Gc

977.301
MA
D36b
1164921
 llfniimii99,yriT\ PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 66839 3743

H1»T#BT
OF

imiif®iPf

HENRY L. BOIES.

O. p. BASSETT, PRINTER,
95 AND 97 WEST KANDOLPH STREET, CHICAGO.
1868.
 1164921
PREFACE.
This work has been jH-epared at the solicitation of many
of the pioneer settlers and prominent citizens of the County.
~ The materials have not proved abundant. So brief has been
* the existence of our County ; so quiet and uneventful its

^J career so little of exciting adventure or unusual experience

^'^ have ;

the annals of its early settlement afforded, that the task

V I
of writing its history has been like that of writing the biogra-
phy of some vigorous but common-place country lad who is

yet in his teens. Yet, there is much in the early exjoerience

first settlers of the County that we, their successors
of the
and descendants, should not willingly suffer to pass into ob-
livion. And, it seemed important that the work of collecting

<^r*^ and recording it should be done without delay. For many

\ of the first settlers were fast passing into senility or dropping
into the grave, and the interesting story of the toils and trials,
the joys and sorrows, the gloomy tragedies and gay comedies
that made up their history, lived only in the uncertain memo-
ries of the participants, — only in the recollection of a class
of men who were rajjidly passing away.
The military history of the County, —the story of the ser-
vices rendered by brave boys in blue in defence of the
its

Nation against the Great Rebellion, have been found a mine

of historic wealth, so rich, so extensive, that the limits of the
work have permitted only a partial exploration. Few knew,
or adequately appreciate, the extent of the service that our
brave boys rendered in that grand struggle for the preserva-
tion of the life of the Nation and this, it seemed, must soon
;

pass into obscurity, or live only in the uncertain, perhaps con-

tradictory, remembrance of the participants in its stirring
scenes.
24 PREFACE.

To rescue these facts from an undeserved oblivion ; to

gather and fix these ephemeral incidents before they were
gone forever ; knowledge of events of
to give our citizens a
interest in its past careerand present situation to give to the ;

world some information, not only of its history, but of its

present resources and future prospects to render a fitting ;

tribute to the valor and devotion of its gallant boys in blue

who nobly bore its banners upon the bloody battle-field, or, as
martyrs to their love of country, bravely died in its defence to ;

encourage in our citizens an esprit du corps^ a pride in the

name and fame of the County in which they have made homes,
such has been the purpose of this work; such its object and
design. If this shall have been so accomplished as to meet
the apjjroval of its people, its author will be more than satis-
fied. For its many defects and omissions, he would beg the
indulgence of its readers. Those who would view the work
with an unkindly critical eye, could hardly appreciate the
difticulties of the task of determining exact facts of occur-
rences long passed, in the midst of conflicting testimony, or
of doing perfect justice to all who have borne; a share in the
work of reclaiming the County from its native wildness, and
building it up to its present state of prosperity and enlighten-
ment. The author has striven to make a faithful record, noth-
ing extenuating, nor setting down aught in malice. With the
hope that its readers may take in its perusal some share of that
interest which he has taken in its preparation, it is committed
to the candid, and it is hoped, kindly judgment of the people
of DeKalb County.

Note.—A large uumber of soldiers of DeKalb Couiitj^ did gallant service in the Sec-
ond Illinoig Artillery, under General Stolbrand, and Captains J. W. Lowell and H. C.
Whittemore; but tlie history of those batteries, promised in the prospectus of this
work, appears to have been lost in the course of transmission by mail, and could not
be replaced in time for puDlication. Numerous irritating typographical errors appear.
The author, residing at a distance from the place of publication, was unable to review
some portions of the proof. The reader will probably be able to correct most of them,
and it is hoped to excuse them but it may be well to mention that the first line on
;

page 89 should be read as the last that the last word on page 479 should be Corinth,
;

instead of Lyndon, and that the headings on pages 489 and 491 should be DeKalb in-
stead of Sycamore, and on page 389 should be Tenth, instead of Thirteenth Illinois
Infantrv.
 ^rABLE OF CONTENTS.
PART FIRST.
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
CHAPTER I.

Geographical description of the County..

-
Its geology. .Origin of the
.

prairies. .^^

CHAPTER II.

A nUIKF HISTORY OF THE STATE.

Settled by the French. .New France. .Ceded to Great Britiiin. .Prov-
ince of Quebec. .Conquered bj' General Clarke. .County of Illinois in
liie Slate of Virginia. .Ordinance of 1787. .War of 1812. .The Vinsan
Lpgislatur. .Divided from Ind'ana. .Admittance as a State. .Kaskas-
kia. .Vandalia. .Slavery in Illinois. .The Illinois Canal. .Galena..
The Suckers. .Fir.^t Black Hawk war.. Second Black Hawk war.
Battle at Stillman's Run. .Dixon. .Massacres. .Battles. .Internal im-
provements — County ot DeKalb. 43
CHAPTER III.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS.

Their personal appearance. .Characteristics. .Their Villages in thi«
Vicinity. .Burial places.. Corn fields. .Hunting. .Marriage. .Life of
Old Shaobona. .Tecumsehs aid. .Black Hawk's enemy. .His services
to the Whites. .Smoke. .Pokanoka. .Familj^ discipline. .Shabbona dis-
possessed. 53
CHAPTER IV.
LIFE OF BARON DE KAT-B 03
CHAPTER V.
THE CLAIM ASSOCIATIONS.
Immigration. .Pre-emption and cl!>ims .Disputes. .Fights. .Division of
.

claims. .Convention of the People. .Constitution and by-laws. .Suits

. — —
.Stark and Barron McLcnathan and Mason Mann of Burlington
.The Lynchers tried. 67
CHAPTER VL
THE BANDITTI.
Horsestealing. .Brodie's Grove. .Worden's discoveries. .DiiscoH's Grove
..Gleasons.. Oregon burned. .How to get a verdict.. The Lynching
26 CONTENTS.

club. .Captain Lonf^'s Mill burned. .Daggett and Powell. .Captain

Campbell's armj^. .Embassy from Judge Ford. .Gathering of the Ban-
dits.. Murder of Campbell. .The country roused. .Capture of the
Driscolls .. Trial at White Rock. .The wiiiskj-. .Prisoner shot.. Trial
of Taylor Driscoll. .Who was the Assassin. 78
CHAPTER VII.
THE RESURKECTIONISTS.
Grave robbing at 8t. Charles. .James Lovell's discovery. .The watch
. .The pursuit. ..The robbers arrested. .A vacant grave. .To Richard's
Institute. .The lock of golden hair. .Richard's brutality. .The country
in arms. .March to St. Charles.. An angry altercation. .Assault on
the Institute. .Its Defenders shot. .Tlie building riddled. .Xo corpses
. .A night Conference. .A Retreat. .Raising the bodj^.Itis returned
. .Arres'.s by both parties. 95

PART SECOND.
DEKALB COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
INTRODrCTlOX.
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS.
Organization .In Camp at Dixon .Field and Staff. .At Chicago. To Louis-
. . .

ville. .Great march to Frankfort. .To Shelbyviile. .Bowling Green.

Scottsville Postage currency .Changes .To Nashvil 'e .Pap"])y AVard
. . . . .

Murder. .March to Lookout. !Lost in a cave. General H^oke.. Battle of

Resaca A rebs letter To Kingston and Burnt Hickory A Fii;ht D eat li
. . . .

of Surgeon Potter. .Fight at Golgotha. .At Marietta. .Ba'.tle of Peach

Tree Creek. .Terrible scenes. .How the rebs did'nt gather acorns-
Siege of Atlanta-— The dead and wounded. .Herman FurntsV adven-
ture. .Atlanta captured. .Colonel Dustin in command of a Division.
Other changes.. Off for Savannah. .Atlanta burned. .Contrabands
and Bummers. .Madison and Milledgville. .Railroads destroved. .Fun
and Foraging. .Yinum Antimonia. .Savannah. OQ again. .Committee
of the whole on the State of South. Carolina. .Bummers in clover..
Forty days more. .Xorth Carolina. .Battle of Averysboro. .Gallantry
of the One Hundred and Fifth. .AtGoldsboro. .Richmond Surrenders
...Johnson Surrenders. .On to Richmond and Washington. .Grand
Review. .Home again. .Generous Pittsburg. .Shabby Chicago.. The
Roster. 113
THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
Cavalry needed. Colonel Farnsworth Commissioned. .The rally. .At St*
.

Charles.. To Washington. .Greetings on the route. .Farnsworth's

Big Abolition Regiment.. At Meriaian Hill. .Grand 'Reviews. .No
fight. .Camp Sumner. .Five Hundred Sick. .To Alexandria. .General
Montgomery. .How the rebs loved us. .Spring opens. .On to Manassas
—Wooden Guns. .Scouting. .Back to Alexandria. .Siege of Yorktown
.Williamsburg. .Black Creek Bridge. .Richmond in" sight. .Recon-
.

noisances and "Picketing. .Fair Oaks. .Captain Farnsworth's dinner

party.. Page 220.. The Seven Da.ys Fight. .Change of ba'e. .The
horrors of the retreat.. At Haxal's and Harrison's. .Malvern Hill..
Back to Yorktown and Alexandria. .Fight at Barnsville. .George M
Roe. .Frederick City. .South Mountain. .Boonesboro. .-Autietam-.
The Rebel army escanc.Dash into Shepherdstown. .Memorable
—
march to Martinsburg Alter Jeb Stuart— Page 230— -Markham Station
 CONTENTS. 27

-—Re-enlisting
vance— -Fights
— Tlie Furlough— -Giesborough Point— -Early's ad-
at Middletovvn, Monococy, Urbana-— Guarding Wash-
ington —After Mosby —Pursuing —
the assassins St. George and St.
St. Marys— To St. Louis— -A Wrecked Steamer— -To Chicago and home
-—Roster. 205

THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALllY.

Recruiting-— Company C— -Its Officers— -Field and Staff— -To St. Lonis
and Alton— -Regiment divided— -To St. Joseph— -Guerrillas attacked
— -Dashmg Phil M cRae-— Jefferson City— -Rolla-— Cuba— -General
—
Ewiug Race for the Capitol —The Price raid- -Defence of the Cap-
itol —
Honor and danger— -Price's Retreat— -After him— -Boonesville-—
Mine Creek— -Fifly-six hours in the Saddle— -Six Huncfred horses lost
— Jack Houghton— -Price Escapes— -Cape Girardeau— -JefF. Thompson
surrenders— -To Kansas City— -Fort Larncd— -Fort Leavenworth—
—
Trouble in Camp Roster. 253

THE FIFTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY.

Organization— -At the Capture of Donelson— -Fort Henry-— Corinth—
Shiloh— Half the Regiment killed and captured— -Captain Rutisthauser
-—Lieutenant Moxoni— Sergeant Wheaton's adventure— -The Union
Brigade-Cape Kittell- -Baltic of Corinth— Sergeant J. C. Wright
—To Springfield To V|cksburg Raid on Meridian- Capture —
of Fort DeRussey. .-Up Red River. .Sabine Cross Roads. .Pleas-
ant Hill. .The Fifty-eighth save the army. .Still retreating. .Damming
Red river. .Yellow Bayou. .Desperate charges. .One hundred and ten
men killed and wounded Re-enlistcd Fight at Columbia .Fight with
. . . . .

Forest at Tiipello. .To Missouri. .The Price raid. .To Northville and
Eastport-. .New Orleans-. .Mobile- .Montgomery-. .Home
. again-.
Roster. 268
THE TENTH CAVALRY.
Captain Carr's company. .The first company raised in Illinois. .To Cairo
. .Fortifying and garrison duty. .Re-organized for three years.. Raid
in Kentucky. .Sykesville. .Birds Point. .Captain Carr killed. .Island
No. 10.. Siege of Corinth. .Booneville. .Fighting our way to Nash-
ville. .Besieged. .No rations. .Built Fort Negley. .Campaign through
Alabama and Mississippi. .Wheeler's cavalry. .Mission Ridge. .Pur.su-
iug Hardee. .A midwinter march without blankets, shoes or tents.,
lo Chattanooga. .Rossville. .Veteranized— To Atlanta. .Grand march
to the Sea. .Crossing the Salkehatchie. .Forty men lost. .Gallantry at
Edisto..To Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville and Goldsboro. .Bat-
tle of Bentonville. .Hardee whipped. .Sixty men lost. .To Raleigh,
Richmond, and the grand review. :^84

THE THIRTEENTH INFANTRY.

Enlistments uirojuuiiiycu. .Sandwich
luuaMiiciiLfl discouraged. .oiiuuvviuii and
ttuiL Sycamore
cijctiuiore companies
compauii accepted
"
—Premiums '^ "
"^for places— Gray uniforms— Banner presented-
'^'
' ' ed— At Dixon
— To Rolla— March to Springfield— Fremont's Flying Infai
ifantry— Back
to Rolla— Jesting and death— To Pea Ridge— Indian corpse
3ses— Terrible
march to Helena— Assault upon Vicksburg— Death of" General Wy-
man— Arkansas Post-Jackson— Siege of Vicksburg— On Chattanooga
—Capture of Lookout Mountain— Ringold Gap— Pat Riley— Death of
Major Bushnell and Captain Blanchard. .Meridian Station. .Sixty-
six men captured. .Resume. .Roster. 292
28 CONTENTS.

THE FOURTEENTH CAYALRY.

Recruiting. .Consolidation of three Regiments. .At Peoria. .The officers
..To Glasgow. .Skirmishing at Celiua..Camp Boyle. .Pursuit of
Colonel Hamilton. .We capture John Morgan. .Twenty-one hunchvd
miles ride. .Jnin Bm-nside. .Surrender of Cumberland Gap. .Guarding
Railroads. .Fight at Zollicotler .At Blountville. .Dog-tents. .Siege of
Knoxville. .Driven. .Bean Station. .Dandridge. .Thomas' Legion.
Death of Horace Capron. .Ciltico. .General Stoneman. .On Atlanta. .

Tlie Great Stoneman Raid. .Seven d-^ys and nights in the Saddle..
Massacred asleep. .The Regiment de,stroyed. .Major Davidson. .Fight-
ing Forest. .Pursuit of Bragg. .Mustered out. 208

THE FORTY-SECOND INFANTRY.

Company K. .Roster. .To Tipton. .Terrible march to Springfield. .Two
hundred men disabled... Winter at Smitiiton .To St. Charles. .Fort
.

Holt. .Columbus. .Island No. 10.. Siege of Corinth. .Booneville. .

Captain Butts. .Battle of Farminglon... of Columbia. .Stone River.

22'^ men lost. .The Chattanooga campaign. .Chickamauga. .184 men
!oht. .Mission Ridge, 45 men lost. .East lennes.see campaign. .Veter-
anized. .Home. .Atlanta campaign. .Ten battles, IIG m.n lost.. To
Bridgeport, Chattanooga, Athens and Pulaski. .Figlit at Spring Hill
and Franklin, 109 men lost. .Battle of Nashville. .To Decatur, Blue
Springs, Johnsonvdle, Te.vas, Port Lavaca. .Mustered out January
btl, lb(}6. .Roster. m'S

THE FIFTY- SECOND INFANTRY.

Organized. .At Geneva. .To St. Louis and St. Joseph. .Exhausting
march to Quincy To Kentucky. .Colonel Sweeney. .Fort Donaldson
:

..Guarding prisoners. .Shiloh. .Major Stark. .Death of Captain Knapp

. .One-third of the Regiment lost.. Siege of Corinth. .Sickness and
sufferings. .Battle of Corinth.. To luka and Burnsville. .Corinth.
Gallaiitry of the Fifty-second. .Hard marches. .Bear Creek. .After
Forrest. '.Exhausting marches. ..To Pulaski. .Veteranized and home
..To Nashville and Chattanooga. .Siege of Atlanta. .To Savannah.
Simth Carolina. .Fall of Richmond. .Surrender of Johnson. .Wash-
ington, Louisville, Chicago. .Roster. 328

THE ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY'SECOND.

Company F, its Officers. .To Paducah. .Guarding communications..
The campaign ended.. Home again. .Roster. 34;i.

THE ONE IH'NDRED AND FIFTY .SIXTH.

Company H, its Officers. .To Paducah. .Guarding

" conununications.
The Rebellicm ended. .Home. .Roster. 345
PART THIRD.
ANNALS OP DEKALB COUNTY.
183^—Ma'ch of General Scott- — Encampment at Kingston
"
-
-Battle of
Stilhnan's Run— -Encampment at Paw Paw. 348

1833 Exploration into Southern Portion of the Tenilory— Indians

"

hos' ile. 349

1834— -Explorations -HoUeuback— -Claims at Squaw Grove andPampas
— First house— Mail route to Dixon-— Sebrees.
'
349
 CONTENTS. 29

1885. .Immigrants pour in —Indians. .Mode of traveling -Mode of life.

Making cfainis. .First houses. .Hope and Ambition. ..The Claim Asso-
ciation —
First Justices - -Part of La Salle County. lieligious services .

established. .Winter of is 0. .fsjiabjona Grove. .Peter liamois and the

Whisky trade. 3.10

1838. .A year of gloom. .Provisions scarce. .Clothing worn out.. Sick-

ness. .Election of Madden. ..Chicago. .Kane and DeKaib. .towns
started. 358
1837. .Act, creating DeKaib County.. Septennial welseastm. .The finan-
cial crash. .What Shabbona says. .The new Villages. .C. Sharer &Co.
Collonville. .How the County was set otf from Kane. .The first Elec-
tion. .OflScers cho.sen. .The County Court.. Its first acts. .Precincts
created. .The County Seat located. .Tiie struggle. .Why Orange was
selected. 3(50

1838.. First; Circuit Court, at ColtiMiville. .Names of Jurors. .Tavern

licenses. .Regulation of prices. .The first County tax. .Election of
Commissioners. .Attractions of Coltonville. .Captain Barnes' Enter-
l)rise. .Madden and Colton. Act for removal passed. .Courting and
.

the County Seat. .Removal voted down. .The first Crmnnal. .County
Town Surveyed Cou t proceedings Deer Stalking.
. . :
. 374
.

1839. .Sickly season. .New Court Houso

built. .The Mansion House..
Removal of Court. .Elections. .The Polish grant. .Another act for
Removal ot the Seat of Justice. .Carried. .Kellogg arrested. .Taxes
raised. 383
1840. .Increase of population. .Poverty of the People. .Life at Squaw
Grove. .Thieves and counterfeiters. .The Nunnery. .Election of Hai'-
rison. .The Courts. .County Seat voted back again. .Winthrop Love-
lace. Boarders and prisoners.
. 3tJ5

1841.. Thefirst Lawyer. .Elections. .Slate road. .Terrible winter.. Six

months good Sleighing. Starvation 500 Deer killed.
. . . 390
1842. .First steel plows. .E. L. Mayo. .The County Town. .Three years
Taxes. .The State and County bankrupt. .Rich* Recorders. .Electicms
..Courts. 391
1843. .County financiering. .Land comes in market. .Claim wars. .The
County Town. .New State roads. .Genoa. 394
1844. .The regular seven years flood. .Harvesting in the water. .County
Elections. .County orders. 308
1845. .Slow progress in settlement. .Debt and repudiation. .Clicim wars
..No money; 399
1846. .War with Mexico. .Captain Shepherds company. .Shabbona pre-
cinct. .Financial situation. .County
'
Officers and justices elected..
First brick dwellings built. 400
1847- .Improvement in finances. .Immigration. .Poverty. .The taverns
crowded. .Elections. .Paupers.
1848. .New Constitution. .Squaw Grove precinct created. .Wooster pre-
cinct. .The old Court House. .A new one demanded. 402
1849. .Contract f(n-new Court House. .Size. .Donations to be paid back
..The Subscribers. .Oft for Calift)rnia. .Officers elected. .Township
Organizatitm. .Salaries ot Officers. .Division of the County into
Towns The original thirteen County tax.
. . . . 403
30 CONTENTS.

1850.. Town Government established. .First Board of Supervisors..

Names changed and why. .Court House completed. 406

1851. .Inaug'uration ball. .The Septennial flood. .Two feet of snow !in
April. .Poisonous wdicat. .Chicago, Burlington Quincy Railroad. &
St. Charles plank road. 407

1852. .Assessment. .Only 20,000 acres not entered. .Politics. .Combina-

tions. .County Offices become valuable. .Elections. .St. Charles &
)i Air Line. .First Agricultural Society. 408

1853. .History of St. Charles & Mississippi Air Line. .The Dix(m Rail-
road. .Purchase of County Poor Farm. .Buena Vista Village. 409

1854. .First Newspaper published .The Maine Liquor Law issue. .Vote
of the County. .Lands all entered. .Newark Station. .Political Mass
Meeting. .Organization of the Republican party. .County Fair.
Elections. .Assessments. .Swamp Land Grant. .DeKalb Village..
County tax. .Afton. 418
1855. .The County property. .Population of the towns and villages. 416
1856. .A year of prosperity. .Expansion. .County Jail built.. Swamp
Lands. .Malta. ..taxation. .Terrible storm. 417
1857. .Commercial convulsion. .General bankruptcy. .Election. .Milan
..Newspapers. 419
1858.. Papers in the County.. Hard times. .A meteor. .Taxes. .The
Septennial flood. .Sycamore &
CortlandRailroad. .Teachers Tnstitute
Hard times. .Taxes suspended. .Tornado. .Meteor. 421
1859. Hard times. Drought. Debt. Suits. Paupers. Dow vs Elhvood. 425
1860..A notable year. .Bountiful crops. .Presidential Election. .Great
Mass Meeting. .Wide-awakes. .Exciting political contest. 426

1861. .The Great War. .Patriotic devotion. .Union of Parties. .Stump-

tail currency. .Census. 428
1862. .Gloom and depression. .Enrollment for draft. .Assessment. .Elec-
tion. .Swamp Laud Grant sold. .History of the grant. 480
1863. .Pecuniary prosperity. .Fire proof County Offices. ..Beautiful
School Houses. .600,000 troops called out. .Volunteers enough. .Bounty
Legislation. .Jurisdiction of the County Court. .Sorghum culture. 435

1864. .The great January storm. .Return of the veterans. .H. W. Fay.
William Young. .Destruction of shade trees. .Money abundant. .The
Wheat crop destroj^ed. .More troops called. .County bounties. .The
draft comes at last.. Quotas tilled. .Elections. .Union League. .Rail-
road monopolies. .First foreign appointment. 435
1835.. The County Seat contest. .Quotas of towns demanded. .The
draft. .Heavy taxation. .Peace at last. .Men furnished by each town
.Fall in gold. .Wet season. .Elections. .Census.
.
488
1836. .Prosperity. .Elegant churches built. .Desolating hail storm..
Cholera. .Failure of Sycamore
"
Bank. .Election. .Taxation. .Bounties
on wolves. 441

1867. .Great prices for produce. .Rise in lands. .The Half Shire. .Man-
ufactories Election . Burglars Ta.xalion.
. . . .
444.

1838 , . Statistics . . Election . . Conclusion. 447

 CONTENTS. 31

PART FOURTH.
TOWN HISTORIES.
Genoa. .Thieves and counterfeiters. .E.
.Its attractions. .First settlers.
p. Gleaaon's liistorj'. .Mass meeting in 1838. Origin of the name..
Largest Village in the County. .Population. .Genoa in the war. .Her
marlj'red dead Supervisors. . . 450
Kingston. .The Indians. .First white settlers. .Povertj- of early times
..How they lived. .Population. .Fearful tornado. .Luke Penwell..
George Magenety killed.. Her soldier boys.. The dead. .Numerous
officers. .Supervisors. 455
Franklin. .Woods, streams and quarries. .First settlers. .Hicks' Mills.
Kishwaukee City. .Poverty. .Dr. Hobart. .Land in market in 1838. .

General Tom Humphrey. .Other officers. .Dead ot the Rebellion..

Tornado. .The killed. .Indian idol. .Population. .Supervisors. 463
Mayfield. .Its natural attractions. .First settlers. .Coltonville. .Indian
village Dr. jMadden
. . distillery . . A
Sarpents and other game .Claim . . .

wars. .Population. .Boys in Blue. .The roll of Honor. .First religious

meetings. .Supervisors. 463
SouTii Grove.. Its soil and surface. .Owens' Creek. .Indian trail..
Orput's and Driscoll's Grove. .Mills. .Its inhabitants. .The Driscolls
..First settlers. .Schoolmaster Byers. .Schools now.. How to build
School Houses cheaply. .Churches. .Camp meeting. .Hell of a Christ-
ian. .Post Office. .Hotels. .Profits of farming. .Hercules helps. .Fine
houses. .Noble farms. .Favorite crops. .Population. .Its men in the
Army.. Its Supervisors. 467
Sycamore. .Timber and streams. .Norbo. .Charters. .The New York
Company. .Bursted bubbles.. The old Town of Sycamore. .Captain
Barnes. .Sycamore in 1840. .Churches. .Lawyers. .Population. .Sj'ca-
more in 1855. .James' Block. .Sycamore & Cortland Railroad. .Lead-
ing citizens. .Supervisors.. .Incorporation of the village. 475
Cortland. .Indian village. .The prisoners. .Ohio Grove. .Palatial Hotel
Luce's Corners. .The railroad village.. The population. .Richland...
Pampas. .Public schools; the first and the last.. Her soldiers. .The
roll of her martyrs. .Captain R. A. Smith. .Supervisors. 482
DeKalb. .Woodland and streams. .First settlers. .Troops in camp..
Jenks & Co.. ..Russell Huntley's claims. .First Election. .Hard times
..DeKalb for sale cheap.. Town organized. .First called Orange..
The life giving Railroad. .Magical grovvth. .1857. .Agricultural Society
grounds. .School Houses. .Churches. .Newspapers. .Lawyers. .Bank
. Leading citizens Supervisors Soldiers Population
. . . 486 . . . .

Malta. .Settled in 1851. .Station established in 1854. .Milton. .Etna.

Storm of 1857. .Steam Mill. .Recent rapid growth. .Future prospects
.Census Soldiers Supervisors.
. . . . . 492
Milan.. The youngest town.. Lewis McEwen..Dcer and wolves..
Rapid settlement. .Advance in the price of lands. .School Section and
Schools Town Hall Norwegians The willows Population As-
. . . . . . . . . .

sesment of property. .Its Soldiers. 494

AFTON..The first emigrants mistake. .Sweet Afton.. First settlers..
Organization as a town.. First town officers. .Its uniformlj^ Noble
SLipervisors. .Its Schools. .Its Churches. .Its Elections. .Its Population
...Its war record. .Its dead of the war. 496
32 CONTENTS.

Clinton. .Its grove and streams. .First Inhabitants. .Its territory..

Selection of a name. .Population. .Schools. .Churches. .Claim wars.
Hard limes.. Its martyred dead. .Captain Pritciiard. .The Marsh
Brothers and the Marsh Harvester. .The Supervisors. 409
Pierce. .Sulphur springs. .Wheat raising. .Nativity of its inhabitants
First settlers. .Schools. .Organization in 1858.. Its name. .Contribu-
tions to the war. .Population.. Superv'sors. . 501

Squaw Grove. .The town settled. .Origin of the name..Sebree

first
and other first settlers. .Mode of life. .Taxation. .First birth and
death. .Schoo.'s. .Its present wealth. .Population. .Soldiers. .Super-
visors. 506
Paw Paw.. Natural characteristics. .First inhabitants. .Origin of its
name . . Shabbona . . Waubonsie .Le Clair ..The banditti Bill Rogers
. . . .

..Treasure trove. .Town organization. .Fir-jt Election. .Supervisors.

Seminaries. .Churches. .Population. In the war of the Rebellion..
The dead. 508
Victor. .Organizaticm in 1853.. First immigrants. .The railroad..
-Nativity of its population. .The Little Indian. .Leland. .Schools.
Population. .Its soldier boys. .Tlieir dead. .Supervisors. 514
SoMONAUK. .Description. .First house in the County. .Early settlers.
Poverty and hardship. .Worship. .The mails. .The railroad. .Sand-
wich. .How started. .Manufacturing. .Its grain trade .'.Its newspapers
..Its Churches. .Somonauk village. .Rapid growth. .Its war record .

Leading citizens.. .Underground railroad. 519

Shabbona. .The Grove.. The Big Indian Creek. .Early prosperity..

Old Shabbona. .Treaties. .Sells his reservation to Gates. .Sale void.
The sale at Dixon. .The Whispering Smith's attempt. .Investigation
..First hou-ie. .First settlers. .Game — Sibiqua — Presest situation
Masonic —Its soldieiy— The dead —The Supervisors 524
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

CHAPTER I.

The Geography and Geology of DeKalb County, avitii

THE Origin of the Prairies.

The surface of our County of DeKalb has few marked

peculiarities —few grand distinctive features. It contains no
great and navigable rivers ; no elevated peaks, rising in

majestic grandeur ; no mountain torrents, shrouded in foam,

chafing in rocky channels ; no deep and narrow valleys, hem-
med in on every side, and forming little worlds of their own
no narrow and precipitous passes, winding through circuitous
defiles ; no cavernous gorges, giving exit to pent-up waters

no contorted or twisted strata, afibrding evidence of violent

internal throes and gigantic overturnings. It is simply a
plain parallelogram of rich rolling prairie, eighteen miles broad
and thirty-six miles long, dotted with a few groves and watered
by a few small streams.
But the features of the landscape, although less bold than
those of mountainous regions, are yet impressive and strongly
marked. In the broad, billowy prairies, extending as far as
the eye can reach, we have the element of vastness as in scarce
any other land ; we have a luxuriant sward of emerald green-
ness, clothing the whole land, down to ^he very margin of the
5
34 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY:

waters; we have meandering streams, clear as crystal, now

smooth, quiet and glassy, then ruffled by winds or rapids ;we
have clumps of trees, charming groves, disposed with an effect

of beauty that might baffle a landscape gardener ; now crown-

ing the grassy height, now clothing the green slope with their
pleasing shade. From the gentle heights of the rolling prairies,
the country, even before the hand of man had broken its
surface, wore the aspect of cultivated meadows and rich
pasture grounds, irrigatedby frequent rivulets.
The County occupies the high ground between the two
well-known streams, the Fox and Rock rivers streams famous ;

for their purity and beauty, which, rising in Wisconsin, both

flow southwestwardly in a course nearly parallel, and empty,
the Fox into the Illinois river at Ottawa, and the Rock into
the Mississippi at Rock Island. The highest point between
these rivers, and indeed, the highest between the lakes at
Chicago and the Mississippi river, is said to be in the town
of South Grove, in this County.
The central portion of the County contains the least exten*
of timbered lands, and the fewest running streams. The
northern and southern ends are better watered and timbered.
The south branch of the Kishwaukee river is the largest of
those streams. Upon all of the early maps of this County,
and upon its first records, this stream is designated as ^he
Sycamore river. Kishwaukee is said to be the Indian nafeie
for the Sycamore tree, and the river took its name from the
fact, that when the country was first settled by the whites, a

few scattered groups of those trees (very rare in the prairie

region) Avere found upon its banks.
This stream rises in the town of Afton, near the centre of
the County, flows through DeKalb, Mayfield, Kingston and
Franklin, about forty miles, entering the Rock river at Mil-

ford, in Winnebago County. It has several branches, the

largest of which, originating in Virgil, Kane County, flows
through Cortland and Sycamore, and enters the main branch
in Mayfield. Deer Creek in Genoa, Trimble's Run in King-
 ITS GEOGKAPHY AND GEOLOGY, 35

ston, Owen's Creek in South Grove and Franklin, all minor

branches of the same river, are infinitely valuable to the farms
which they water, and have served a valuable purpose in
furnishing protection to the scattering groves which always
spring up on the prairies upon the eastern sides of the run-
ning streams, sheltered there from the ravages of the annual
prairie fires, driven by the prevailing westerly winds. Beside
the banks of this main stream stretches one continuous forest,
composed principally of white red and burr oak trees, liberally

• interspersed with the poplar, the maple, the butternut, the

black-walnut, and the hickory. This grove constitutes the
main source of supply for fuel, fencing and timber, for the
land owners of all the northern half of the County, being
owned in small lots of from one to twenty acres, by the farmers
on the broad prairies on each side, some of whom live ten or
even fifteen miles from their timbered lots, and resort to them

only in the winter season, at which time their principal

occupation is the accumulation of a supply of fencing and
fuel for the next year's use.
Broad, rolling prairies occupy almost the entire surface of
the central portion of the County. The land is, perhaps,
more rolling, —more rough, — than at the two extremities ;

but only two or three small, isolated, natural groves broke

the uniformity of the billowy prairie, before it was formed
into farms and beautified by man with rows or little thickets
of planted or transplanted timber.
The first settlers of the country naturally made their
claims in close proximity to the groves and streams ; and
could hardly believe that the distant prairies would ever serve
any other purpose than that of a vast range for flocks and
herds. They were confident that no farmer could live and
labor conveniently, farther than a mile or two from his tim-
bered lots, and they regarded him as a visionary enthusiast
who dared to predict that they would live to see it all settled
and occupied by man. But the settlements gradually extended
farther and farther out upon the prairies, and now the entire
36 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY :

County is occupied, and scarcely a vacant spot of the wild

prairie can be found throughout its entire extent.

The upon these farms remote from the groves, now

settlers

claim that the soil is there more productive than in their closer
vicinity, and observation seems to justify the claim but this ;

superiority may be due to their having been more recently

settled and subjected to fewer drafts upon their fertility, than
those which have been longer cropped.
Some of the wealthiest farmers and the most productive
farms of the County are now found in this section of the
County, which, twenty years ago, it was thought would never
be occupied by residents.
Although this central portion of the County is compara-
tively rugged, yet no large streams are found there. The
head waters of all the creeks in the County are there formed
in sloughs or swamps, which always connect one with another,
until the united volume of their waters form brooklets, which
flowing north and south ultimately become our larger creeks.
The Big and Little Indian Creeks have their origin near the
southern boundary of these central towns, and in the town of
Afton one handsome and never-failing stream gushes out from
the low prairie with considerable size and force
; and flowing
southwestwardly through the town of Squaw Grove becomes
Rock Creek.
the Little
But the natural disadvantages of this scarcity of timber
and of flowing streams in this section, are compensated by
the possession of an important line of railroad, a portion of
and Pacific,
the great commercial artery between the Atlantic
upon which the thriving villages of Cortland, DeKalb and
Malta have sprung up villages which must ever be leading
;

business places in DeKalb County. Thanks to the life-infus-

ing influence of this great artery of trade, this portion of the
County, has grown in wealth and population during the past
ten years more rapidly than any other section, and its popu-
lation must still rapidly become more dense.

The six southern towns of the County, like the northern

 ITS GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 37

six, are better watered and timbered than those which occupy
the center. There are about four thousand acres of good
timber in its several groves, embracing about one thirty-second
of its entire surface, and so distributed that no farm in those
towns is far removed from timbered lots. Handsome flowing
streams are also abundant. It is as fertile and as beautiful a
region as the sun shines upon. The Little Indian and Big
Indian Creeks water the towns of Shabbona and Paw Paw,
while Shabbona Grove and Ross Grove furnish its timber.
Somonauk and Squaw Grove are watered by the Little
Rock and Somonauk Creeks and provided with timber from
the grove which borders these streams.
Upon the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroads have
sprung up the two active, enterprising and well built villages
of Sandwich and Somonauk. At Shabbona Grove and in
the southwestern portion of Paw Paw have long been small
villages, natural centers for the surrounding country which
make them
only need the life-giving influence of a railroad to
among the largest in the County.
The whole County is divided with mathematical precision
into eighteen towns, laid out by the United States Govern-
ment, each six miles square.
Hardly a ledge of rocks pierces the surface in any part of
the County. Some soft, inferior limestone is found in King-
ston a few feet below the surftice, and in Franklin is a quarry
of the same that is converted into building lime. A similar
quarry has been found in Afton, and in the southern part
near the banks of the creeks it may be found cropping out
occasionally.
But the whole County is, even for this prairie land, singu-
larly and unfortunately destitute of rock suitable for building
or for any other valuable purpose. Thinly scattered over its
entire surface, however, are found rounded granite boul-
ders, varying in size from that of a huge cannon ball to that
which would weigh a ton or more. In the vernacular of the
country they are called hard heads or nigger heads and are
38 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY:

prized by the farmers, who use them for underpmning barns;

sometimes also for stoning their wells, and more rarely their
house cellars. But few farms are so fortunate as to possess
enough for these purposes.
THE ORIGIN OF THE PRAIRIES.
These singularly beautiful and fertile plains, destitute of the

thick growth of timber with which nature has clothed most

of the country, and so admirably fitted by nature for the
immediate use of man, is a subject that has excited a vast
deal of interest and inquiry and has given rise to a great
many different theories.
To give an intelligent opinion on their origin, some brief
review of the commonly received theories of geology is

necessary.
The science of geology informs us that the earth, originally
a fiery, nebulous mass, revolving in illimitable space about
the sun, gradually became cooled at its surface and that at
the present age, the globe, still seething with tumultuous fires
within, is covered on its exterior by a rind of solid matter
about ten miles in thickness, which, as compared to its entire
diameter, is like a thin sheet of paper spread over a globe a
foot in diameter. This surface cooled irregularly in rough
corrugations ; the elevations constituting the mountains and
continents, and the depressions, filled with the condensed
vapors making the oceans and the valleys of the principal
rivers. This surface was originally far more rough and irreg-
ular than at present, and changes — alternate elevations and
depressions, while the solid exterior was thinner —were more
numerous than at this later age.
Those rocks which bear marks of having been originally in
a fluid state are called igneous rocks and constitute the primary
strata. Granite is the most common specimen of this class
of rocks.
Heat, frost and floods gradually crumble and wear aAvay
the irregularities of the surface and form from the disinte-
grated mass a soil, which, stimulated by the high tempera-
 ITS GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 39

ture caused by the fires below, produced herbage and veget-

able growths of enormous size. In the strata of rock formed
at this period are found, not only shells and the simpler forms
of animal life, but the remains of giant ferns sixty feet in
height, Avith stalks or trunks three feet in circumference.
Vines, palms, and all the flora of the present tropical regions,
an hundred times increased in size, grew and flourished in

the hot, moist atmosphere with a luxuriance almost incon-

ceivable, and dying, produced a soil of incomparable richness,
Avhich in turn reproduced fresh and more gigantic forms of
vegetable life. This rapid growth and equally rapid decay
soon formed beds of peaty soil of immense thickness, and the
crust of the earth being at this time much thinner than now,
and of course subject to more frequent disturbances and
irruptions of the struggling internal fires, they, bursting
forth, often buried with the enormous weight of the overturned
strata these thick beds of vegetable matter, and by the aid
of heat, converted them which now,
into those beds of coal,
brought to the surface, furnish man with an inexhaustible
supply of the most valuable of fuel. In these coals we even
now can readily trace the remains of plants and trees ; even
the delicate foliage of the graceful ferns being still plainly
visible.

