places, Lieutenant C. J. Wilder was killed, and Lieutenant N. E. Davis mortally wounded. The regiment now fell under command of First Lieutenant James Hannum, Company C, there being but two other officers besides himself left - one the adjutant the other a second lieutenant - the balance killed, or absent, wounded. Several, however, had previously been mustered out, by reason of expiration of service. March 27th, about 100 re- cruits joined. Took part in movements that resulted in capture of Petersburg and Richmond. In engagement at Fort Gregg, which was mostly hand to hand, the loss was sixty-five out of 150 engaged. For this gallantry Gen. Gibbon, their commanding General, bad a magnificent brazen eagle cast and presented to the regiment. After various manoeuvers and surrender of Lee, the Thirty-ninth was mustered out at Norfolk, Va., and received final pay and discharge at Springfield, Ill., December 15, 1865,

ForTY-FOURTH VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. - Thirtyeight men from this county enlisted in Company C, eight men re-enlisted as veterans, and five enlisted in Company B. The Forty-fourth was organized in August, 1861, at Camp Ellsworth, Chicago, under the supervision of Charles Knoblesdorff, and was mustered into service September 18. On March 29 was assigned to Gen. Sigel's division. The following February, Gen. Curtis assumed command. The regiment took part in the battle of Pea Ridge. April 5, the regiment was placed in Col. Osterhaus' brigade. In September the army was reorganized and the Forty-fourth assigned to the Army of the Ohio. under Gen. Buell and was in the battle of Perryville, October 8, in a division commanded by Gen. Phil. Sheridan. Marched to Crab Orchard and Bowling Green, where Gen. Rosecrans took command. At Stone river, the regiment lost half its number in killed and wounded. July 26, was engaged at Hoover's Gap, Shelbyville and Tullahoma, Tenn. Took part in the battle of Chickamauga. In the battle of Mission Ridge, soon after, Gen. Sheridan gave the Forty-fourth the praise of raising their flag among the very first In the rebel works. After many marches and hardships, the Forty-fourth arrived at Chattanooga, February 3, 1864, and, for the first time in four months, drew full rations from the Government. Here the regiment re-enlisted and went home on veteran furlough. arriving in Chieago, March 1, having marched during its term of enlistment over 5,000 miles. April 14, it arrived at Nashville, and immediately marched to Chattanooga, and from thence entered on the memorable Atlanta campaign, and participated in the following skirmishes and engagements: Buzzard Roost, Rocky-Faced Mountain, Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Gulp's Farm, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro. Its movements then were to Chattanooga, Tenn.,

Athens, Ala.. Pulaski, Tenn., and from thence gradually fell back on Nashville, closely pursued by the enemy, and took a very prominent part in the battle of Franklin. Thence proceeded, via Nashyille, to Huntsville, Ala.. arri ing January 5, 1865. March 28, was ordered to Knoxville, thence to Blue Springs, Tenn. After the surrender of the rebel armies, the Forty-fourth was ordered to New Orleans, arrivirg June 22. It then moved, by steame to Port Lavaca, Texas, where it remained until September 25, when it was mustered out and proceeded to Springfield,

Firty-THIRD VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. - In January. 1862. Capt. Morgan L. Payne recruited a company of men (42) at Pontiac, which entered the service as Company G of the Fifty-third Illinois. The Fifty-third was organized at Ottawa by Col. W. H. W. Cushman in the winter of 1861-62, and on February 27 moved to Camp Douglas, Ill. Ordered to Savannah, Tenn., March 23. Arrived at Shilob on the night of April 7 and placed in the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Brig.-Gen. J. G. Lauman commanding brigade, and Brig.-Gen. S. A. Hurlbut commanding division. Engaged in the siege of Corinth. In 1868 was engaged in siege of Vicksburg. July 12, 1863, the Fifty-third participated in the gallant but disastrous battle of Jackson, Miss., going into the fight with 200 men and officers and coming out with but 66. Col. Earl fell, pierced with four bullets; Captain Michael Leahey and Lieutenant George W. Hemstreet were killed, and Captain J. E. Hudson mortally wounded, the entire loss being 88 killed and wounded and 46 missing. On February 1, 1864, the regiment, having re-enlisted, was mustered as a veteran organization. Was engaged in the siege of Atlanta, and in the engagements of July 21, 22 and 23, 1863, lost 101 men, killed and wounded. Was mustered out on July 22, 1865.