As the earth grew older strange forms of animal life ap-

peared. Amid the moist tropical laguncs gigantic beasts dis-
ported. Enormous lizards, twenty feet in length, Avith bodies

larger than the elephant's ; reptiles, resembling no species

noAv existing ; huge birds ; terrible serpents ; monstrous fish ;

strange compounds of all these species of animals ; many of

them furnished Avith Avings yet adapted to life in the water,

together constituted the living inhabitants of the earth at this

early period of its existence. Their remains are found imbed-
ded in solid rock, often so distinct that their mode of life and
the nature of the food on Avhich they subsisted may be easily
determined. Millions of years passed away. Animals of
countless varieties lived, died, and even their species passed
40 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY:

out of existence, amid the operation of the grand process of

fitting the earth for the habitation of man.
Strata on strata of rocks were formed by the slow process
of disintegration of the elevated surfaces, through the agency
of heat, floods and frost, aided by alternate elevations and
depressions, and the re-formation of this mass into solid rock
again, till we come at last to the diluvial or drift period the ;

last geological era before man occupied the globe ; if indeed

he had not during or before this period become its tenant.
The greatest portion of this diluvial deposit consists of sand
and gravel but tough, hard clay constituted no inconsiderable
;

amount of it.
The vegetation of this period differed but slightly from that
of the present day. The position of the mountains, continents,
rivers and oceans was substantially the same as at the present,
which is termed the alluvial period ; although there have
evidently since been some elevations and depressions of the
surface. During this diluvial period, there seems to have
suddenly occurred an era of intense cold throughout all the
northern hemisphere. That it was a sudden change is shown
by the perfect preservation to this -time in the frozen mud of
Siberia of numerous specimens of the elephant, rhinoceros, and
other inhabitants of a warm climate, which are now found with
the hide and even the flesh still visible and also by similar
;

discoveries of the mammoth and mastodon in some parts of

this continent. The changed climate was perhaps due to some
sudden oscillation of the axis of the earth. Nearly all organic
lifewas destroyed by this reduction of temperature, and gla-
ciers Avereformed on mountains of moderate height. The
northern regions of the earth became vast sheets of ice and
snow, which, as now in polar regions, sent out their glaciers,

by the natural force of expansion, nearly as far to the south

as the gulf of Mexico. By changes of temperature these
glaciers advancing and retreating as they do at the present
time in the Alps and in the polar regions, broke fragments
from the ledges of rock below, and grinding them upon the
 ITS GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 41

surface of the rock, rounded tliem into boulders. Ultimately

the temperature became again permanently elevated; and the
became equally vast currents of water, which
vast sheets of ice
floated offhuge icebergs loaded with rocks, sand, gravel, clay,
and fragments of trees. Floating toward the warmer regions
of the south they gradually melted and deposited their debris
upon the surface of the earth. Becoming fixed upon some
accidental projection, large gravelly knolls and
hills were

formed from their deposits, and over the entire surface their
boulders were scattered. In some natural gorges these ice-
bergs Avould naturally accumulate, and rapidly liquefying,
would deposit enough of their detritus to stop the passage of

the great waters, and cause the formation of immense lakes

which covered the country, perhaps for centuries of time, until,

cither by some internal convulsion or perchance by the sloAver

processes of ordinary causes, the dam thus formed became

Avorn away, and the lakes floated off" to the ocean.

Tjtiese prairies were undoubtedly at one time the bed of

such a lake. The black soft mould which constitutes the
surface soil is strongly impregnated with ulmic acid, a charac-
teristic constituent of peat and swampy ground, and which is

present in most vegetable manures. Beneath this is a foot or

two, sometimes ten or fifteen feet, of reddish yellow clay often

mixed with gravel then a stiff" blue clay or hard-pan, and in
;

or under this we often find well-preserved fragments of timber

and the brush of forests sometimes pine, oftener hemlock
;
;

rarely tamarack ; always of species that do not grow within

some hundreds of miles of this country. This deposit of clay,
sand and loam sometimes reaches to the depth of two hundred
feet, while in other places the stratified rocks below it are
scarcely concealed. These stratified rocks consist of thin
veins of coal, limestone, sandstone, and other varieties of rocks
in layers down to the primitive granite. The clay, the gravel,
the fragments of trees were probably deposited in the drift
period ; the gravelly knolls formed from the detritus of some
iceberg arrested in its course and melted there. The granite
42 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

ledges, from whence the boulders that strew the prairies were
taken, can now be seen about six hundred miles toward the
polar ocean.
It seems most probable that the departure of the waters
which formerly covered these prairies was due to the gradual
elevation of the surface by internal forces and it is not im- ;

possible that this gradual elevation may still be in progress,

and account, in part, for the constantly increasing dryness of
the surface of the country, which is so evident to every settler
who was accustomed to these prairies a quarter of a century
ago.
The theory that these prairies were formerly the bed of
a lake will account for the absence of trees. Grass and
herbaceous plants in great variety, including flowering plants
which bloom in constant succession from spring till autumn,
grow in the finely comminuted soil which always constitutes
the bottom of lakes and ponds, as they grow here on the
prairies ; but in such soils trees do not naturally spring
up. The beds of lakes in Michigan which have been gradually
filled up or drained ofi" remain as natural prairies. Some acid
in such soils checks the spontaneous growth of trees. But a
different kind of soil is found upon the margin of streams, and
in this class of soil groves of excellent timber are always found.
The cause of this may be in the fact that when in the course
of the gradual elevation of the whole region, the higher por-
tions are laid bare, the drainage became more concentrated in

narrow channels, and the more rapid current washed away

the swampy top-soil, leaving exposed the underlying drift,

which is a soil of a character adapted to the growth of forests.

Trees indeed grow and thrive in the prairie soil when planted
there, but never except when the hand of man has broken the
tough sod of the surface, and enabled their roots to penetrate
to the argillaceous loam which constitutes the sub-soil.
 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STATE. 43

CHAPTER II.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STATE.

It was about two centuries ago that Louis XIV., the most
ambitious, most illustrious and most dissolute of all' the kings
of France, desirous of extending his dominions into the new
world beyond the seas, sent out settlers to colonize the rich
wilderness called after him, Louisiana, and embracing all the
territory that was drained by the Mississippi river, including
the beautiful country of the Illini tribe of Indians, named
ultimately Illinois.
French villages or trading posts were established .at St.
Louis, Prairie du Chien, Kaskaskia, Prairie du Rocher, Peoria,
Cahokia, Chicago, and some other less noted points, by settlers
who, under LaSalle, Iberville, and various other Jesuit priests,
became the first white inhabitants of our State.
For nearly one hundred and fifty years these villages made
little progress. The original settlers generally intermarried
Avith the Indians of the surrounding country, and their de-
scendants partook, to some extent, of the wild, roving, indolent
character of the aborigines, united with the politeness, gaiety
and courtesy of the French. Most of their time was spent in
hunting and fishing excursions from which they returned witli

the skins, fur and feathers, which were the staple articles of
their trade in their annual excursions down the great Father
of Waters. Each village had its own Catholic church, which
was the place of gay resort on Sunday, and its priest, who
was the loved advisor and companion of his flock.
In 1713 the country passed from the authority of the French
at the conclusion of the treaty of Utrecht which ceded Canada
to the English, the whole being known as New France.
44 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

In 1774 an act of Parliament known as the Quebec act,

desic^ned to prevent the Canadians from joining with the other

disaffected colonics in opposition to the British Crown, among
numerous other privileges, attached all of this country north
of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi to the province of
Quebec.
When 1778 the country was conquered, from the British
in

who then it by the colonial troops under General

possessed
Geor^^e B. Clarke, many of his officers and soldiers remained
and settled in the territory; and in due time other hardy
pioneers from Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, followed
them.
Clarke, Avho Avas acting under authority of the Legislature
of Vir<Tinia, claimed this part of the country as a conquest of
that State ; and the Virginia Legislature in October of that
year organized it as the County of Illinois, in the State of

Virc^inia, and as such it continued till the ordinance of 1787

reorganized it as the northwestern territory, and appointed

Gov. St. Clair its territorial governor.

When in the war of 1812 British emissaries stirred up the

Indians to war upon the settlement of those Avho confessed
allegiance to the Union, these colonists then amounting to
about 12,000 in number, maintained their position, and, with
the aid of one company of regular troops, took the offensive,
and made hostile expeditions into the territory of the neigh-

borino- tribes, burning their villages and driving them from the
country. At the outbreak of the war, however, the company
of troops posted at Chicago, who had received notice of the

declaration of hostilities and orders to evacuate and destroy

their post, were ambushed at Michigan City while escaping
to Detroit, and massacred by the Indians. With the cessa-
tion of the war, peace returned to the little chain of Western
colonies. By the famous ordinance of 1787, organizing this
great northwestern territory, there were to be not less than
three nor more than five States carved out from its limits, any
one of which should be admitted into the Union so soon as it
 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STATE. '
45

should have 60,000 inhabitants ; and the boundaries of those

three States, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois were defined. They
were each to extend to the British possessions on the north.
Illinois thus included all of the present State of Wisconsin.
But Congress reserved the right to form one or two States
out of the territory lying north of an east and Avest line drawn
through the south point of Lake Michigan. But until 1814
Indiana and Illinois were both under one territorial govern-
ment, whose head was at Vincennes, in Indiana, and the laws
which governed their people went by the name of the laws of
the " Vinsan Legislatu?-." At this time the lUinoians, anx-
ious to have a legislature of their own, elected as delegate to
Congress, one Judge Thomas, from whom they prudently took
a bond, pledging him to procure a division of the tAVo terri-
tories. This he accomplished, and came home from Wash-
ington with the appointment of Supreme Judge of the new
Territory of Illinois.

In 1818 Judge Nathaniel Pope, father of the famous Gen.

Pope, was a delegate to Congress from the territory of Illi-

nois, and while at his post in Washington, unexpectedly

received a petition from the territorial Legislature, then
sitting at Kaskaskia, for the admission of the Territory into
the Union as an independent State. He immediately brought
the subject before Congress ; and before the adjournment an
enabling act was passed for this purpose. Througli his wise
foresight the northern boundary line of the State, Avhich it

had been intended should be the line running through the south-
ern point of Lake Michigan, was moved north to its present
location ; it was deemed important that the State
because
Avhich, from its great size and commanding position, it was
already surmised Avould become the great empire State of the
west, should be so attached to the great system of lake navi-
gation at the north that her grand system of river navigation,
inclining her to attach herself to a southern confederacy, if
such should ever be attempted, would not be a paramount
influence, but Avould be neutralized and controlled by a rival
46 "
HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

interest, which 'would make her, as she has since proved, an

arbiter of the destinies of the Union, preventing its disrup-
tion, and by her commanding position and power checking
the attempt to rend the Union in twain.
It was also deemed important that the Illinois and Michigan
canal, which was even then projected, should have its entire
course in one State. Urged by these considerations. Congress
consented to move the northern boundary line fifty miles to

the north ; and so it happens that a love of the Union

caused that section of the country which is now our County
of DeKalb, 1o be a part of the State of Illinois instead of
Wisconsin.
The enabling act passed, a convention was called in the
summer of 1818, which formed a State constitution. Its

leading spirit, to whom the State is indebted for most of its

peculiar features, was Elias K. Kane of Kaskaskia, after-

wards a United States Senator, and who gave its name to our
neighboring County of Kane. The Constitution having been
adopted, an election was held, and Shadrach Bond, a plain
old farmer lately from Maryland, Avas chosen first Governor of
the State. Pierre Menard, an old French settler, was elected
Lieutenant Governor ; E. K. Kane, Secretary of State ; John
Thomas, Treasurer ; E. C. Berry, Auditor, and D. P. Cook,
Attorney General. Ninian Edwards and Jesse B. Thomas
were made the first Senators. The names of most of these
first ofiicers will be recognized as having been perpetuated in
the names of counties since organized in the State. At this

time the population of the State was about 56,000, but scarcely
any portion of it was located north of Alton. In October of
this year the first Legislature convened at Kaskaskia, and
after voting itself a sufficient allowance of stationery, at a
cost of $13.50, it organized and put in operation the State
government and adjourned till the next winter.
At the winter session a code of laws were passed, mostly
borrowed from the statute books of Kentucky and Virginia.
In the main they were very good laws, more clearly expressed
 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STATE. •
47

and more easily understood than the majority of hxws since

enacted ; but they contain the infamous black laws, which
ever after disgraced the statute book and the State, until re-
pealed in the winter of 1866. This code permitted immigrants
to bring their slaves with them ; and if the signatures of the
slaves could be obtained to an agreement to that effect, it

compelled their continual service as slaves — or registered

servants, as they were called. It forbid any free negro to
reside in the State without giving bonds for his good behavior
and that he would not become a county charge. Any negro
found without a certificate of freedom could be arrested and
sold for a specified time. Any negroes assembled for a dance
or revelry were to be committed to jail and whipped by the
sheriff, not to exceed thirty-nine lashes on the bare back.
This Legislature also provided for a new seat of government
at Vandalia, a point then uninhabited, and named by a wag
who suggested to the commissioners that the Vandals, a tribe
of Indians, formerly resided there, and that Vandalia would
perpetuate their musical Indian name.
Few events of importance in the history of the new State
occurred until in 1821, the Legislature established a State
Bank upon an absurdly insecure basis, which made money
plentiful until in 1824 it failed, and brought great financial
distress upon the inhabitants.
In 1822, EdAvard Coles, an accomplished Virginian, was
1823 there commenced a long struggle
elected Governor, and in
Missouri had in
for the establishment of slavery in Illinois.
1820 been admitted into the Union as a slave State, under
the Missouri compromise act, and that State was rapidly fill-

ing up with settlers from the eastern slave States, who thronged
the public roads with long trains of teams and negroes, ex-
citing the envy of those Avho had farms to sell and were pre-
vented from disposing of them to these rich slaveholders, only
because slaves could not be held in this State.
To secure the establishment of slavery in Illinois, a conven-
tion to alter its constitution was required ; and by a majority
48 • HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY:

of a single vote the Legislature decided to submit to the vote

of its people the question of calling such a convention. For
nearly eighteen months the question was debated with great
earnestness, and one of the most exciting and extraordinary
contests ever known in the State was kept up ; but it was
finally decided by a majority of nearly 2,000 that Illinois

should be consecrated to freedom.

The construction of a canal uniting the Avaters of Lake
Michigan with the Mississippi through the Illinois river was
the great work of the early days of the infant State and as ;

early as 1821 the Legislature appropriated $10,000 to pay

the expense of a survey of the route. The survey was com-
pleted next year, and the expense was estimated at $750,000.
Its final cost was about thirty millions. In 1826 Congress
appropriated 300,000 acres of public lands in aid of the
scheme, the State Legislature gave State bonds to the amount
of $300,000, and the work was begun.
In 1824, '25 and '26, the lead mines of Galena began to
^ttract attention,and in 1827 seven thousand settlers about
those mines were engaged in seeking fortunes by prospecting
for and extracting the ore. They were a migratory popula-
tion, running up the Mississippi to work the mines in the
spring and back to their homes again in the fall. It is sup-

posed that this peculiarity in Avhich they resemble the fish

called suckers, gave Illinoisans the name which has attached

to them ever since. Another theory, however, accounts for

the origin of the name by the asserted fact that the early
immigrants Avere of the poorer class of the population of the
Southern States, and called Suckers by the wealthy slave-
holders and tobacco groAvers, because they Avere like the
worthless suckers on the tobacco plant, Avhich were picked off
from the parent stem and thrown aAvay.
In 1830 the population of the State had increased to 157,-
447 and in that year John Reynolds Avas elected Governor.
Next year the northern part of the State, which had then
some scattered Avhite settlers, was invaded by Black Hawk
 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STATE. 49

and his tribe of Indians, vrho, repudiating the treaty of 1804

by which some of the chiefs of his tribe had sold and ceded
his lands to the whites, declared his determination to repossess
the lands of his fathers, and drive out all whites who had settled

upon them. He proceeded to destroy their houses, fences and

crops, and of course excited great distress and alarm. A
battalion of volunteers, aided by some hundreds of United
States regulars, soon drove them across the Mississippi again,
and burned their villages near Rock Island. A threat of
pursuing them into their own country, brought Black Hawk
to terms, and induced him to sue for peace. A new treaty
was made which bound the Indians to remain forever on the
western side of the great river.
The spring of the succeeding year. 1832. had hardly opened,
however, when the same treacherous Indian chief, who has
acquired world-wide fame, and whose character has obtaine<l
an ill-deserved reputation for nobility and integrity, disre-
garding alike the treaty of his chiefs made with Gen. Harrison
at St. Louis in 1804 and his own treaty extorted from him a
few months before this time, again crossed the ^lississippi at

the head of a numerous band of his warriors, and prepared to

reassert his right to the lands which had twice been solemnly
released. He directed his march to the Rock River country,
in the direction of the Pottawatomies, who inhabited this
and toward the TVinnebagoes, whose
section of the State,
wigwams were on Rock River.
In April, Governor Reynolds had assembled at Beardstown
huncked volunteers, who were place<l under
a force of eighteen
command of General Whiteside, an officer of the State militia
who had been in command of a portion of the forces in the
campaign of the previous year.
The army moved up the Mississippi to the mouth of Rock
River, and thence by a forced march up the banks of that
stream to the present location of the city of Dixon, and upon
their route burned the Indian village of which the Prophet
50 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

was the chief, and which place has since been called Proph-
etstown.
From Dixon a small portion of the force was pushed for-
ward in a northeasterly direction, and on the 12th of May
discovered Black Hawk's forces near Stillman's Run, a small
branch of the Kishwaukee, near the northeast corner of this
county. Here a battle occurred in which the militia were
outnumbered, and fled in disorder, reaching the main body of
the ai-my next day in small parties, with a loss of eleven men
killed.

The army had pushed on to their present location with

unnecessary haste, leaving their supplies and baggage behind
them and they were now threatened with famine. Their
;

immediate necessities were, however, supplied by Mr. John

Dixon, then the only settler on Rock River, whose entire
stock of cattle, hogs and corn they consumed ; and the supply
train coming up, they next day started in pursuit of their
foes, at the scene of the late disaster. But the Indians had
now scattered in small detachments, and were carrying on a
guerrilla warfare all over the country. About fifteen miles

from Ottawa they massacred three entire families of white

settlers, and afterwards related with great glee, how the women
had squeaked as they run them through with spears, or gashed
them with tomahawks.
The army, now returning to Dixon, found General Atkin-
son encamped there, with a force of regulars which increased
the number of troops to twenty-four hundred men, and sup-
plied them with an abundance of provisions.
They were now in condition for effective warfare, but the
short time for which the volunteers had enlisted, had nearly
much dissatisfied with Gen. Whiteside,
expired; they were also
theircommander, and they earnestly demanded to be sent
home. As it was useless to attempt to prosecute the cam-
paign under these circumstances, they were marched across
the country by the way of Paw Paw, in this County, to Ot-
tawa, and on the 28th of May were there discharged. The
 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STATE. 51

Governor now called out new volunteers who soon answered

thecall, and one regiment was organized out of the troops

recently discharged, in which Gen. Whiteside volunteered as

a private, and conducted himself with great bravery and skill.

The Indians now scattered all over the country, made desper-
ate attacks upon all white settlements from Chicago to Galena,
and from the Illinois river up to Northern Wisconsin. These
assaults of the savage foes were generally repulsed by the
whites with great heroism. The war lasted all summer, the
savages, generally defeated, were driven ultimately into North-
ern Wisconsin, where, at the last great battle of Bad Axe,
they were routed and scattered, Avith a loss of one hundred
and fifty of their best warriors. A few days afterward, Black
Hawk was captured by the treachery of some of his allies of
the Winnebago and the Prophet, the next most power-
tribe,

ful chieftain, soon shared the same fate. They were taken
to Washington, and after some months of captivity, were con-

veyed through the great cities of the Union Avhere they were
greatly lionized, being regarded by a perverted public opinion,
as noble sufferers from wrongs and chicanery of the domineer-
ing white race who had stolen their lands, and driven them
to desperation. The ladies, in some instances, publicly salu-
ted them with kisses. Black Hawk returned to his people,
and lived in peace with the whites eight years, when he died
and was buried in the burial grounds of his forefathers.
Many men who have since occupied a large space in the
history of the State and County, were more or less conspic-
uous in this war. Among them were General Scott, then in
the zenith of his fame Zachary Taylor, a major of the reg-
;

ulars ; Abraham Lincoln, a captain of volunteers ; Jefferson

Davis, a lieutenant of the regular forces ; General Atkinson,
Gov. Dodge, Murray McConnel, Capt. Stephenson and Gen.
Henry. The glory of this war was monopolized to a great
extent by Gen. A. C. Dodge, but more properly belongs to
Gen. Henry, who died too soon after to reap the reward due
to his gallantry and skill.
52 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The war ended, and danger from Indian disturbances for-

ever quelled, various projects for internal improvements and

the rapid development and settlement of the country occupied
the attention of the inhabitants. Railroad charters were
granted in 1833, but none of those then projected were ever
built. It was not till 1836, that the grand system of internal
improvements was planned which, in a few months, grew to
such enormous dimensions as to rouse the people almost into
a wild frenzy, cover the State with embryo cities, existing
only in the imaginations of their projectors, swamp the
State government under enormous debts, and ultimately, when
there was not enough money in the hands of the entire pop-
ulation to pay even the interest on the State debt, force the
State into bankruptcy. In this Legislature Dr. Henry Mad-
den, ever a prominent citizen of our County of DeKalb, repre-
sented a district composed of the present Counties of DeKalb,
LaSalle, Kane, Kendall, Iroquois, Grundy, and several others,
and at this session he procured the passage of a bill for crea-
ting the County of De Kalb.
 THE INDIANS. 53

CHAPTER III.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS.

The Indians who inhabited this County of DeKalb, at the

time of its first settlement by the whites, Avere of the power-

ful tribe of the Pottawatomies. Their territory extended
as far to the west as the Rock river, which stream divided them
from the Winnebagoes. These two tribes, although living
upon the most friendly terms, were of diverse origin, speaking
a different dialect, and having emigrated from different parts
of the continent. The AYinnebagoes belonged to the Sioux
branch and spoke that language. The Pottawatomies, with
the Ottawas, Chippewas, Menomonies, Sacs and Foxes, and
other noted tribes, spoke the Algonquin dialect which was
originally the language of most of the tribes north of the
Potomac and east' of the Mississippi. This tribe came origi-
nally from Canada. Like most Indians, they were in person
rather above than below the average height of Europeans.
The usual expression of their countenanceswhen in
repose, Avas grave, even to sadness. They had high cheek
bones, faces uncommonly wide below the eyes, retiring
foreheads, long, sleek black hair, finer than a horses mane,
but much resembling it, but no beards, for a beard was con-
sidered disgraceful, and untold tortures were endured in
plucking out the first faint symptoms of one that sometimes
appeared. They were of rugged health, straight and well
limbed, and with a stoical indifference to pain that was either
a wonderful exhibition of fortitude or, more probably, the re-
sult of physical insensibility. They were generally sullen,
seldom impatient, or hurried into intemperate warmth, except
in hatred of their enemies ;
generally feigning a proud indif-
54 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

ference. to their families, yet often giving evidence of strong

attachment to them; and always indolent, except when engaged
in the chase or the war-path. This was rather the natural
character of the original Indian than that which most of them
bore at the period of the settlement of this County. The use
of intoxicating liquors had at this time demoralized them,
and destroyed their native nobility of character. They had
become more puerile and purposeless, and their most conspic-
uous traits, were their indolence and their disgusting personal
habits.

Their pride in dress had mostly passed away, yet they

were childishly fond of display. Their persons were anointed
with vile paints and grease, as much for the purpose of utility
as decoration, as it defended the body from cold and from the
attacks of insects. In 1835 there were villages of them near
Ohio Grove on Section 3, in the Town of Cortland in
; ;

Kingston on Section 21 at Coltonville a large settlement

; ;

at Shabbona Grove, under the good chief Shabbona, and

another at Paw Paw Grove, under a chief of yet higher rank,
called Waubonsie. There were some forty wigwams at Col-
tonville, but at this time they were not all inhabited. The
first settlers found them making sugar from the maples of the
a'ljoining grove, having, beside -the hewn troughs, quite a
number of the backs of turtles for sap buckets ; and the early
settlers were sometimes nauseated by seeing them cast into
their boiling syrup, rabbits and woodchucks, entrails, hair and
all, Avhich they devoured, when thus cooked, with evident
relish, and thought the syrup none the worse for the unusual
addition.

Their modes of burial were various. The most of them

were buried in shal-low graves, with such of their bows and
arrows, guns and trinkets, as their relatives thought they
might need in the happy hunting grounds to which they had
gone. The bodies of their chiefs, however, Avere treated in a
different manner, A space was selected upon some conspic-
uous mound, and a square, about six feet by ten, fenced in with
 THE INDIANS. 55

high palisades. Within this, the body Avas placed, braced up

in a sitting posture, with knives, rifle, blankets, pipe, and
a good supply of tobacco, and all were thus left to moulder
and decay.
A chief of this tribe, whose name has not been preserved,
was in this manner enshrined upon the farm of Calvin Colton,
in Mayfield, at the first settlement of the country, and his
skeleton was afterward begged of Colton by Dr. Richards
and went, with the bullet in it which was the cause of his
death, to adorn the collection of physiological curiosities in
the medical school at St. Charles. The dried and mouldering
corpse of the famous chief Big Thunder, of this tribe, was
as late as 1840 a conspicuous object on a height in the pre-
sent city of Belvidere, but the early settlers becoming desti-
tute of tobacco, had carried off the old fellows supply, and
left him destitute also of rifle, tomahawk and knives.

For the bodies of their dead children they had still another
mode of sepulture. Hollow logs were procured and halved,
the corpses placed in them, covered with bark, bound down
tightly with Avithcs, and then fastened with similar withes to
the horizontal branches of trees. There they were left, until
the withes decayed and the bleached bones perhaps already
stripped of their flesh by carnivorous birds, fell in a mass to the
ground. As late as 1839 when Mr. Calvin Colton moved to
his present location at Coltonville, there were, he says, as
many as fifty pappooses thus suspended in the trees of the
grove adjoining his residence. The Indians cultivated small
fields of corn —not upon the open prairies where
it Avould be

difiicult break the sod, but upon the bottom lands, near
to
the streams, and on the borders of the groves. Their only
implement was a heavy kind of hoe, and they hilled the corn
to a great height so that the traces of their hills may even
yet be seen in some places. The squaws did all of this work ;

the male Indians were too proud and indolent to labor. They
kept their seed-corn by stringing it upon low poles below the
surface of the ground, covering these with bark and then with
56 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

earth. These deposits were sacred among all tribes, and no

Indian, no matter how nearly starved he might be, would
ever disturb them.
Their chief reliance for food, however, was upon the chase.
Deer were plenty in these woods and upon the prairies at this

time,and the prairie wolf, the rabbit, the polecat, the martin and
the woodchuck were quite numerous. The buffalo had passed
away, but many of their bones were yet to be found. Shab-
bona, their intelligent and truthful old chief, states that
about the year 1810 there was a winter of extraordinary
severity, more terrible than had ever been known before or
since that time ; that multitudes of Indians perished with the
cold, and that all of the buffiilo died and were never after-
wards seen in this section of the country.

Near the present town line between Clinton and Shabbona

is a small pond of water whose springs never fail to yield an
abundant supply. Around this spring, could have been seen,
twenty years ago, the bones and skulls of hundreds of buffalo.

In times of severe drought, this was the only watering place

on the open prairie for many miles around, and it is supposed
that the old and decrepid buffalo, who always avoid the groves,
resorted to this spot for water when nearly worn out, and
died there. But although the buffalo were gone, the toils of

the Indian hunters were yet rewarded with an abundance of

game, and it constituted their principal supply of food.

Their courtship and marriage was simple in the extreme.

If an Indian fancied a certain squaAV, he sent word that at a
certain night he would visit her wigwam. He enters, stirs
the slumbering embers of her fire, and lights a bit of wood. If
she remains wrapped in her blanket and takes no notice of
him, he is rejected, and departs Avithout more ado. If she
rises, blows out the torch, he is accepted, and they are man
and wife henceforth
The Indians abandoned the County about six months after
the whites moved in. They had a wholesome awe of the poAver
of the government, which protected the white settlers, and
1164921
^^^

SHABBON A,.
ii;sSi) ijihuii-otpiLinJiX.
 LIFE OF SHABBONA. 57

gave them little reason to apprehend danger. They some-

times stole articles of trifling value, and sometimes annoyed
the settlers by their begging for food. They often got whis-
key of the whites, and, until that was gone, they had noisy
powwows, dancing, screaming and singing all night long, very
much as some of their successors do to this day ; but even in
'
their debauch they were not quarrelsome, but generally silly

and good-humored. Shabbona's tribe remained upon their

reservation for several years, and they were occasionally visit-
ed by other Indians, and reports were occasionally circulated
that they were dressed in the red war paint, had sent away
their women and children, and were about to make war again
upon the whites. Some isolated farmers sent daily messen-
gers to watch them, and kept their horses harnessed at night,
ready to fly at a moments warning ; but there is no evidence
that these fears were well founded. Shabbona was, undoubt-
edly, a warm friend to the whites an Indian who knew and
;

appreciated their power, who had become warmly attached to

many of them, and felt the futility of all attempts to resist
their onward progress.

He Avas a man of remarkable nobility of character, and

Avorthy of being held in respectful remembrance by all in-
habitants of this State. He was born in Canada sometime
about the year 1780. Of his early years we know but little,

except that he was attached to some roving party with which

he traveled extensively over the State. His knowledge of
the country was extraordinary. He was a sort of aid to
Tecumseh, and with him visited the Creeks in 1812, origina-
ting that bloody Indian war which devastated Georgia and
Mississippi, and in which Gen. Jackson acquired his first

prominence. He remained with Tecumseh, actively engaged

against the whites, until the death of that celebrated warrior.
His account of the killing of Tecumseh is as follows, and
there is no doubt of its truth. He says: " The battle Avas
terrible ; Indians were killed off" very fast ; still so long ;is

they could hear the "big whoop" of Tecumseh, the Indians

58 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

held on ; then came the charge. Col. Johnson riding h"s

horse, rushed down among them. Tecumseh raised his toma-

hawk to strike him off, but quick as thought the Colonel pre-
sented his pistol, leveling it across his wounded arm, which
was very bloody, and shot the warrior dead. The Indians
hearing his voice no longer, at once gave up and dispersed."
Shabbona loved the memory of Tecumseh he said he was ;

noble and brave, and did what he thought was for the good of
his people. This was Shabbona's last effort against the Avhites
from that time forward his aim Avas peace. He was styled
the Peace Chief of his tribe ; he concluded it was useless to

contend against what he knew to be a superior race. This

County soon after became his residence. When in 1831 and
'32 Black Hawk began his agitation for war, Shabbona op-

posed him from the beginning, using every art to keep peace.
Finally, he secretly left the last Indian Council, held some-
where on the Kishwaukie, and rode southward, sending out
some of his own family in other directions, warning the whites
of the approaching danger. On the Indian Creek, near "old
Munsontown," in La Salle County, was quite a settlement of
Avhites. He arrived there on his panting pony, told them
Black Hawk was coming, and begged them to leave. They
would not believe him. He went on towards Holdermand's
Grove, and thence up Fox River, warning all and saving the
lives of many. Black Hawk, following, soon after surprised
these people at Munsontown, killed thirteen of them and took
two Only one person, Green Hall, escaped.
girls prisoners.

He was near the creek, saw the Indians coming, jumped down
the bank and hid under some flood-Avood. The Indians, after
hunting some time, concluded he Avas droAvned. After they
went aAvay, he AA'andered doAA^n the creek nearly dead, Avith a

broken arm, and finally reached OttaAva.

Shabbona has been blamed for his conduct on this occasion

—on the plea that he Avas a traitor to his tribe. His defence
was this, almost in his oaa'u words : He did not like Black
Hawk, who was ambitious and cruel ; he had lived long on
 LIFE OF SHABBONA. 59

terms of intimacy and friendship with the whites ; he loved

his white friends and their children ; he hated baby-killing
and woman-scalping ; and he knew Black Hawk would fail in

the end. Certainly his course was right.

At the treaties following the Black Hawk war, his grove

was reserved for him. January 1st, 183fi, the first house was
raised at Shabbona Grove, by Edmund Town, assisted by
David Smith, both living yet, and residents of the town.
While building this house, they lived in "the deserted wigwams
of the Indians, who had gone west about three months before.
A few days before the raising. Smith found two bottles of
whiskey hidden in a tree and left by the Indians ; so they
had whiskey at the first raising.

Tlie Indians never after made a permanent home at this

place till 1844, but came and went every year or two. In
the meantimemany settlers had been attracted to the grove,
between whom and the Indians there existed close friendship.
At this time his band numbered some twenty-five in all, con-
sisting of himself, his third wife, Pokanoka, (his first wife was
buried in the grove and his second wife lived with her tribe
near Council Bluffs) two sons, five daughters; sons-in-law,
nephews, neices and grand-children. He was then between
sixty and seventy years of age a fine, portly man with an
;

intelligent pleasant face, and distinguished for his kindliness

of disposition and social qualities. He was prompt and hon-
orable in his dealings and in every way an agreeable person
;

except when in liquor. Drunkenness seems to be an especial

vice with an Indian. His son Smoke was a magnificent fel-
low tall, and well proportioned, with fine expressive features,
;

dignified and courteous in his bearing, and distinguished as

being perfectly temperate ; he disdained to touch whiskey.
He was a real "Uncas." Smoke died in Iowa. It seems
he was attended by the whites in his last moments who
gave him Christian burial. Shabbona told the story thus :

"White man kind to Smoke make him box, (describing with

;

his hands the shape of a coffin) put him in then one white ;
60 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

man bend down and say, "0 God! God! God!" over
Smoke. Ugh! white man much good, much good." The
other son, Wynonwy, was a heavy, good-natured fellow.

They hunted, generally riding their ponies over the prairies

aftergame raised some corn made sugar in the grove.
; ;

Like all Indians, they were extremely disgusting in their do-

mestic habits, though these were not in person very unclean.
They were generally pleasant, intelligent and agreeable, and
borrowed and loaned with the whites, being usually
visited,

prompt and honorable. Shabbona was particularly so. He

sometimes attended meetings with his grandchildren, whom
he was particular to keep in good order. There seemed to

be strict discipline kept up among them. As, for instance :

Mr. Isaac Morse relates that he went down into the timber
to work, one day, and, noticing a pen built up around a tree,
went there and found within, an Indian girl apparently about
fifteen years old. To his questions she made no reply at :

noon he tried to get her to eat of his lunch, but she would not
eat nor speak. Next morning she was there yet : he again
tried to converse with her, and pulled the pen down. She
then told him she was "bad Indian," and must stay another
day, carefully the while replacing the sticks.
Another time a number of them were coming over from
Paw Paw in a wagon. They had been drinking, and one,
being particularly disorderly, was tied hands and feet and left
on the ground then another and another, as they drove along,
:

was served in the same manner, and left till evening, when
they were released.
Shabbona sometimes went to Chicago with his neighbors, in
those old days of overland expeditions, and was noted for his
sociable and agreeable qualities. Mr. Harvey Allen tells an
incident which he witnessed : One of the Band, "Joe," had
been down to Ross' Grove, and returned with two bottles of
whiskey, one of which he gave to Shabbona. They parleyed
awhile in their Indian language, and finally loaded their rifles,
Avent out and put up a mark. " Joe " shot first, just missing
 LIFE OF SHABBONA. 61

the mark ; Sliabbona hit the center ; Joe delivered the bottle
to the old chief, who laughed immoderately over the incident.
He had a "big drunk."

About twenty years ago, the large log house now standing
at the grove, and known as the Shabbona house, was built by
Gates for him. He never occupied it except for storage, be-
ing displeased because it leaked. He and his family left to
go to Kansas in the spring of 1849. In the fall following was
the Dixon Land Sale, at which his "Reservation " was sold,

as will be related in the history of tlie town. It seems that

he never understood the matter, nor why he was dispossessed,
as, when he left, he gave his premises and leftsome things in
charge of Mr. Norton, telling him to keep the same until he
came back, asking nothing for the use of his land the first
year, but wanted " something saved for Shabbona the next,
because maybe he come back poor." He was gone some three
years. On Mr. Norton informed him of the sale
his return
The poor old chief
of his land, and that his farm was gone.
dropped his head upon his breast, muttering, " All gone
Shabbona got nothing now." His band camped at the spring
near the present road leading into the grove below Mr. James
Greenfield's house, Avhile Shabbona, dispossessed, started off
to find another home. Upon his return he received a terrible
cursing from the man who owned the timber upon which they
were encamped, because they had cut some poles and burned
some old wood. Sorrowfully and at once they gathered up
their things, and Shabbona with his band left the grove for-
ever.

Mr. Tracy Scott relates the following incident which occur-

red at this time : He
was returning from Aurora, and, com-
ing through Big Rock timber, saw the Indians encamped.
Shabbona seemed utterly cast down and, in reply to Scott's ;

inquiry as to why he leftand where he was going, said he had

always been a friend to the whites that he had treated them
;

well ; that his wife and some of his children were buried in
the grove ; that he had lived there, and wanted to die there
62 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

that he —
had lost all was very poor then he told that, because
:

his band had burned a few sticks of wood, " big white man
call me, damn Indian Shabbona never damn white man!"
!

and pointing upwards, while the tears ran down his old cheeks,
—
he continued, "No big white man no damn Indian up there
— all 'like; all 'like!"

Thus ended the residence and connection of Shabbona and

hisband with the County of DeKalb. lie went down near
Morris, Illinois, and died, some five or six years ago, in ex-
treme poverty. On the 5th of July, 1865, his wife Pokanoka
and two of her daughters came back to the grove, took quiet
possession of a thicket near the old house, and remained there
three days. Soon after, in crossing a small stream, she was
thrown from her wagon (she was very old, fleshy and helpless)
into the water and drowned. The family are scattered, no
one knows where.
These are simple statements, just as related by the old set-
tlers, and as known to the writer hereof, without an embellish-
ment : but v/hat a mournful story ! Is there in the whole
fiald of reality a more pitiful case V
 LIFE OF BARON DEKALB. 63

CHAPTER IV.
LIFE OF BARON DEKALB.

Although the memory of the brave Baron DeKalb has

been duly honored by the American people, so far as it can
be done in the nomenclature of the Country, no less than
fifteen towns, and about as many Counties in the Union,
having received the name of this heroic general, yet few,
very few of our countrymen are familiar Avith his history.

While it incumbent upon every intelligent American to

is

preserve, fresh and green, the memory of those eminent Euro-

peans who, like La Fayette, forsook the fascinations of for-
eign courts, to fight for us the battle of our liberties, it is

peculiarly desirable thatwe of De Kalb County should know

and duly honor the memory of that generous hero of this
class, who has given his name to our County and to one of

our prominent towns.

Baron John DeKalb, was a native of the province of Al-
sace, aGerman province in the possession of France, and was
born about the year 1732. He entered the French army at
an early age, and was there educated in the art of war, in
which he attained great proficiency, having become a Briga-
dier General in that army, and a Knight of the Order of
Merit. In 1762 he visited the Anglo-American colonies as a
secret agent of the French government, and no doubt on
that mission, acquired that knowledge of our country, and
something of that interest in its destinies, that led him in

November, 1776, soon after the stirring news of our declara-

tion of independence had reached Europe, to offer his services
to Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, the first envoys of
our young Republic to France, to serve in the armies of the
64 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

revolted colonies. His proffer was gratefully accepted, and

in the following year he sailed with the Marquis de La Fayette
and ten other French officers, to this country. On Septem-
ber 15th, 1777, he was appointed by Congress a Major Gen-
eral, and soon after he joined the main army under Washing-

ton which was then operating about Philadelphia. The

American officers were intensely jealous of these foreign
allies as a class, and the high commands given them, excited
great dissatisfaction, but the aims and acts of the veteran
Baron De Kalb were of so high an order, his enthusiasm for
the deliverance of all Avho were oppressed was so earnest

and heartfelt, his desire for rank was so evidently for the

purpose of better serving the new-born nation, and his military

talents were so unmistakably eminent, that he disarmed this

hostility of the native-born fellow soldiers, and served with

their approbation, their confidence, their esteem.

After a few weeks of active operations about Philadelphia,

he went with the army into winter quarters at Valley Forge
where his active sympathy and enthusiasm for the cause, aided

to lighten and brighten the dreariness of that most gloomy

winter of American history. During the two following years,
he served with honor to himself, and satisfaction to the coun-
try, in the campaigns in Maryland and New Jersey. When
in April, 1780, the capture of Charleston, the principal
Southern seaport, was threatened by the British under Clinton,
DeKalb was by Washington with the approbation
selected
of Congress, to proceed South with the Maryland and Dela-
Avare forces to reinforce Lincoln, who was in command at
Charleston. Conveyed by water to Petersburg, Va., they
commenced a long and weary march for the Carolinas. The
country was poor and thinly inhabited no magazines had ;

been laid up the commissaries had neither money nor credit.

;

It must have taxed all the resources of their general, to pros-

ecute the march in the face of those obstacles. But undaunted
he pressed on, scattering his soldiers over the country in

small parties. They collected their own supplies by impressing

 LIFE OF BARON DEKALB. 65

lean cattle from the canebrakes, and Indian corn, the only
grain which the country produced.
Halting at length at Deep river, he was overtaken by Gen.
Gates, who had been appointed by Congress to the command
of the Southern department, and pressed on through a barren
and disaffected country toward Camden. The little army
was soon greatly augmented by reinforcements of Virginian
and Carolinian troops ; but Aveakened by diseases, caused by
eating unripe peaches and green corn as substitutes for bread.
The army approached Camden with nearly 6,000 men,
patriot
but they were mostly raw militia, and weakened by disease

and their arduous marches. Lord Cornwallis, who command-

ed the British force, opposed to him, had a much smaller
army, but they were veterans, and were so situated that defeat
Avould have been their destruction. On the night of the 6th
of August, Cornwallis put his troops in motion, determined to
attack and surprise Gates. On that same night Gates had
moved forward his army, intending to occupy another position
nearer Camden. The advance of the two armies encountered
each other unexpectedly in the woods. A council of war was
called, and DeKalb, the second in command, who had caution-
ed Gates against the result of a general engagement, recom-
mended that the army should fall back to a more favorable
position. Gates scorned the advice. " I would not give a
penny to be insured a beefsteak in Camden to-day with Lord
Cornwallis a captured prisoner at my table." DeKalb, Avho
had repeatedly foretold the ruin that would ensue, and ex-
pressed a presentiment that he would fall in the battle, was
taunted by the rash Gates, who insinuated that his prudence
was occasioned by fear. De Kalb instantly placed himself at
the head of his troops on foot, replying Well, sir, a few
:

hours will prove who are brave.

The British rushed with charged bayonets on Gates' center
and left, when
his troops broke and fled, leaving their guns on

the ground. Gates Avent with them, and did not cease his flight
till he reached Charlotte, eighty miles from the field of battle.
66 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The brave DeKalb, at the head of the right wing, manfully

stood his ground, and contended with the whole British army
more than an hour. Hundreds of his devoted troops had fallen
around him, when at last he fell, pierced by eleven bayonet
wounds. At the entreaty of his aid, the British officers

interposed to prevent his immediate destruction, but he sur-

vived only a few hours.
To a British officer, who kindly condoled with him on his

misfortune, he replied: I thank you for your generous sym-

pathy, but I die the death I have always prayed for — the
death of a soldier fighting for the rights of man and though
;

I fight no more in this world, I trust I may still be of some

service to the cause of freedom.
Many years after, General Washington visited the grave of
the departed hero at Camden, and after gazing sadly awhile,
he exclaimed : So here lies the brave DeKalb ! the generous
stranger who came from a distant land to fight our battles,
and Avater with his blood the tree of liberty.
Congress voted a monument to him, but it was never erect-

ed. The citizens of Camden, however, many years after,

enclosed his grave, and placed on it a handsome marble with
an epitaph, descriptive of his virtues and his services to the
country.
 THE CLAIM ASSOCIATIONS. 67

CHAPTER V.

THE CLAIM ASSOCIATIONS.

Until the spring of the year 1835, the feet of very few
white people had trodden the soil of what now constitutes the
County of DeKalb. Itwas the home of the Indian, and
the Indian agent at Chicago, backed up by companies of
United States troops, was authorized to drive oif all whites

who should encroach upon their land. But it having been

noised about in this spring of 1835, that the Indians were
about to remove west of the Mississippi, no further attempt
was made to restrain the immigration of the whites, and they
poured into the country in great numbers.
In pre-empting and claiming land, delays are dangerous,
and each landless immigrant, desiring to have the first choice
of lands, and to be sure of a location inferior to none, hurried
and camping near some favorable grove
into the territory,
and stream, began to hlaze the trees on a line surrounding
as much of the timbered land as he thought he should want,
and then ran his plow out on the prairie, making with its fur-
row, a tract as large as he cared for, of the open prairie.
Thisj according to the primitive regulations which governed
the new settlers at that time, gave him a right to hold the
tract thus marked out, until the time when the government
should have it surveyed, and the opportunity offered for a bet-
by purchase of the United States.
ter title,
But innumerable disputes arose under this arrangement.
Some of the more ambitious of the new-comers claimed sev-
eral square miles of land, and were preventing the settlement
of the country by elbowing out those who would have been
68 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

glad to make their homes here. It was evident that something

must be done to limit and regulate this privilege of the squat-

ter ; and that which was done we cannot better relate than in
the quaint language of one of the worthiest of those early
settlers, as published in his "Reminiscences of Border Life,"
in the Republican Sentinel of this County, in 1855. He says :

" '
In those days, there being no king in Israel, every man
did that which seemed right in his own eyes.' The size of
claims, therefore, varied from two eighty s of prairie,and one
of timber, to a half section of timber, and a tract of prairie
two miles square. Some assumed the right to make and hold
claims by proxy, being thereunto duly authorized by some
brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin or friend. Meanwhile,
new settlers poured in apace, astonished and perplexed to
find the choice timber and prairie 'blazed' and 'furrowed'
into claims, whose ample acres, the claimant with all his
children, uncles, aunts and cousins, to the 'third and fourth
generations,' would never be able to till or occupy. The
new settler, perplexed, baffled, and becoming more and more
desperate on finding '
God's green earth ' thus monopolized,
would approach more fortunate neighbor with the spirit of
his
—
Abraham to Lot 'now I have come a great way to get some
of this timber and prairie, and one thing is certain, I am go-
ing to have some. There is enough for you and me, and our
boys. Now don't let us quarrel ;
you turn to the right and
I will turn to the left, or, vice versa. Sometimes this good
scripture, and, consequently, good common sense logic, would
win, but in other cases, the grasping spirit of the borderer
would stave off all kind of division or compromise, and, laying
his hand upon his rifle, he would bluster and threaten in
'great swelling words,' and drive away the 'stranger from
his right.'
" Hereupon arose innumerable disputes and wranglings,
concerning the size, tenure and boundaries of claims. The
more reflecting among the settlers, saw a dark cloud, big with
the elements of strife and social disorder, gathering in the
 THE CLAIM ASSOCIATIONS. 69

not very distant horizon, wliose tornado blasts threatened soon

to lay waste all that "was of value in the rising community.
There was no municipal law reaching these cases ; and if

there had been, the settlers probably would have been none
the wiser for it, for it is believed at this period, there was
neither a Justice nor a statute book north of the Illinois

River, and west of Fort Dearborn, unless we except Ottawa

and Chicago. Wrongs and outrages for which there was no
known legal redress, were being multiplied. Blackened eyes,
bloody noses and chewed ears were living realities, Avhile the
dirk, pistol, rifle, with something like ''cold lead,' were signifi-

cantly talked of, as likely to bring about some 'realities' which

might not be 'living.' What could be done to ensure 'do-
mestic tranquility,' 'promote the general welfare,' and secure
to each settler his right? —Evidently but one thing. Happily
some had seen something in the New Testament about those
who are without law being a Haw unto tJiemselves,' and set-
tlers found themselves in this fix exactly. It was therefore
apparent both from scripture and reason, that the settlers
must become a 'law unto themselves ;' and, 'where there was
a will there was a wa7/. 'A settlers meeting,' at a given
time and place, therefore came to be the watch word, from
shanty to wagon, until all were alarmed. Pursuant to this
proclamation, a 'heap' of law and order-loving American
citizens convened on the 5th of September, 1835, at the
.

shanty of Harmon Miller, then standing on the east bank of

the Kishwaukie, nearly opposite the present residence of Wm.
A. Miller in the town of Kingston.
" Happily the best possible spirit prevailed. The hoosier
from the Wabash, the buckeye from Ohio, the hunter from
Kentucky, the calculating Yankee, brother Jonathan's 'first-

born,'and the 'beginning of his strength,' impelled by a sense

of mutual danger, here sat down to dictate laws to Kishwau-
kie and 'the region lying round about throughout all the
coasts thereof.' Hon. Levi Lee, now chairman of a commit-
tee to report on petitions for the 'Maine law' in the Legisia-
70 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

ture of Wisconsin, was chosen to preside over this august

assemblage, where the three great departments of free gov-
ernments, the executive, the legislative and the judicial, were
most happily united ; and '
Capt. Eli Barnes was appointed
secretary.' Gently glided the sometimes turbid waters of
that ''ancient river,' the sonorous Kishwaukie, as speech
after speech, setting forth the wants and woes of the settlers,
the kind demanded by the crisis, went the
of legislation
rounds. Even those who were not used to 'talkvii much
'fore folks,'' evinced their cordial approbation and readiness

to co-operate by doing up an amount of encoreing, which no

doubt really did, 'astonish the natives.' At last, ripe for

immediate action, a committee was selected and pre- to draft

sent to the meeting, a Constitution and By-Laws by which

the 'settlers upon the public lands' should be governed.
After some deliberation back of the shanty, around the
little

stump of a big Avhite oak, which served as a writing desk,

said committee reported a Preamble, Constitution and By-
LaAvs, which, for simplicity, brevity and adaptation to neces-
sity, it would be hard for any modern legislation to beat.
The 'self-evident truths' proclaimed by Jefferson in the 'immor-
tal declaration,' it is believed, were, for the first time, reiterated
on the banks of Kishwaukie and, had there been a little
;

more time and preparation, the top of some

for reflection
settler's wagon would have been converted into the Star '

Sjyangled Banner' and thrown to the breezes of heaven from

the tallest tree-top in the grove. The common-sense, law and
logic, as well as patriotism, contained in this Constitution and

By-LaAVs, Avere instantaneously recognized to be the very

things demanded by the crisis, and were adopted with unpar-
alleled enthusiasm, each subscribing his name thereto with
his own hand, thereby pledging 'life,' ^fortune' and 'sacred
honor,' to carry out the provisions of the code. It is not
knoAvn that a copy of this singular unique document is now
extant, and still there may be. As nearly as can be recollected,
its proA'isions Avere somewhat as foUoAvs : A prudential com.
 THE CLAIM ASSOCIATIONS, 71

mittee were to be then and there chosen, whose duty it should

be, to ' examine into, hear, and finally determine, all disputes

and differences then existing, or which hereafter might arise

between settlers in relation to their claims,' and whose deci-

sions, with certain salutary cheeks, were to be binding upon

all parties, and to be carried out at all hazards by the three
departments of government consolidated in aid of the execu-
tive, in what jurists sometimes denominate, the 'posse comita-
tus.' Each settler was solemnly pledged to protect every
other settler in the association, in the peaceful enjoyment of
'his or her reasonable claim as aforesaid, and further, who-
ever throughout all Kishwaukie, or the suburbs, or coasts
thereof, should refuse to recognize the authority of the afore-
said association, and render due obedience to the laws enacted
by the same from time to time, 'to promote the general avcI-
fare,' should be deemed a heathen, a publican, and an outlaw

with whom they were pledged to have no communion or fel-

lowship. Thus was a wall, affording protection to honest
settlers, built in troublous times. Hon. Levi Lee, our present
wortihy County Judge,, Hon. Geo. H. Hill, Capt. Eli Barnes,
James Green and Jesse C. Kellogg, were chosen to be the
settlers' committee, who who, as may well be supposed, had

business on hand for some time in order to restore and ensure '

domestic tranquility,' and 'promote the general welfare.'

The thing worked like a charm and the value of these asso-
;

ciations in Northern Illinois, to the infant settlements, has

never been over-estimated. Similar associations were formed
and maintained Somonauk and other portions of the County,
in

until the lands came into market. This event took place in
Chicago, in 1843, when all DeKalb County, except the north
tier of townships, was sold to the highest bidder that is, so —
far as terra firma is concerned.
' '
The moral as well as phy-
sical power of the '
Settlers' associations '
was so great, that
if a speculator presumed to bid on a settler's claim, he was
certain to find himself ^knocked down and dragged out,' and
had the land officers shown the least sympathy or favor to the
72 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

'rascal,' there can be no doubt but what an indignant and

outraged yeomanry would have literally torn the land office
"
to fragments in almost 'less than no time.'

The duties of these settlers' committees were onerous in-

deed. Suits were prosecuted against them with all of the
persistence that characterizes litigation in the courts at the
present time. Day after day was sometimes spent in the

examination of witnesses, the arguments of learned counsel,

and of course some one Avas generally disappointed and angry
at their award.

The Claim associations were not without opposition also,

and some were disposed to dispute their authority. Two well-
defined parties sprang up in the Kishwaukie country, as that
section was called over which the organization before des-
cribed claimed authority. The opponents of the Claim As-
sociation were called claim-jumpers. They held, not that

men had no right to the land on which they settled, but that
they had no right to make more than one claim, nor to hold
another by purchase. Many rough, reckless pioneers came
in at this early day with no intention of settling permanently,
but merely to make claims on favorite locations and sell them
out. They would roll together a few logs, lay them up in a
kind of pen, cover it with bark or shakes, to give it the ap-
pearance of a dwelling, and then having blazed around a
quarter section of timber, and a mile or more of prairie, they
would stand and forbid any one from settling on this claim
without paying them some hundreds, or perhaps thousands of
dollars, for what they called their farm. And settlers paid,

even before the Indians left, hundreds, and sometimes thous-

ands of dollars, for such claims. The tract on which now
stands most of the village of DeKalb was so claimed in this
Avay by a Mr. Collins, and $2,000 was paid for the claim in
183fi by the company of which Russell Huntley was agent and
manager. Mr. Hamlin paid $600 for a claim two or three
miles north of that place, and Ephraim and Riley Hall gave
$700 for the claim on his present farm in the town of
 THE CLAIM ASSOCIATIONS. 73

Sycamore. In addition to which, the purchaser was of course

required to pay the government for the land when it was
surveyed and oifered for sale by the United States authorities.
Such sums were small fortunes in those early days : they were
equivalent to ten times as much money at this time; and men
were naturally disposed to stand up very sturdily in defence
of those ill defined rights of property for which they had paid
so dearly. Fights and rows innumerable arose, fierce and
fiery quarrels whose embers are even yet smouldering in the
breasts of some of those first settlers. Meetings of the settlers'

association were called, and new regulations adopted as

occasion demanded.
But as soon as the Courts were accessible, litigation began.
While this was part of Kane County, the Courts
at Geneva
its County seat, were thronged with litigants, witnesses,
attorneys and officers from this distant Kishwaukie country,
.
and the suits were often by change of venue transferred still
farther, to Joliet or other neighboring Counties. One well
known citizen who had buried a relative on land that was
afterward found to be over his line, was promptly sued for
trespass, and after long litigation was compelled to remove
the body.
One of the most hotly contested of the claim Avars, and
which may serve as a sample of many others, was between
Mr. Marshall Stark on the one side, and Kiley Hall with
Noble Barron on the other.
Two brothers, James and Samuel Gilbert in 1835, made
claims on the west side of the Kishwaukie on what is now the
town of Mayfield, and wishing to move away, Mr. Stark
purchased them, paying $550 for the claims. But as Stark
already had a claim on the east side of the river. Hall and
Barron who denied the right of settlers to hold any lands on
which they did not reside, "jumped " Stark's west side claims,
fenced in a lot, built a house on each, and moved a family in
each house to hold them. This was a decided infraction of
claim law, and Stark found no difficulty in raising a company
10
74 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

of some thirty friends to reinstate him. They marched up

to the houses where they found their opponents with a few of
their friends,armed with a rifle or two, and protected by
"arricaded doors. The assaulting party beat down the door
with battering rams, seized the rifles from the hands of the
inmates, who feared to shoot into so large a party of neighbors,
and then gathering rails and firing, they made a bonfire of
the whole concern.

The wrath of the claim-jumpers can readily be imagined.

They swore great oaths, and threatened the lives of the
perpetrators of this wrong. The first blood in the contest
was won by Stark, who at an election held soon after at
Frederick Love's, gave a sound threshing to two brothers
Leckerby, who belonged to the claim-jumpers party. Not
long after, happening to go upon the disputed claim, he was
waylaid and attacked with clubs by a party of them, and after
a running fight of a mile or more, was lucky to escape with
his life. NoAV commenced a long course of litigation lasting

for several years. The case tried first before Rufus Colton,
then Justice of the Peace, was appealed to the Circuit Court
at Geneva before Judge Roberts, thence taken on change of
venue to Joliet, then to the Supreme Court at Ottawa, and
after many years, finally decided more by good luck than by
law, in Stark's favor. But the expenses as usual in closely
contested suits, Avere much greater than the value of the
property. A year or two later, the State Legislature passed
a statute legalizing sales of claims, thus maintaining the
law established by the settlers' association. In the winter of
1839, a party of the settlers came down upon one old fellow
Avho Avas found in the big woods preparing to jump a claim of
one of their friends, and being inflamed with Dutch courage
derived from a jug of whiskey, they prepared to hang the poor
fellowand would have carried their threat into execution, but
that their leadersbecame alarmed and managed to let the
scared wretch run away. He was never more seen in these
parts.
 THE CLAIM ASSOCIATIONS. 75

The cases in which the Claim Association was called

upon to take formal action were
less numerous than those in

which the people of the neighborhood in which some violation

of claim law had been perpetrated, were summoned to meet
and enforce by the power of numbers what they thought was
justice in the case and after the lands had come into market
;

the Claim Association assumed no further authority, yet the

sacredness of claims was very generall}^ enforced by a popular
understanding that no man should be permitted to enter
another's claim.
When in 1843 the lands were offered for entry, many of the
settlers had exhausted all of their means making
in
improvements, and were unable to raise the small sum
demanded for entering their claims. These lands were noAV
Avorth ten or fifteen dollars per acre ; and there was no law
except this unwritten claim law to deter speculators from
making them their own upon paying the government the dollar
and a quarter an acre which it demanded. But so sacred
were these claims regarded by these settlers, so strong was the
prejudice against their being taken up by others, and so
dangerous was it made for the person who tried it, that many
valuable farms were occupied for two, three, and even five

years after, by men who had never been able to raise the
money to enter them, and who had no title whatever, to their
possession.
In many cases, however, this regulation was violated, and in
some instances mobs were raised who forced the offender to
deed back the land to the claimant. These mobs, as is the
case with mobs everywhere, even when moved by generous
intentions, often failed to understand the merits of a case, and
unwittingly did great injustice.
In 1843, an old man named McLenathan, a resident of
Sycamore, entered a farm which was claimed by Mr. John
Mason of Burlington. The claim organization had then
become inoperative ; but there was still this strong feeling in
favor of protecting settlers in their claims, so that there Avas
7G HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

no great difficulty in raising a crowd to lynch the old man if

he refused to deed back the land. He was living with Mr.
David Finley near Ohio Grove, when on one cold morning in
March a company of fifty young men mounted on horseback,
surrounded Finley's house, and calling him out demanded
that he deed over the land to Mason or he should be tarred
and feathered. McLenathan said that Mason owed him money,
that he did not want his land but merely to get security for
his debt, and that if Mason would pay him his money he would
deed him the land. This did not suit Mason, nor the crowd
of excited followers, so without more ado they seized him, placed
him on horseback and started off for the woods. Here they
dismounted, stripped the gray haired old man, poured on the
tar and rubbed on a coating of feathers.

" NoAV, old fellow, sign that deed, or we will droAvn you in
yonder pond !"

McLenathan still sturdily refused, whereupon they dragged

him to the pond of water near by, and threw him in, some of
them jumping on him and crowding him below the icy waters.
Finally, nearly dead from the cold and more than half drowned,
he consented to give up the land, and the deed was executed.
The party did not then disperse, but adjourned to a school
house near by, and there drew up and signed an agreement
to protect at the risk of their lives, the right of all settlers in
their claims. A week after, the company were summoned
together to put their resolve in force,
A Mr. Mann, of Burlington, had entered some land claimed
by one of this party, and they were summoned to compel him
to deed it back. An
hundred of them were gathered at this
time, and armed with shot guns and rifles, they moved upon
the enemies' works. But this was a different undertaking
from that of lynching the poor and friendless old McLenathan.
The Manns were a numerous had many friends.
family, and
They had summoned them to and when the
their assistance,
party approached their residence they found it defended by a
large number of determined-looking men well armed with
 THE CLAIM ASSOCIATIONS. 77

murderous-looking rifles. Not caring to risk their lives in an

attack upon a fortress so well defended, they abandoned this
attempt and dispersed to their homes.
Indictments were found in the Court of Kane County
against anumber of the party who assaulted McLenathan, but
the matter had become so public there that a fair trial could
not be had, and it was removed to Kendall County. The
leading participants in this attack were convicted and
heavily fined.
78 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

CHAPTER VI.

THE BANDITTI.

About the confines of advancing civilization upon this

continent, there has always hovered, like scouts before the
march of an invading army, a swarm of bold, enterprising,
adventurous criminals. The broad, untrodden prairies, the
trackless forests, the rivers, unbroken by the keels of
commerce, furnished admirable refuge for those whose crimes
had driven them from the companionship of the honest and
the law-abiding ; and, hovering there where courts and civil
processes could furnish but a thin veil of protection for life or
property, the temptation to prey upon the unprotected sons
of toil, rather than to gain a livelihood by the slow process of
peaceful industry, has proved too strong to be resisted. Some
have sought these unpeopled western wilds for the express
purpose of theft and robbery, some because they dare not live
within reach of efficient laws, and some who came with honest
intentions, have been tempted into crime by the prevalent
immunity from punishment. Everywhere in newly-settled
lands the proportion of the dishonest and criminal has been
greater than in the older and better regulated communities.
This was particularly the case in the earlier settlement of the
prairies of DeKalb County. A strong and well constructed
net-work of organized crime at that time stretched over this
whole section of country, and few were fortunate enough to
preserve all their property from being swept up in its meshes.
A good horse and his equipments was the most easily captured,
—
and most readily concealed consequently the most coveted
and dangerous property in the country. No possessor of a
 THE BANDITTI. 79

fleet and famous horse dared leave him for a single night,
unless secured in a strong, double-locked stable, guarded by
faithful dogs, and oftentimes by the owner himself, who
regularly slept in his stable. During the first four years of
the settlement of the country, a large portion of the population
were obliged to keep an armed watchman every night, in order
to secure any sense of safety to their valuable horses. Many
an instance will old settlers relate of thieves detected by these
watchmen, while engaged in breaking the stable locks, and
fired upon, with more or less damage to the intruder. They
were the more cautious, from the fact that a fleet horse once
gone was gone forever. So skillfully were the plans of the
thieves concocted, so much of energy and ingenuity was
employed in rapidly forcing the stolen steeds at once to a
great distance, so large the number of rascals who were
connected, that pursuit and capture was difficult — even
dangerous — and always unsuccessful.
Brodie's Grove, near what is now the village of Dement,
and near the west line of the present township of Malta, was
a famous rendezvous and station-house of this gang of banditti.
When Mr. Benjamin Worden lived there in 1840, he had a
fine pair of horses, and much against his will felt forced to
adopt the prevalent custom of sleeping in the barn with them
to guard them. Old Brodie discovered that he made this a
practice, and innocently asked him why. He answered
promptly and significantly, that there were many thieves about,
and he feared he should have them stolen. The old man, who
had taken a fancy to Ben., answered that he need not fear.
His horses should not be stolen. He would see to that, and
warrant him that they should not be lost. The old man had
the reputation of being one of the chiefs of the gang and ;

Worden, confident of his sincerity, ever afterwards considered

them safe, as if guarded with bars of steel. About that time
Worden had made some significant discoveries. Near the
little grove was a large, circular depression of the prairie,
called a sink-hole. In its center was a strong stake driven,
80 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

and every indication about it that in that sheltered, obscure

spot horses had been frequently tethered and fed. The
Brodies were frequently coming and going, and every time
upon a new horse, usually a very fine animal. What could
all this mean, but systematic horse thieving ?

But horses were not the only prey for these banditti. The
circulation of counterfeit money was a large and profitable
branch of business, and there were dark and ominous hints in
circulation of yet fouler crimes perpetrated ;
pedlars had
mysteriously disappeared in that section of the country. They
had been traced to the vicinity of this grove, but never traced
beyond it. When the Brodies finally fled the country, there
were found among their eflFects a suspiciously large number of
travelers' trunks, pedlars' cases, and similar property, whose
possession was most easily accounted for on the supposition
that the murder of innocent travelers, pedlars, and other
wayfarers, was not too heinous a crime for them to commit, if

the temptation offered. Walking over the prairie one day in

search of his cattle, Worden suddenly found the ground sinking

beneath his and he was precipitated into a large, square
feet,

cavity, which had been carefully excavated, then covered with

planks and soil, and carefully turfed over with growing grass.
The soil taken out had been carefully removed, so that no
traces of the excavation could be seen on the surface, and no
suspicion of its existence there would be excited.
Although
no property was then in the cavern, yet the purpose for which
it was designed was evident, and its proximity to the residence

of the suspected Brodies indicated the origin and ownership

of this place of concealment. Pages might be filled with stories
told by the early settlers of circumstances which indicated
plainly that Brodie's isolated Grove was one of the chief
rendezvous of some of the most daring and skillful of those

land pirates who at that early period roved over these billowy
prairies, as pirates roam the seas.

Six miles north of Brodie's is what is now called South

Grove, so called because it was south of the main body of the
 THE BANDITTI. 81

Kishwaukie timber. David Driscoll was the first settler there,

and for many years was known as Driscoll's Grove. David
it

had married a connection of the Brodies, and the families

naturally became intimately associated. A year after David
had settled there, his father, old John Driscoll, moved out
with his family, and William Driscoll, his brother, with a
family of six or seven children, bought David's claim, the
father and David settling anew a few miles farther west, David
on the banks of the Killbuck, and the father in what is now

called Pennsylvania settlement, a few miles farther north.

There is much reason to believe, and little reason to doubt,
that the houses of David and John Driscoll were other station-
houses on the route of this horse-thieving fraternity ; and it is

not impossible that even after William Driscoll's purchase

there, the Driscoll grove still furnished them shelter and
refreshment. From thence their usual course was across to
Gleason's at Genoa, or to Henpeck, now Hampshire, in Kane
County, and thence north to McHenry County, where some
men, now prominent as politicians and office-holders, were
supposed to be connected with the gang. From thence it was
not difficult to pass the stolen horses along to the pineries of
Wisconsin, the mines at Galena, or to find a market for them
at some of the young cities on the lake shore. In Ogle
County on the west, and Winnebago on the northwest, the
banditti were more numerous. There theft, counterfeitina:,
and the like crimes, constituted but a small part of the sworn
duties of the gang. They were required to control elections,
to secure the election of justices from among their friends, and
in case of arrest, to furnish perjured testimony to secure their
discharge. In the spring of 1841 seven of the gang had been
arrested and confined in the new jail at Oregon. The court
had assembled for their trial in the new Court House, just
completed, when, on the night before the trial, the rogues
assembled, and burned both buildings to the ground. But
the prisoners did not escape. Their
was proceeded with,
trial

and the evidence was found complete and conclusive. But

11
82 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

one of the confederates had secured a place upon the jury.

He would consent to no verdict of guilt. Then a novel method
of securing a conviction was adopted. The eleven honest
jurors seized the refractory twelfth, and threatened to lynch
him in the jury room unless he gave his assent to the verdict
of guilty. The rascal gave up his opposition, the verdict of
guilty was received, and the three criminals were sentenced
to imprisonment for a year. They all, however, broke out of
jail and escaped.
Such outrages as these naturally aroused a strong and bitter
opposition among the honest people of the land. They would
be more or less than men who should submit tamely to them.
Neither life nor property being protected by the laws, some
additional,more stringent, if less merciful, measures must be
adopted. The settlers met by universal consent, and
organized a band of lynchers. The Ogle County Lynching
Club was the title of the organization, although its membership
extended over Winnebago and Lee Counties as well. In the
spring and earlysummer of 1841, there were held numerous
meetings of these Regulators, or Lynching Clubs, and their
armed bands, mounted or on foot, traversed the country,
delivering warnings and threatenings to those whom they
suspected of being confederated in the* gangs of banditti.
" You are given twenty or thirty days to leave the country,
and if found here after that time you will be lynched," was
the brief and threatening message which condemned the
suspected party, without a trial, to banishment, at whatever
sacrifice of his property, and at whatever sudden sundering of
the ties which bound him to his home. It was not strange
that such messages provoked strong, indignant opposition.
Crime always finds or imagines some justification for its evil

deeds, and at least is apt to retort that its acts are no worse,
only more bold, than those of its pursuers. And it was true
in this case, that although the original organization of the
Lynching Club was supported by many men of undoubted
probity and worth, although the staid Puritan, the upright
 THE BANDITTI. 83

justice, the honest lawyer, the clergyman even, were on its

rolls of membership, yet there were also men of the baser

sort, —men who used the organization for the purpose of
wreaking vengeance on their personal enemies —men who were
capable of manufacturing false statements to secure the
destruction of their foes ;
yes ! there were even horse-thieves
themselves among the most active and prominent of those who
were lynching others for the same nefarious practice.
The Lynching Clubs duly organized, they met by mutual
agreement, and selected John Long, of Stillman's Run, the
proprietor of a fine saw-mill just erected there, as captain of
the combined companies. Soon after, in the performance of
his duties, he headed a detachment of the lynchers, who seized
one Daggett, who was residing near what is now Greenough's

Ford town of Franklin, and, tying him up, gave him a

in the
severe flogging, at the same time ordering him to leave the
country. Not long after these events, the mill of Mr. Long
was set on fire and destroyed ; and although no direct evidence
was obtained of Daggett's connection with the deed, yet
circumstances pointed strongly to him as the perpetrator of
the crime. About the same time one Lyman Powell was
seized upon the road between Driscoll's and the Killbuck.
He seems to have been really a harmless, inoffensiveman,
lame, and destitute of any settled occupation. But he was
an associate of the suspected Driscolls, worked at threshing
and other odd jobs for them and others. The Lynching
Company questioned him closely, to draw from him some
evidence of the criminality of himself or his associates, but
not succeeding to their liking, they beat him cruelly Avith
hickory withes, and taking from him the horse he rode, they
turned him adrift. He afterwards went to the place where
he had bought his horse, and furnishing satisfactory proof
that it was honestly obtained, it was returned to him. About
the same time a threatening letter was sent to Long, defying
the society to combat, and threatening personal violence. Mr.
Long, being intimidated by these acts, called his band together
84 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

and resigned his office, and Mr. John Campbell, of White

Rock Grove, in Ogle County, was chosen in his stead. Mr.
Campbell was a very exemplary man, a good Christian, a
member of the Baptist Church, a father and a grandfather.
In June of Judge Ford, afterwards Governor of
this year,

the State, and was holding court in Sycamore,

its historian,

when news came down that an armed body of men, magnified

by people's fears to a large army, was marching through the
western portion of the County, threatening acts of violence.
The Judge, considering such proceedings to be contrary to
the peace and dignity of the State, resolved to send a formal
embassy to inquire what were their objects and intentions.
Frederick Love, the Probate Judge, the District Attorney,
Farewell, of Ottawa, the Sheriff of the County, Morris Walrod,
and William A. Miller, a Avell-known citizen, were selected as
the embassy, and started out on the Oregon State Road to

search for the invading army. A mile or two beyond

Driscoll's it was found encamped for rest and
Grove
refreshment. was discovered to be the lynchers, to the
It

number of one hundred and fifty, or thereabouts, headed by

Captain Campbell. After a long and friendly conversation,
Captain Campbell, without hesitation, displayed the constitu-
tion of the club for their inspection. It required its mem-
bers to scour the country, investigate the character of sus-
pected persons, warn them, if probably guilty, to leave the
country, and lynch them if they refused. Campbell explained
that they did not desire to interfere with the courts, but to
aid and assist them in the enforcement of justice in cases
which they were unable to reach. The commission had a
friendly and returning, made a very favorable report to
visit,

the Judge, who seemed indisposed to make any opposition to

their proceedings, but rather to favor them than otherwise.
It was, perhaps, upon this identical scouting excursion that

Campbell, as chief of the club, visited the Driscolls, one and

all, and warned them that unless they left the country within
twenty days they would be lynched. To David Driscoll he
 THE BANDITTI. 85

said :
" If after that time you are found east of the Mis-
sissippi river, we Avill brand your cheeks with R. S., and crop
your ears, so that none shall fail to know your character as a
rogue and a scoundrel wherever you may be seen." Is it

strange that all the tiger passions in the human heart should
be roused by words like these ?

There was a gathering of some of the gang soon after.

The Brodies, the Driscolls, the Bridges, the Barrets, were all
there ; stern, fearless, determined outlaws, exasperated to
madness by the threats which had been served upon them,
indignant as more honest men would have been at the stern
summons to abandon their homes and firesides to their ene-

mies, and fly like hounds before them.

Various modes of resistance were talked of. It Avas pro-

posed to gather together at Driscoll's grove, fortify them-

selves there, and defend their position with their lives. Some
counseled a compliance with the order, and an abandonment
of their homes. But the most feasible plan they could im-

agine was one that best suited their crafty and revengeful
natures. It had been tried in Iowa, and worked successfully
there. William Driscoll had been in Iowa the previous
winter, and he had told the
story. It was simple, and easily
executed. was merely to shoot the captain of the Regu-
It
lators. Long had been frightened into resigning by merely
burning his mill. Let his successor be shot, ajid no person
would dare to risk his life as its captain ; so the organization
would necessarily become extinct. This course was resolved
upon, the agents in the tragedy were selected, and the meet-
ing dispersed.
Was William Driscoll present at that meeting ?

There are many reasons for supposing he was not. It was

generally thought by those who knew him best that he was
not connected with any of the criminal acts of his father and
brothers. Those who had known him from infancy asserted
that he was an exception in the family. The family, even
while residing in Ohio, were noted as criminals. The father
86 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

had served his five years in the penitentiary, and some of the
sons, perhaps, deserved the same punishment. But William
was known as a marked exception. He was a man of noble
bearing —generous, hospitable, industrious —possessor of a

large property, which he Avas known to have honestly ac-

quired, one of the leading farmers of the County. No one
could point to any crime that he was guilty of, or even seri-
ously suspected of. His chief sin was that he was one of the
Driscolls, and he suifered the fate of poor dog Tray for the
—
same reason he was found in bad company.
On the Sunday morning following this meeting, the old
man Driscoll was seen about the premises of Campbell. He
walked around the grounds, passed up to a clump of bushes,

closely observed the location, and soon went away. He

might that night have easily gone home, but he did not. He
stayed at a neighbor's without any apparent reason, and slept
there. Was it because he knew that a foul crime was about
to be committed, and he wanted to prove an alibi? It was
so supposed. That evening just at dusk. Captain Campbell,
who had returned from attending Church at Rockford, was
when he was accosted
passing from his dwelling to his stable,
by two men who inquired the road to Oregon. His wife
heard him call out " Driscoll," and immediately after there
was the report of a gun, and as she rushed toward him he fell

lifeless in her arms, shot through the heart. The two men
immediately and deliberately walked off in the direction of
Driscoll's Grove. The brave son of Campbell —a lad of
thirteen years — seized his father's gun, rushed toward the
retreating murderers and snapped it at them three times, but
the eifort to avenge the murder was unavailing : the gun did
not go off. The murderers disappeared in the distance, and
the grief-stricken family was left alone with the lifeless corpse
of its honored head.
It will be readily understood that this shocking murder
caused a prodigious excitement throughout the whole country-
Swift couriers roused the entire region with the startling
 THE BANDITTI. 87

intelligence, and summoned all the clans to meet at once and

devise means to secure and punish the murderers of their
chief. Detachments were sent out with the morning's light
to scour the country in search for the guilty pair, but the
pursuit was unsuccessful. David and Taylor Driscoll were
understood to be the tAvo who had committed the crime, but
they could nowhere be discovered. The scouts in their
search discovered a spot upon the prairie, a half-mile from
the scene of the murder, where three horses had been held
while they closely cropped the herbage that grew there, and
there Avas some reason to suppose that a wretch named Bridge,
who has never since been seen in this section of country, was
the man who held, ready for instant use, the horses of his
companions, while they committed the murder. None of
these men could be found; but the old man Driscoll was taken
at his house by one party, and, in spite of his protestations
of innocence and ignorance of the whole matter, and of the
proof he presented of his absence from the scene at the time
of its perpetration, he was carried oif, his house set on fire

and burned to the ground. The house of David Driscoll was

also burned and his family left shelterless upon the open
prairie.

Toward evening a party reached Driscoll's Grove, and set-

ting their guards about it to prevent any escape, they

went up to William Driscoll's cabin and took him and his
young brother, Pierce, into custody. William had been the
first to tell tlie story of the murder to the settlers at the
grove. He had been in Sycamore on that day, and while
there Mr. Hamlin, the postmaster, had called him into his
office and read him the startling news, which the Post-
to
master at Oregon City had written on his package of letters
for Chicago, that, passing
through all the offices on the route
itmight speedily spread the news far and wide. William
seemed surprised and saddened by the intelligence: it boded
no good to him. He had perhaps expected to be taken and
tried, for he went quietly with his captors, making no objcc-
88 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

tion or resistance. Conscious of his own innocence, lie said

he felt sure of acquittal. They
him that they merely
told
wanted him to go before Mrs. Campbell, at White Rock, that
she might see if he was the man who had killed her husband.
Toward evening they arrived at the house where the corpse
of the murdered chief of the lynchers was still lying, and
where the wailing widow still mourned her sudden and awful
bereavement. The two Driscolls were brought to her view,
and without any hesitation she said that neither of them Avas
present at the murder. The son who had followed and tried
to shoot the assassins, was equally confident that neither of
the prisoners were of the guilty pair. But the party of ex-
cited men who had gathered at the scene of the assassination
were eager to avenge the death of their leader, and cried
aloud for victims. Those whom they had captured were of
the family of the murderers.
The country was ringing Avith the cry that the Driscolls
had done the murder, and these were Driscolls. The clans
would meet there on the morrow, and these men should be
kept and put at their disposal. So saying they placed them
for the night in the upper chamber of the Campbell house,
and a guard was set round to prevent their escape. It was
not a vigilant guard, and as the night wore on the sleepless
captives talked of attempting an escape. " They are deter-
mined to kill us to-morrow," said Pierce — "I can see it in

their looks and manner."

"No," said William, "we can prove our innocence so
strongly that they can not fail to discharge us."
And after a long whispering discussion of the chances, the
stern determination of the elder brother prevailed, and they
concluded to remain. With the dawn of the morning a large
gathering of the lynchers had collected from the country
around. Many of the most respectable citizens of that sec-
tion of country, such as the Cheneys, of AVhite Rock, who
had hitherto looked with some disfavor upon the summary
proceedings of the lynchers, now gave up their opposition and
o ^
o m
 THE BANDITTI. 89

freely imbibed, they soon became like a band of raving

enrolled themselves asits members, and became the sternest

and most sanguinary of the band. At an early hour the

clans from the remoter settlements came in. There was a
company from Payne's Point, led by Wellington from the ;

Pennsylvania settlement, led by Dr. Hubbard from Oregon ;

City, led by a Methodist clergyman, by the name of Crist,

and a company from Daysville, a flourishing little town, that
has since gone to decay, which Avas commanded by one Capt.
Austin.
White Rock Grove, a small belt of timber not far from the
larger and better known Washington Grove, in Ogle County,
had been selected as the place of rendezvous for the lynchers,
and thither the band, with their prisoners, wended their way.
The three Driscolls were carried in one Avagon, with ropes
about their necks. It had become evident to the captives
that their trial was to be a mere farce, and that their fate
was already Overwhelmed by the horrors of their
sealed.
situation, they sat stupidand dazed.
But meantime the friends of William Driscoll had not been
entirely idle. At the moment of his arrest a messenger was
dispatched to Sycamore to procure the attendance at the trial
of some who knew of his innocence, and as they arrived upon
the ground where two hundred of the infuriated lynchers were
raging around their doomed victims, a couple of wagons Avere
driven up containing a fcAV of his defenders. Among these
Avere J. E.. Hamlin, Timothy Wells, and Frank Spencer, of
Sycamore, and Benjamin Worden and Solomon Wells, of
Driscoll's Grove. The lynching club of Bockford had not
yet arrived, and an hour was spent in waiting for their com-
ing. Near the place of the mock trial was a distillery, and
during the delay a barrel of whisky was rolled out from it,

its head removed, and the thirsty croAvd regaled themselves

with its fiery contents. Maddened by a sense of indignation
at the outrages of the banditti whom they were organized to
oppose, infuriated by the brutal murder of their own honored
chief, and driven to frenzy by the fiery fluid -yvhich they
12
90 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

wolves, and it was evident that no mercy, not even strict

justice would be meted out to their captives.