THIRD CavaLry. - Company K was raised in the*vicinity of Fairbury, and was officered as follows: Aaron Weider, first lieutenant; Byron Phelps, second lieutenant (upon the resignation of John Zimmerman) ; Walter Scott (disabled), Thomas Davis, Frederick Joerndt (disabled), Julius F. Gould, sergeants. This company of 118 men served during the entire war. The regiment was known as the Carr regiment, being officered by three brothers - Eugene A. Carr, of the regular army, colonel; Horace M. Carr, chap- lain; Byron Carr, quartermaster. The regiment was organized at Camp Butler, Ill, in August, 1861, and mustered out of service October 13, 1865.

SIXTY-NINTH INFANTRY (three months). - The Adjutant General's reports do not give any history of this regiment. Sixty-one from this county enlisted in Co. G.

One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Infantry (100 days). - Organized at Camp Wood, Quincy, by Col. John W. Goodwin on June 21, 1864. Regiment was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Major Tunison, with Companies and F, occupied the post of Weston, Mo., from July 7 to August 3, Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Davis commanding. Was mustered out of service October 14, 1864. Company F was organized in Pontiac with David M. Lyon as captain. Sixty-four Livingston County boys enlisted, and but one (Fred Fraley) deserted. .

Livingston County contributed nineteen men each to Companies A and D of the Seventeenth Cavalry; thirty-nine to Cogswell's Battery; sixteen to Company D, Seventy-third Infantry; twenty-two to Company D, Fifty-second Infantry; sixteen to Company F, Fifty-eighth Infantry; sixteen to Company H, Seventy-seventh Infantry ; sixteen to Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-third Infantry; ten to Company F, One Hundred and Fiftieth Infantry; ten to Company B, Twelfth Infantry; sixteen to Company D, Seventy-first Infantry; eleven to Company B and seven to Company K, Fourteenth Cavalry ; nine to Battery M, First Artillery Regiment.

Spanish-American War

Company F was first organized in 1892 as the Pontiac Cadets, with A. J. Renoe as captain. This independent organization continued until 1896, when it was mustered into the Illinois National Guard, with A. J. Renoe as captain, L. F. Strawn as first lieutenant and Guy F. Whitson as second lieutenant.

In April, 1898, the company was ordered to Springfield, Ill, to be mustered into the United States Army for service in the Spanish- American War. Left Springfield May 14, 1898, by rail for Chickamauga Park, Ga.,_ arriving at Camp George H. Thomas, May 16, 1898. Remained until July 21, 1898, when company left by rail for Newport News, Va., arriving July 23, 1898. Embarked on auxiliary cruiser St. Louis, at Hampton Roads, July 28, 1898, for Porto Rico as a part at General Brooke's expedition, being assigned to General Peter C. Haines' second brigade of General J. H. Wilson's First Division. Arrived and landed at Arroyo, Porto Rico, August 2, 1898, under cover of fire from the battleship Massachusetts, converted cruiser Gloucester and auxiliary cruisers in transport fleet. Immediately after landing, each platoon of the company was ordered to occupy a Spanish outpost several miles from the town. The flag presented by the citizens of Pontiac was the first American flag raised in the Gauyama and Cayey provinces of Porto Rico.

Relieved the second day and held as reserve force at English consulate, Guayama. Rejoined regiment and marched in the advance on Guayama with General Peter C. Haines' brigade. Occupied and marched through city with Major Jackson's battalion of the Third Dlinois, Col. Fred Bennitt commanding. Assigned to outpost duty August 5 to 13, 1898. Marched as advance company in the advance on Spanish fortifications on road to San Juan in Cayey mountains, August 13, 1898, until recalled by peace protocol. Established headquarters in the vicinity of Guayama and was engaged in policing mountain district and disbanding guerilla forces until October, 1898. Relieved by the 47th N. Y. Infantry, camped near Arroyo. Embarked for New York, November 2, 1898, on transport Roumania. Mustered out of the United States service January 21, 1899, at Pontiac, which ended the existence of the company, as while absent on foreign service, the regiment had been mustered out of the Illinois National Guard.

Later on, a new company bearing the same name was organized by First Lieutenant L. F. Strawn; First Sergeant J. A. Sutherland; hospital steward, F. L. Eastman; sergeant, George M. Cairns; wagonmaster, Harry Herbert; musician Lon Hill; and sergeant, R. B. Wallace. This company is still active as a part of the state militia.

The following were the officers: Captain, Alexander J. Renoe; first lieutenant, Louis F. Strawn, second lieutenant, Guy F. Whitson; first sergeant, John A. Sutherland; quartermaster sergeant, James D. Marks; sergeants:

Privates: Carl Anderson, Ross Arnett, Otis Atteberry, Walter Begg. Frank Beamer, Valdis Beamer, Frank Bobzim David Boyd, Lester Brewer, Clyde Brown, Edward Bruce, George Brumbach, George Cairns,. Eugene Carrithers, Frank Chamberlain, George Chamberlain, Harry Chamberlain, Henry Chapman, Frank Compton, Albert Conover, Richard Cornell, Clarence Cox, Frank Dean, Herbert DeMoss, William De Voe, Frank Durflinger, Frank Edgington, Joseph Estes, Louls Falk, Frank Foulk, James Foulk, James Hall, William Henderson, Byron Herbert, Harry Herzberg, Louis Hill, William Hull, Louls Joerndt, Charles Jones, Emanuel Kirkeby, Frank Kneeland, George Leeds, David Lewis, William Lord, Reinhard Mattlin, Frank Megquier, George Megquier, Charles Miller, Calvin Mitchell, Thomas O'Hara, Benjamin Patterson, Chris Page, Charles Pearsall, George Pemberton, William Pepperdine, William Phelps, Peter Plowman, Paul Ramey, Frank Reichardt, Louis Schifler, George Shreve, Alexander Skean, Albert Smith, George W. Smith, Frank Speicher, Thomas Stanley, Gaious Tallett, Everett Tate, Robert Wallace, Henry Wallis, Albert Wilson, William Wilson, Emmett Wood, Lee Wolfe, John Worrick. Transfers: Frank Eastman, Martin Kavanaugh and Willian Replogle to Reserve Ambulance Company, First Corps; John Daugherty to regimental band. Discharged before muster out of company: First Sergeant Edwin Miller July 21, 1898; Sergeant James Bowers, September 29, 1898; private Ray Eignus, December 30, 1898; private Cnarles Nagle, June 8, 1898. Deaths in service: Corporal Emanuel Landmann, at Philadelphia, Pa., September 28, 1898, from disease contracted in Porto Rico; private William Matheny, at Guayama, Porto Rico, September 10, 1898. Landmann's body was interred in South Dakota and Matheney's at Chenoa. (For some reminiscences of the Black Hawk War, See Chapter I, of this volume; and for a more extended history of that war see Historical Encyclopedia, (Vol. I), pp. 608-615.

Merkle & Sons, Peoria

In January, 1886, the first move was made by the old soldiers of Livingston County looking to the erection of a monument to the memory of its soldiers who rendered such noble service during the Civil War. When the first call to arms was sounded through the patriotic North for volunteers to crush the slaveholders' rebellion, 600 brave sons of Livingston County responded to the call This number was largely increased by subsequent volunteers and recruits until the number was swelled from 600 to nearly 2,000, Of this large number, comparatively but few returned to their homes alive or without having contracted sickness which greatly shortened their lives, Many lie buried in the Southern soil where they fell fighting for their homes and country. It was thought at that time that the county should show its gratefulness to the heroes by the erection of a monument.