The little band of those who knew William, and believed

in his innocence, endeavored to encourage him to hope for an
acquittal. But "no," said he, "they will kill me, but they
an innocent man."
will kill

The club from Kockford soon arrived. It was led by

Jason Marsh, a well known citizen of that place, by Mr.
Robertson, the postmaster of the town, and by Charles Lat-
timer, a young lawyer, who was subsequently killed in a
street fight in Wisconsin.
Upon their arrival a circle was formed, and a lawyer
named Leland, who has since occupied the bench in Illinois,

as a Judge of the Circuit Court, was chosen as the presiding

officer. Seating himself upon the ground at the foot of a

tree, he had the old man Driscoll brought into the ring and
arraigned before him.
"What are the charges against this man," said he.

It was a natural and pertinent question, but it rather con-

fused the lynchers. There was some hesitation among them, but
at last one and another charged him Avith certain minor offences.

The main charge was a general cry that he Avas one of the
horse-thieving fraternity, and that they were afraid of their
lives if he should be released.
The old man stoutly denied most of the charges, but he ad-
mitted that he had stolen a yoke of cattle in Ohio, and one
Avho was present says that he also admitted the theft of fifty

horses in Ohio, without detection, but that he was caught in

stealing the fifty-first, and served five years in the peniten-
tiary, at Columbus, for it. "When I came out," said he "I
resolved to lead an honest life. I moved away fo this county,

and I have since kept my pledge."

A very
few minutes were spent in the mockery of a trial,
when Leland put the question, " What shall be done with this
"
man?
Some one started up and moved that "we shoot him."
 THE BANDITTI. 91

The Judge put it to vote, and it was carried with a shout of

unanimity.
The old man was taken out of the ring, and William Dris-
coll was taken in. He was a large, noble-looking man, and
if the party had not been frenzied with rage and liquor,

would have excited some respect. Accusations against him

were called for. Few could charge any crime whatever but ;

a circumstance that excited suspicion, and that had been

much talked about, was mentioned. It was, that he must
have been in the secret of the murder of Campbell, because
he first reported it at Driscoll's Grove and in that section of
country. We have already seen that he got the information
about it from Mr. Hamlin, the postmaster at Hamlin, who had
come especially to explain this suspicious circumstance, now
tried to get a hearing. He asked to be permitted to say a
word or two, but was met with a storm of hisses, and shouts
of" no, not a word."
Spencer and Wells, who had made some defense of the ac-
cused, and got excited in the discussion, had already been
and placed under guard. A move was made to take
seized
Hamlin also, but Leland cried out that he had a right to be
heard, and he was permitted to make his statement. Driscoll
also talked a little. He said he had lived honestly and done
no injustice to any one, unless it was that in a certain trade
on one occasion, he had afterward thought he did not do quite
right. Nothing was of any avail. The crowd cried " Shoot
him, shoot him," and he was led out of the ring.
There was no evidence whatever against the boy Pierce,
and he was discharged.
There was a motion, then, to give them an hour to prepare
for death, and to give them the benefit of clergy, which, as
they construed it, was to furnish a clergyman to talk and
pray with them. Crist, the preacher. Captain of the band
from Oregon City, went to the open whisky barrel, drank a
dipper full of its fiery contents, and then knelt down and
prayed, long and noisily. William Driscoll joined him audi-
bly, but the old man took no notice of what was transpiring.
92 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Hamlin, meanwhile, moved around among the excited crowd

endeavoring to secure a postponement of the execution, or, if
possible, a commutation of the sentence to banishment beyond
the Mississippi, within twenty-four hours.
Leland, the presiding officer, favored the project, and while
unwilling to do much himself, urged Hamlin keep up the
to

excitement in favor of mercy. Phelps, clerk of the Ogle

County Court, favored it. McFarland was also active in
support of this movement, and they finally got the party called
together again, and moved for an extension of the time, but
the majority, led by the Cheneys, Marsh and others, were
bitterly opposed toit, and fairly hooted it down. The time
had now expired, and the gray-haired old man was brought
out, blindfolded, and told to kneel upon the grass. The
lynchers drew up in a long line, with guns in their hands.
A number, unwilling to take part in the execution, stood
round in the rear, and their guns were leaning against the

rees. Marsh shouted that all must join in, and he movd tha^
all the guns left standing there be whipped up against the
trees. Upon this the guns were all taken, and the men fell

into line. A White Rock was marshall and

Justice from
gave the order to fire. The fatal one, two, three was called,
and at the word three an hundred guns Avere discharged, and
the lifeless body of the old man fell over like a bag of wheat.
Then William Driscoll was led out by the side of the bloody
body of his father, and he, too, shared the same fate. Not a
muscle moved in either of them so many well-aimed bullets
:

pierced them, that but for the bandages that covered their
eyes, their heads would have fallen into fragments. The
bodies were thrown into a brush-heap, and the crowd dis-
persed to their homes. Some pitying hand partially covered
the corpses with a foot or two of earth, and a couple of weeks
later, when the popular excitement had somewhat subsided,
the Driscolls having found, in Mr. R. P. Watson, a friend
who dared public opinion so far as to make coffins for them,
and they were quietly removed and decently buried in Dris-

coll's Grove.
 THE BANDITTI. 93

The crowd returning destroyed what remained of the log

houses and barns of both the father and the son David, to
make sure that the Avhole race should be driven from the
country. No one dared harbor or take the houseless family
in, and for two or three weeks they lived in a corn-crib amidst
the ruins.
Probably no one at this time will justify this sanguinary
act of execution ; none, perhaps doubt that it resulted in the
death of at least one innocent man. No doubt the leading
men engaged in it thought they were doing right. It is cer-

tain that it resulted in dispersing the whole gang of banditti,

and giving peace and security to a section of country that had

hitherto been subjected to frequent outrages and constant
alarm.
David Driscoll has never since been seen in this country
he fled to the uninhabited wilderness across the Mississippi,
and his fate is unknown.
Six years after these occurrences Taylor Driscoll returned,
and being seen in McHenry
County, was arrested and
brought murder of Captain Campbell.
to trial for the

The witnesses against him all depended upon the testimony

of the widow of Campbell, who swore positively that Taylor
Driscoll was the man who fired the shot that killed her hus-
band. Although six years had passed, she said she- knew
him perfectly, and that she never was mistaken in identifying
a person whom she had once known.
But in the course of a vigilant cross-examination, by Mr.
Barry of Driscoll's counsel, she was induced to swear with
equal certainty, that upon a more recent occasion she had
seen Pierce Driscoll at a certain time and place. She was as
positive of it as she was that she had seen Taylor Driscoll
shoot her husband. It happened, however, that she was mis-
taken in this. It was proved beyond a question that it was

not Pierce but another brother, who closely resembled him,

whom she had then seen, and that Pierce was forty miles
away at this time. The jury finding her thus mistaken in
identifying a person whom she had seen only a few months
94 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

before, were easily persuaded that she might have been equally
mistaken in testifying to the identity of Taylor, whom she had
not seen for six years, and they gave him a verdict of ac-
quittal.

But the investigations of the writer of this history have led

him upon evidence, which he is not permitted to divulge,
which fully convinces him that Mrs. Campbell was right, and
that Taylor Driscoll was really the murderer of Campbell.
 THE RESURRECTIONISTS. 95

CHAPTER VII.

THE RESURRECTIONISTS.

During the years 1847 and 1848, the inhabitants of the

village of St. Charles, in Kane County, and of that section of
the country which surrounded it, were kept in an unpleasant
state of excitement by a suspicion that the graves of their
friends,whose remains they had buried, were being invaded
and robbed bj the faculty and students of a medical institute
located at that place, which was under the charge of one Dr.
Richards. Two or three graves of honored citizens of that
place had been examined, and discovered to be emptied of
Many who had recently lost friends
their precious contents.
commenced the painful task of examining their newly made
graves, while many others only refrained from it lest they
should find their fears realized and that the outrage so hope-
less of redress had been consummated. To the gloom and
terrors Afhich surround every death-bed were added the dread
surmise, that even the grave was no secure resting place for
the sacred remains of the dead. The restlessness, the irrita-
tion, the indignation that Avas caused by this feeling may
readily be imagined.
But until the spring of 1849 it was not known, nor gen-
erally suspected, that the reckless grave robbers extended
their depredations beyond the near vicinity of the hated in-
stitute.

It was one gloomy afternoon in March of that year, that

three young men, driving a pair of horses attached to a large
spring-wagon, stopped for supper at the well-known tavern
kept by Mr. James Lovell, on the Sycamore and St. Charles
road, near Ohio Grove. A few words of the conversation
96 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

between the party caught the quick ear of the landlord's

daughter, who waited on the table, and startled her with the
suspicion that the party were body-snatchers, designing to
rob some grave in that vicinity. She communicated her sus-

picions to her father, who at first paid no attention to them,

but on second thought sent out a boy, quietly, to search their

wagon. The lad returned and reported that, concealed be-
neath the buifalo robe in the bottom of the wagon, were a
couple of spades, ropes, hoops, etc. —
all the tools required for

that ghastly trade. This left no room for doubt about their
intentions, and landlord Lovell at once determined to set
means at work to defeat their purpose, and capture them in
the guilty act if possible.

He dispatched one of his boys out on the Avest road to Mr.

II, A. Joslyn's and Mr. Levias Doav's, notifying them that
the resurrectionists were coming that way, and asking them
to follow and watch the rascals. He thought over the names
and locations of those w^ho had been buried in that section of

country within the space of a few weeks. Among the healthy,

hardy pioneers who then inhabited the country, a death was
a rare occurrence, and none were consigned to mother earth
without the knowledge, and, indeed, the presence, of most of
the inhabitants for miles around.
Two bodies had been interred Avithin a short period. One
German,
Avas that of a friendless had been buried in that
Avho
South Burying Ground in the village of Sycamore, from
Avhich the bodies have this year been removed. The other
Avas the corpse of the fair young bride of Mr. George M.
Kinyon, which but a feAv days before had been conveyed to
the grave-yard of the Baptist Church, near Ohio Grove, in
the present town of Cortland.
Leaving his friendly neighbor Josyln, to look out for raids
upon the Sycamore grave-yard, he made his OAvn way doAvn
to Mr. David Churchill, the father of the late Mrs. Kinyon,

and Avarned him to guard the sane tity of her grave.

Meantime the grave robbers had passed on toAvard the
village of Sycamore, and Harry Josyln, lying concealed by
 THE RESURRECTIONIST!^. 07

the road fence, had seen them pass in the growing darkness,
and quietly followed them.
They made some considerable delay in the village, Avhich
delay Mr. Josyln employed "in rousing some of his neighbors
from their slumbers, and in watching and arranging them.
Mr. Herman Furners, a constable, was made leader of tlie
party,to which was added Lorenzo Whittmore, John A.

Waterman, E. P. Young, and one or two others.

When the Avagon had turned down Soonmank street and
stopped near the grave-yard, this party of detectives, divided
into three squads and so posted as to enable them to cut off

all chance of escape, were lying down in the grass and await-
ing developments. Four men got out of the Avagon and
clambered into the burying ground. One, after a moment's
delay there, was seen making his Avay back to the village.
The watchers thought that they recognized in this person the

figure of a resident physician of the village, and imagined

that he came to point out the location of the grave, but the
obscure light may have deceived them —they may have been
mistaken.
Unfortunately, at this critical juncture, one of the hidden
watchers was seized Avith an uncontrollable fit of coughing.
The noise startled the guilty party, Avho ran for their wagon,
and were jumping into it, Avhen Constable Furness seized the
horses and demanded a surrender. They Avere thoroughly
alarmed, and their fright Avas not lessened by Waterman
ansAvering their question as to what Avould be done with them,
by the promise to shoot them in the morning.
Thoroughly coAved, they Avere taken back to the village
tavern, and Avere there recognized as students from Dr.
Richards' Medical School. One was a son of the Doctor,
another a charity student by the name of Rude, Avho it was
reported paid for his medical education by furnishing bodies
for dissection. The name of the third Avas unknown.
The captors Mr. E. L. Mayo, the principal
sent at once for
laAvyer of the toAvn, but after consultation he concluded that
13
98 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

l^ere was not sufficient evidence of their guilt to Avarrant

their detention. They were released, and joyfully fled away
in the darkness.
Meantime the Churchills and Kinyons had spent the night
inwatching the grave of the lost daughter and wife, but all
was quiet there. Morning came, and they examined it closely.
There was no visible evidence of its having been disturbed.
Two of her girlish friends, uneasy at the stories about grave
robbers which had been circulated through the country, had,
with tender thoughtfulness, laid a twine over it which they
fastened on each side as a means of detection. This was still

in its position. But something made the friends still .un-

certain and uneasy. They determined to dig down and assure
themselves, if possible, that the sanctity of her last resting

place had, indeed, not been invaded. The excavation had

proceeded but a couple of feet,when their fears were con-
firmed by finding in the soil the comb with which her hair
had been confined. The father and husband were excited
almost to frenzy by the discovery, and, dropping their spades,
ran round like madmen, with heartrending groans and bitter
tears. Reaching the coffin at last, it was found emptied of
its precious contents, the grave-clothes alone remaining with-
in it.

The news of this discovery quickly spread over the country

around. Mr. David Churchill Avas a noble old man, honored
and loved by the Avhole community, and the grief and indig-
nation which tortured him and the relatives were shared by
the entire community. It was certain that tlds grave had
been desecrated. No one knew how many more in this

region had also been violated. A party of twelve of the rela-

tives and neighbors was speedily made up, to go to the Medi-
cal College and demand the return of the body. They went
without delay, and on arriving there a search warrant was
procured, and they proceeded to examine the premises. But
they were an hour too late. When they entered the town
they saw there a horse belonging to a physician of their own
 THE KESURRECTIOXISTS. 99

neighborhood. was splashed with mud and foaming with

It
perspiration. was evident that its owner, who had formerly
It
been a student of Richards' Institute, had heard of their in-
tention, and ridden post-haste, to warn his medical associates
of the danger of their detection. They had spirited away
the body, and it could nowhere be found. In the large stone
building, formerly a barn, which served as a lecture and dis-

secting room, they found fragments of human

and in bodies,
the loft above a half decayed skeleton was hung up to dry
but none of them were recognized as parts of that dear form
which these distressed relatives sought.
The fruitless search was nearly completed, when the quick
eye of the bereaved husband discerned upon the stone flag-

ging of the floor, a lock of golden hair. It was the precise,

peculiar shade of his lost wife's hair, and he knew it in an
instant. It was not evidence enough to convince a jury, per-
haps, but it satisfied him. If he had any doubts before, they
were all gone now. lie bogged piteously for the return of
what might be left of the remains of his wife. But Richards,
who seems to have been a coarse and brutal fellow, treated
the party with anger and contempt.
"I have no subjects now," said he, " but if you will come
again in a few days I will have a lot of 'em, and from out
your way, too."
Discouraged and disheartened, the party Avent back to their

homes. They knew that the body was there ; they thought
with horror of the dear form of their loved and lost one
carved and gashed, and made the sport of a mob of heartless
medical butchers. But, alas, they saw no hope of securing
it — no prospect of redress.
To their neighbors they told the story of their reception
they showed the lock of hair. Their indignation was uni-
versal. Some of them taunted the young widower with a
lack of courage, because he had not, upon the spot, taken the
life of the villain, who, to the injury he had done him by the
robbery, had added the insult of such coarse, brutal, taunting
100 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

lauguage. With one accord, the people pledged themselves

to go back next day with them, in a body too strong to be re-
sisted, and up their prey.
to force the rascals to yield
About nine morning forty stalwart men, the
o'clock next
best citizens of the country around, armed with guns, pistols
and clubs, gathered together in the village of Sycamore, and
started again on the journey of twenty mile.?, to rescue the
remains of the lost child of their neighbor and friend. As
their wagons passed in procession along the road, the neigh,

boring farmers in both counties, learning the purpose of the

expedition, joined it will, and before
with determined good
they reached St. Charles, numbers had quadrupled. As
its

they n eared the town they halted and gathered together,

selected a committee of five of their party to go forward and
demand the return of the body, and give the inmates of the
Institute fair warning that the consequence of a further refusal
would be the destruction of their buildings, if not of the lives
of the inmates.
The Committee consisted of Esquire Currier of St. Charles,
John C. Wateriman, Willam Fordham, Lorenzo Whittemore
and Kimball Dow, of Sycamore.
Backed up by most of the party, the Committee proceeded
to the house. Richards met them at the door, and within
were his family and some dozen or more of his students.
Pistols Avere seen in his side pocket, and behind the door
were a number of guns. He was. stillheartless, impudent
and defiant. He denied any knowledge about the body they
sought for, but said perhaps his students could account for it.

A good deal of angry conversation passed between the

parties. Rude, the student, who had been detected in the
crime at Sycamore, was particularly active, and Kinyon, al-

though he had never before seen him and did not know him to

be that one, yet took an instinctive aversion to him, and could

hardly be restrained from shooting him upon the spot.
The Committee went back and consulted with their party.
It was evident that nothing was to be gained by parley.
 THE RESURRECTIONISTS. 101

Kinyon was determined to recover the corpse of his wife, or

make a corpse of him who robbed her grave. They resolved
to capture the place by storm, seize Richards and take him
into Fox River, then hold him under water until he would
reveal the place where the body was concealed. In the mean-
time some Germans had been found who said that on the
Sunday previous, a German friend who had worked for Rich-
ards had shown them, in the dissecting room, the corpse of a
golden-haired young woman, whose appearance perfectly cor-
responded with the description of Mrs. Kinyon. This added
to their confidence that the brutal Richards was still in pos-

and they were sure that nothing but

session of her remains,
violence would induce him to restore them. Headed by
David Churchill, the noble old father of the deceased, and
Kinyon, the youthful widower, a party of thirty marched up
to the building and made a rush upon the door, and as the
pressure forced it partly open, the muzzle of a gun was thrust
out and fired. It would have proved fatal to some of the
party had not Churchill forced down the barrel so that the
bullet struck the stone pavement and bounded over their
heads. This first act of war was followed by a shot from
Kinyon, who raised his gun and fired blindly through the
door. Fate directed his bullet to the death of the man who
had really been the robber of the grave. Rude was pierced
through the hips, and was borne away fatally wounded. A
number of shots followed on both sides, and those of the
crowd outside, who had no guns, hurled stones from the street
till every glass and sash in the house was shivered to atoms.
Old Gilman Smith, of Sycamore, who had been a soldier of
the war of 1812, was conspicuous for his coolness. He
loaded and fired, whenever he saw any part of a person ex-
posed, with as much coolness and deliberation as if he was
shooting at squirrels. It is said that he put two bullets
through Richards, one through his lungs and another in his
leg. During a pause in the battle, Richards, now thoroughly
cowed and bloody with his terrible wounds, came out to ap-
peal for mercy.
102 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

"You have killed two of us," said lie, "now, for God's

sake, stop and go away."

Just then a large stone struck his head and prostrated him.
He crawled back into his house and was laid upon a couch.
Soon were seen escaping from the rear
after, the students

of the building, and Henry Thrall rather cruelly poured a

charge of small shot into the rear of one of them as he clamb-
ered over a wall. The assaulting party now crowded into
the house. They found it fearfully riddled, and occupied
only by the two wounded men. Small mercy they gave to
their misfortunes.
"Now," said one to Richards, "now your students can
have a subject without sending to DeKalb County for it."
But Richards still refused to give up the body, and as it

seemed impossible to get any and as Avarrants

satisfaction,
were out to arrest the party as rioters, they retreated in an
orderly manner across the river. As they passed through
the town the ladies cheered them from their windows, with
waving handkerchiefs and encouraging w^ords. The popular
indignation at the outrages of the men of the Institute was
nowhere greater than in their oayu town.
Night now came on and another — a night attack —
was ex-
pected by the occupants of the establishment. The bridge
across the river had been carried away, and only a temporary
foot-bridge accommodated passengers, while teams crossed at
the fords. The town's people and the friends of Richards
established guards at three points and halted every person
who attempted to cross. They did also what was more ef-
fectual. They sent to Naperville for William B. Barry (a St.
Charles lawyer then temporarily absent), who knew Church-
ill, the leader of the invaders, and upon whom he would place
confidence. Barry arrived late at night, and as soon as he
learned the situation crossed over to the little hotel on the
west side, which was the headquarters of the invading party.
After a long pacific conversation he urged them all to go
home in the morning, promising upon his honor, that the
 THE RESURRECTIONISTS. 103

body should be speedily returned to tliem if it was in ex-

istence " You can cross the river again and kill some more
of them," said he, "and some of you will as certainly bo
killed also, but what good will all that do ? You can never
get the body in that way. Take my word for it, the body
shall be given up to you."
They took his word for it and next morning they went, but
left word that if the promise was not fulfilled, they would
come-again and destroy the entire establishment.
Barry had promised more than he was quite authorized to
promise, but he now took measures to redeem his word. lie
summoned John F. Farnsworth, a lawyer of the town. Dr.
Hard, who was a brother-in-law of Farnsworth, and had some
acquaintance with the affairs of the College, to a secret con-
sultation at his office. Contrary to his expectations. Dr.
Hard could tell nothing about thcs body, but after a long talk
the Doctor sallied out to see if he could not find some one
v,^ho could. He brought back a young medical student
named Harvey, who, it seemed, alone knew the exact spot
where the corpse was concealed, and after a multitude of
pledges of secrecy, he promised to reveal to Barry, alone, the
place of its concealment on the following night.
In the gloom of that night the two started out on the search
and, after some miles of travel through the woods, they came
to a spot upon the banks of the Fox Biver, within a few rods
of thi; village of Geneva, which Harvey pointed oat as the
grave of Mrs. Kinyon. Harvey, who had now revealed
enough knowledge of the aff"air to make him liable to arrest,
and at least to subject him to the vengeance of the relatives,
if they ever discovered his connection with it, now told Barry
that he would leave the country forever. He bid him good-
bye, started out in the darkness, and v/as never more seen in
this section of country.

Barry then went to Geneva, roused from his slumbers Mr.

Danforth, who then kept a kind of cabinet shop there, and
ordered a coffin to be ready next night at midnight, specify-
104 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

ing no purpose for which it was to be used, but enjoined the

closest secrecy. Determined that no person should be known

as having been connected Avith the affair, he now contrived a
plan for returning it to the relatives, without their knowing
whence or through whom it came.
Old Mr. Prescott, of St. Charles, who was a distant rela-
tive of the Churchills, and had been active in an effort to aid

the recovery of the remains, found next day upon his door
step an anonymous note, very cautiously Avorded, but giving
him to understand, that if he would go alone with a w^agon, at
a certain hour on the following morning, to a designated spot
in the woods,on the west of the river, he would find the body.
It was the midnight folloAving, that Mr. Barry, accompan-
ied by a young man named Nelson, stopped at Danforth's,
took the rude coffin Avhich had been prepared for him, and
drove back again to the spot where the body was buried.
Nelson, who was sworn to secrecy, as to all that might trans-
pire that night, w^as still uninformed about what his com-
panion's strange actions meant and was in a tremor of terror
us, digging down a couple of feet, they came to the body of
the fair young woman. It was wrapped in an old horse
blanket, and still undecayed. The two drew it down to the

river, washed off the earth that had adhered to it, and then
Nelson, unwilling that it should be coffined entirely nude,
drew off his own underclothing and placed it on the corpse,
then drove back up the river.
Prescott next morning repaired to the place to Avliich lie

had been directed. lie found there the coffin, and opening
its lid recognized the corpse of his niece. Without commu-
nicating with any person, he placed it in his own wagon and
starting back to Sycamore restored it to the husband. He
received it with hysterical delight —
laughed and wept, and
raved by turns. Never was there gathered at any one
funeral before, so large a concourse of people as met on that
next Sabbath day, to consign a second time to the grave the
body which had caused such an excitement in all the country
iiifiT mm^rnm immm w. hwphi^iy
r FRANK'LIN
 THE RESURRECTIONISTS. 105

round. A new grave was dug close under the husband's

window, and there the long lost body was at last consigned

to await the resurrection only of the last great day.

Cndoubtedly many other graves had been robbed before
this time in this same section of country, but it is believed
that there were none since.
The medical school was broken up. Rude, the student,
died a few days after. Richards, the principal, partially re-
covered, moved away to Missouri, but never fully recovered
his health, and died about three years after.

Indictments were found against Kinyon and Churchill in

the Courts of Kane County and they were arrested, but re-
leased on bail. Indictments were also found in one Court of
DeKalb County, against the body-snatchers. Neither were
ever brought to trial. Public opinion seemed satisfied that
the crime had been duly expiated and that nothing was to be
gained by further prosecution of the matter, on either side.

14
 PART SECOND,

DEKALB COUNTY
IX THE

WAR OF THE GREAT REBELLION

DeKalb County in the War of the Great Rebellion.

Decidedly the most interesting, most honorable and most

eventful portion of the history of the County of DeKalb, is

that which relates the gallant deeds of her brave sons, their
sacrifices and sufferings in that tremendous struggle for the
life of the nation —the Avar of the Great Rebellion.
How do the excitements of its earlier settlement, its claim

wars, its county-seat wrangles, its contests with the banditti,

itswar upon the grave-robbers, its political and social excite-
ments, all pale and lose their interest when compared with the
story of the grand heroism displayed by her sons upon an
hundred battle-fields and of the no less devoted patriotism
;

which led two thousand of her brave boys to cheerfully endure

the toils, the sufferings, the labors of the grand marches, the
terrors of rebel prisons, privation, destitution, death itself,
that they might help to save their country from destruction,
and give to the world a re-united nation. In the four years
of the great civil war is comprised more of its real history,
more of true heroism, more adventure, more romance, more
of gallantry, valor, everything that dignifies and ennobles the
character of its people, than in all the remaining portion of its

career. If, then, a larger portion of this work be devoted to

this portion of the history than to any other, it will not be
more than its importance demands.
The political character and predelictions of the great
majority of the inhabitants of our County impelled them
 DE KALB COUNTY IN THE WAR. 109

to espouse, with more than ordinary fervor, the cause of the

government in its struggle with the slave-holders' rebellion.
From the first settlement of the County, it had been the home
of a strong, active, zealous party of anti-slavery men men ;

who were avowed abolitionists, who gloried in that name

when it was a term of reproach ; who not only voted for, but
labored and expended their money for the freedom of the slave.

Scattered here and there over the whole county, were numer-
ous well-known stations on the "under-ground railroad;"
homes of thrifty, hard-working, God-fearing haters of oppres-
sion, in which, it was well understood, the panting fugitive
escaping from Southern Slavery, would be sure of finding
rest, refreshment, a safe shelter, a warm welcome, and means
to help him on to other stations to what was then
on the route
his only safe-guard, England on Canadian soil.
the flag of
The homes of the Beveridges and the Hubbards of Somonauk,
of the Townsendsof Mayfield, David West's of Sycamore, and
E. S. Gregory at Genoa, were well known as homes and places
of refuge for the fugitive negroes and many an interesting
;

story of their experience in aiding and secreting these

oppressed people, are now told with a freedom, that before the
downfall of American Slavery would have been dangeious.
Long before the formation of the Republican party, whose
corner-stone was hostility to slavery extension, the majority
of the voters of the County were of that class who made
hatred of slavery the cardinal principle of their political creed.
It was natural that when the devotees of the slave system
sought to rend in twain the Union of the States, in order to
protect their institution, and with fratricidal hand attacked
the defenders of the flag of their country, these men should
j-ally to its But their zeal
defense with earnest enthusiasm.
for the defence of the country was only more fervent than
that of their political opponents. Inspired by the noble
utterances of their great leader, Stephen A. Douglas, whose
patriotic devotion to his imperiled country burst the bonds of
party, and shed over the last months of his too short life a
110 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

.sublime eternal radiance, the great mass of the Democratic

party in the country, with some noted exceptions, rallied at
the first outbreak of the war to the defense of the country,
gave their support to the government, enlisted for their coun-
try's defense or encouraged the enlistments, and gave their
services, with patriotic sincerity to the work of preserving
the Union.
The echoes of the first guns that were fired upon Fort
Sumter had scarcely died away, when in the principal towns
of DeKalb county hundreds of her sons sprang to arms, began
drilling and preparing for service, and earnestly demanded the
privilege of being led to battle against the rebel foe. Their
by the government,which,
earnestness was constantly repressed
embarrassed by the want of suitable laws to meet such an
unlooked-for emergency, and apparently failing to appreciate
the real magnitude of the contest, hesitated and drew back
from the impending conflict, refused to call out a sufficient
number of troops, and checked, instead of encouraging, the
patriotic ardor of the people.
When, at last, two companies of volunteers from this county
gained permission to serve in her armies against the
rebellion, their privilege was at a premium. Some of those
who had been'accepted, but from various causes found it diffi-
cult to disentangle themselves from the ties that bound them

to their homes, sold out their places in the ranks, to

others whose eagerness could not be repressed. But, as

the conflict broadened and deepened, as our armies met the
enemy and failed to conquer their legions, the government
found use for all the men who were willing to serve her. The
calls of the President for troops were as follows :

April 16th, 1861, 75,000 for three months.

May 4th, 1861, 64,748 for five years.
July, 1861, 500,000 for three years.
July 18th, 1862, 300,000 for three years.
August 4th, 1862, 300,000 for nine months.
June, 1863, 300,000 for three years.
 DE KALB COUNTY IN THE WAR. Ill

October 17th, 1863, 300,000 for three years.

February 18th, 1864, 500,000 for three years.
July 10th, 1864, 200,000 for three years.
July 16th, 1864, 500,000, one, two, and three years.
December 21st, 1864, 300,000 for three years.
It must ever be a source of pride to the County ofDeKalb
that each successive demand made during the first three years
of the war, was promptly filled by volunteers. The summer
of 1862 —how memorable and exciting In the July previous,
!

a half million of men were called out, and DeKalb County

promptly met the call. In August, 1862, 600,000 more
were asked for. It was in the midst of the busy harvest
season. The County had already been drained of more than
fifteen hundred of its able-bodied men, and was suffering for

help to gather its bountiful harvest ; yet without a murmur,

six hundred of the very best men of the County sprang into
the ranks of the 105th regiment, and perhaps half as many
more into other organizations. It was not until July, 1864,
that a draft was finally required in this County, to fill the
repeated and exhausting demands of the service.

What gallant and honorable service these citizen soldiers

performed for their country, let this too brief and contracted
record of the campaigns of the various regiments partially
relate. Not one of the great battles of that long and bloody
war was fought in which the loyal sons of DeKalb did not
bear a most honorable part. The history of their campaigns
is a history of the war. DeKalb County boys opened the
first battle in the seven days fight on the Virginian Peninsula,
and were the first to attack Lee's rebel host at Gettysburgh.
Some loaded their guns for the first time while under the fire

of Fort Donelson. They swept with the great Sherman on

the grand march to the sea. They were the heroes of the day
on the first assault upon Vicksburg. They bore a most hon-
orable part in its final capture. They saved by a gallant
charge, the defeated army of Banks' on Red River. They
were first at the capture of Mobile. In the campaigns in
112 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and indeed wherever

a rebel army was to be found, there were men of DeKalb
County to meet them in the deadly conflict.
Volumes could hardly do full justice to the story of their
exploits. It has been found necessary in this work to condense
the history of most of them down to the dry record of their
principal movements. To the One Hundred and Fifth volun-
teers more space has been given, partly because that regiment
contained three times as many of DeKalb (Jounty men as any
other regiment, and partly because the history of the move-
ments of one regiment in that great campaign is substantially
the history of all others Avho participated in it, and will serve
to tell their story.
To the Eighth Illinois Cavalry has also been given an
unusually full record because they alone of all our regiments
participated in the movements of the Virginia campaigns and
their history is the history of the great, long- enduring, oft
baffled, but finally triumphant Army of the Potomac, and
with that of the other regiments, really completes the de-
scription of all of the great campaigns of the war. This
record gives the history of allof the full Companies formed
in the County. Hundreds of men however, enlisted in other
companies and did service no less gallant and praise-worthy.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 11;

THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH.

SKETCH OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS

INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, FROM ITS ORGANIZATION IN THE
FALL OF 1862, UNTIL ITS FINAL DISCHARGE FROxM THE
UNITED STATES SERVICE, IN 1865.

In response to the call of President Lincoln, for six hun-

dred thousand more men, to aid in putting down armed re-
bellion against the National Government, the One Hundred
and Fifth Regiment, Illinois Infantry Volunteers was formed,
embracing ten Companies, of which six were composed of
volunteers from DeKalb, and four from DuPage Counties
respectively.
The men were enlisted in July and August, 1862, and
wentinto camp at Dixon, 111., on the 29th day of the latter
month, where they rendezvoused until the preliminaries in-
cident to effective organization were gone through with. All
the line officers were elected by the unanimous vote of the
respective Companies, and each of the field and staff officers
received every vote in the entire regiment.
The Regiment was mustered into service September 2d,
1862, with 954 men. Col. Daniel Dustin having been by its

wisdom and with enthusiasm, elected and welcomed as its com-

manding officer. The Colonel entered the service in August,
1861, in the 8th Illinois Cavalry, as Captain of Company L,
v.hichwas raised in DeKalb County. He had been promoted
Major, and served with his regiment in the campaign oJl the
peninsular.
15
114 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

For Lieut-Col. and Major the 105th selected Henry F.

DuPage County, and Everell F. Dutton, of Be
Vallette. of
Kalb, the latter having been 1st Lieutenant of Company F.
in the 13th Illinois Infantry, volunteers, Avhich Company
was also recruited in DeKalb County, in April 1861. He
had been promoted Captain of his Company in August, 1861,
and was with the 13th in all the severe marches through Mis-
souri and into Arkansas, under General Curtis. Lieut.-Col.
Vallete had not before been in the service. Lieut.-Colonel
Vallete and Major Dutton are in stature something
over five and six feet, respectively ; the former of light frame,
the latter large and commanding. Both are active in their
movements, the Major being particularly noted for those
qualities characteristic of the dashing soldier.
The regiment was mustered in by Captain Barri, of the
regular army, at Dixon, as before indicated. Companies A,
C, E, G, II, and K, being recruited from DeKalb county,
and companies B, D, F and I from DuPage. The following
were the officers mustered at the time of organization :

Field and Staff.

Colonel Daniel Dustin.
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry F. Vallette.
Major Everell F. Dutton.
Adjutant William N. Phillips.
Quartermaster Timothy Wells.
Surgeon Horace S. Potter.
Assistant Surgeon Alfred Waterman.
Chaplain Levi P. Crawford.
Company A.
Captain Henry D. Brown.
First Lieutenant George B. Heath.
Second Lieutenant Robert D. Lord.
Company B.
Captain Theodore S. Rogers.
First Lieutenant Lucius B. Church.
Second Lieutenant Willard Scott, jr.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 115

Company C.

Captain Alexander L. Warner.

First Lieutenant George W. Field.
Second Lieutenant Henry B. Mason.
Comijany D.
Captain Amos C. Graves
First Lieutenant William 11. JeiFres-

Second Lieutenant Luther L. Peaslee.

Company E.
Captain Thomas S. Ferry.
First Lieutenant Marvin V. Allen,
Second Lieutenant Albert C. Overton.
Company F.
Captain Seth F. Daniels.
First Lieutenant Samuel Adams.
Second Lieutenant Porter Warner.
Company Cr.

Captain John B. Nash.

First Lieutenant Richard R. Woodruff.
Second Lieutenant John M. Smith.
Company H.
Captain Eli L. Hunt.
First Lieutenant James S. Forsythe.
Second Lieutenant Charles G. Culver.

Company I.
Captain Enos Jones.
First Lieutenant William 0. Locke
Second Lieutenant Augustus H. Fischer.
Company K.
Captain Horace Austin
First Lieutenant Nathan S. Greenwood.
Second Lieutenant Almon F. Parke.
The men were here inducted into the a. b. c. of the service
by the officers, according to " tactics," taking the first posi-
116 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

tion of the soldier and going through the first exercises of

squad drill.

About the time the bojs began to experience the sensations

peculiar to raw recruits, just entering on a change of life and
diet, the regiment was ordered to Camp Douglas, Chicago,
where, from the 8th to the last of September, it was busily
engaged in securing clothing, camp and garrison equipage.
While at Camp Douglas the regiment was numerously visited

by its friends, who came to see how the boys looked " in
camp," and to exchange a few more words of parting.
The regiment was presented with a beautiful stand of
colors, by Hons. T. B. Bryan and II. C. Childs, of DuPage,

upon whose folds were inscribed, in golden letters, " Strike

together'' —words destined to become actualized in the con-
duct of the men before the enemy.
On the 30th of September, 1862, under orders from the
Governor of Illinois, the regiment left Chicago for Louisville,
arriving there October 2d. At Jeifersonville, Indiana, the
men were armed with the "Austrian rifled musket," an in-
ferior weapon. Reporting to General Dumont, the regiment
Avas attached to a division then under his command, and to a
brigade under the command of Brigadier-General W. T.
Ward.
At and hardships of active soldiering
this point the trials

began, as the boys of the new regiment were immediately

called upon to execute a forced march to Shelbyville, Ky.,
carrying knapsacks heavily stuffed, four days rations in haver-
sacks, musket in hand, and sixty rounds of ammunition.
Leaving Louisville on the day following their arrival at that
point, the regiment arrived at Shelbyville on the 4th of Oct-
ober, having marched about thirty-six miles in twenty-four
hours. For green troops who had never marched a day or
an hour before, this was a hard beginning. Although only
the first, it was the last march of some of the men. Left
Shelbyville on the 8th and entered Frankfort at 4 A. M. on
the 9th. The movement was made with the entire division.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 117

The 105th (and the division) remained at Frankfort seven-

teen days, during which time it was engaged in guard and
picket duty, with occasional slight skirmishing with the enemy,
performing drill duty daily, and executing a counter raid
upon John Morgan and his command, marching to Lawrence-
burg and returning to Frankfort, a distance of about twenty-
eight miles, in about twenty hours.

Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky, was an interesting

point to the soldiers who were so fortunate as to rest there.
It is situated on the east bank of the Kentucky river, sixty

miles above its entrance into the Ohio. The site of the town
is a deep valley, surrounded by precipitous hills. The river
flows in deep limestone banks, the quarries of which yield a.

fine stone, or marble, of which many of the houses are built.

It contains a State-house, Court-house, and other official

buildings, with many handsome private dwellings, and a pop-

ulation of some three or four thousand. In the beautiful
Cemetery, near the city, are the graves of many of Ken-
tucky's prominent dead ; many soldiers of the Mexican war,
and the tomb of Daniel Boone, the old pioneer.
Here the regiment became thinned out somewhat by dis-
eases peculiar tocamp life. Many had to be left behind
when the regiment moved on for Bowling Green, which it did,
together with the division, on the 2fith of October, arriving
at that point November 4th. The boys still unused to millitary
duty, and poorly prepared to endure a forced march of so
great length, were, nevertheless, rushed through on foot — as
from Louisville to Shelbyville, with heavy loads —a distance
of 154 miles, in ten days. The weather was warm and the
roads dusty during the latter part of the march, which added
greatly to its trials. Think of a column of troops, already
jaded, with exhausted and chafed bodies, literally enveloped
in dust, so that one man could not see three ranks ahead of
him, much less distinguish one comrade from another !