At the meeting of the board of supervisors in February, 1886, a committee from the board consisting of E. L. Stratton, Charles W. Rollins and William R. Marvin, was appointed to confer with a committee of soldiers of whom W. S. Sims, W. B Fyfe, J. B. Parsons and H. H. McDowell were members. At that meeting of the board the following resolution was adopted:

"Resolved. That we, the board of supervisors of Livingston County at the February meeting, 1886, order that a proposition be submitted at the April election of 1886 to be held in the several townships of the county to be voted upon by the legal voters thereof, viz.: whether they are in favor of the erection by this county of a soldiers' monument, the cost not to exceed one mill on the dollar of the taxable property of said county; that on each of the ballots there shall be printed or written the words. 'For Soldiers' Monument - Against Soldiers' Monument,' the party to erase the portion he is opposed to; that the board hereby order the county clerk to take the proper steps to carry out the above resolutions."

In the meantime, considerable discussion arose, principally among the old soldiers throughout the county in regard to the monument. Many were in favor of a monument in each township, while others fayored a memorial of some kind. A meeting of the veterans of the county was held at the court house in Pontiac on Friday, February 27, 1886. The meeting favored the erection of a county soldiers' monument, but the opinion was expressed that any town in the county could raise a monument to its deceased soldiers if it so wished, but a county monument seemed an absolute necessity, and the tax was very light. The proposition was voted on at the election held for township officers on Tuesday, April 6, 1886, and was defeated by a large majority.

From that time on but little attention was paid to the erection of a county monument in Livingston County. By an act of the legislature passed in 1899, boards of supervisors were granted power to levy a tax for such purpose on petition of the tax payers of the different counties. After the act became a law, petitions were immediately put in circulation in every township throughout the county. H. H. McDowell, S. M. Witt, E. L. Wilson, ©. C. Strawn, J. B. Parsons and James A. Hoover were instrumental in circulating the petition, the same being filed by them in the office of the county clerk on the 12th day of August, 1900. At the September meeting of the board, the prayer of the petition was granted, and at the general election held on November 6, 1900, the people again voted on the proposition to erect a county soldiers' and sailors' monument. This time the proposition carried by a vote of 4,074 for and 3,596 against.

At the meeting of the supervisors in June, 1901, a committee was appointed looking to the erection of the monument consisting of James Bergan, M. Cleary. John W. Hoover, J. C. Diemer, A. H. Haag, M. De F. Wilder and Ira M. Lish. This committee visited several cities in the state where monuments had been erected. At the September meeting of the board, D. C. Avery was added to the committee. The location was also determined upon and the contract let to the Merkle & Sons of Peoria on their bid of $12,153.50, the total cost of the monument, The monument was erected in the springof 1903, and ready for unveiling on the 8rd day of June. It is one of the most beautiful soldier and sailor monuments in the state, the total height being fifty-six feet. The bottom base is 14 x14, one foot eight inches, and the statue at the top is nine feet high, the whole weighing 337,255 pounds, or 168 tons.

After the completion of the monument, committee from the various Grand Army posts all over the county were appointed to look after the unveiling. President Roosevelt was invited to deliver the address on this occasion and promptly accepted. The date was set for June 3, 1903, On that day Pontiac was crowded with old soldiers and citizens from all over the county and the people of Pontiac had made great preparations for the event, but the weather was against the proceedings, a severe rain storm, accompanied by thunder and lightning, having set in about two hours previous to the arrival of President Roosevelt. When the special train bearing the president arrived at the Alton depot, the storm was at its height. Rain was pouring down in torrents and the streets of Pontiac were a sheet of water. Notwithstanding this, President Roosevelt alighted from the train and asked for the mayor of the city. Mayor Rathbun was soon at his side, a carriage was provided, and the President driven up town to the stand erected on the east side of the court house. Mounting the platform and facing an audience of less than a dozen people, President Roosevelt delivered the following address:

"Mr. Mayor and Fellow Citizens: 1 shall not try to make an extended speech. In the name of the people of Livingston County, by whom it has been erected, I dedicate this monument to those who have deserved it. I greet you all. and thank you for coming out.in this rain; and I especially greet the members of the Grand Army of the Republic and these National Guards."

The address being finished, the President was escorted to his carriage and driven to the depot, not having been in Pontiac over fifteen minutes. The unveiling having been completed, the crowd soon dispersed.

Other Monuments

In the city cemetery at Pontiac, there is a granite monument about sixteen feet in height, consisting of a shaft surmounted by a statue, erected by T. Lyle Dickey Post, G. A. R., and dedicated by these veterans May 30, 1902, to the memory of the missing comrades of the Civil War. In Forrest Township, in the rural cemetery, there is a gray granite shaft, sixteen feet in height, erected in 1883 at a cost of $400, and dedicated to the memory of Captain Otis Asa Burgess of the Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At Fairbury. in the city park, cannon have been mounted on a stone foundation and dedicated August 20, 1902, to the memory of the soldiers and sailors of the Union. The work was done under the auspices of Aaron Weider post, G. A. R., at a cost of $150 contributed by the members of the post. A fine monument was

Annual Reunion 129Th Regiment

The annual reunion of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry was held in Pontiac, Thursday, October 8, 190S, and was largely attended by the surviving members of the regiment, who had an enjoyable experience talking over old times, The reunion took on the form of a reunion of all old soldiers, irrespective of regiment or company. This feature added to the interest of the occasion although such had not been planned by those having the matter in charge.

The business sessions were held in the clubrooms of the Elks, who kindly donated the use of the same. Following a short preliminary address at 1:30 P. M., the meeting got down to business. The following oflicers were elected for the ensuing year:

Following the closing of the business meeting the members of the regiment and the visiting old soldiers were given a carriage ride about the city by the citizens. About twenty-five autos were furnished and the old soldiers shown about the city. At the head of the auto parade was a fife and drum corps, which furnished music all along the route. Following the auto ride, the members of the regiment, as well as the other old soldiers present, organized in parade formation and marched around the court house square headed by the fife and drum corps. The parade ended at the soldiers' and sailors' monument, where a brief memorial service was held. The speakers were C. C. Strawn and L. ©. Wright, both of Pontiac.

Delos Robinson, of Sheridan, 111.; Hugh Thompson, George Worthington, A. P. Pemberton, James H. Gaff, R. D. Folks and D. J. Lyons, of Pontiac; T. St. John, J. W. Whiteside, Eli L. Lower, of Lanark, Ill.; O. O. Leonard, of Manville, Ill.; J. S. Johnson, of Sibley; Jacob Farr, of Onarga. F. M. VanDoren, of Flanagan; L. Morse, William McLoud. of Odell; Nathan

Springer, of Graymont; Eben Perry, of Urbana; D. W. Blake, of Cornell; C. L. Dunham, of Avoca; $. MeQuinon, of Streator: William Thompson, Curtis J. Judd, of Dwight; William Jencks, of Ottawa; J. E. Fitzgerald, of Fairbury; Andrew Stuart, of Kempton,

The ranks of the old soldiers are thinning out, and the survivors, who meet in reunions, are for the most part showing plainly the marks of time and the effects of their service in behalf of the union. It was from Pontiac that the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth, in the full vigor of youth and patriotic impulses, went to the front in 1862 amid the prayers and tears and fears of those left behind. Today, but comparatively few are left, but Pontiac in years past has given them a cordial welcome, and shows that they are not forgotten, but are held in loving remembrance.