The night before they upon this march a furious

started
snow-storm visited Frankfort and neighborhood, making the
118 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

pulling down of tents and the packing of camp equipage in the

morning, a cold and cheerless task. The troops left Frank-
fort in three inches of snow, but with confidence in their
ability to endure any hardships after undergoing the severities
of the forced march from Louisville to Shelby ville. Leaving
Frankfort on the 26th, as before mentioned, the command
moved about twenty miles and camped at Salt River. On the
27th, passed through a small place called "
Dogwalk." On
the 28th, passed through Johnsonville, and Chaplin Hill,

camping at Sugar Grove. Passed through Bloomfield and

Bardstown on the 29th, camping one mile beyond the latter

place. Reached New Haven on the 30th, and on the 31st

passed near Hodgkinsville, and the birth-place of Abraham
Lincoln. November 1st, reached Bacon Creek Station, on
the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, leaving the sick and
sore to be sent forward by rail. November 2d, passed
through Mumfordsville and crossed Green River, campni gat
Horse Cave. The Cave was numerously visited by the
soldiers and pronounced a very interesting natural curiosity.
It lies deep down in the bowels of the earth, with a round
entrance like the mouth of Jonah's Whale. In its interior is
a stream — a deep, pure water, coursing
small, silent vein of
beyond the Horse Cave village. On the
vision of the seers of
3d, passed near the famous Mammoth Cave, camping within
a day's march of Bowling Green. Arrived at Bowling Green
on the 4th, camping at Lost River, several miles southwest of
the town. A small stream, losing itself in the broad mouth
of another of Kentucky's underground passages, was the
scene of this encampment.
As already indicated, this was a hard march. The officers

and men endured it with commendable patience, arriving at

their destination exhausted and footsore.

Here the regiment remained one week, drilling daily. On

the 9th, the division was reviewed by Major-General Rose-
crance. Riding up to the 105th during the review, the Gen-
eral, after being saluted, said: "Men of the 105th: When
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 119

you go into battle, fii'e deliberately and aim low. Remember,

that if each one of you hits a man you will kill and cripple a
great many. It is a short lesson, and I hope you will re-
member it."

The boys enjoyed the brief rest at this point, and under
direction of their good Colonel and faithful officers, rapidly
improved in the school of the soldier.
Here we had an opportunity of entering and exploring
Lost River Cave. One day a party, equipped with candles
and matches, penetrated far into the interior, crawling
through circular openings to its series of chambers, or tracing
the meandering passage which holds in everlasting embrace
the little river that is "Lost." The chambers near the
entrance to the Cave are oblong, with arched ceilings, and
barely admitiing a man in upright posture. They are empty
and unornamented. But the passage in which the stream
flows is broad, and high enough to admit the tallest man, the
ceiling in dome-like form, rising in many places so high as to
render its outlines scarcely visible without the aid of strong
lights. For two hundred yards the party picked their way,
now and then climbing over rocky places, and on bare ground
treading the narrow shore. The sound of voices vibrated
with thrilling effect in the deep recesses of the dark cavern.
The pleasant encampment at Lost River ended on the
morning of November 11th, the division having been ordered
to Scottsville, the county seat of Allen county, a small town
of about two hundred inhabitants. The regiment arrived on
the evening of the 12th, and camped near the town. Until
the 25th, the regiment remained at this point, engaged in
drill and guard duty. Here the troops were required to turn
out at 5 o'clock in the morning and stand at arms until sun-
rise. This was a precautionary practice.
The boys by this time spent nearly all the money they had
received on entering the service, and were compelled to use
postage-stamps as currency. In trading with the most igno-
rant of the natives about Scottsville, they passed old stamps
120 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

and labels for money. For instance, a "one cent" Pain

killer label, from a bottle of Perry Davis' or anybody else's
specific, would pass quite readily for a "one dollar." Thus
many secured the luxuries of the country thereabouts, such
as pies, cakes, eggs, or anything else eatable.
While here, the 105th, together with a section of a battery,
executed a sort ofmock battle, the former manoeuvering and
charging before the latter while firing blank cartridges. The
battle was spirited, and admirably conducted by Colonel Dus-
tinand the commanding officers of the battery.
The first changes among commissioned ofiicers occurred
November and December, 1862, as follows :

Captain Horace Austin, Company K, of DeKalb, resigned

November 26th, First Lieutenant Nithan S. Greenwood, of
Clinton, succeeding as Captain.
Adjutant William N. Phillips, of Wayne, DuPage, resigned
December 2, Sergeant-Major David D. Chandler, of DeKalb,
succeeding as Adjutant.
Chaplain Levi P. Crawford, of Sandwich, DeKalb, resigned
December 24, Daniel Chapman succeeding as Chaplain.
Second Lieutenant Robert D. Lord, of Geneva, Company
A, resigned December 17, Sergeant William E. Thomas, of
Sycamore, succeeding as Second Lieutenant.
First Lieutenant Richard R. Woodruff, Company G, of
Sycamore, resigned December 21, Second Lieutenant John
M. Smith, of Burlington, Kane county, succeeding as First
Lieutenant.
Captain Eli L. Hunt, Company K, of Sandwich, resigned
December 17, First Lieutenant James S. Forsythe, of Som-
onauk, succeeding as Captain.
Captain Enos Jones, Company I, of Milton, DuPage, re-

signed December 17, First Lieutenant William 0. Lock, of

Addison, succeeding as Captain.
In the above instances, promotions were made according to
rank in the filling of the vacancies.
On the 25th moved to Gallatin, Tennessee, arriving on the
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 121

26th. Gallatin is a pleasant place, of about two thousand

inhabitants, the county seat of Sumner County, on the Louis-
ville and Nashville Railroad, distant from Nashville twenty-
five miles north.

The brigade to which the regiment was attached embraced

the following regiments : 70th Indiona, 105th, 102d, 129th
Illinois and 79th Ohio. About the 10th of December, the
brigade was ordered into winter quarters at Gallatin, except
the 105th, which on the 11th moved to South Tunnel, six
miles north of Gallatin, relieving an entire brigade of Ohio
troops, under command of General Steadman. Here tlie

regiment remained until the 1st of February, 1863, except

Company A, Captain Brown, which was stationed during the
winter at a Railway bridge half-way between the tunnel and
Gallatin, during which time constant scouting duty was per-
formed. Much sickness prevailed, and many deaths occurred.
The camp was located on high, but soft ground, near the
—
mouth of the tunnel really on the side of a mountain^ Avhose
lofty summit overlooked the camp and railway station to the
north. This position was the scene of much suffering, and
varied and wearisome duties. The regimental Surgeon II.
S. Potter, and Assistant Surgeon George AV. Boggs, though
among the best medical ofiicers of the department, could
hardly stem the tide of disease, which seemed to sweep
through the camp at times <Yith the fatality of an epedemic.
The Surgeon himself narrowly escaped death by disease.
chief
First Assistant Surgeon Alfred Waterman had been as-
signed to the small-pox hospital, at Bowling Green, immedi-
ately after the arrival of the regiment at that point. This
was the scene of his own severe illness, as Avell as important
service. Remaimed there until about the 18th of February,
1863, when he returned to the regiment, then at Gallatin.
He escaped the horrors of South Tunnel, but not the horrors
of Bowling Green, which seemed to be all hospital and noth-
ing else. The regiment lost a few men there.
Right here let us remark concerning the chief Surgeon of

16
122 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

the 105th, and the Assistant Surgeons, that in the exigencies

of every situation thej were found to be men of sterling in-
tegrity and large capacity. Surgeon Potter Avas a gentleman
of fine sensibilities, and on all occasions manifested a willing-
ness to go to the end of his powers of endurance in order that
nothing it was possible for him to do might be left undone.

First Assistant Surgeon Waterman, an officer of stronger

physical powers and great activity, afterward became chief
Surgeon, filling up the measure of his duties in whatever
sphere he was called to act.
Second Assistant Surgeon — afterward First Assistant
George W. Boggs, a young officer of decided skill, filled his

position in the most creditable manner.

Grrim death bore away from that mountain height at South
Tunnel many a gallant soldier, and some friends visiting the
regiment from homes in the North, arrived after their boys
had been buried. Henry S. Kingsley, an honorable and
talented young member of Company F, Captain Daniels'
Company, died of typhoid fever. His father. Rev. Mr.
Kingsley, hearing of his sickness, came all the way- from
Cook County, 111., to Gallatin, Tenn., only to learn that his

boy was dead and buried some hours before his arrival.
In the mind of every soldier who Avintered at South Tun-
nel the recollection of its experience Avill stand out in gloomy
relief.

The regiment was ordered back to Gallatin, February 1st,

1863, Avhere it remained Avith the brigade until the last of

May. On the 14th day of March, Companies D, F, II and
G were detailed as provost guard, and performed that duty
creditably, making friends of the citizens of Gallatin by their
steady habits and good behavior.
Up to this period — May 1863 —the regiment had lost 205
men, died and discharged on account of disability. But for
the exposure and the severe marches it had undergone, the
larger portion of those who died and those discharged, would
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 123

have been numbered among the effective force of the organi-

zation.
During the six months stop at Gallatin and the Tunnel,
ending the 1st of June, 1863, the regiment performed a great
amount of hard labor, constructing earthworks, scouting,
clearing the country of bushwhackers, gathering forage,
horses, etc., and capturing rebels. Major Button had charge
of all the scouts — fifty from each regiment of the post — riding
night and day for weeks through the country, at one time
(May making quite a capture of prisoners on the south
19),
side of theCumberland river, attended with a skirmish, dur-
ing which a Lieutenant Record, of the 70th Indiana, was
wounded. At another time the Major captured, and brought
in, seventy-eight bales of cotton, from across the river, fifty
horses and mules, and several rebels.
The Gallatin printing office was placed in charge of Private
Ogdon Whitlock of Company F, 105th, by Major Scarritt,
Provost Marshal under General Paine, Post Commander.
Private Whitlock acted as Post printer, turning out a large
amount of Government printing in the shape of job work,
and together with Sergeant J. E. Harroun, of the 102d Illi-
nois, as senior editor, and Privates Bell and Patrick, of the

102d, and Company A, 105th, respectively, published a well-

filled and well-edited six-column weekly paper called the
Courier, which enjoyed a circulation of 1200, having many
northern exchanges, and receiving complimentary notices
from such papers as the Indianapolis Daily Journal, Gazette,
Weekly Chicago Covenant, Sycamore Republican, Wheaton
Illinoian, Nashville, Tenn., Daily Union, Elgin, 111., Gazette,
Salem, 0., Republican, Aledo, 111., Record, and many other
prints ; also a sarcastic notice from the Louisville Journal.
We have not yet mentioned the fact of the dissolution of
Gen. Dumont's division to which the regiment was assigned
at Louisville. On the 7th day of December 1862, the 39th
brigade, which was in the division, and commanded by Colonel
Moore, of the 104th Illinois volunteers, was captured at
124 HISTORY OF DEKALB COIJNTT.

Hartsville, Tenn. This event seemed to disgrace, or at least,

Avas disastrous to the division, as immediately thereafter, one

brigade —the 40th — was assigned to Gen. Reynolds, and
Ward's brigade assigned to Gen. E. A. Paine, commander of
Post at Gallatin.
Lieut.-Colonel Vallette filled the position of Provost Marshal
for some time at Gallatin, and Captain A. C. Graves, of Co.
D, had charge of Provost guard.
Many of the officers and men received leave of absence
from that point, visiting their homes and returning to the
regiment, bearing letters and packages to those who remained
with the command.
Second Lieutenant Wm. R. Thomas, promoted from 1st
Sergant,Company A, was assigned to the position of A. A.
G., on staff of General W. T. Ward, commanding the brigade,
then called the 8th, a position which he filled with credit to
himself, reflecting honor on the 105th. He was afterward
confirmed as a staff officer by authority of the President of
the United States, which position he retained during the re-
mainder of his term of service.
First Lieutenant L. B. Church, promoted from Second Lieu-
tenant Company B —afterwards promoted to Captain —was
detailed on the staff of General Ward as A. D. C, and subse-
quently on the staff of General Paine, as A. D. C, which posi-
tion he assumed to the entire satisfaction of the commanding
and the command in general. Lieutenant
officers in particular

Church was an officer and gentleman of more than usual

popularity, on account of his uniform conviviality and his
wonderful talent for singing. He has charmed the senses of
thousands in and out of the army by his magic voice. To
the .I05th he was a tower of strength ; as a natural born
singer, he possessed in ample measure the power to soothe
and thrill with concordant sounds the spirits of its every
member. Stand him on a barrel in the streets of Gallatin
or in any of the camps, and he would bring every regiment
and every detachment within the radius of a mile inside the
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 125

song vibrations.
circle of his " The Sword of Bunker Hill,"
"Red, White and Blue," " Old Shady," and other popular
airs were rendered with great energy and effect.

The 105th was distinguished for its musical characters

perhaps more than any other regiment in the whole Depart-
ment. Colonel Dustin, Lieutenant Colonel Vallette, Major
Button, Assistant Surgeon Waterman, and Lieutenant Heath,
of Company A, were singers, also. They participated in the
exercises of a grand concert given at Gallatin by a combina-
tion of singers and musicians of the 8th Brigade, on the
evening of 22d April, 1863. The entertainment was a splen-
did affair, and had to be repeated the second evening follow-
ing. The Gallatin Courier in making an extended notice of
the concert of the 22d, said :
" The entertainment was a
highly successful one in all respects, and will be remembered
as one of the brightest incidents in the army, long after the
scenes through which we are passing have flown." Among
the line officers and enlisted men there were also many singers,
and good musicians.
The Regimental Band, with Drum-Major Morrel Fuller
and Fife-Major Walter Van Velzer at its head, became justly
noted in the army for clever manipulations on the drum and
fife. Being expert performers on the violin, also, these gen-

tlemen added its charms to the list of "regimental blessings."

By means of industrious application during their term of
advanced to a stage of development which gave
service, they
them decided character as individuals and made the regiment
proud of them as its principal musicians. The entire com-
pany of musicians attained to a high degree of efficiency, the
Band as a whole being excelled by none, and above the aver-
age in all respects of most regimental bands in the army.
Private Luther L. Iliatt, Company F, the prescription
clerk in regimental hospital, a most exemplary young soldier,
and a veritable musician, frequently furnished a guitar accom-
paniment to the violins and fifes, the whole making up an ex-
cellent combination, fully deserving the title of the " 105th
Illinois String Band."
126 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The old 105th owes much of its character and popularity,

as a whole, to the rare musical powers of those above indi-
cated.
Under the able management of Colonel Dustin, the regi-
ment rapidly attained to a degree of efficiency in drill and
discipline. In the manual of arms the 105th already began
to excel, and in the drill grounds the men were readily wield-
ed in the school of battalion. The Colonel early taught the
rules of health in his advisory speeches to the regiment, and
fully set forth the duty and great advantages of education in

all things pertaining to the service. Few regiments perhaps

were organized with such entire unanimity of feeling as exis-
ted in the 105th, and that continued to prevail from this time
to the end of the war.
About the time the regiment returned to Gallatin from the
Tunnel, Surgeon Potter was detailed to act as Brigade Sur-
geon, 1st Assistant Surgeon Waterman shortly afterward
taking his place in the regiment as Acting Chief Surgeon.
While at Gallatin and the Tunnel the following additional
changes occurred among commissioned officers.

Captain Alexander L. Warner, Company C, of Sycamore,

resigned February 17th, 1863 ; First Lieutenant George W.
Field, Sycamore, succeeding as captain. Captain Field after-
ward resigned July 11th, 1863 ; First Lieutenant Charles G.
Culver, ofCompany H, being promoted to the captaincy of
company C. Captain Thomas S. Terry, Company E, of
Shabbona, resigned March 16th First Lieutenant Marvin;

V. Allen, Shabbona, succeeding as captain. Second Lieut.

Porter Warner, Company F, York, DuPage, resigned April
17th ; First Sergeant Wm. M. Tirtlot succeeding as Second
Lieutenant.
On the 9th of April 1863, while acting as Provost guard,
Private Isaac Elsie, Company C, Captain A. C. Graves, was
accidentally shot dead by a pistol in the hands of a comrade.
This was one of the saddest occurrences that happened to the
Provost guards at Gallatin.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 127

The regiment was paid oiF about the middle of April, at

which time the boys were ready to fully appreciate those fine
greenbacks, having not so favorable an opportunity of passing
old pain-killer labels and postage stamps as at Scottsville.
Captain J, S. Forsythe, Company II, added a Mr. Samuel
Taylor, citizen of Sumner county, Tenn., to his gallant fam-

ily of boys, being probably the only regular enlistment in

the regiment "from a quarter least expected," during its

campaigning in the enemy's country.

Colored inhabitants in the country about Gallatin — then
called " contrabands" by the soldiers, came in daily to the
Post, many of whom were employed in the hospitals, and on
the streets and alleys, cleansing the town. Colonel B. J.
Sweet, commanding at Fort Thomas, near the railway depot,
employed a number at the fort ; and when too many accumu-
lated they were shipped to the front and set to work there.
There were periods of gloom among the people generally
while the brigade was lying at Gallatin, the military situa-
tion East and West being unsatisfactory, and reported disaf-
fection in the North gave rise to the painful reflection that a
"fire in the rear" was about to be threatened. But to fight-

ing men the prospect had no terrors, as they were anxious to

finish disloyalty in front or rear, never counting the cost. It
was this spirit, gaining ascendency among the troops of the
West, which finally manifested itself in the bold movement
that resulted, together with the master strokes in the East, in
the complete triumph of the national arms. Notwithstanding
the dark times, more or less intensified since the starting out
of the 105th in 1862, the spirit of the troops, although de-
pressed, never despaired, and the first of May, 1863, brought
new victories East and West, when depression gave way to
revivifying hope. This was the beginning of the end.
Among the happiest of mortals were the poor, humble
" contrabands." Apparently oblivious to effects which made
the heart of the soldier sad, they enjoyed their sports, their
dances, their out-door gambols. They rejoiced in perpetual
128 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

youth ; neither looking forward nor backward, but living in

the hour —ready for any fate. Verily, the very eloquence
of life abode in the bosom of the blacks.
The garrison at Gallatin was subject to alarms from John

Morgan's raiders, occasionally, when the army wagons would

be quickly interlocked in the streets, forming a barricade.
But John never came near enough to see these formidable
obstructions. An offended Tennessee poetess, and a hater of
the Provost Marshal —Major Scarritt, really a wonderfully

austere man —made the following allusion to these alarms, in

"
a parody on "Maryland, my Maryland :

" The Yankees they get scared at night,

Blockade the streets with all their might
Would'st know the cause —old S t's tight,

Gallatin ! My Gallatin."

On the 1st of June, 1863, the regiment and brigade were

transferred from Gallatin to Lavergne, by railroad, a point
about twenty miles south-east of Nashville, on the Nashville
and Chattanooga Railroad. Here the regiment was engaged
in guarding and drilling. Early one dark morning the camp
was alarmed, and the 105th sprang to their guns at the call

of Colonel Dustin, whose voice sounded out clearly through

the darkness, "One hundred and fifth ! fall in ! quick !" But
the alarm proved false, arid the troops were ordered to their
quarters.
Some tedious drill exercises Avere gone through with here
daily, closing in the evening with dress parade.
The regiment, after stopping at Lavergne one month, was
ordered to Murfreesboro, but returned to Lavergne the last
of July, and from thence to the city of Nashville, on the 19th
day of August, relieving a brigade of troops under command
of General Morgan. Here the 105th was placed in charge
of Fort Negley, being quartered inside the w^orks. The regi-
ment -was on constant duty here until its final departure from
Nashville, guarding the city and Fort Negley, arid being under
a system of daily drill.
BREVET BRIG.GrN^ E.F DUTTQN.
'05 ^.H
I LL.VOL
 THE OXE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 129

Destined to remain at Nashville about t^ix niontlis (arriving

there, as above stated, August lUth, 18G3, and remaining

until February 24th, 1864), the regiment had time to perfeet
itself in drill, and make many acquaintances in the citj. It
was its good fortune to exchange the inferior Austrian
musket, with which it had been armed, for the Springfield
r ifled musket, a nicer and more serviceable weapon.
The brigade was attached to the Eleventh Army Corps,
Major-General 0. 0. Howard, commanding, while at Nash-
ville.

Many officers and men were detailed from the regiment for
special duty. Major Button was detailed by order from
Washington, on the Board to examine applicants for positions
as officers' in colored regiments, remaining on that Board
from October or November, 1863, until the opening of the
Atlanta campaign, May, 1864. As an evidence that the 105th
was well some thirty-three of its members passed a
drilled,

satisfactory examination, and most of them were commissioned

and did good service as officers in colored regiments.
Lieutenant-Colonel Vallette was detailed on court-martail
forsome time also Captain A. C. Graves, Co. D, and Captain
;

John B. Nash, Co. G. Captain S. F. Daniels had previously

been detailed as Acting Commissary of Subsistence at brigade
eadquarters. Acting Surgeon A. Waterman was detailed in
a small-pox hospital.
Many enlisted men were detailed as clerks at the different
headquarters in the department, filling important places.
The following chasges occurred among commissioned offi-

cers : First Lieutenant Henry B. Mason, of Sycamore, Co. C,

resigned, September 6th, 1863, Second Lieutenant John W.
Burst, of Franklin, succeeding as First Lieutenant. Second
Lieutenant Hiram S. Harrington, of Franklin, Co. G, resigned
August 2nd, 1863, while the regiment was stationed at La-
vergne, and died soon after his return home. Sergeant James
S. Hasburgh being brevetted Second Lieutenaiil; June 7th,
1865.
17
130 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

While at Nashville the regiment was numerously visited by

its friends from the north, several of the officers' wives, and
the wives of some of the enlisted men, being among the guests
of the regiment. While visiting at this point in company with
her mother, a little daughter of Chief Surgeon (Acting Brigade
Surgeon) H. S. Potter, died. Colonel Dustin and staif, the
line officers and many soldiers of the 105th, together with a

regular escort, attended the funeral, accompanying the remains

to cemetery and depositing them in a vault. She was a child

of some twelve summers, of almost angelic brightness, the

pride of a father's and mother's heart. Said she, shortly
before the moment of dissolution : "If I die will I see any-
body :" to which question the hearts of those around her
intuitively answered, "yes." The attendant circumstances ;

the time, place, manner of services, interment ; the character

of the mourners and sympathizers, — all together made the
occasion one of peculiar interest, and long to be remembered
for its intensified sadness. How much is wrapped up in the

human heart may be estimated by those who participated in

the solemnities of that occasion, and through their sympathetic
relations with the near bereaved were made to feel the uses of

adversity. Perhaps the recollection of similar bereavements,

more directly concerning themselves, gave a finer point to the
pains of the heart.
Among the sober experiences in the military school at
Nashrille was that of brigade drill. The evolutions of a brig-
ade are similar in detail to those of a battalion, a much larger
plat of ground being required in the execution of the move-
ments of the former. In these movements General Ward's
brigade presented a scene of considerable activity and interest,
on the flats in the south-eastern suburbs of the city. It was
a pleasure, oftentimes, for the regiments to drill together ; to
receive instruction with each other from the same teacher, and
perfect themselves by united practice. Never were men more
agreeably associated in any cause.
General Ward to us presented the appearance of a rather
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTI^. 131

short and chubby Kentuckian of fifty years, quite unprepos-

sessing, yet it appears not without some qualifications that
made him popular and respected throughout his command.
As a speaker he made up for the lack in looks by his singular
suavity and eloquence ; and it is said he displayed fine sensi-
bilities in the care for his command. Many of the boys of
the brigade declared that the General was an old granny ; but
he was generally called "Old Pap Ward," or "Pappy Ward."
To many he was a grim-looking old General.
At a general meeting in the capitol at Nashville, largely
attended by citizens and soldiers, on the night of the 8th of
January, in honor of the battle of New Orleans, Governor
Andrew Johnson, made appro-
Colonel Dustin and others,
priate speeches. The gentlemen named were the principal
speakers ; their (eloquent consideration of the gallant repulse
of the British by the Americans under General Jackson,
supplemented by patriotic and touching allusions to the crisis

of the hour, stirring up the hearts of the people to a sense of

the importance of preserving our national life. Expressive
resolutions were adopted.
A distressing occurrence on the night of the 14th February,
sent a thrill of excitement through the camp on the following
morning as it awoke to a knowledge of the shocking details.

Sergeant Taylor of Company E, Captain M. V. Allen, com-

mander, had been found in the railroad cut, dead, appear-
ances indicating that he was the victim of a most foul murder.
On the 23d of February, 1864, orders were received at
regimental headquarters to be ready to march the following
morning. So, at four o'clock the regiment arose at the sound
of drums and fifes, took a last breakfast at its pleasant old
camp at Fort Negley, bid farewell to Nashville at eight o'clock,
and with General Ward at the head of the brigade and Col.
Dustin at the head of the regiment, the march for Wauhatchie
Valley was commenced, the column moving out of town on
the Murfreesboro pike. The following is a brief diary ac-
count of the march :
132 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

February 24th. — Moved about ten miles, the weather being

pleasant, marching agreeable. Turned into camp about three

o'clock, afternoon. Boys had lively time catching rabbits.

The numerous camp fires of the brigade made a cbeering

evening sight.
25t]i. Started at early dawn. Arrived at Stewart's Creek
where part of the 102d regiment, of the brigade, was station-
ed. Camped here at one o'clock, marching about ten miles.
2fith. Arrived at Murfreesboro at twelve o'clock camped. —
27th. Moved about thirteen miles, camping at one o'clock
afternoon. After the tents were pitched, Private 0. Whit-
lock, Company F, while resting before the fire at regimental
liead by chance espied a sack of coined silver, on
quarters,
the surface of the ground immediately between his feet. It

had been partially worn away from long exposure to the ele-
ments, leaving the treasure bared to attract the passerby.
The lot embraced twenty-five dollars American money, indu-
ing one spurious half-dollar. It was distributed among the
officers and men of the regiment.
28th. Moved about seventeen miles, passino; through Shel-
byville at noon, and camping beyond at half-past
five miles

two o'clock. The people of Shelbyville seemed glad to see

the "Yankees."
29th. Moved about fourteen miles, through alternate rain
showers, turning into camp near Tullahoma at three o'clock.
This day's march was very severe on account of rain mud
and cold. In the evening the rains turned into the consis-
tency of sleet, making it very difficult to start fires, the
country being bare of fences, the soldier's favorite fuel.

Great logs had to be cut, and tree tops used for kindling,
and some " comparative freezing" was endured before the
camp was made comfortable. The men slept hard, or hardly
slept, this night.

March 1st. Weather wet and cold —march not continued.

A portion of the division train stuck in the mud during the
storm — considerable sufferino; —some of the boys sick.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 133

2d. The marcli continued at 8 o'clock. Weather clear,

roads muddy. Camped near Elk river bridge, after proceed-

ing about nine miles.
3d. Moved at seven o'clock —weather pleasant —roads more
passable. Passed through Decliard, on the N. & C. E,. E...

turning into camp at foot of Racoon mountains, beyond

Cowan, at two o'clock, afternoon. Distance marched ten
miles.
Ascended the mountains, and after proceeding several
4th.
wrong road, the column was turned and marched
miles on the
down a deep ravine to the right one. Reached Tautalou
three o'clock, afternoon, a point on the railroad ninety-four
miles from Nashville. Heavy rain fell in the night.
5th. Owing to the failure of the teams to reach camp last

night, consequent on the blunder of starting on the wrong

road yesterday, the march was not continued until noon.
Distance made, four miles.
6th Moved at early dawn. Pleasant weather, good roads,
distance about twelve miles. Arrived near Stevenson, Ala.,
at two o'clock. Troops received their mail matter.
7th. Passed through Stevenson, proceeded to a point Avithin

sight of Bridgeport, Ala., and camped. Distance twelve

miles, turning in at twelve o'clock.
8th. Remained in camp.
9th. Resumed the march at day-light, passing through
Bridgeport and across Tennessee river, reaching Shell Mound,
at noon. Took dinner near the mouth of Nick O'Jack Cave,
one of the outcropping curiosities of nature. The boys briefly
explored the interior of the cave entrance. It was found to

exceed Lost River Cave at Bowling Green in the spaciousness

and grandeur of its passages. During the Avar the Lafayette
Courier gave the following account of the rather thrilling
experience of two Indiana soldiers in this cave
" While General Joe Reynolds' division was encamped
near Nick O'Jack Cave — about ten miles from Bridgeport, on
the Tennessee river — tAvo of the boys of the 72d Indiana
134 niSTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

regiment who entered the cave on a " reconnoitering expedi-

tion," lost their way in the mazes of the cavern and were
unable to get out. They remained in the cavern two days
and nights, and were finally rescued from a horrible death by
means of a brass band playing through the long ventilated
chambers. The lost men hearing the music, were enabled to
find their way with some difiiculty to their companions. Dur-
ing their wanderings they had stumbled upon the bodies of
two men, who were afterwards searched for and brought forth
from what had been a living tomb. They proved to be two
rebel soldiers in uniform, one wearing that of a lieutenant,
the other in a private's dress. They appeared to have been
dead some time, yet their bodies were in a most complete
state of preservation."
10th. Continued this march at nine o'clock. Weather
warm after a night of rain. ,Roads very rough and hilly,

the marching rapid and exhausting. Passed Whiteside Sta-

tion and Sand Mountain. Distance about sixteen miles, pass-
ing through romantic country, arriving in Wauhatchie Valley
and at the end of the tedious march. Major-General 0, 0.
Howard came out and met the brigade.
The next day, (March 11th,) the regiment was assigned a
position on a hill-slope in Lookout Valley, near Wauhatchie
Station, there to rest and make ready for a grand movement
against the Confederate army under General Joe Johnston.
The march from Nashville to Lookout Valley was accom-
plished in sixteen days, inclusive of two whole days on which
no progress was made.
The grounds of the 105th at that point was laid out with
nice precision, and the camp tastefully ornamented with ever-
green boughs throughout. The individual members of the
regiment visited the lofty heights of Lookout Mountain, from
the highest point of which the territory of seven States can
be seen. The eye rests upon a landscape to the north em-
bracing the Cumberland Mountain range, stretching from the
left of the Valley to the northeast, until its outlines blend
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 135

with the color of the far horizon ; the waters of the Tennessee
next from the foot of Lookout, closely hugging the great
range, winding along for many miles, is finally lost among
its spurs ; then further east is presented an expanse of diver-
including Chattanooga city, fields, hills, valleys,
sified scenery,

and woods, the smoke of distant towns rising above the coun-
try at various points. On the whole the vicAV is one of inde-
scribable grandeur.
The brigade —now called the first —had been transferred
to the 11th A. C, under General Howard, as before stated,
and was reviewed in the valley by General's Howard and
Hooker on the 19tli of March.
On 22d of March a rare effect in the shape of a snow
the
storm, was produced by nature's untiring forces. Commenc-
ing in the night the fall of snow continued until noon of the
following day, covering the ground to the depth of one foot.
For the time and place this was something extraordinary.
Sometimes the weather was quite cold, at others disagreeable.
Adjutant David D. Chandler, one of the most energetic
and best looking in the Eleventh Corps, having been on duty
constantly, here received the favor of a detail for the purpose
of repairing to the north to secure instruments for the Brigade
Band. He performed the duty, not failing to return to the
regiment in time to enter on the Atlanta campaign. In every
battle and under the harrassing daily skirmish fire of the
opposing forces, during that campaign, this officer proved
himself to be one of the best to endure and to dare. Second
Lieutenant A. H. Fisher, of Company I, Captain J. 0. Locke,
filled the Adjutant's office until the return of the Adjutant,
on the first of May.
One of the thrilling incidents connected with the camp in
the valley, was that of a large forest tree blowing doAvn dur-
ing the prevalence of high winds in the evening of March
28th. The tree fell across several of the tents of Companies
D and I, crushing them to the ground. Beyond the smash-
ing of a few simple articles of furniture, no further damage
136 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Avas done, as fortunately, for tlic moment, the tents were un-
oecupied.
While in the valley drill duty, iji>si)ection and reviewing
was the order of the day. On the l^th of April the regi-
ment was visited by Major-Goneral Joe Hooker, and during
the night Colonel Dustin and the regiment were serenaded by
the 79th Ohio regimental band. Major-General George H.
Thomas reviewed the brigade the following day.
About the middle of April the military designation was
changed, and from that time until the close of the war the
command was known as the Fisrt Brigade, Third Division,
20th Army Corps, then under General Hooker. On the 18th
of April Major-General George II. Thomas, commander
Army of the Cumberland, embracing Hooker's corps, honor-
ed the camp of the 105th with his presence. The regiment
participated for the first time in division drill on the 21st.
On the 22d the band of the 33d Massachusetts regiment
of the division, very friendly to the 105tli, paid the camp a
visit and treated it to some excellent music. The 105th
olFicers visited the 33d on the 26th of April.
Among the officers sick or disabled at this point were
Colonel Dustin, Acting Brigade Surgeon Potter, Captain T.
S. Rogers, Company B, and Captain S. F. Daniels, Company
F, the latter having accidently broken his leg below the knee,
while engaged iri a game of ball. The Captain, although
anxious to enter with his company on the approaching cam-
paign, was prevented from doing so in consequence of the
severity of his wound. He was sent to Camp Dennison at
Columbus, Ohio, where, as soon as his condition would allow,
he was detailed for duty as Post Commissary, we believe,
remaining at Columbus during the balance of his term of
service.
While in camp at Wauhatchie, or soon after, the following
additional changes occurred among commissioned officers :

First Lieutenant William II. Jeffers, Company D, Downer's

Grove, resigned May 5th, 1864, Second Lieutant Luther L.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 137

Peaslee, Naperville, succeeding as first lieutenant. Lieutenant

Jeffers resigned in order to take a position as Major in a
colored regiment.
Second Lieutenant John II. Swift, Company D, resigned
March 16th, Sergeant Jacob Ostrander, of Paw Paw, being
breveted as Second Lieutenant, June 7th, 1865.
First Lieutenant Samuel Adams, Company F, Wayne, Du
Page, resigned April 13th, Second Lieutenant William M.
Tirtlot, Milton, succeeding as first lieutantant.
Captain John B. Nash, Company G, Franklin, resigned
July 17th, 1864. First Lieutenant John M. Smith, Burling-
ton, was promoted captain but not mustered.
On the 25th of April the Colonel received orders to prepare
for acti^^e service in the field.
The regiment and brigade again participated in division
drill, near Greneral Hooker's headquarters, April 28th, going
through the motions as a battle, firing blank cartridges.
Received marching orders on the 1st, and on the 2d of
May, 1864, the march for the immediate front commenced.
Here was the opening of one of the boldest and most remark-
able campaigns ever engaged in by any army, and whose
end resulted in the complete, great, glorious triumph of the
national arms.
Some of the Confederates are reported as afterwards de-
claring that " Old Sherman ascended Point Lookout and gave
the —
command, attention creation by kingdoms right wheel
!

— march I" And then it was reported that after General

Johnston had followed his retreating policy, during the cam-
paign, the Confederates declared " that their army was com-
manded by Old Billy Sherman,' that they invariably moved
'

when Sherman gave the command, and Johnston only super-

intended the details of the movement.
As indicated above, the regiment and brigade broke camp
and commenced the march at six o'clock in the morning,
moving around Point Lookout, passing Chattanooga, through
Bossville, over the Chickamauga battle-ground, camping near
18
138 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Lee's and Gordon's Mills — distant from the camp at Wau-

hatchie about 19 miles.
On the 3d of May the entire regiment was detailed for
picket duty, the command remaining at this point until the
following morning, when the march was resumed; proceeding
about twelve miles, camped near Ringgold, Ga., within a few
miles of rebel pickets. Remained in camp on the 5th. On
the 6th marched a number of miles, camping near Avhere the
rebels captured and murdered a number of national pickets
belonging to the 92d Illinois regiment.
On the 7th, marched rapidly and a considerable distance.
Passed through Nick O'Jack Gape, driving the enemy's
pickets. Camped in the woods in line of battle, southeast

of Taylor's Ridge, a precipitous range of hills. Remained

in camp on the 8th. Considerable skirmishing in front, at
Rocky Face or Buzzard's Roost. Brigade still quiet on the
9th, ready for battle. The roar of cannon and rattle of
musketry heard, and the wounded of General Geary's divi-
sion being brought to the rear. Advanced four miles on the
10th, camping at cross-roads. Here visited by a hard rain.
On the 11th the corps, or the greater portion of it, arrived
at Snake Creek Gap, halted and built a double road several
miles long, in about as many hours, the regiment assisting in
this work. While was being done several members of
this

the 10th made a detour upon the top of the high ridge
Avhich shut in the command on the right as it passed into the
long, deep gap. The sight from so lofty a point, of the
country, Avas only rivalled by a similar one which they had
witnessed at Point Lookout. On the 13tli and 14th of May
the army moved forward slowly, skirmishing heavily and
fighting considerable on the latter date, the enemy making a
stand in and around Resaca. On the 15th the first brigade,
supported by the balance of the division, made a fierce and
determined charge upon a peculiarly strong position of the
enemy, near Resaca, capturing four pieces of artillery with
caissons complete.The pieces were marked, "Atlanta and
Augusta Arsenal," and Aveighed about 1200 pounds each.
 THE ONi; HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 139

The battle Avas especially terrific, the rebels having a cross-

fireupon our force of grape, canister and musketry. Captain
T. S. Rogers, with Co. B, were deployed as skirmishers, cov-
ering the front of the brigade. The battle commenced about
midday and lasted till late in the afternoon. The regiment
entered this fight on the "double-quick,'' with fixed bayonets
and a prolonged shout. The battle-lino Avas deliberately
formed behind the brow of a hill, beyond which intervened a
sort of irregular ravine, next the slope of the commanding
hills or ridges, on whose summits, well fortified, the enemy was
thickly arrayed. Colonel Dustin led his men right into the
spirit of the conflict, and notwithstanding it was the first time
the regiment had been under fire, the ofiicers and men bore
themselves bravely and well. It Avas a dreadful day's work.
The number of casualties was about fifty in the regiment ere
it came out of the strife. The names of the killed and
wounded will be founded appended to this sketch. Lieutenant
Colonel Vallette was severely disabled by a bursting shell,
which necessitated his retirement from the service. Captain
W. Company I, and First Lieutenant W. M.
0. Locke, of
Tirtlot, of Company F, Avere Avounded. Young Arthur P.
Rice, of Company F, the bravest of the braA'e, fell inside the
rebel fort. He was the first boy in Wheaton to mount the
stand at the call of Captain Daniels for the service of his
country.
In his ofiicial report of this battle Colonel Dustin pays the
following tribute to the officers and men of the regiment
"At a time Avhen for several hours so terrible a shower of
musketry, shot and shell was being poured upon us from the
rebel forts and rifle-pits, the coolness and bravery of the
officers in repeating commands, correcting imperfections in
the lines and pressing it forward Avas observed by me Avith

great pride and satisfaction, and Avas only equaled by the

splendid manner in which the men overcame all obstacles,

obeyed promptly all orders, and at last gallantly threw them-

selves high up into and under the rebel fortifications."
140 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The brigade stood at arms during most of the night, pre-

pared to repel a night attack. An attack being made, as
anticipated, it Avas successfully repulsed.

During the night the rebel army retreated hastily, leaving

their exceedingly strong works at Resaca. On the morning
of the IGth the army started in pursuit ; the first brigade
being left behind to bury their dead, did not follow until
evening, marched about twelve miles after dark, coming up
to the balance of the division late in the night. On the 17th,
marched about twelve miles, crossing Coosawater river. On
the 18th, moved to within four miles of Cassville, on the
Adairsville and Cassville road, the advance of the Third
Division driving the rebel rear guard before it a distance of
five miles.

Colonel Dustin gives the following account of the opera-

tions of the 19th of May, in his ofiicial report :

" On the morning of the 19th our brigade was ordered

forward on the Cassville road supported by other troops. The
105th was ordered to take the advance. Companies H and I
Avere deployed as skirmishers under Captain Forsythe ; one
company under Captain M. Y. Allen being left in charge of
the ammunition train. The balance of the regiment consti-
tuted a support to the skirmish line. Thus formed, our
brigade moved rapidly forward and the skirmishers were soon
encountered and by a rapid skirmish fire they were driven
beyond Two Run Creek and to within one mile and a half of
which time the utmost regularity and good
Cassville, during
order was observed both by our skirmishers and reserves.
At this point was developed a large force of rebel cavalry,

and we were ordered to halt. Very soon the enemy opened

a battery upon us in our front from which we were under a
severe fire for some two hours. We were then ordered to
move further to the right, connecting with our third brigade
in whose front the enemy seemed to be massing troops prepar-
atory to a general engagement. But our artillery just at
this time opened with deadly eifect, scattering the rebels in
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 141

all directions. This was followed up immediately by a gi'and

advance of the entire Twentieth Corps. The grand column
moved forward in excellent order, with colors flying, through
large, open fields, crossing Two Run Creek and then ascend-
ing a thickly wooded hill. On reaching the top of the hill

the artillery again took position and opened fire in good order,
and thus the region of Kingston and Cassville was eff"ectually

cleared of rebel soldiery and the day's work for the 19th was
(lone."
A concentration of the troops occurred here on the evening
of the 19th, lying over till the 23d to rest, the enemy retir-
ing in the interim.
On the day following the battle of Reseca, Major General
Butterfield, commander Third Division, issued the folloAving
congratulatory order :

" Headquarteks 3d. Division 20th Army Corps,

\
Near Reseca, Ga., May 16th, 18G4. J
" G-en Oi-ders, A^o. 4.
The Major-General commanding feels it a duty, as well as

a pleasure, to congratulate the Division upon its achievements

yesterday. The gallant assault and charge of the First
Brigade, capturing four guns in the enemy's fort ; the brave
support of the assault by a portion of the Second Brigade on
the left, with the glorious repulse it gave twice its force, proves
the Division Avorthy a high name and fame. Let every one
endeavor by attention to duty, obedience to orders, devotion
and courage, to make our record in the future as in the past,
such that the army and the country will be proud of us.
By command of Major General Butterfield,
John Speed, Captain and A. A. G."
General Sherman in his report of the operations of his army,
referring to the eventful days at Reseca, says
" Nothing saved Johnston's army at Reseca, but the
impracticable nature of the country, which made the passage
of troops across the valley almost impossible. This fact
enabled his army to reach Reseca from Dalton, along the
comparatively good roads constructed beforehand, partly from
142 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

the topographical nature of the country, and partly from the

foresight of the rebel chief. At all events, on the 14th of May,
we found the rebel army in a strong position, behind Camp
Creek, occupying the forts at Reseca, and his right on some
high chestnuthills to the north of the town. I at once ordered

a pontoon bridge to be laid across the Oostenaula at Lay's

Ferry, in the direction of Calhoun, a division of the Sixteenth
Corps, commanded by General Sweeney to cross and threaten
Calhoun ; also, the cavalry division of General Garrard to
move from its position at Villanow, down towards Rome, to

cross the Oostanaulaand break the railroad below Calhoun

and above Kingston if possible, and with the main army I
pressed against Reseca at all points. Gen. McPherson got
across Camp Creek near its mouth, and made a lodgment close
up to the enemy's works, on hills that commanded, with short
range artillery, the railroad and and General
trestle bridges,

Thomas pressing close along Camp Creek Valley, threw

General Hooker's Corps across the head of the Creek, to the
main Dalton road and down to it close on Reseca.
" General Schofield came up on his left, and a heavy battle
ensued during the afternoon and evening of the 15th, during
which General Hooker drove the enemy from several strong
hills, captured a four-gun battery and many prisoners. That
night Johnston escaped retreating south across the Oostanaula.
The following letter was written by the Captain of the rebel
battery, which the 105th assisted in capturing at Reseca. It
appears the Captain designed sending it to his wife by a
wounded rebel, but the latter was taken prisoner, and the letter
fell into the hands of a member of the 105th. We give it

verbatim et literatim

" Reseca, Ga. may 15

My Dear wife
John Thompson is going home to Cassville
wounded I thought I would drop you a line by him
The Yankees charged on my battery this P and captured M
2 sections of it many of our men and attendants were wounded
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 143

It was as daring an exploit as when my brothers was charged

at antietam Va by Co new york Reg
They threw themselves into the front as unconscious of
danger as ducks into a pond
I tell you and will to stow away every thing of value
fearing we shall have to fall back from here if we do the
yankees will get everything in reach.
We had to fight hookers command here or else the battery
never would have been taken.
I hear we are gaining on the yankees in Va and we would
have whipped them here if it had not been for Hookers
command
They all wore a star.
If we hold our ground here I will see you ere long.
I want you to send sis and James to grand Pas and you go to

uncle Johns Take all the things you can

I must close as the train will leave immediately your husband
Unto Death ww c
P S our position here Avas very
good but we have to fall back keep up good courage. I hope
what I have said will not prove discouraging to you. av w c

The term, "Ward's Ducks," originated from the Captain's

allusion to the men of the First Brigade in the fourth
paragraph, " throwing themselves into the front as unconscious
of danger as ducks into a pond."
After two days' rest near Kingston, the advance was resumed
on the 23d, proceeded some eight or ten miles, crossing the
Etowah 'and bivouacking in the woods beyond. O.i the 24th,
marched to and beyond Burnt Hickory, threw up breastworks
and bivouacked. On the 25th, marched back through Burnt
Hickory and changed course somewhat, but still advancing.
At about three o'clock, the division met the enemy in

considerable force, and a sharp engagement occurred — the

Second and Third brigades formed the first line, and the
First brigade the second. The 105th, together with the
brigade, being thus under fire, from close proximity to the
144 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

front line, although not actively engaged, suffered severely,

the number of casualties being fourteen wounded. First

Lieutenant J. W. Burst of Company C, had his right leg shot

away by a rebel shell. He was a good officer, and his loss
Avas regretted by hiscompany and the regiment. Adjutant
Chandler was also stunned, being grazed by a shell or grape
shot, on the neck, and shoulder.
On the 26th the regiment and brigade laid behind breast-
works under fire. On the 27th, the brigade was ordered to
advance a few rods in front of the breastworks and throw up
another line of works. This was done under a severe fire from
the rebel sharp-shooters. The casualties in the 105th
amounted to fourteen including two commanding officers,

several of the men being killed. On the 28th they lay behind
the new works which had cost the regiment 'SO much to build
the day before. On the 29th, the brigade was relieved and
moved ba k out of range, after being under fire for nearly
four days. But the 105th was not to rest long. The major
portion of the regiment was detailed for skirmish duty on the
31st. On the first of June skirmishers and regiment were
relievedand ordered to march and overtake the brigade, which
had moved around on the left of the lines. A five mile march
after dark brought the tired and worn men of the 105th up
Avith the brigade, when the men laid down on their arms. On
the following day, June 2d, took up a position, after moving
several miles, preparatory as Avas thought, to a general
engagement — covering the flank and supporting the left of the
twenty-third Corps under General Schofield About dusk,
the 105th regiment was thrown out on the extreme left as
flankers, and Avas furiously shelled Avhile performing this duty.

Tavo companies Avere throAvn out from the regiment as pickets

and skirmishers under Major Dutton. Here the regiment
lost its able and greatly esteemed chief surgeon, Horace S.

Potter, then acting Brigade Surgeon. He Avas struck by a

shell on the head, the frontal bone being crushed in or torn
from the skull. Surgeon Pottor was selecting grounds for
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 145

a field hospital, Avlieii the missile of deatli took eftect. Quarter-

master Timothy Wells, who was with him at the time, had the
remains immediately taken off the field and carried to the rear.

S. W. Saylor, leader of the Brigade Band, and a kinsman of

Surgeon Potter's, secured a leave of absence and took the body
home. On Sunday the r)th, Chaplain Champlin preached a
sermon in memory of Surgeon Potter. The entire regiment
listened attentively to the Chaplain's well-chosen words, and
all felt more or less keenly a loss which could never be fully
repaired in the person of any other medical officer.
Horace S. Potter was born in Chatauqua County, New
York, about 1834, and came to Illinois in 1838, his family
having settled in Warrenville, Du Page County, remained
there until 18(37, studying medicine with Dr. L. Q. Newton,
a prominent physician of that place, — and graduated
at Iowa
State University. From moved to Danby, same
Warrenville,
County, in 1851, practicing medicine until May, 1856, when
he moved to Chicago, where he was engaged in his profession,

previous to entering the public service as Chief Surgeon of

the 105th regiment.
Contrary to anticipations, no general engagement came oft"

on the 2d, and on the 3d the Twentieth Corps moved around

and beyond the enemy's right, and camped about three miles
from Ackworth, remaining until the 6th, when the command
moved forward, passing on the right of Big Shanty to near
Golgotha Church, where the entire Corps took up a prominent
position in line of battle and immediately threw up intrench-
ments.
From this time to the 15th were laying quietly behind
breastworks with no enemy close enough to skirmish with.
On the 10th, the Fourth Corps took position in front of the
breastworks, moving away the next morning when the First
division of the Twentieth Corps moved up and occupied their
place. While here a heavy rain, commencing in the night on
the 8th and continuing until the 14th, gave the troops a severe
drenching. On the 12th heavy cannonading was heard on
the right and left.
19
146 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

On the 15th broke up camp and moved together with the

Corps beyond Golgotha Church, encountering the enemy in a
very strong position. The command marched up in line of
battle, the 105th under Major Dutton was thrown forward to
support the skirmishers which covered the front of the brigade.
The skirmishers, with the 105th close behind, advanced
promptly, soon followed by the other regiments of the brigade
in line of battle, when they were crowded forward until the

enemy's intrenchments were in full view, and his skirmishers

driven back close to their main Avorks. A spirited engagement

was going on, the hardest of the fighting occurring on the
right and left of the line. The regiment, however, was under
a terrible skirmish fire, which amounted to little less than an
engagement. Brisk firing was kept up until dark, when
light lines of works were thrown up. On the 16th, the brigade
advanced and constructed strong breastworks, in the face of
the enemy's sharpshooters, sufiering a loss of nine, and one
killed. The enemy shelled the regiments after dark, after
which the brigade was relieved and ordered behind a socond
line of works to the rear. During the night the enemy
retired, leaving the strongest line of fortifications the boys had
yet seen. The casualties of the 105th on the 15th and 16th,
were nineteen.
On the morning of the 17th, the national troops entered the
rebel entrenchments and marched on, coming up with the
enemy in the afternoon.
The division moved about two miles, entering a large, open
field, when it was formed into two lines and plunged into a

thick wood on the right, moving along until it came in contact

with the Twenty-third Corps, still further to the right. Being
then moved to the left, emerged into the open field, where the
division was massed. Here the regiment camped.
On the 18th the cannoniers kept up a heavy firing.
The
enemy moved back and took up a strong position on the top
of Kenesaw mountain, near Marietta, extending his lines
about due North and South. Our army followed him up,
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 147

drove him back considerably on the 19th, and pressed him on

the 20th and 21st.
From the 18th to the 21st inclusive, the troops received a
thorough drenching from a series of heavy showers. Remained
encamped on the 18th. On the 19th moved forward through
rain and mud, crossing two fords, the men getting thoroughly
wet to the knees. Rain came down in torrents during the
passage of the first stream. In the evening went into line
between the Fourth Corps on the left and the Twenty-third
Corps on the right. On the 20th and 21st, severe skirmish
firing was kept up while perfecting the lines. On the 22d,
the brigade, in conjunction with other troops, advanced the
lines and built breastAvorks under a brisk fire. The regiment
suffered a loss of ten, — one commissioned officer accidentally

Avounded, two men killed, and seven severely Avounded.

Regiment Avas relieved in the evening ; moved some distance
to the right, and bivouacked for the night.

The division on the 23d Avas again placed in the front line
on the right of the Corps, connecting Avith the left of the 23d
Corps. The regiment was assigned a position very near the
battle ground,and where they were burying rebel dead who
fell Very heavy cannonading
before the works the day before.
was heard on KenesaAV Mountain. On the 24th, the brigade
lay behind a third line of Avorks, at rest, and remained there
until the night of the 26th, Avhen it Avas moved to the front line

of works, relieving Colonel Coburn's Second brigade, of the

Third division. Here the Avorks of the opposing forces were
within short musket range, and the men Avere obliged to keep
their heads down to save them from perforation. It was
thought the enemy Avas meditating an attack at this point, but
on the night of the 3d of July he fellback, yielding up his
whole position around Marietta, and on the commanding
bights of KenesaAV.
This alternative of the rebels was impelled by a brilliant
flank movement by the flanking army under Major General
McPherson.
148 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

The First brig.adewas relieved on the night of the 29th,

(June,) by the Third brigade of the division, and moved back
from the front line of works. In the evening of July 1st, the
First brigade relieved the Second brigade behind the second
line of works. Nothing of moment occurred until the 3d of
July, when, leading the van, the First brigade, headed by
Brigadier General Ward, commanding division in absence of
Major General Butterfield, and Colonel Ben Harrison of the
70th Indiana, commanding brigade, advanced into the strong
works of the enemy, the latter having retreated during the
night, as mentioned above. The Third division advanced on
the Marietta road in the direction of the town, the head of the
column encountering the rebel rear near that place, who
opened vigorously with shot and shell. A section of artillery
Avas immediately detached from Captain Smith's battery, under
his charge. The First brigade supported the guns while the
gallant Captain silenced the rebel artillery.The 105th being
posted immediately in rear of the battel-y, was exposed to a
perfect' storm of shot and shell from the enemy's guns, but

escaped with only one man killed, and two wounded. Several
of the battery boys were badly mangled by rebel shells. The
division left the main pike and advanced in the direction of
the Chattahoochee river, scouring the woods in a rather zigzag
manner until sundown. The 4th of July found the regiment
and division encamped about four miles from Marietta, on a
high open field, in sight of rebels and rebel works. Here,
rested until afternoon, unfurling the national colors in honor
of the day. After dinner a march through woods and fields
brought the command to a deserted farm, well shaded and
supplied with water.. Fortunately, the 105th was assigned a
camping ground contiguous to an apple orchard, the trees of
which Avere hanging full of fruit. The harvest was not long
suffered to remain ungarnered, and the humble collations of
the boys were materially improved that night, Avith what they
Avere pleased to call " applejack."
n the 5th, moved about six miles, arriA^ing Avithin tAvo
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. ] 49

miles of Chattahooclice river and meeting the enemy's pickets.

Regiment shifted its position on the Gth and went into camp.
An order was issued for the command to rest as much as pos-

sible during the time it might remain quiet. The entire corps
rested until the afternoon of the 17th, when orders were
received to cross the river. It was late in the night before

the corpi bivauocked on the other side. The 105th was im-
mediately detailed for picket duty — a severe task to perform
after a tedious march of some ten miles.

Daring the temporary rest enjoyed by the 105th, as above

indicated. Colonel Dustin received a leave of absence for

twenty days, starting for his home in Sycamore on the 13th.
Major E. F. Dutton succeeded Colonel Dustin in the com-
mand of the regiment, and senior Captain H. D. Brown, of
Company A, assumed the duties of the Major.
The command moved a few miles on the 18th, reaching a
point on the Marietta and Decatur road, within one and a half
miles of Howell's mills, which, on the 20th, was the immediate
scene of the memorable and brilliant engagement and victory
of the first brigade, in the great battle of Atlanta. Here
the brigade rested on the 19th, and on the 20th moved for-
ward and formed in line of battle on the south side of Peach
Tree Creek, comprising a portion of the force which closed
up a gap existing in the lines, and which the rebels were
seeking with desperate eagerness. They found it, but too
late to answer the purpose of victory. The 102d Illinois,
79th Ohio and 129th Illinois formed the first line, connecting
with the second brigade on the left. The 70tli Indiana and
105th Illinois formed the second line, distance from the first,
some two hundred yards. Between two and three o'clock,
afternoon, the pickets on the crest of a hill in the brigade
front commenced enemy charging over the open
firing, the
The lines of the division
field in his front several lines deep.

immediately advanced in splendid order up the hill when, on

gaining the crest, they were so close upon the rebels that
several regiments were intermingled.
ir>0 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Major E. F. Dutton, in absence of Colonel Dustin, com-

manded the regiment, assisted by senior Captain H. D.
Brown, the former acting as Lieutenant-Colonel, the latter
as Major. The second brigade having moved obliquely to
the left, and the first line of the first brigade to the right,
the front of 105th was nearly uncovered. Seeing the enemy
coming in large numbers down the slope of the second hill,
Major Dutton ordered the men to open fire, which was
promptly done, the regiment advancing in good order, after a
brief halt on the hill. The battle now raged furiously, the
troops of the regiments giving not an inch of ground, but
advancing, standing right up to the work. Soon the masses
of rebels, after making a brave fight, indeed, faltered, and the
national troops drove them back over the second hill and
open field, the 105th reaching the summit almost simultane-
ously with the troops of the first line, from Avhich point the
regiment poured several volleys into the disordered and re-
treating ranks of the enemy. The fighting continued until
dark, when the regiment and brigade commenced throwing
up breastworks, and were busy at this work until nearly
morning.
Major Dutton, in his report of this engagement, com-
plimented the bravery and endurance of the subordinate
and men of the regiment, and they in turn compli-
officers

mented the gallantry and dash of the Major. Captain H. D.

Brown, acting Major, with an air of coolness and firmness,
assisted in pressing forward the line, and Adjutant D. D.
Chandler, always at his post, and constituted the third person
in the regiment's executive trinity. The splendid conduct
of these officers on the field was the subject of enthusiastic
comment on all hands, after the battle. The line officers
were unusually enthusiastic, and led the men forward with
the one idea that a victory was to be gained. And the men
went in to win, even if it were necessary, to close in hand to
hand struggle, which, indeed was done.
Among the trophies of the regiment was one beautiful
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 151

stand of colors, said bj prisoners to have belonged to the

12th Louisiana regiment, together Avith several swords and
belts. The were captured by Sergeant Melvin Smith
colors
and George F. Cram, of Compari}'^ F, and which capture
was reported in the paper as " glory for the 105th,"
The colors of the 105th Avere pierced Avith bullets, one
shot going through the flag staff. The relics taken by the
regiment Avere sent to the headquarters of the army, with the
request that they be placed in the State archives at Spring-
field.

The casualties Avere fifteen, six men being killed or mortally

Avounded, and it Avas miraculous that the Regiment did not
suffer a loss of five times that number in so long and hard
fought a battle, and the only manner of accounting for so provi-
dential an escape Avas, that most of the time the enemy Avere

posted on the hill above the 105th, and in firing doAvn the hill

their shots Avere almost invariably made too high.

After the had died aAvay and the moon had risen on
strife

the scene, an inspection of the grounds in front of the regi-

ment and brigade. The sight Avas fearful. Dying and dead
rebels lay in all attitudes of suffering and death. The youth
and the middle-aged lay in their gore in groups or scattered
about where they had fallen. Two dead rebels Avcre noticed
lying side-by-side. The arm of one Avas stretched upAvard
and the fingers pointing to the moon, as though he Avould in-
dicate to his comrade the way to the abodes of peace. Among
the rebel Avounded there Avas a young girl only nineteen years
of age. A ball had struck her ankle and she Avas obliged to
have her foot amputated. She bore her suffering heroically,
and stated she had been in the service twenty-eight months.
Many interesting incidents occurred, Avhich if detailed Avould
fill pages upon pages of history. A member of the regiment
casually sui'veyed the battle grounds, noAV inside the lines,
and offered refreshments to the suffering and dying. To in-

quiries as to the extent of injuries, such ansAvers as " Yes, I

can't live till morning" issued from tremulous lips, when life's
152 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTr.

fitful fever was nearly over. On the faces of the dead the
usual expressions of agony or fierce
placid repose, fear,
despair, lingered, and altogether the scene was one no pen
could portray.
The morning of the 21st dawned on one of the greatest
victories of the war, and the footing of the national army on
the south side of Peach Tree Creek was equally as secure as
its footing on south side of Chattahooche river.
Lieutenant Willard Scott, jr, of Captain Rogers' Company,
with a small party, buried the dead rebels on the morning of
the 21st.
During the battle General Ward, commanding the division,

had made his headquarters in the valley, near the creek, at

a point that commanded a view of the ground where his

division fought. The old General was reported as being in
ecstasy of delight when the first brigade entered the contest.
" See my old Iron Brigade,"' said he, striking his fists together.
" See my old Iron Brigade see them go in — the best d — —
brigade in the service !" The brigade preserved an unbroken
line throughout the fight. The entire Corps was elated Avith
the victory, it being gained in open field, the advantages
greatly in favor of the enemy.
General Hooker rode along the lines the morning of the
battle, receiving the enthusiastic cheers of the soldiers. He
afterAvards issued a congratulatory order.
General Ilood, who commanded the Confederates, is re-

ported as having remarked to his men as they Avere about to

move to the attack, that they were going out to " gather
acorns ;" alluding to the soldiers of the 14th Corps, Avho
Avore a badge representing an acorn. Their purpose was to
break through on the left of that Corps, supposing they
would meet nothing more than a line of skirmishers in their

front. They Avere not less surprised than disappointed,

hoAvever, to find themselves among the "stars."
After the burial of the rebel dead by the army on the 21st,
the clearing up of the battle field — collection and turning
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 153

over of ordinance and other property, — the troops advanced

on the morning of the 22d toward AtLanta, the enemy having
fallen back and established himself behind the inner defenses
around the city. About one mile from the battle-field of the

20th, a strong line of works were found, the second line of

city defenses, which the enemy did not stop to occupy.
Having proceeded several miles, the sound of opposing
skirmishers warned the troops, who were marching by the
Hank toward the city, that the " Johnnies" were about to
make further resistance. The regiments were immediately
formed in battle line and marched forward to within sight of
the rebel defenses, when a halt was ordered and strong earth-
Avorks throAvn up. The country through which this short
advance was made was prolific of blackberries, which were
left to the "bummers." After the brigade was halted he
105th found itself on the crest of one of the numerous hills
for which the face of that region is noted. This position
proved to be the most exposed of any regiment in the brigade,
it being elevated and directly opposite a rebel battery. The
boys quickly constructed earthworks here in order to protect
themselves from the harrassing fire of the enemy. A battery
was placed immediately behind the works, which made the
position of the 105th an interesting one. So soon as the
guns were in position a deliberate fire was opened on the
opposing battery, Avhich elicited immediate reply from the
latter. For a while the boys of the 105th found it behooved
them to "lie down" and "grab a root,'' until the novelty of
the situation wore away. After dark the rebels made two
dashes into the pickets in front of the brigade. And so — on
the 22d of July, 1864, the seige of Atlanta commenced.
The position of the command here was about one or two
miles north-east of the Georgia Railroad which connects
Atlanta with Marietta and Chattanooga. A direct forward
movement would have brought the brigade into the northern
suburbs of the city. On the 23d the enemy shelled the
regiment and battery at intervals all day and at night. Next
20
154 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

day the same, the battery replying occasionally. The pickets

were again alarmed in the evening. The same routine of
artillery firing and dashing among the pickets was gone

through with on the 25th.

The picket line in the brigade front Avas somewhat in

advance of the line on the right and left. A deep ravine

runninor from the enemy's works traversed the left of the
brigade and lead into the rear of the picket reserve post.
line,

The might have been flanked here had the rebels been
line
disposed to attempt it. This made this advanced position
one demanding constant and close watchfulness. The rebels

made a strong dash on that part of the line on the night of

the 24th, when a heavy fire of musketry took place.
Lieutenant Trego, of the 102d was in charge of the
Illinois,

outposts at that time, several of his men becoming frightened,

fled to the rear, but the Lieutenant rallied the balance and
under the enemy's fire gallantly urged them to stand firm,

which they Soon the rebels were repulsed, after Avhich

did.

the Lieutenant found that the reserve post had been abandoned
by all but Lieutenant Willard Scott of the 105th, and a few
men. It appears that two heavy lines of rebels were repelled
by a skirmish line, Avhich had been ingloriously deserted by
the most of the supporting force.
The lines Avere advanced and new entrenchments made
during the first three days. On the night of the 26th the
division moved back some distance in reserve, the 105th
occupying some abandoned works. On the 28th orders Averc
received to move around to the right of the general line for
the purpose of supporting General Howard's forces,A\'ho had

become heavily engaged Avith the enemy, but before the

command had arrived Avithin supporting distance, Avord was
sent to return to camp ; the rebels having already been
successfully repulsed.
During the battle on the extreme left on the 22d, the noble
commander of the Army of the Tennessee, fell James B. —
McPherson. That command had constituted the flankinjx
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 155

army, and on the way from Chattanooga to Atlanta applied

the key to the locks of rebel positions. The news of Mc-
Pherson's death was received along the lines amid express-
ions of disappointment and with feelings of sorrow.
General Hooker called the officers of the Third Division
together on the 29th, and bade them farewell, informing them
that he had been ill used, and could no longer remain in com-
mand of the Twentieth Corps. The officers and men reluct-
antly parted with the dashing old General, who had seemed
every way worthy of his "stars."
On moved around to the right
the 29th the Third division
some movements and to protect the
six miles, to support other
flank of the army near the Montgomery and West Point
Railroad. The brigade supported a division of the Fourth
Corps, under General Jefferson C. Davis, while the latter took
up a new position. Moved in rear of that division and
constructed breastworks at a right angle with the main line,

protecting the flank and rear. Remained here doing picket

duty and working on fortifications until the 2d of August,
when the command moved back along the left of the lines, and
on the 3d relieved the First division of the Fourteenth Corps,
behind the front line of works, and near the Georgia Railroad ;

the left of the 105th rested on the railroad track.

The next day (4th,) Colonel Dustin arrived from leave of
absence in improved health, and assumed command of the
regiment. His return was hailed with delight by all, especially
as he brought with him numerous packages for distribution
among the officers and men, from the friends of the regiment.
Major Dutfcon and Captain Brown were on the 4th mustered
in as Lieutenant Colonel and Major, respectively, having been

previously recommended for those positions. The promotion

in the field of those brave and popular officers gave great
satisfaction to the regiment, as experience had developed in
them rare executive powers and good soldierly qualities.
The regiment remained in the trenches until the night of
the 25th, when the entire Corps fell back to the Chattahoochee
156 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

river, and the main army moved to the riglit, seizing upon
the only raih-oad left to the rebels/^which resulted in the
capture of Atlanta.
While lying in the trenches before Atlanta the energies of
the troops were severely tested by the hard labor necessary
for the construction of heavy works, abatis, etc. A battery
—being portions of Captains Smith'and Geary's —was located
behind the fortifications with the 105th regiment, and the
boys in addition to strengthening their works were detailed
to assist the battery men in building extra works for the bet-
ter protection of the gunners from the shells of the rebel

guns. A strong fortification, about six feet high, was con-

structed with logs and dirt, in the form of a semi-circle, long
enough to receive four guns with ease, the officers and men of
the regiment detailed for the purpose, working a,t night in
order to avoid the fire of rebel sharp-shooters. The battery
frequently opened on the rebel defenses, which were in plain
view, making the regiment "bob" their heads down occasion-
ally, as the fragments of rebel iron came screaming through
the air in close proximity to their respective persons. Now
and then a shell would burst immediately over the "bummer's"
quarters, further to the rear, sometimes disturbing the equi-
librium of that class of "bummers " who would like to "get
through safe if they could."
Amid the perils of the situation there were always found a
few humorous spirits whose forte seemed to be to relieve, by
some timely joke or "flash of merriment," the pains of the
hour. Many a poor, despairing mother's boy had never seen
bis earthly home again had he not been made to forget his
troubles by the wit or facetiousness of these happy fellows.
In the diiferent companies of the regiment were many such
characters. No difficulties overcame them ; they were
constitutionally cheerful, and capable of extracting good cheer
out of every occasion. Endurance was born of cheerfulness,
and eo they fainted not.
On the 9th, the guns along the lines opened and kept up a
 THE ONE HUNDEED AND FIFTH. If)!

steady fire nearly all day, on tlie rebel defenses and the city.
The rebel battery replied in the evening to the salutations of
the guns of Captains Smith and Geary. Almost constantly,
day and night, the regiment was exposed to the fire of sharp-

shooters, the balls falling all about the grounds behind the
works, now and then striking a man. In this wiy Corporal
J. L. Gage, of Company H, Captain J. S. Forsythe, was
mortally wounded on the 12th, and a faithful colored cook of
Company K, Captain A. F. Parke, instantly killed while
eating his dinner, on the 14th.
On the morning of the 13th, Second Lieutenant Augustus
H. Fischer of Company I, a most excellent young officer and
esteemed comrade, was killed on the skirmish line in front of
the works. His loss was deeply felt by all the officers and
men of the regiment especially by the members of Company
;

I., who had shared the dangers of conflict by his side, and

respected him for his bravery. Lieutenant Fischer will be

remembered for his genial temper, his unswerving fidelity, and
his self-sacrifice.

On the evening of the 16th, while superintending some

work near the fortification before his company (E), Captain
Martin V. Allen was severely wounded in his right arm, by a

bullet from a sharpshooter. A number of men were mor-

tally wounded on the skirmish line.
The skirmish line was in such close proximity to the enemy
that the men had to exercise the utmost caution, and expend
much labor in building rifle-pits for the security of the pickets
and skirmishers. The enemy seemed to take especial excep-
tions to the operations of the men at this point in the lines,
and kept up a steady, severe, and almost incessant fire for
several weeks. Being accustomed to take shelter behind cer-
tain houses near their own they gained some advantage
lines,

in firing upon our men. had been made with the rebel
Efforts
pickets to stop this firing by mutual agreement, Avithout suc-
cess. On the night of the 18th Corporal Herman Furness,
of Company C, and two comrades of the 105th, equipped
158 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

witli combustible material, proceeded cautiously out and set

three of the buildings on fire, burning them to the ground.

It was well and bravely done, after which picket-firmg was

finally stopped by mutual consent.
Just back of the lines, several thiriy-two pound parrot gun
were operating almost continually night and day, for some
weeks, shelling the city of Atlanta and the rebel defenses.
Occasionally shells from these guns would prematurely ex-
plode before reaching our own lines, the pieces scattering in

nil directions among the men of the lOSth, causing some an-
noyance, but no one was hurt by them. With additional
danger it was amusing to hear the boys crying, " Hello ! fire
!"
in the rear !" " Lie down !" " Grab a root
On the night of the 25th, the command withdrew from be-
"
hind the works— the Brigade Band playing " Yankee Doodle
and other airs byway of a parting courtesy to the " Johnnies."
During the night, as if suspecting the troops were retiring
from their front, the rebel pickets fired at the 105th skirmish-
ers occasionally, and inquired, "Are you there?" To which
inquiry they received a ready affirmative, " Yes, we are here."
Whereupon the rebels would respond, " We just wanted to be
sure about it — don't want you to get away without our
knowledge of the fact." While this conversation was going
on the whole army was moving from behind the works, and
the rebels soon found themselves outwitted. The 105th
pickets failed to get the order to retire during ^the night,
and remained at their several posts until about daylight in
the morning, long after the troops and other 'pickets had
gone.
The command moved back to Chattahoochee river, after
being on the road all night, arriving at early dawn. On the
26th bivouacked on the south side of the river, and on the
27th crossed the river and took up a position near the rail-

road track, between the 33d Massachusetts and 120th Illinois

regiments, where the 105th went into camp. Here the regiment
with axes and hatchets hewed out a fine camping-place in the
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 159

woods. Together "with the balance of the brigade the 10r)th

guarded army supplies, ammunition and corps teams.
On the morning of the 2d of September, Brigadier-General
Ward, division commander, entered the city with a portion of
the Third division, and the mayor formally surrendered to
him all that was left of Atlanta. The regiment was moved
back to the south side of the river, near the railroad bridge,
where it remained in camp until the morning of the 16th of
September, when all the regiments of the brigade except the
105th, moved to Atlanta and re-joined the division, the 105th
re-crossing the river and camping close to the railroad track
a few hundred yards from the river. Here, again the boys
fittedup good quarters, and thoroughly policed their camp
grounds, which Avere located pleasantly, facing an almost
unobstructed vioAv of the Chattahoochee river and valley for
a distance of about eight miles.
With the capture of Atlanta, what is called the " Athmta
campaign" ended. The entire army had, amid tempests of fire

which burst forth at various points, and under a steady rain

of bullets for four long months, swept majestically down from
Chattanooga to Atlanta, over mountains, rivers, and a con-
tinuous succession of hills and ravines. The country between
the two places named, constituted one great battle-field for
upwards of an hundred miles. While in camp on the south
side of Chattahoochee river, on the 10th of September, the
following congratulatory order of the Major-General com-
manding was read to the 105th, while on dress parade for the
first time in four months. General Sherman in general terms
summed up the achievements of the army, thanked the officers
and men for their indomitable courage, their perseverance and
fidelity, and paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of fallen

comrades
From the l<3th of September to the 14th of November the
105th remained encamped at Chattahoochee river, near the
railroad bridge, as already mentioned.
Colonel Dustin was placed in command of the first brigade
160 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

on the IStli of September, Colonel Harrison having been

ordered to Indiana on special business. Lieutenant Colonel
Dutton succeeded in command of the 105th. Subsequently
General Ward received leave of absence for thirty days, when
Colonel Dustin succeeded that officer in command of the
division. Colonel Smith of the 102d Illinois commanding the
brigade.

The changes occurring among the commissioned officers

during the campaign and while the regiment rested at Chatta-

hoochee river, were :

Lieutenant-Colonel 11. F. Vallette, Naperville, DuPage

county, resigned June 18th, 1864, Major E. F. Dutton, De-
Kalb county, succeeding as Lieutenant-Colonel ; mustered
August 4th, 1864.
Captain H. D. Brown, Company A, Sycamore, was pro-
—
moted Major June 18th, mustered August 4th, First-Lieu-
tenant George B. Heath succeeding as Captain.

First Assistant Surgeon Alfred Waterman, Warrenville,

promoted Chief Surgeon, June 2d ; Second Assistant Surgeon
George W. Boggs, Naperville, succeeded as First Assistant
Surgeon.
Captain Theodore S. Rogers, Company B, Naperville,
resigned September 30th, 1864, First Lieutenant Lucius B.
Church, Winfield, succeeding as Captain. Lieut. Church
had been detailed at Gallatin on General Paine's staff, Avhere
he remained after the regiment moved from that point. Sub-
sequently he was detailed as Post-Quartermaster, and ordered
to Paducah, Kentucky, where he remained during the balance
of his term of service. Second Lieutenant Willard Scott Avas
commissioned First Lieutenant, September oOth, 1864, but
for some unaccountable reason not mustered until June 1st,

1865, within six days of the muster-out of the regiment.

Although entitled to enjoy such rank from every consideration
of merit and capacity, he sustained his original position in
Company B until the end of the war, being the only officerin
OF SYCAMORE.

niic-a^o lillu.iiiui Jiiay ('...rhicaj...

 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 161

the regiment remaining with it to the end, whose services had

not been officially acknowledged and rewarded.
First Lieutenant, John W. Burst, Company C, Franklin,
honorably discharged, October 19th, 1864, on account of
wounds received Burnt Hickory, May 25th. First Ser-
at
geant Isaac S. Brundage, Cortland, promoted First Lieutenant
October, 18th. First Lieutenant William M. Tirtlot, Company
F, honorably discharged, November 28th, 1864, on account
of wounds received at Beseca, May 15th. First Sergeant
Melvin Smith, Winfield, promoted First Lieutenant, April
13th, not mustered until March 30, 1865.
Captain John B. Nash, Company G, Franklin, resigned
July 17th, 1864. First Lieutenant John M. Smith commis-
sioned Captain but not mustered.
First Lieutenant Harvey Potter, Company H, Ashbury,
DeKalb, resigned August 17th, 1864, First Sergeant Frank
H. Cole, Somonauk, succeeding as First Lieutenant.
Captain William 0. Locke, Company I, Addison, Du Page,
honorably discharged, August 25th, 1864, on account of
wounds received at Beseca, May 15th, First Lieutenant George
A. Bender, Chicago, mustered as Captain, October 15th.
First Sergeant Henry Beinking, Company I, Addison,
commissioned Second Lieutenant, June 7th, 1865, vice Second
Lieutenant Augustus H. Fischer, killed at Atlanta, August
13th, 1864.
On the 9th of September, the news of the death of that
famous guerrilla chief, John Morgan, was reported in camp,
which proved to be a true report, notwithstanding many
" grape-vine " dispatches were being received among the boys
during the resting spell of the army at Atlanta and vicinity.
The same day a report that the guerrilla Wheeler had cut the
railroad communications of the army between Atlanta and
Chattanooga also proved true, but the only ill ejffects experi-
enced was the temporary stoppage of the army mails, which
severed the sympathetic lines between the boys in camp and
friends at home.
21
162 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

A report of casualties pertaining to the 105th was made

out on the 10th of September, embracing the names of officers
and men killed, wounded and missing during the Atlanta
campaign, showing the following numbers : Commissioned
officers killed, two ; wounded, thirteen ; enlisted men killed,

forty-one wounded, one hundred and three missing, t wo

; ; ;

total casualties, officers and men, one hundred and sixty-one.

The number of officers and men, embracing the whole

belonging to the regiment, present and absent, on the 30th of
April, 1864, amounted to six hundred and seventy-four ; on
the 10th of September, five hundred and eighty-seven. On
the former date that number was situated as follows : Present,
officers and men, for duty, four hundred and forty-six ; on
special or daily duty, seventy-two ; sick, twenty-seven — five

hundred and forty-five. Absent, on detailed service, eighty-

six ; with leave, seven ; sick, etc., thirty-three ; without
authority, three — one hundred and twenty-nine; present
and absent, six hundred and seventy -four. On the latter date,
September 10th, there were, officers and men present, for :

duty, two hundred and sixty-three on special or daily duty, ;

forty-two sick, thirty-two

; —
three hundred and thirty-seven.
Absent, on detached service ninety-six ; with leave, twelve
sick, one hundred and forty-two — 250;present ; and absent,
five hundred and eighty-seven.
The effective force of the regiment on the 30th of April,
1864, or just before the opening of the campaign, embracing
commissioned officers and enlisted men, Avas four hundred and
forty-six. On the 10th of September, or just after the close
of the campaign, two hundred and sixty-three.
The 1st of October, the First brigade returned from garrison
duty at Atlanta and took up position on the 4th, near the
railroad bridge on the south side of the river. Just now the
main army Avas on the lookout for General Hood's who forces,

seemed disposed to punish General Sherman by making a

formidable raid on the railroad in his rear. Cannonading
was heard on the 2d, in the direction of Sandtown, south of
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 163

the railroad bridge, and there was considerable activity

manifest among the troops. The two long wagon and railroad
bridges were partially undermined and carried away by high
water, when pontoons were immediately thrown across the
river, overwhich General Howard's command crossed on the
4th, passing the camp of the 105th on their way for the raiders.
Five companies, comprising the left wing of the 105th, were
stationed in a strong earth fort opposite the camp on the 6th,
and heavy details made for work on the fortifications. Two
guns were placed in this fort and two in a fort near the camp.
After a few days of hard toil, during which the boys completed
the work on the forts and surrounded them with heavy abatis,
the men announced themselves ready for the " Johnnie Hoods."
But beyond the occasional dashes of marauding parties at
different points on the roadnear this section, nothing transpired
to disturb the quiet of the brigade.
During the passsage of General Howard's troops. General
Sherman and a portion of his staff, who were accompanyino-
them, dined at regimental headquarters by invitation of
Lieutenant-Colonel Button. The General was then, to the
casual observer, an ordinary-appearing man, of medium height,
slender, unstately and wiry. He seemed absorbed and nervous.
Stepping up to the tent door, without ceremony, he remarked
inquiringly, " Is this the place ?" and in he strode, takino- a
In military campaigning he was entirely
seat at the table.
unassuming in his manners, but eminently practical, and
seemingly oblivious to everything save the work of the time.
As an operator in the field this plain man is one of consummate
skill. Atlanta is a fitting commentary on his genius.
Lieutenant-Colonel Dutton received leave of absence on the
28th of September, and started for his home at Sycamore on
the 9th of October, MajorBrown succeeding to the command
of the regiment. Several officers receiving leave of absence
were detained at camp until the railroad bridge was repaired,
admitting the passage of upward-bound trains from Atlanta.
Captain C. G. Culver, Company C, and First Lieutenant
164 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Melvin Smith, Company F, with a detachment of men, on the

3d, acting under imperative orders, destroyed a hridge over
a creek at an important point several miles down the river,
remaining there on the lookout for guerrillas two days. Scout-
ing and foraging parties were sent out frequently from the
brigade. An Orderly on duty at brigade head-quarters was
killed bv a guerrilla while bearing a dispatch to Atlanta, on
the 11th.
The danger to this position contingent on the movements of
Hood's forces being passed, the left wing of the regiment was
moved back from the fort to the main camp, on the 17th. On
the 19th, a train of cars was partially burned by guerrillas, on
the road between Marietta and Chattahoochee river.
The regiment received eight months pay on the 19th.
A train on way to Atlanta was molested by guerrillas on
its

the 20th, producing quite a panic among a number of unarmed

men, some striking for the woods and running several miles
back to the camp. This was a little rebel victory.
The regiment received an elegant new stand of colors on the
21st.
Major Brown was sent into the country on the 24th in
charge of a foraging party of some five hundred and fifty men
and a long train of wagons. After three days absence he
returned with men and train intact, having loaded his wagons
with corn and provisions. On the second day out the party
was attacked several times by and the Maj. narrowly
guerrillas,
escaped being shot. Among by foragers
the articles secured
in large quantities were, corn, pumpkins and sweet potatoes,
which, taken with " hard tack " and coffee, was deemed a
healthful combination for the disters of the First brigade —the
mules generally eating the corn !

On the 29th, the regiment received orders to send back all

surplus baggage, preparatory to entering upon another active

campaign. Several absentees arrived reporting for duty.
Ward arrived from the North, where he
Brigadier-General
had been on leave of absence, and re-assumed command of the
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 165

Third division on the 31st. Soon after his return, November

9th, Colonel Dustin was placed in command of the Second
brigade of the Third division, formerly commanded by Colonel
John Coburn, of the 33d Indiana. This command Colonel
Dustin retained until the close of the war. Colonel Dutton
then took permanent command of the regiment. Since the
battle of Atlanta, on the 20th of July, the Lieutenant Colonel
rose still higher in the estimation of the men, and was deemed
an succeed the Colonel as regimental commander.
officer fit to

Adjutant D. D. Chandler, of the 105th, was mentioned by

Colonel Dustin, and also by General Ward, in connection
with a position on their respective staffs. No officer was more
assiduous in his duties, and none filled their offices with more
credit than this officer.
General Thomas' head-quarter train passed the camp of
As General
the 105th on the 31st, en route to Chattanooga.
Hood's command had noAV struck out for Nashville, General
, Thomas moved to that point to receive him.

On the 5th of November the regiment received marching

orders and was prepared to move on short notice, but the
orders were countermanded. Considerable speculation as to
where General Sherman would go next, was indulged in by
the troops, but Such information was "contra-
all in vain.

band of war." But every soldier knew the army was soon
to enter upon a long and rapid march. Accustomed to march
together and to "strike together," its future movements were
destined to be executed expeditiously and successfully.
Sherman's men had finally attained to that degree of bold-
ness and endurance, in their education and experience as
soldiers, as to be regarded by the rebels and the world quite
invincible.
The last train of cars passed up the road northward on the
15th, when the troops of the Fifteenth Corps tore up the
track from Marietta to Chattahoochee river, the men of the
105th assisting in the work on the 15th. The railroad bridge
was destroyed in the evening. On the 14th the regiment
166 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

finally broke up camp and started at six o'clock for Atlanta,

Regiment
destroying the remainder of the track on the way.
camped one mile beyond the city, ready to enter upon the
grand march commenced by Sherman's expedition on the fol-
lowing day.
General Sherman's forces embraced the 14th, 17th and 20th
Army Corps, making over 50,000 men, besides 9,000 picked
cavalry under Kilpatrick. They were supplied with thirty
days rations for man and beast. With a scout system and
courier line complete, this combination swept across the State
of Georgia with the force of a mighty whirlwind, destroying
railroads, bridges, mills, cribs, gin houses, cotton screws, gins,
tfcc, carrying ofi" stock, provisions and negroes. The station
houses along the railroads were burnt, and hundreds of unoccu-
pied buildings of all kinds destroyed, together with large
quantities of lumber, fences, cotton and every kind of prop-
erty calculated for the comfort of rebels and the use of rebel
armies. The country was rich, and provisions abounded.
The troops subsisted on fresh pork, sweet potatoes, flour and
meal, with all the concomitant luxuries among which may
;

be mentioned turkeys, chickens, ducks, molasses, sugar, etc.

The expedition being set in motion on the morning of the

15th of November, the Twentieth Corps moved out with its
long wagon train on the Decatur pike in the direction of that
place. The first brigade fell into the column at noon. Being
in the rear of the Corps and behind the train, the marching
was during the day and night slow and tedious. About
thirty -four hours of such marching brought the command to
its first encampment, at a point on the Atlanta and Augusta
U. E,., called Lithonia, having crossed a branch of Ocmulgee
river,near Decatur, and passed Stone Mountain. The rail-
road was destroyed as the column advanced.
Atlanta was left partially in flames. During the night of
the 15th the consuming elements cast a glare of red to the
heavens, grandly constrasting with the surrounding gloom.
Thus, the horrors of the torch was added to the powers of
the sword, and Atlanta brought to a fiery judgment.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 167

The march was resumed at early dawn on the 17th, the

first brigade in advance of the column. Marching rapidly
the brigade made some twenty miles, foraging oif the country
as it passed. Foragers brought to camp sweet potatoes in
abundance, shotes, chickens and honey. Fine country; wat-
ered by numerous streams.
Moved fifteen miles on the 18th, arriving at the fair village
of Social Circle, on the railroad, at noon. Passed through
Rutledge Station before evening. Camped beyond at seven
o'clock. The progress of the troops not yet impeded. Fair
weather.
On the 19th, moved seven miles, the first brigade being in
the rear. Passed through the large and beautiful town of
Madison, on the P.. R., the county seat of Morgan county.

Camped several miles beyond on the Milledgeville pike. Great

activity among the foragers and " bummers." At Madison
the soldiers were received with joy by the blacks. The whites
looked on in silence. The regiment entered the town with
flag unfurled. The word among the negroes, old and young,
as the column was passing through the was, " Is you
streets,

gwinef One answer, by a number of the

as overheard
105th, was, "Gwine? I'se already gone!" Indeed many
followed the army from this point, men, women, children and
babies. The women carried their bundles on their heads,
their children on their backs and in their arms —
as, for in-

stance, a Avench following the 105th Avith a

huge bundle of
clothes and traps on her head, arms full of babies and one
child on her back She Avanted to see good old " Mass
!

Linkum." They advised her to return to her old haunts, but

the spirit of resolution said " nay."Evidently, her life was
setupon a cast, and she would stand the hazard of the die.
What became of the poor soul is not known.
On the 20th, marched at five o'clock, morning. Weather
cloudy and damp —
considerable rain last night. Distance
marched about twelve miles. Camped within two miles of
Eatonton, a pleasant looking toAvn of about 1,800 inhabitants.
Fine country.
168 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The weather very wet and disagreeable on the 21st. Troops

marched under heavy and steady rain part of the day, literally
wading single file, through mud. Passed through Eatonton,
from which place a railroad called the Eatonton branch runs
down through Milledgeville, connecting at Number Seventeen
with the Georgia Central Railroad, passed through a small
place called Fairfield, on the railroad. Camped at dusk.
Marched rapidly on Milledgeville. Entered the place in good
order at 4 P. M., with colors flying and bands playing. The
colored population received the troops with great satisfaction
as usual. Camped in the city limits.
Remained in camp at this point on the 23d. In the evening
the regiment was detailed to assist in destroying rebel property.
Several thousand stands of arms, and a large amount of
ammunition, was committed to the flames. Also, twenty casks
of salt thrown into the river.
Resumed the march at dawn on the 24th, crossing the
Oconee river north-east of town. On the road all day and
night, the teams being delayed by bad roads. Camped at

three o'clock A. M.
On the, 25th, moved only five miles, starting at noon, the
brigade in the rear. The rebels burned a number of bridges
over swampy ground and streams, the column being delayed
until the road Avas repaired. Heard cannonading in the di-
rection of the other columns. Column passing through swampy
country; enemy seeking to retard the progress of the troops.
Passed over regular Georgia swamps on the 26th march- ;

ing rapidly after noon, arrived at Sanderville, a small, dull

place, at about 4 P. M. 105th camped close to the town ;

Wheeler's cavalry hovering about in front. Skirmishing for

two days — several killed. Sandersville is near the Georgia
Central Railroad, in Hancock county. The business portion
of the town was sacked, of course ; the troops of the column
in turn helping themselves to whatever they wanted from the
stores. In some of the towns goods had been ^removed in
order to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Yan-
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 169

kees. In Madison the stores were found empty and deserted.

Left Sandersville at 8 o'clock, on the 27th, marching rapid-
ly to the railroad, which the column crossed, moving some
distance on the wrong road. General Slocum righted the
column, after parading up and down the road several times
in a swearing mood. Arrived at Davisboro, on the railroad,
at sundown, regiment camping in a peanut patch. Here the
boys met troops of one of the other corps. Everybody seemed
to be in ecstacies. The foragers, sent out daily from the regi-
ment, Avere gathering in the very fat of the land. The "bum-
mers," who roamed unrestrained over the country, were filling

their pockets with treasures, and dressing themselves up in

broadcloth clothes. In short, the boys felt "bully." They
acted on the hypothesis that " all is fair in love and war."
Citizens in the country were in the habit of secreting goods,
and burying valuables, to keep them from the raiders, but the
" Yankees " espied them out. Most everything was overturned
in smoke-houses and kitchens, during the search for edibles ;

the foragers for the yards and kitchens,

and the "bummers''
for the parlors, bed-rooms and bureau-draAvers. Let the
reader imagine a house full of forage and pleasure-seekers,
actively manipulating the effects of the premises,
and some
idea of a raid inwar times may be gained. This is the una-
voidable, natural consequence of war. " Those who take up
the sword must perish by the sword."
On the 28th, left Davisboro at 11 o'clock, making a rapid
march toward Louisville, a point twelve miles north-east of
Davisboro. Arrived within seven miles of the toAvn and
camped early in the afternoon.' The early halt at this point
was occasioned by the burning of bridges over swamps and
across a branch of the Ogeechee river, near Louisville.
During the day Captain C. G. Culver, Company C, in
charge of a foraging party from the regiment, carried the war
to ex-Governor Herchel Van Johnson's residence, divesting
his cupboard of many goodly meats. The "bummers" took
his damask curtains.
170 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The road having been repaired, the column moved forward

on the 29th, the first brigade starting at one o'clock, after-
noon. The 105th and a part of the 102d Illinois were thrown
forward a mile on the double-quick to protect the pontoon
train, reported to have been attacked by guerrillas. On
arriving near the wagons they were found safe, the enemj
having been easily dispersed. Crossed river branch, passed
through Louisville, and camped at dusk three miles beyond
the town.
Remained in camp on the 30th, the bad state of the roads
in the swamps evidently being the cause of the delay. For-
agers were sent out from the regiment, coming in close prox-
imity with guerrillas but enough forage was gathered before
;

the party returned to camp.

On the 1st December, resumed the march at ten A. M.,
moving in single file by the swampy country not
train, the

admitting the passage of troops and the train together in many

places. The work of getting the trains over the roads was
accomplished with difficulties. Arrived in camp at nine P. M.
distance about seven miles.
The guerrillas attacked the mounted men of the first bri-

gate, and after a brisk skirmish fight, the latter fell back to

the column, losing several men.

November 2d, a clear sky and balmy atmosphere — charac-
teristic of fall weather of old Georgia ! The command
marches off, full of inspiration of good weather, starting at
eleven A. M., and turning into camp at eleven P. M., tired
and hungry. Distance 14 miles.
On the 3d, proceeding a few miles through swamps, the
column emerged into a beautiful pine forest, near the line of
the Savannah and Augusta Railroad. Here the first brigade
left march of four miles north-
the column, and, after a rapid
ward, struck the railroad at a point forty-five miles from Au-
gusta and thirteen miles from Millen Junction. After des-
troying several miles of railroad track, and a large quantity
of lumber, moved down the track, and re-joined the column.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 171

Arrived in camp about one A. M., after a tedious night marcli

through muddy swamps, woods, rain and pitch-darkness.
On the 4th, marched ten miles, passing through several
swamps and pine forests. Country well supplied with good
water. Cannonading heard in the direction of Millen Junc-
tion.

The whole country over which the army passed, seemed to

be disfigured by lire —houses, fences, woods and grass burning
in all directions. Immediately along the line of the marching
column the fences were consumed by the fiery element, and
during the long night marches, on either side, the roads were
arrayed with lights. Frequently the tired trampers were
deceived by the fires calculating that they were drawing
;

near where the advance had already gone into camp. But
usually a long series of lights intervened ere the object of de-
sire was reached.
On moved about eight miles, passing the first divi-
the 5th,
sion encanipe<I. Turned in at three P. M, here to await
the arrival of General Geary's command. The advance
skirmished with the enemy, pressing him right along. Passed
more swamps. Twelve miles to nearest point of Savannah
river.

Moved forward to within nine miles northwest of Spring-

field, on the 6th, and camped at sundown. The road obstructed
by felled trees, but quickly removed or evaded.
Captain Culver, in charge of a small party, captured a
smart looking rebel second-lieutenant.
On the 7th, pushed rapidly on, the first brigade in advance
of the corps. Moved five miles, when the head of the column
paused on the borders of a huge swamp, the road here being
blockaded by trees. Before the pioneers cleared and repaired
the road, the brigade passed over. Stripped of all encum-
brances the command moved briskly forward, four miles, and
occupied Springfield without opposition. Here turned in and
awaited the arrival of the column.
Springfield is the county seat of Efiingham county, proba-
1 72 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

Ijly twenty-five miles from Savannah a small, dingy-looking

;

place among the swamps. —

The citizens mainly women had —
buried many valuables in the yards, but the soldiers exhumed
them. Fine dishes, silver spoons, articles of clothing, and
other things too numerous to mention, were carried off by the
boys. One man dressed himself up as a lady — his toilet

rather rudely "performed."

A member of the 105th entered a doctor's office in quest of
some improved liquors, of which he was passionately fond..
He unwittingly seized upon a bottle marked " Vinuni Anti-
monia," (wine of antimony, an emetic), taking it for a supe-

rior quality of wine. In the ardor of self-congratulation at

his success, he immediately partook of the precious fluid.

But vinum antimony as a

alas, for the infelicitous effects of —
—
beverage upon the human organism, ere many moments
"Jonah" was heaved out on dry land.
Remained in camp throughout the day on the 8th. Dur-
ing this pause the foragers and "bummers " had an interest-
ing time looking over the country and overhauling " other
folks' things." Several miles away, a dwelling, well stocked
Avith household effects, among which was a piano-forte and
a large collection of books, became the scene of spoliation.
The foragers from the 105th found it deserted by its occu-
pants, and full of men ransacking the rooms, drawers, and
scattering the books and pictures about the floors, and even
in the yard. This is Avhat war brings alike to the innocent
and the guilty.
At sundown the regiment and brigade fell into the rear of
the column, and, amid the glare of burning buildings, moved
slowly out of town. After a wearisome, jogging march all

night and nfter broad day -light, paused fifteen minutes for
breakfast. Cannonading heard in the night in the direction
of the river.
On the I'th the column was on the road, moving along all
day and until late in the night ; no sleep for forty hours. The
advance of the corps captured two small earthworks, located
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 173

several miles north of tlie railroad. Works defendeil by four

iuindred men, with three pieces of artillery.
The first brigade in advance on the 10th, the 105th at the
head of the brigade. Marched up to within four and a half
miles of Savannah, meeting the enemy's pickets before the
defences around the city. The brigade was immediately
deployed in the line on the right of the main pike and near
the Savannah and Charleston Railroad, the 105th holding a
position on the right of the line in the brigade. There was
some fighting on the right by the troops of the seventeenth
corps.
The march was concluded on the 26th day out from Atlanta.
The siege of Savannah commenced, lasting ten days.
On the 11th and 12th the regiment shifted its position
twice during the establisliment of the lines.
The Second Division, Fifteenth Corps, charged and cap-
tured Fort McAllister, with all its men and armament, on the
1 3th, thus opening a base at the mouth of the Ogeechee river,

in Ossabaw Sound. Official notice of the capture, and con-

sequent opening of communication with the national fleet,

was received along the lines on the 15th.

On the IGth and 17th the regiment threw up a heavy line
of works, and on the night of the 20th a line was thrown up
on the skirmish line. On the night of the 18th Captain J. S.
Forsythe, Company H, in charge of ten men, was sent out
on a reconnoissance to ascertain the position of the enemy in

front of the brigade. He proceeded to within twenty yards

of the enemy's lines, encountering a deep swamp. He ob-
served their fires and heard them talk ; after drawing their
fire, he returned with his party, having accomplished all that
was desired.
No casualties occurred in the 105th while laying before the
city. The enemy kept their guns at work, and occasionally
a shell would burst over the camp, the missiles scattering
among the boys ; but no one was hurt.
During the march several men were missing. Captain Geo.
174 niSTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

A. Bender, Company I, was wounded in the back and ankle

severely, while working on the railroad between Chattahoo-

chee river and Atlanta, on the 15th of November.
While before the city the army subsisted on rice and stale
fresh beef— a rather slim diet. The former was taken from
mills in large quantities and hulled by the soldiers.

As the army was about to make a general assault upon the

defenses, the enemy evacuated the city, and in the words of
the editor of the daily (Savannah) Republican, it was surren-
dered to "a magnanimous foe." The army entered the city

on the 21st inst.

A large amount of cotton, hundreds of guns, and other

property, fell into the hands of the national authorities with
the fall of Savannah.
The troops, in ecstacies over the victorious culmination of
the campaign, left their entrenchments early Wednesday even-
ing, the 21st, and marched forward to behold their capture

Savannah !

The first brigade was assigned to a pleasant camping ground

in the western suburbs of the city, on the 21st, and there the
105th rested until the beginning of the campaign of the
Carolinas.

The was rife during the first days of

spirit of speculation

the occupation by the national troops. Soldiers from all reg-

iments were to be seen on the sidewalks, and even in the
middle of the streets, trafficking in tobacco and other articles
Avhich had been easily obtained in the confusion incident to
the transfer of the city to national authority. Greenbacks
rose suddenly in Savannah, Fair damsels sat at their windows,
with sweet corn bread and biscuits, for greenbacks, and little

rebel boys paraded the streets with cigars, for greenbacks.

The greenback fever was communicated to the various camps,
and the soldiers — especially the "bummers" — fell to playing
"chuckaluck" for greenbacks. In a few days a general order
"

had to be issued restraining the excessive indulgence in

"chuckaluck," etc.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 175

Confederate currency went down immediately, and the

citizens of Savannah sold their share of it at a great discount,
for greenbacks, to those who desired to purchase for relics or
novelty. Some parted with it reluctantly, evidently still be-
ing fondly joined to their idols.
At the close of the campaign, Major Brown, who had
commanded the regiment, complimented the officers and men
for their good conduct throughout; their rapid and steady
marching; their willingness to facilitate the passage of the
teams over the roads, and for the alacrity with which they
responded to all details.

On the 2Gth of December, orders were received to prepare

for another campaign. A little curious to know which point
they were to " go for" next, the officers and men set about
the work of preparation promptly. They easily pursuaded
themselves that the rebellious soil of South Carolina would
be their next field of operations ; and they were elated with
the idea of punishing that constitutionally hot-tempered
region.

The first brigade was reviewed on the 29th of December

by Colonel Smith, of the 10 2d Illinois, commanding tempo-
rarily. The Twentieth Corps was reviewed by General Sher-
man on the 30th, in the streets of Savannah.
On the morning of the 31st the third division left camp,
crossed the river to Hutchinson Island, opposite the city, and
immediately proceeded to the channel, about a mile distant,
next to the South Caralina side. The weather was unfavor-
able — the low ground and muddy roads rendering it imprac-
ticable to proceed with thework of pontooning, the channel
being broad and the waters boisterous. The second and third
brigades were ordered back to town to remain until operations
for crossing could be resumed as soon as the weather would
admit. The first brigade remained on the island. A few
shots were exchanged with Wheeler's men, who were on the
other side. A man in Company A, Corporal Spafford R.
Deford, was mortally wounded and died the next day. This
176 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

was the first fatal thrust from South Carolina. A gun was
planted, and a few shells sent over, when the boys had the
satisfaction of witnessing a stampede of rebel cavalry.
The entrance of the new year, 1865, into the annals of
^

time, and the entrance of the first brigade into the State of
South Carolina, came together. January 1st, the brigade
crossed from Hutchinson Island to the South Carolina side,
in small boats and barges ;
proceeded some five or six miles

into the country, and camped at a fine but deserted place of

a Dr. Cheever, formly a wealthy South Carolinan. The doctor

(now deceased) had realized as high as $700,000 annually on
his rice plantation through which the brigade marched. The
mansion is a very large two-story gothic, and elaborately fin-

ished. Many of the plants and shrubs remain — fitting re-

minders of former elegance and refinement. Brigade head-

quarters were situated here. Major Brown, commanding the
105th, used the overseer's house for regimental headquarters
—a building of no mean pretensions, even for an overseer.
All the other buildings were pulled doAvn for wood.
While encamped near Cheever's farm, the good Chaplain
of the 105th, DanielChapman, resigned, January 8th, and
left for his home. On the 10th the regiment shifted its position
in order to enjoy better grounds and more room than was
possible in the old fortifications. On the night of the 16th, a
wagon-load of shell oysters, fresh from the coast, was issued to

the regiment. On the 17th the division moved on and occupied

Ilardeevillc, a point twenty milles from Savannah, on the
Charleston and Savannah Railroad. While here the troops
were treated to four days incessant rain. On the 20th the
camp of the 105th was so nearly inundated that it became
necessary to move it. At this place the regiment received
one hundred and forty-three new Springfield guns with
among all the companies.
accoutrements, which were distributed
Captain Martin V. Allen Company E, was honorably dis-
charged, January 20th 1865, on account of wounds received
before Atlanta,
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 177

Lieutenant Colonel Dutton, Surgeon Waterman and

Lieutenant John Ellis, Company K, arrived on the 22d from
the North, where they had been on leave. The Lieutenant
Colonel brought through two large boxes and several valises
of articles from the friends of the regiment, which were received
with great satisfaction ; much credit being due that officer for

their safe arrival to these apparently godless regions.

At Ilardeeville, Lieutenant Colonel Dutton relieved Major
Brown. In this new and dangerous march the fine military
abilities of the Lieutenant Colonel were particularly desirable,
and his characteristic dash, coupled Avith the coolness and
fidelity of the Major, was worthy of the good cause for which
it was being exercised.
The last drill of the First brigade came off on the 25th of
January, Avhile at Hardeeville. Here the boys of the various
regiments joined in the work of burning more buildings. A
church edifice was destroyed by fire.

On the 29th, the troops moved for Robertsville, the Third

division in rear of the First. Marched rapidly about fifteen
miles, camping at sundown. On the 30th a five-mile march
brought the command to Robertsville, where it turned into
camp at noon.
Finally, from Robertsville, the grand movement commenced
in earnest. After remaining at that place two days, the
Twentieth Corps "launched out" further into the native
regions of" Secessia," on the morning of February 2, 1865.
In the order of march the Army of the Tennessee, Fifteenth
and Seventeenth Corps, were on the right, the Army of Georgia,
Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps, on the left, and the Cavalry
Corps still further to the left. The Corps moved on roads
parallel Avith each other, in five columns.
The troops set out with the feeling that, inasmuch as more
campaigning and raiding was necessary to close up the rebel-
lion, they were rejoiced to knoAV that South Carolina was to
be the field of operations, and they resolved that she should
be pretty thoroughly overhauled, and that rebellion should
23
178 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

soon " play out " all around. The "bummers" especially,

resolved themselves into a " committee of the whole on the

State of South Carolina," and determined to "go it on their
own hook," as they did through Georgia — only more so.

On the morning of the 2d, the Twentieth Corps moved

forward, the 105th regiment in advance of the column. The
regiment soon run against rebels. At tAVo o'clock afternoon,

as the column was approaching the smalltown of Lawtonville,

the advanced two companies was suddenly fired into by a strong
force of Wheeler's cavalry. Immediately two more companies
of the 105th were deployed as skirmishers and advanced, but
the enemy being found strongly posted behind barricades and
a line of thick woods bordering a marshy creek, the entire
regiment, together with two companies from the 129th Illinois,
on its left, was deployed and Lieutenant Colonel Dutton in

charge, ordered to advance. With the other regiments of the

brigade in supporting distance, the skirmishers deliberately
advanced across the open fields on either side of the road,
under a heavy fire, enemy out of his works to the
driving the
suburbs of the town. The skirmishers kept up a sharp fire at
the rebels as they advanced, and by a slight wheel to the right
and another advance on the run, through the swamp and
timber, in which was a dense growth of underbrush and running
vines, the enemy's position was flanked and the rebels driven
through, and a mile beyond the town. Some artillery was
used Avith good effect.

This fight was almost wholly made by the 105th. The

advance was conducted with order and decision, and of course
with success. The regiment and the two additional companies
deployed, made a line about one-fourth mile in length,
which as it coolly moved forward, firing, presented the appear-
ance of men going through the evolutions of skirmish drill.
There were eight casualties in the regiment, and six men had
their clothes pierced with bullets. Colonel Dutton and
Lieutenant Melvin Smith, commanding Company F, were
among the lucky ones who were simply wounded in the clothes.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 179

Several of the enemy's dead were left in the hands of the

regiment or brigade, and it was ascertained that several more,
with their wounded, were carried off by them.

was afterwards learned that the whole of Wheeler's rebel

It
cavalry, three or four thousand, were posted at Lawtonville,
and that they were determined to stoutly resist the passage of
our troops at the swamp Jiear the town. The enemy retreated
during the night, while the First brigade camped on the famous
little battle-field of Lawtonville.
The march was resumed in the morning at 10 o'clock, the
regiment in the rear of column. Beyond the town a large
and elegant dwelling was passed. The house was splendidly
furnished with rich carpets, a library of books, piano forte,
and furniture of the number one kind. The grounds were
laid out tastefully and highly ornamented with various kinds
of shrubbery. This was the property of a rebel officer, and
had been the headquarters of the rebel General Wheeler. Ere
the rear of the column had arrived it was discovered that the
house was on fire. It seems it had been fired in accordance
orders given by proper authority.
Avith

The column proceeded on the Barnwell road, nine miles,

and camped at Crossroads.
On the 4th moved ten miles. Good weather, country
higher ; well supplied with water. Forage in abundance.
The foragers and "bummers" in high spirits. All the country
for a space of about sixty miles being overrun by the army
as it sweeps on. The boys bring into camp at night, bacon,
sweet potatoes — or " yams" — chicken, fresh pork, molasses,
butter, and many other eatables. The " bummers" help
themselves to any kind of valuables within reach, people
burying their jewelry, watches, money, etc.

Sunday, 5th February. —

Weather delightfully clear and
mild. The first brigade moved out in advance of division,
guarding wagon train. Proceeded ten miles, camping near
fifteenth corps. Better country.
On the 6th, weather cloudy and raining. Moved out late
180 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

in the morning. Crossed Combahee river, passing through

rebel fortifications, from whence the fifteenth corps had driven
the rebels.
Private Jenkins, of Company I, with a comrade from an-
other regiment, while foraging, moved ahead of the column,
and atsundown found themselves very near the camp of
the rebel General Wheeler. Having been unsuccessful forag-
ing, they determined not to return to camp without some
trophy. A rebel Lieutenant and Sergeant having rode out
of their camp, came near the boys, who demanded their sur-

render. With' reluctancel they complied, were made to dis-

mount and up their revolvers and sabres. Jenkins

deliver
and his comrads mounted their horses, requiring the "John-
nies" to walk into the "Yankee" camp, which they did in
" good order." This was a " feather in Jenkins' cap."
On the the command reached the Charleston and
8th
Augusta railroad near Grahams, captured two prisoners and
destroyed the track, heating many of the rails red hot and
winding them around the trees.

On moved our boys, weary but triumphant, through vary-

ing weather, cold, stormy and sleety on one day, mild and
charming with the beauties of a southern spring on the
next. We passed through Williston February 11th, forded
the icy cold South Edisto river on the 12th, near which
Lieutenant John Ellis of Company C, while in charge of a
foraging party captured three rebel soldiers.The 14th and
15th the rain froze as making most uncomfortable
it fell,

marching and wretched camping. The brigade also met with

some resistance from the retreating enemy. We camped in
sight of Columbia, the capitolof South Carolina, on the 16th,
and after some cannonading and skirmishing, passed the city

on the 17th, the army burning a portion of it.

The whole surface of the country seemed on fire and the

smoke was dense enough to be uncomfortable. Crossed the
Saluda river on a pontoon bridge on the 18th, and were
stationed_[ as a guard to protect the pontooneers until the
 THE ONE HUNDKED AND FIFTH. 181

bridge was removed. By this time our bummers were elegantly

arrayed in broadcloths and satin, and marched in carriages
more or less elegant, drawn by confiscated steeds. Happy
bummers ! Scouring the country in advance of and around
the army they formed a protective force of real service in
furnishing information and preventing attack. Reached
Broad river on Sunday, the 19th; and here orders were receiv-
ed to prepare for a continuation of the campaign for forty
days. All unnecessary baggage must be thrown aside, and
even the wall tents abandoned. Reluctantly the boys unbur-
dened their wagons, loaded with captured valuables, and the
wagons subsequently carried only army supplies.
The troops had now worn out their shoes, and many were
hatless, ragged, barefoot and dirty too, for the soap had

become exhausted. "Forty days more," and "what will Old

Billy do when the soles of our feet give out too?" was the
question, but they soon recovered from their dissatisfaction
and moved on jolly and contented. We guarded the pon-
tooneers at Broad river ; and marched all of the night of the
20th, arriving at Winnsboro, where we passed in review before
Generals Sherman and Slocum. The 105th led the advance
on the 22d, encountering Butters rebel cavalry and driving
them. Private Fisher, of Company B, here captured a pris-
oner with two horses and equipments. General Sherman was
at our division headquarters to-day, and while there received
news of the capture of Charleston. Crossed the Water ee
river at midnight and were thoroughly drenched with a shower.

On the 24th we passed over a wretched corduroy road,

which had been built by our pioneers from small pines that
worked the mud beneath into a batter which gushed up in
fountains as our mules drew the heavy wagons over their
rough surfaces.
Right here let us give due credit to these faithful dumb
brutes —unhonored heroes whose toils, lacerations and star-

vations were so seldom thought of, yet whose services were

as indispensable as our own, and whose bones lie bleaching on
182 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

all of the battle fields of the South, together with those of

our own comrades.
On the 25th Captain Culver with his foraging party dashed
into Lancaster, fifteen miles aside from our column —the first

to enter that city. He secured a large supply of dried fruit

and other luxuries. We camped for a day at Hanging Rock
waiting for the Fourteenth Corps to come up the river. This
Rock was so named from the fact that the British here hung
six American soldiers after one of the battles of the Revolution.
Hard marching for the next week from ten to seventeen ;

miles a day, much of it being done in the night. On the 4th

of March we crossed intoNorthCarolina, and rested on Sunday,
at Colonel Allston's plantation, where we were delighted with
the luxury of a supply of soft soap. On the 9th, reached a
country devoted to the manufacture of tar and turpentine —
wilderness of lofty pines. Immense quantities of this material
Avere set on fire, and huge columns of black smoke rising from
the forests told that lava-like stream of tar or rosin were
burning like the emissions of a volcano. On the 9th a heavy
thunderstorm —a muddy stream forded and no fresh provisions,
— for the first time since we left Robertsville, we lived on hard
bread. On work on the
the 11th the 105th was detailed to
road, and several miles were corduroyed. In camp at Fay-
etteville on the 12th, and from here we sent letters home and

Avere reviewed by General Sherman, passing through and

camping a short distance out. On the 16th we fought the
battle of Averysboro ; the day was stormy, the roads terribly
muddy. We started early on our march, and before noon
the troops encountered a large force of the enemy within a few
miles of Averysboro, when at he engagement tookplace. The
First brigade was deployed on the left of the forces engaged,
the left wing of the 105th, under Captain Forsythe, being
deployed as skirmishers in front of the brigade, while the right
remained in column in rear of the left of the brigade. An
advance was immediately made, under heavy skirmish fire, for

about five hundred yards to the enemy's works, when a charge

 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 183

was ordered at the same time the right wing of the 105th,
;

under Lieutenant Colonel Dutton, was ordered to the extreme

left and forward to protect the flank and strengthen the skir-

mish line. It moved and cut off

as directed with alacrity,
from retreat and captured a twelve-pounder Napoleon gun,
which the Colonel, Avith some of his gallant men, turned on
the enemy, giving him half a dozen shots in his disordered and
retreating ranks. The works were charged and carried in
splendid style, when the line halted till other troops were
brought to connect with the left, prior to another advance.
When the brigade advanced again, the 105tli moved in the

second line, the whole line pressing up within one hundred

and fifty yards of the enemy's main line of works, under a
heavy fire of small arms and cannon. Here the regiment and
brigade bivouacked during the remainder of the day and night,
throwing up a line of works during a rain storm. The battle
on the right was successfully waged, and in the night the
enemy retreated —
well whipped.
Lieutenant Colonel Dutton, assisted by Major Brown and
Adjutant Chandler, was equal to every emergency. Captain
Forsythe handled the skirmish line with admirable success,
and the line officers and men displayed their usual courage
and fidelity. Adjutant Chandler had the front of his hat torn
by a bullet, narrowly escaping with his life.
The regiment lost six killed and sixteen Avounded, according
to Lieutenant Colonel Button's report. Among the former
was the gallant Orderly, Linus Holcomb of Company A,
Captain G. B. Heath, whose life gradually ebbed away after
he was brought from the gory battle-field.
Surgeon Waterman again had his hands full, in caring for
the wounded. His skill was measured by the sad duties of
the hour, and not found wanting.
In a large dwelling in rear of the field where the brigade
fought, a hospital was located, where the Avounded were being
dressed. There were numerous amputations the yard being —
strewn with legs and arms and the dead and dying were
;

—
lying around a dreadful wreck of human forms.
184 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The numbered two hundred and

casualties in the division
fifty-six : Second brigade, fifty
First brigade eighty-three ; ;

Third brigade one hundred and twenty-three. The loss of

the evening was heavy. The troops buried one hundred of
the rebel killed.
Before the battle a party of thirty foragers from the 105th,
preceding the column, charged on one of the enemy's earth-
Avorks, driving him out and killing one man — a very creditable
affair.

The regiment did their duty nobly, and in token of their

gallantry at this point and in the Atlanta campaign, Colonel
Dutton their commander, received from the President the
appointment of Brigadier General by brevet, the appointment
dating from the date of the battle.
On the 19th the battle of Bentonville occurred at which
we were assigned position on the left. We threw up earth-
works in double-quick time, but the attack Avas made on the
night, and our line was not assaulted. The rebels were
defeated with fearful slaughter.
Resumed our march on the 22d and crossed the Neuse
river on the next day.Here we met General Terry's eastern
troops, whining because they had been without communication
and no mail for a week. We consoled them by telling them
we had been in the same condition fifty-one days.
We arrived at Goldsboro on the 24th, and our long march
for the time was ended. We had marched five hundred
miles in fifty-five days,resting only six days had crossed ;

twelve large and numerous smaller streams. The

rivers
foragers of our regiment had captured, on the march, twenty
tons of meat, ten tons of flour, and sweet potatoes, with other
luxuries, to an extent that cannot be estimated. All of the
officers with their men by turns participated in the work of
foraging.
At Goldsboro the regiment was newly equipped, and that
portion of "Sherman's greasers" as the eastern troops
contemptuously called us, put on a better appearance. The
OF SOMONAUK.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 185

"bummers" who were flush of funds having "cramped"

money during the raid, donned the best
watches, jewelry, and
attire and patronized the sutlers' shops extensively.

On the 29th, and again on the 5th of April, parties of our

regiment were sent on foraging expeditions, taking forage
from within two miles of the fortified lines of the enemy, but
losing several men captured and one killed.
On the 6th of April news was received of the capture of
Richmond, and the joy of our boys may be more easily
imagined than described.
On the 10th we found another campaign begun. We moved
to Smithfield, Avhere the surrender of Lee's army was
announced. We were after Johnston's army, and on the 13th
Avc reached Raleigh in the pursuit. Here reports were circu-
lated of Johnston's surrender, and amid the joyful excitement
came the heart-rending tidings of the assassination of President
Lincoln.
On the 22d the twentieth Corps were reviewed in Raleigh,
and on the 14th it became known that Johnston had surren-
dered his army upon terms that were not approved by the
President, and that we were about to " go for " " Johnston's
Johnnies " again. Next day we marched thirteen miles on
the road to Holly Springs, but on day following we
the
remained in camp, as Grant and Sherman had gone forward
to meet the rebel General and have a new conference. On
the 24th we joyfully marched back to Raleigh, elated with the
assurance that Grant's negotiations had been successful — that
satisfactory terms of surrender had been made — and that the
great war was substantially at an end.
Now " On to Richmond."
We marched gaily along, blessed with warm, bright beautiful
weather, pleasantly greeted by the people on the route, full
of gratification at the glorious termination of the Avar.
We pass Williamsborough, cross the Roanoke into Virginia,
cross again the Meherin and the Nottaway rivers, and on the
0th of May rested a day, two miles from Richmond. On the
24
186 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

11th we passed through Richmond ; well treated by the

people. On the 12th crossed the Chickahominy swamp ; on
the 14th, crossed the Little and North Anna rivers, and
more fences. The young daughters
received orders to burn no
of the OldDominion greeted us with waving handkerchiefs,
and the colored people were everywhere jubilant. On the
15th, we camped on the Chancellorsville battle ground where
human bones and skulls lay bleaching in the sun.
On the 17th we were near Manassas Junction, and on the
18th passed through Fairfax Station, crossing the far-famed
Bull Run, a broad shallow stream of pure water with a hard
gravelly bottom. On the 19th camped three miles from
Alexandria where we remained till on the 24th, Ave took part
in the grand military pageant at Washington.Here Major
Brown, Captain Church, and Assistant Surgeon Beggs joined
the regiment, having been absent on leave and detached
service.
The army of the Potomac was reviewed by the President
and Cabinet on the 23d, and General Sherman's army on the
24th, the streets lined with immense crowds of people who
greeted us with constant cheers and waving handkerchiefs.
The Washington papers especially, commended the drill of the
105th, and the ladies favored us with a shower of boquets.
We camped four miles out of the city until the 6th, em-
ploying our time in visiting Washington, and oii the 7th of
June, 1865, were mustered out of service.
On the 8th we took cars for Chicago, arriving at Pittsburg
about 2 where we were met by a brass band and a
A. M.,

committee of citizens, escorted to the City Hall and entertained

with ample refreshments. Generous, thoughtful Pittsburg
long will you be remembered for your kindness to the war
worn and weary. What a contrast we met in Chicago. We
arrived at the same hour. It was dark and raining no one ;

met us or could tell where we were to go. The officers were

in a train behind, and Sergeant-Major Whitlock, who found

himself the ranking officer, could not find a place to put his
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 187

men. They could not be admitted to the Soldiers' Home, to

the Barracks, nor anywhere. The oiRcers soon arrived and
found that no notice had been taken of their telegram advising
the coming of the regiment. The boys "adjourned" to the
Illinois Central Depot where a friendly policeman suffered
them to lie on the floor 'till morning. Then we started for
the dirty barracks, to which we were finally ordered, at Camp
Fry. As we marched through the same streets through which
three years before we had gone out one thousand strong our —
regiment now reduced to hardly half that number, was ordered
off' the side-walk into the streets by the police. The policemen
were pushed aside with hearty soldierly denunciations of all

policemen and Chicago generally.

At Camp Fry we were detained by Paymaster Maybourn
June 17th, when as each company was paid it left the
until
barracks immediately.
The warm welcome which we all received as we reached
our homes did much
remove the unfavorable impression
to
produced by the shameful treatment that we met in Chicago.
188 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

One Hundred and Fifth Infantry Eegiment.

THREE YEARS' SERVICE.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
SERGEANT MAJORS.
David D. Chandler, De Kalb, Promoted Adjutant.
Jonathan G. Vallette, Milton, Discharged July 0, 18G4, to accept commis-
sion in Vol. Service.
O^den Whittack, Milton, Mustered out June 7, 1865.
Q. M. SERGEANTS.

George W. Burpee, Rockford.

Henry W. Kellogg, Mayfield, Mustered out June 7, 1865.
COMMISSARY SERGEANT.
Clinton Beach, Winfield, Promoted 1st Lieut, and Q. M., in U. S. Colored
Troops.
HOSPITAL STEWARDS.
George W. Beggs, Naperville, Promoted Assistant Surgeon.
Simon Dockstader, Sycamore, Discharged April 8, 18Go.
John B. Belfarge, De Kalb, Mustered out June 7, 18C5.
PRINCIPAL MUSICIANS.
MouU Fuller, Du Page county, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Waller Van Vetzger, Du Page county. Mustered out June 7, 18(i5.

ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY «'A."

FIRST SERGEANT.
William R. Thomas, Sycamore, Promoted 2d Lieutenant.
SERGEANTS.
Linns Holcomb. Sycamore, 1st Serg't. Died March IG, 18G5; wounds.
Alonzo E. Carr, Genoa, Transferred July 25, 1864.
Henry H. Slater, Geneva, Promoted 1st Lieutenant.
Chauncey E. Sixbury, Sycamore, M. 0. June 7. 1865, as 1st Serg't. Com.
2d Lieut., but not mustered.
CORPORALS.
Menzo W. Garnet, Sycamore, Captured March 11. 1865.
Henry W. Kellogg, Mayfield, Promoted Q. M. Sergeant.
Wentworth Leveright, Mayfield, Mustered out June 7, 18G5, as Private.
Dewitt C. Green, Genoa, Discharged May 10, 1805, as Serg't wounds.
;

Simon Dockstader, Sycamore, Promoted Hospital Steward.

Oscar C. Churchill. De Kalb county, Discharged April 25, 1865.
Jared J. Burdict, De Kalb county, Mustered out June 7, 1865.
Reuben J. Holcomb, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1865, as Serg't.
 TTTE ONE IITINDRED AND PIFTII. 1 S9

Allen Benjamin, Geneva, Discharged July 10, ISCo disability. ;

Ailard William A., Sycamore, Died at Dallas, Ga., May 29, IS'lU; wound-i
Buck William, De Kalb, Discharged Feb. KJ, ]8()3 disability. ;

Black Mirium, I'ampas, Mustered out June 7, ISGf), as Corporal.

Bowers Hiram AV., Balavia, Mustered out June 7, 18G5. as Corporal.
15ailey John S., Genoa, Died Oct. "J, 1802
; wounds.
Burroughs James H., Genoa, Died, New Albany, Ind., Dec. 24. ISCj.
Church Samuel, Genoa, Mustered out June 7, 1805 was pris. ;

Carr Patrick, Sycamore, Discharged Jan. Ut, 1SG;J disability. ;

Clieesbro Oliver 1?., Pampas, Discharged May 5, 1805 wonmls. ;

C.arr Edwin, Mayfield, Mustered out June 7, 1805.

Cummins Warren, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Canady David N., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Culver Jeiferson II., Pampas, Discharged Jan. 19, 180:5; disability.
Deford Spafford R., Pampas, Died Jan. 1, 18()5 wounds,
;

Donaghue Patrick, Kingston, Mustered out June 21, 1805.

Dennis George W., Jr., Mayfield, Discharged May 1, 18(i;i; disability.
Easha Joseph, Kingston, Mustered out June 7, 18f)5.
Ooble Elias, Mayfield, Died, South Tunnel, T., Dec. 21, 1802.
Goble John J., Mayfield, Mustered out June 7, 1805, as Serg'l.
Goble William II., Mayfield, Mustered out June 7, 18(35.
Gregory Cozier, Genoa, Discharged Feb. 22, 1803 disability. ;

Ilarsha Eugene K., Pampas, Mustered out June 7, 1805.

Hutchinson Nicholas A., Genoa, Discharged Sept. 30; wounds.
Hathaway Harrison, Pampas, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Howe George E., Mayfield, Died, Chattanooga, Aug. 15, IHOl wounds. ;

Ilendrick Nelson F., De Kalb, Mustered out June 14. 1805.

Hollenback Alfred S., Genoa. Mustered out June 7, 1865.
Ilolcomb Oscar, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Jcllison Alexander M., Genoa, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Jones Charles L., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Johnson Chauncey, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Kollogg Herman A., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Kunyler Jean, Kingston, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
King Lucius A., Pampas, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Kenyon Henry, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Kane William, Geneva, Discharged Jan. 19, 1803 disability.
;

Kesler John, Geneva, Discharged Dec. 7, 1802 disability.

;

Leonard Patrick, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1805, as Corporal.

Lewis Myron AV., Genoa, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Moyier George, Mayfield, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Moore Philip, Genoa, Mustered out June 7, 1S05.
Marshall Julian E., Pampas, Died at Bardstown, Ky., Dec. G, 1802.
Martin John, Genoa, Discharged May 4, 1803 disability.
;

Martin Augustus, Geno.a, Discharged Jan. 10, 1863; disability.

McNaughton William, Genoa, Discharged Dec. 29, 18(32; disability.
Norris George E., Sycamore, Discharged ipril 8, 1803 disability. ;

Ousterhaut Franklin A., Mayfield, Transferred July 25, 1804.

Olin Nathaniel J., Pampas, Mustered out July 1, 1805.
Pond Americus H., Genoa.
Patterson Francis, Mayfield, Mustered out .June 7, 1805.
Petrie Samuel, Sycamore, Trans, to Eng. Corps, A-ug. 15, 1805.
Pierce James, Genoa, Discharged Dec. 28, 1803; disability.
Patrick Albert J., Sycamore, absent, sick, at M. 0. of Regiment.
Phelps James A., Pampas, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
190 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Teters Warren F., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1865.

Phelps Fflgar M., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1805, as Corporal.
Phelps James M., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 18G5, as Corporal.
Peary Neheniiah, Genoa, Trans, to Eng. Corps, Aug. 11, 1H04.
Palmer Clark, ISIayfield, Mustered out June 7, 1865.
I'atterson George, Genoa, Mastered out July 8, 1865.
l^obinson Cyrus H., Kingston, Clustered out June 7, 1865.
Khineliart .loseph B.. Mayfield, Mustered out June 7, 1865.
[{odabaugh Samuel H., Genoa, Mustered out June 7, 1865.
Raymond Oliver B., Mayfield.
Sniitli Marvin A., Kingston, Mustered out June 7, 1865.
Sniauson John, Pampas, Died Aug. 12, 1864 wounds. ;

Shaw Cheney L., Pampas, Mustereil out June 7, 1865, as Serg't.

Scott Albert, South Grove, Mustered out June 7, 1805.
Safford Edward P., Sycamore, Pro. Capt. 14th U. S. C. T., Nov/ 1, 18G;^.
Settle William H., Genoa, iMustered out June 7, 1865.
Schwirk Joseph, Sycamore, Died at Scottsboro, Ala., Dec. 7, 1862.
Smith Chauncey, Maylield, Discharged Feb. 22, 1863; disability.
Spanton Thomas, Plato, Mustered out June 7, 1865.
rieapey James, Sycamore, ]Mustered out June 7, 1865.
Spancell George, Sycamore, Accidentally killed Sept. 10, 1863.
Smith Ashael C, Genoa, Discharged April 8, 1863; disability.
Tewksburry Russell B., Sycamore, Discharged April 2, 1863 disability ;

Westbrook Samuel D., Sycamore, Discharged April 8, 1863; disability.

Waffles Sylvinis, Geneva, Died at Chattanooga, Aug. it, 18ii4.
West Elias C, Geneva, M^ustered out June 7, 1865.
Wilcox Aziel, Sycamore, Clustered out June 7, 1865.
Wright Wentworth, Sycamore, Mustered out .June 7, 1865, ns Corporal.
Wilson John, Soutli Grove, Mustered out June 7, 1865.
Woodward William. South Grove, Discharged Oct. 12, 1862; minor.

Croft James, Mustered o>it June 7, 18()5.

Jones George W., Transferred to Co. K, 16th 111. Inf.
Kemp John, Deserted July 10, 1863.
Rouse William H., ^Mustered out June 7, 1865.
Settle Oscar D., Pampas, Transferred to Co. K, 16th 111. Inf.
Weedon Alviu G., Pampas, Yet. recruit. Tr. to Co. K, i6th 111. Inf.

INDKR fOOK OF A. 1).

Beard Henry, absent, sick, at M. 0. of Regiment.

ENLISTED MEN OF COMP.VNY "C."
FIRST SERGEANT.
John W. Burst, Franklin, Promoted 2d Lieut., tlien 1st Lieut.

SERGEANTS.
Charley AV. Seidil, Sycamore, Discharged Feb. 14, 1864, to accept promo-
tion 'in 16th U. S. C. T.
Charley C. Tubbs, Sycamore, Died, Vining Station, Ga., Aug. 5, 1864.
Thomas J. Albee, Svcamore, Discharged Feb. 14, 1864. to accept promo-
tion in l(;th U. S." C. T.
George L. Fisher, Sycamore, Disch. April 14. 1863, as Priv. ; disability.

CORPORALS.
William McLogan, Sycamore, Deserted Oct. 30, 1862.
Isaac S. Brundage, Cortland, Pro. 1st Serg't, then 1st Lieut.
Walter Harvard, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 1865, as Serg't.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 191

Charley H. Clark, Sycamore, Died Jan. 1, T.;;.

Harmon M. ytark, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 'Ho.
Uriah Smith, Mayfield, Priv. Absent, sick, at M. 0. of Regiment.
Marils L. Mason, Soutii Grove, Died, Savannah, Ga., June 10, <>•"); wod.s.
Henry J. Merrill, Sycamore, Disch. April 28, 'i>", as Scrg't disability. ;

Allen Joseph S., Sycamore, Discharged Dec. 24, "(i^ ; disability.

Atwood Richard W., Sycamore, Cor])oral. Died at ('hattanooga, Tenn.,
June 1, '(34; ^vounds.
Althen John, Sycamore, absent, wounded, at M. 0. of Regiment.
Anlich William C. Sycamore, Discharged March 27, '63; disability.
Aarner Oscar, Kingston, .Mustereil out .lune 7, 'H').
Bannister Levi, Pampas, .Mustered out June 7, '<)•').
Bebee Charles, Sycamore, .Mustered out June 7, 'ti-').
Bebee Silva, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, ''i'l.
Barchfield Thomas J., Kingston, Died at Soiitli Tunnel, T., Jan. T, "G5.
Bewley John, Sycamore, Trans, to Co. C, Ditli 111. Inf.
Burnside Delos, Sycamore, Trans, to Eug. Corps, Aug. IH, 'Cil.
Bean David K., Kingston. Was pris. Died at Chattanooga, Tcnri.
Bates Stephen, Kingston, Alustere<l out lune 7, '>>'>.
C'ole Charles W.. Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, "li"), as Corporal,
(.'ourser Myron M.. Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, '(;.), as Corporal.
Clark William C, Sycamore, Deserted Oct. :!(), ('12.
Churchill Andrew J., Sycamore, Died at South Tunnel, T., Jan. 4, 'bll.
Cameron William T., Kingston, Discharged Jan. 11, '60; disability.
Collier James H., Mayfield, I>ischarged .\pril IS, '(i4 disability. ;

Defield John, Sycamore, .M. O. May 24. "(i-'), as Musician.

Decker Warren, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, '(>'>.
Depue Joseph, Sycamore, Discharged .Ian. 11, '(il] disabilily. ;

Danberg John, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, "t)">.

Decker William, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, "(i.'y.

Davis Edward H., Sycamore, Died at Camp Butler, 111., Oct. 17, 04
Dodg« Oscar, Sycamore, iMustered out .lune 7, "(I'l.
Francis Stephen D., Pampas, absent, sick, at M. (». of Kegiment.
Fetterley John \V., Sycamore, Died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 14. '<il.

Furness Hernuin. Sycamore, .Mustered out .lune 7, '05, as Corporal.

Forkner, or Faulkner, .M., Sycamore, .Mustered out Aug. 1 I, ti').
(iardner Andrew .1.. Sycamore, ^Mustered out .lune 7. "Do.
tJardner Alon/o. Sycamore, Mustered out .lune 7. '<io.
Gould William II.. Pami)as, Mustered out June 7, '*'>'>.
(Jould George 11.. Pampas, Corporal. Died, Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 4, 'ijo.
Herren William. Kingston. Mustered out June 7. "n'l.
Hoffman AVilliam, South Grove, absent, sick, at .M. O. of Regiment.
Hammond William \V., Sycamore. Discharged Jan. M, "tiM, as Coipor;il 1 ;

disibility.
Hathaway Johnson, Pampas. Discharged Jan. 4. "•);': disabilily.
Howden William A.. Sycamore, Died Nov. Hi, '112.

Hade Joel W., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, '•>•').

John, or Johnson, Charles, Pampas, Mustered out June 7, "'i'l, as Cor]i'l.

Jackman Charles D., Sycamore, M. O. June 7, 'fi-'i. as 1st Sergeant. Com.
2d Lieut., but not mustered.
Jordan Leonard or Lem.. Burlington, Discliarged Jan. 1(3. 'ti^! disability. ;

Jordan William, Burlington, Transferred to Co. E, lOoth 111. Inf.

Kelsey John B., Pampas, Discharged Feb. 10, "tjo disability. ;

Linderman George P., Cortland, Mustered out May 18, 'Go.

Listy Charles, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, '05.
192 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Lindsay Lyman C, Sycamore, Mustered out June V2, "(Jo.

Malo Samuel, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, 'fio.
Morgan Bartuolomew, Sycamore. Discharged March 22, '(>3 disability. :

Miller William F., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7. '05.

Mason Seth M., South Grove, Discharged Jan. '(io disability.
'), ;

Newell George, South Grove. Died at Shelbyville, Ky., Oct. li'j, 'OJ.
Olney John l3., Franklin. Trans, to Hng. Corps, Aug. 10, '(34.
I'elton Lysander. Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, '0').
I'elton Leander, Sycamore, Discharged March 24, 'Go; disability.
Kussell Ruthven, Cortland, Died at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. 4, 'i>o.
Rose William H., Sycamore, Wounded at Dallas, Ga., May 27, '6L Sup-
posed to be dead.
Rowen George W., Kingston, Deserted March 1, '03.
Rapps William A.. Sycamore. Mustered out .June 7, '05.
Spohn Darius A., Sycamore, Discharged Dee. 25, '02; disability.
Sherman Levi, Kingston, Died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. "02. '•'>.

Schoolcroft Minor, De Kalb, Discharged May 10, '03 disability, ;

."^tow Edwin, Sycamore, Mustered out .June 7, '05.

Smith John. Sycamore. Discharged Feb. 9. '(55 disability.;

Thompson Henry 13.. Burlington, Discharged Jan. 11, '03; disability.

Trombly George, Sycamore, Escaped pris. Rep'd at Chattanooga.
Trombly Alexander, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, '05, as Corporal.
Tibbetts Samuel E., Kingston, ^Mustered out June 7, '05, as Sergeant.
Thompson Edwin, Sycamore. Clustered out June 7, '05, as Sergeant.
Wyllys George D., South Grove. Mustered out June 7, '05.
Wright Hiram. Burlington, Died Dec. 21, '03.
Wright John, Burlington, Mustered out June 7, '(')5.
Winans Clark A., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, '05.
Wheeler I^ysander, Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, '<)5, as Sergeant.
Wallies Charles W., Kingston, Discharged Feb. 23, '03 disability. ;

Warf Henry, Kingston, Mustered out June 7, '05, as Corjjoral.

Welch Peter N.. Pampas, Discharged March 23, '05 wounds. :

While John P., Sycamore, Discharged Jan. 14, '03 disability. ;

Worden Martin, South Grove, Died Dec. 23, '02.

Weber John, Sycamore, [Mustered out June 7, '05.
Waldron Isaac H., Sycamore, Mustered out June 7, '05.
KECEUITS.
r.rulaEdward, Dunleith, Transferred to Co. C. 10th 111. luf.
Decker Matliias, Sycamore, Died July 9, '04 ; wouuds.
UNDER COOK OF A. J).

Goodman Richard S., Mustered out June 7, '05.

ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY -E."

FIRST SERGEANT.
John II. Swift. Paw Paw, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
SERGEANTS.
Jonathan 11. .Marryatt, Sliabbona, promoted 1st Scrgt, then 1st Lieut.
Thomas George Taylor, Shabbona, accidentally killed, Feb. 15, '04.
Tlionias J. Pierce, Wyoming, died at Nashville, Tenn., March 3, '01.
William II. 0. Stevens, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '05, as Private.
CORPORALS.
William R. Low, Shabbona, discharged March 23, '03; disability.
Jacob Ostrander, Paw Paw, M. 0. June 7, "05, as 1st Serg't. Com
2d Lieut, but not mustered.
Darius Ilorton, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '(J5, as Sergeant,
 THE ONE IIUNDRE D AND FIFTH. 193

William E. Grover, Shabbona, Serg't. Killed at Dallas, Ga., May '11, '61.
John Thoiupkius, iShabbona, niustered out June 7, '65, as Trivatc.
David N. Jackson, Shabbona, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. Kt, '6:^.
Chauncey Condie, Shabbona, M. 0. June 7, '05, as Private. Wounded
John Fowler, Shabbona, died at Louisville, Ky., Oct. 27, '62.

Ames John, Shabbona, M. 0. June 7, '65, as Corporal. Wounded. •

Anderson Augustus, Paw Paw, mustered out June 7, '65.

Bowker William, Paw Paw, mustered out June 7, '65. Wounded.
Belden John A., Paw Paw, mustered out June 7, '65.
Bandfield Benjamin, Paw Paw, discharged Jan. 15, '6'j disability.
;

Baker Artemus A., Paw Paw, deserted Sept. 2, '62.

Cook George II., Paw Paw, transferred to Engineer Corps, Aug. 15, '64.
Cheney <Jlo D., Paw Paw, mustered out June 7, '65.
Cross Chaides C, Shabbona, died May 28, '64 wounds.
;

Challand Charles, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.

Crim Levi, Shabbona, discharged Jan. 14, '63; disability.
Dyas Moses, Shabbona, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 2, '62.
Damon Solon W., Shabbona, absent, wounded, at M. 0. of Regiment.
Damon George H., Shabbona, discharged June 9, '63; disability.
Davenport William H., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65, as Corporal.
Davis Albert, Shabbona, discharged Aug. 4, '63 disability.
;

Dennison John M., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.

Davendorf Augustus, Shabbona, died at Murfreesboro, T., July lU, '63.
Fermen James B., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Fowler James, Shabbona, discharged March 23, '65 disability. ;

Fripps Byron D., Shabbona, discharged April 11, '63; disability.

Glen John, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Gerard George W., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Goodyear Nelson, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Grithth Henry S., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65, as Sergeant.
Goodyear Joseph T., Shabbona, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 21, '62.
Howes Philip, Shabbona, Corporal. Died May 31, '64; wounds.
Hamlin John A., Shabbona, died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 10, '62.
Hinds Austin F., Shabbona, mustered out .June 7, '65.
Hayes John M., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Harper George C Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65, as Corporal.
Hunter Robert, Shabbona, deserted Jan. 1, '63.
Howes ]\roses, Shabbona, mustered out June 12, '65.
Halk Elijah, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Hatch Charles, Shabbona, died at Nashville, Tenn., July 14, '64; wounds.
Ivors Thomas, Shabbona, discharged June 20, '63 disability.
;

Jordan James, Shabbona, M. 0. June 7, '65. Wounded twice.

Kennicott Ira, jr., Shabbona, discharged Jan. 14, '63; disability.
Kilbouru Lyman, Shabbona, killed at Resaca, Ga., May 14, '64.
Kelly Daniel A., Shabbona, discharged Dec. 31, '62 disability.;

Lanaghan Michael, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.

Lake Hurbert F., Shabbona, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 30, '62.
Landers Ebenezer, Shabbona, mustered out June 14, '65.
Lamkins Josiah B., Shabbona, deserted Nov. 21, '62.
Lamkins Sidney G., Shabbona, died at Louisville, Ky., Oct. 29, '62.
Morrison AVilliam, Shabbona, killed near Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 5, '64.
Morrieon George, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Minnihan Michael, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65, as Sergeant.
Mullins John, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65 wounded. ;

Merwin Samuel, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.

25
194 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Mott Jacob, Shabbona, died at Louisville, Ky., Aug. 5, '0-1; wounds.

Morey Hiram, Sbabbona, mustered out .June 7, 'Go.
Mattcson Egbert .J., Shabbona, died at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 19, '62.
McCormick Thomas, Shabbona, mustered out .June 7, '65, as Corporal.
McCormick John, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
^larble Edmund D., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '(55.
McClymonds Thos. G., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
McFarland John, Shabbona, died at Frankfort, Ky., Oct. 27, '62.
^McFarland Walter S., Shabbona, discharged June 17, '63; disability.
Norton Sidney, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Nicholson Patrick, Shabbona, deserted Sept. 2. '62.
Nicholson John, Shabbona, died at Chicago, Sept. 2U, '62.
Newton Charles W., ohabbona, mustered out .June 7, '65, as Corjioral.
JNichols Hamilton, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Pattee Albion, Shabbona, nuistercd out June 7, '65 ; wounded.
Perkins John, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65, as Sergeant.
Palm David, Shabbona, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 2, "62.
Randall Charles AV., Shabbona, died at Nashville, Tenn., March 1, "61.
Simpson Seela, Shabbona, killed near Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 5, '61.
Scott Miles, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Sutliff John H., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65; wounded.
Spaulding James, Shabbona, mustered out June 7- '65.
Swanson Charles J., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, 'Ii5, as Corporal.
Sherrill Aaron E., Shabbona, died at Gisllatin, Tenn., March o, 60.
Stansbury Tishe, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Vanpatten Abram, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65, as Corporal.
AVatson Robert T., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '<)5.
Watson AVilliam, jr., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65.
Wright AVilliam, Shabbona, died May 25, '61 wounds.
;

AVilson Alfred E., Shabbona, mustered out June 7, '65, as Corporal.

BECRUITS.
Alford Martin Shabbona, transferred to Co. A, 16th 111. Inf.
S.,
Donaldson Reuben, Shabbona, transferred to Co. A, ItJth 111. Inf.
Donaldson Russell, Shabbona, transferred to Co. A, 16th 111. Inf.
Edmonds John, Shabbona, transferred to Co. A, 16tli 111. liif.
Ellis Josiah, Shabbona, transferred to Co. A, 16th 111. Inf.
Ford Lyman AV., Shabbona, transferred to Co. A, 16th 111. Inf.
Harper Andrew G., Chicago, transfei-red to Co. A, 16tii 111. Inf
Jordan AA'illiam, mustered out June 7, '65.
McCooley John, mustered out June 7, '65.
Sherwood Theodore J., Shabbona, transferred to Co. A, 16tli 111. Inf.
Williams George, mustered out June 7, '65.
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY '-G."
FIRST SERGEANT.
Hiram S. Harrington, Franklin, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
SERGEANTS.
William Sycamore, discharged Feb. 10, '60: disability.
S. Taylor,
John M. Scboenmaker, Franklin, discharged for promotion as 1st Lieut .

in U. S. C. T., June 27, '61.

Samuel H. AVilliamson, Flora, promoted 1st Scrg't, then 1st Lieut.
John T. Becker, South Grove, commissioned 1st Lieut., but not mustered.
M. 0. May 26, '65, as 1st Serg't. AVounded.
CORPORALS.
Henry Romyen, Tecumseh, Mich., discharged July 6, '64, for promotion
as Capt. in U. S. CoL Troops.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 195

DeForest P. Bennett, Monroe, discharged Aug. 4, '(J3 disability.

;

John Fox, Franklin, discharged March 17, 'Go; disability,

.lames R. Williamson, Flora, M. O. .June 7, '05, as Sergeant; wounded.
William C. Fay, Squaw Grove, mustered out .June 7. '05.
Parker M. Banks, Franklin, mustered out June 7, '05, as Serg't wounded. ;

Wesley Witter, jMonroe, died at Flora, III., Dec. 25, '02.

James Hasburg, Burlington, commissioned 2d Lieut., but not mustered.
M. 0. .June 7, '05, as Sergeant.
MUSICIAN.
Samuel ('. Perry, Burlington, died at Cincinnati, 0", Dec. 28, '02.

PRIVATES.
Burpee George W., Rockford, promoted Quartermaster Sergeant,
lianks Benjamin F., Franklin, discharged April 10, '(iS wounds. ;

Barker Anson B., Burlington, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 4, '04.
Barker William L., South Grove, nuistered out June 7, '05, as Corporal.
Bradburn Nathan E., Bui-lington, transferred to Eng. Corps, July 25, '64.
Bock William, Burlington, died at Gallatin, Tenn., March 27, '08.
Baker Richard A., Squaw Grove, discharged March 80, '08, to enlist in
Miss. Marine Brigade.
I?urbig Theodore, Belvidere, mustered out June 7, '05 wounded.
;

Barber William H., Malta, mustered out June 7, '05, as Corporal.

Bennett William S., Franklin, died at Gallatin, Tenn., March 24, '08.
Barnard John, Hampshire, mustered out June 7, '05.
Gaspares Nathan S., Franklin, died at Nashville, Tenn., June 10, '63.
Costar Melvin, Squaw Grove, died at Bowling Green. Ky., Dec. 12, '62.
Calkins Allen S., Burlington, mustered out June 7, '65.
Collins George W., Plato, mustered out .June 7, '05, as Carporal.
Carlisle Hiram, Burlington, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 0, '02.
Cline Henry, Franklin, died at Gallatin Tenn., Dec. 22. '02.
Casterline Andrew .J,, Franklin, mustered out June 7, '05.
Chapman Charles W., Burlington, discharged Jan. 12, '03; disability.
(!ougle William A., Virgil, mustered out June 7, '05.
Davenport James, De Ivalb, transferred to Invalid Corps, July 13, '64.
Davis Egbert V., Burlington, mustered out .June 7, '05.
Dean Charles E., Franklin, mustered out June 7, '65.
Early Henry, Squaw Grove, discharged Jan. 11, '03; disability.
Ellis Linneaus, Virgil, mustered out June 7, '05 wounded.
;

Eddy William H. L., Burlington, mustered out June 7, '05, as Corporal.

Fritz Christopher, Franklin, mustered out. June 7, '65.
Foss William L., Franklin, killed near Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 10, '64.
Fish Daniel W., Burlington, discharged Dec. 14, '02; disability.
Gorham Danford, Franklin, died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 18, '()4.
Gibson Emoi-y M., South Grove, mustered out June 7, '05.
Gordon George N., Monroe, mustered out .June 7, '05.
Holdridge Daniel, Burlington, M. 0. June 7, '05, as Corpor.al wounded. ;

Hinsdale William, Squaw Grove, absent, sick, at M. 0. of Regiment.

Ingalls William N., Burlington, died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 13, '62.
Jones Francis A., Franklin, mustered out June 7, '65 wounded. ;

Lusher Anstice, Franklin, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 22, '02.
McKee Alfred R., Flora, died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 18, '62.
Miller Lester I., Monroe, supposed killed May 15, '64.
Moon Curtis P., Franklin, mustered out .June 7, '65.
Miller John H., mustered ©ut June 7, '05.
^liller Charles M.. died at Chattanooga, June 17, '04 wounds. ;

Mack Walter S., Franklin, mustered out June 7, '05.

Morgan Harvey M., Burlington, mustered out June 7, '05, as Corporal.
196 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

McLellanJ William P., Burlington, discharged March 11, 'C3, to enlist in

Miss. Marine Brigade.
McLelland George W., Burlington, mustered out June 7, 'Go.
Maltby Charles A., Burlington, transferred to Invalid thorps, Oct. 20, '64;
wounded.
Patten Byron A., South Grove, discharged .June 12, '65; wounds.
Planty Julius, Hampshire, transferred to Eng. Corps, July 2o, '64.
Perry Myron C, Burlington, mustered out June 7, '05.
Pritchard Hiram F., South Grove, mustered out .June 7, '05.
Simmons William H.. Sycamore, discharged Feb. 7, '08 disability. ;

Strawn Charles A., Franklin, mustered out June 7, '05 wounded ;

Southard Daniel R.. Franklin, deserted Oct. 29, '02. Since enlisted in
14th 111. Cav.
Samis Elijah, Burlington, died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 0, '02.
Sylvester Lewis, Squaw Grove, mustered out June 7, '05.
Stoker John T., Gridley, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 23, '02.
Smith William M., Burlington, discharged July 9, '04, to accept promotion
as 2d Lieut, in 114th U. S. C. T.
Strub Peter, Pampas, absent, sick, at M. 0. of Regiment.
Thomas Samuel K.. South Grove, discharged Feb. 10, 'Oo disability. ;

Taplin Orville H., Flora, mustered out .June 7, '05; wounded.

Thomas David E., Franklin, mustered out .June 7, '05.
Wylde Thomas W., Franklin, discharged March 17, '63; disability.
Williams Charles W., Squaw Grove, j\I. 0. June 7, '05, Corp'l. Wounded
Wylke Herman, Franklin, mustered out June 7. '05.
Williamson Thomas E., Flora, M. 0. June 7, '05, as Serg't; wounded.
Young Martin, Burlington, died at South Tunnell, T.. July 11, '03.
RECKUITS.

Hapgood .Julian W., mustered out .June 7, '05.

Haller Gabriel, Flora, mustered out June 7, '65.
Strawn Joseph H., Sycamore, killed at Peach T. Creek, July 20. 04.
Witler Oliver P., M. 0. June 7, '05 wounded twice.
;

UN HER COOKS OF A. D.
Battie Bird, mustered out .June 7, '05.
Batlie Mat, absent, sick, at M. 0. of Regiment.
ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY "H."'
FIRST SERGEANT.
Walter B. Walker, Sandwich, discharged Sept. 30, '02 : disability.

SERGEANTS.
Harvey Potter, Somonauk, promoted 2d Lieut., then 1st T^ieut.
George Dean, Asliury, mustered out June 7, '05. as 1st Sergeant. Com.
2d Lieut., but not mustered.
Wallace W. Moore, Freehand, discharged May 5, '05 wounds. ;

Frank H. Cole, Somonauk, promoted 1st Serg't, then 1st Lieut.

CORPORALS.
\. G.White, Sandwich, mustered out .June 7, "05, as Sergeant.
Allen Edgerly, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05, as Sergeant
Isaac Scoggin, Asbury, mustered out June 7, '05, as Sergeant.
Joseph P. Fulton, Freeland, appointed Hospital Steward U. S. A.
Israel S. Clark, Somonauk, mustered out June 7, '05, as Private.
Jesse L. Gage, Sandwich, died Aug. 12, '04; wounds.
Andrew A. Beveridge, Sandwich, discharged Dec. 18, '02; disability.
Thomas Mason, Sandwich, discharged Sept. 28, for promotion.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. ] 97

PRIVATES.
Baker Thornton, Sandwich, discharged Jan. 4, '03 disability.
;

Blackwood Robert C, Victor, died at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. '22. 'Cio.

Brown Robert, Freeland, mustered out June 7, '05.
Bishop Warren F., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '0."); wounded.
Bullock Rutson J., Victor, discharged Jan. 10, 'OS ;
disability.
Blackwood AVilliam, Sandwich, transferred to Eng. CorpsI Aug. 14. '04.
Breeclier .Jacob, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05, as ('orporal.
Coon H J., Freeland, discharged Jan. 13, '03; disability.
Corke James, Asbury, mustered out June 7, '05.
Corke Jesse, Asbury, discharged Feb. — '03; disability.
,

Carpenter Henry, Squaw Grove, absent, sick, at M. O. of Regiment.

Carr, H. H., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05.
Davis David, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '65.
Devine Michael, Freeland, mustered out June 7, '05.
Eames Mott V., Sandwich, Corporal. Trans, to V. R. C. Jan. 2, '05.
E-ckhart Lewis, Clinton, mustered out June 7, '05.
Fish W. J. M., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05.
Forsyth Andrew G., Somonauk, mustered out June 7, '05, as Corporal.
Ferguson Robert, Freeland, transferred to Eng. Corps, Aug. 15, '04.
Freeland E. K., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05.
Gurnsey Samuel, Sandwich, died at South Tunnel, Tenn., Dec. 27, '02.
Graves William H., Sandwich, died at South Tunnel, Tenn., Dec. 2Vt, '02.
Grear A. L., Asbury, killed at Peach T. Creek, July 20, '04.
Graham, Andrew H., Freeland, mustered out June 7, '05, as Sergeant.
Husted Peter, Sandwich, mustered out July 8, '05.
Howard James A., Somonauk, mustered out Oct. 9, '05.
Henry John v., Somonauk, discharged March 28, '04, for promotion ['.
Q. M., 17th HI. Cav.
Hamlin Almon, Sandwich, Sergeant. Transferred to V. R. C, May 15,
'04, on account of wounds.
Hall Zera W., Sandwich, died at Gallatin, Tenn., March 28, '03.
Hall Harlow, Sandwich, mustered out May 19, '05, as Corporal.
Hall William T., Sandwich, discharged Dec. 4, '02 ;disability.
Harrington Geoige, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05.
Kirkpatrick R. D., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05, as Corporal.
Kirkpatrick M. C, Sandwich, discharged April 10, '03; disability.
Kirtland Jerome, Sandwich, absent, wounded, at M. 0. of Regiment.
King Michael, Sandwich, died at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 15, '03.
Kedder H. E., Sandwich, died at Louisville, Ky., July 8, '03.
Lamb Stillman C. Sandwich, discharged May 21, '03 di.sability. ;

Mills Benjamin, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05.

Morgan E. H., Sandwich, discharged May 20, '04; disability.
McCauley M., Sandwich, discharged Nov. 4, '04 wounds.
;

McBride Samuel, Sandwich, discharged April 24, '03 disability. ;

Martin David, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05.

Mitten Samuel, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '65.
Miles .Joseph, Sandwich, discharged March 5, '03, disability.
Mead .lonathan, Sandwich, mnstered out .Tune 7, '65.
Merwin George B., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05, as Corporal.
McAllister William .J., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '65.
Miller William, Sandwich, transferred to V. R. C, Jan. 2, '65.
Nichols George, Sandwich, mustered out June 21, '65.
Poplin Jesse F., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '65 wounded.
:

Piatt David, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '65.

Rogers Stephen, Sandwich, discharged June 15, '61 wounds.
;

Riddle C. B., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '65.

[98 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Rumsey Robert, Sandwich, discbarged May 9, '65; wounds.

Samples Nelson, Sandwich, deserted Sept. 8, '02. Enlisted in Cavalry ;

deserted. Was arrested and shot.

Springer Thomas, Sandwich, mustered out .June 7, '05, as Corporal.
Smith Stephen, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05.
Skinner Eldridge, Sandwich, M. 0. June 7, '65, as Corporal: wounded.
Schroder William, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '65.
Stall J. W., Sandwich, discharged Feb. 3, '68 disability.
;

Smith Isaac, Sandwich, mustered out June 1, '65; pris. war.

Stevens A. V., Sandwich, died at Bowling Green, Ky., I)ec. 18, '62.
Tomlin George, Sandwich, discharged Oct. 13, '64, as Corp'l disability. ;

Tracy Charles, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '65.

Wells Leonard B., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05.
Woodward R., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05, as Corporal.
Whitmore Charles W., Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '65.
Wagner Homer A., Sandwich, discharged Feb. 6, '03 disability. ;

White William C, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, '05.

Wilcox 0. A., Sandwich, discharged April 17, '03 disability.
;

Wright Carter E., Sandwich, mustered out J\Iay 20, '65.

RECUUITS.
Burgin Jesse, Victor, mustered out June 7, '65.
Taylor Samuel, Gallatin, Tenn., transferred to Co. C. 16th 111. Inf.

UNDER COOK OF A. D.

Polk Peter, Nashville, Tenn., mustered out June 7, '65.

ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY " K."

FIRST SERGEANT.
John promoted 2d Lieut., then 1st Lieut.
Ellis, Clinton,

SERGEANTS.
Emerson T. Knights, De Kalb, 1st Serg't. Died at Gallatin, Feb. 28, '03.
George G. Congdon, Clinton, discharged March 25, '03 disability. ;

Charles H. Salisbury, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '05, as 1st Sergeant.

Com. 2d Lieut., but not mustered.
Joel A. Gleason, Clinton, mustered out June 7, '05,
CORPORALS.
Truman Pritchard, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '05, as Sergeant.
Jerome Perry Clinton, M. 0. June 7, '05, as Sergeant; wounded.
Albert H. Rolph, De Kalb, discharged Dec. 2, '03, as 1st Sergeant.
Byron S. Barnes, Clinton, nuistered out June 7, '05, as Private.
Fordys A. Gates, Pierce, died at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. 13, '03.
Almon M. Ingalls, Clinton, mustered out June 7, '05, as Sergeant.
Wilbur Earl, Afton, mustered out .June 7, '05, as Private.
Delano M. Williams, Clinton, discharged Jan. 3, '03; disability.
MUSICIANS.
Elijah Fields, Clinton, mustered out June 7, '05.
Thomas Green, De Ivalb, mustered out June 7, '05.
WAGONER.
William B. Aldrich, De Kalb, discharged Dec. 21, '62 ; disability.
PRIVATES.
Almberg Andrew, De Kalb, absent, sick, at M. O. of Regiment.
Akerman August, Clinton, mustered out June 7, "65.
Alford Buell G., Clinton, absent, sick, at l\[. 0. of Regiment.
Albert Henry, Afton, mustered out June 7. '05.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. 199

Allen Ira, t'liiiton, transferred to Eng. Corps, July -, "HJ.

Bathrick Byron, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '6;"i.
Uowernian Freeman, Milan, mustered out June 7, "Go.
IJclfrage John B., De Kalb, promoted Hospital Steward.
('handler David D., De Kalb, promoted Sergeant JMajor.
fariton Ezra D., De Kalb, discharged Jan. oO, 02 disability. ;

Carlton David II., De Kalb, mustered eut June 14, 'Go.

Cardell John, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, 'Go.
Campbell James W., Do Kalb, mustered out June 7, 'Go.
Duffy Christopher, Clinton, mustered out June 7, 'G5, as Corporal.
Dunbar Eugene W., De Kalb, discharged April '2i, 'Go; disability.
Denison Eugene ]{., Afton. mustered out June 7, 'G5, as Corporal.
Duffy Joseph, Afton, mustere<l out June 7, 'Go.
Dunbar Solomon T., De Kalb, mustered out June 7, 'Go wounded. :

Elliott Charles, Afton, killed at Kenesaw Mt., June 'I'l, 'G4.

Eaton Joseph R., De Kalb, died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. IG, "62.
Foote Ebenozer, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, 'Go.
Flanders Charles M., Clinton, discharged April 11, 'G:] disability. ;

FuUerton C. Taylor, Clinton, mustered out June 7, 'G5.

Gamble Alexander, De Kalb, died at South Tunnel, Tenn., Feb. o, 't';3.
Gardner Horace. Clinton, M. 0. June 7, 'G-'S wounded twice.
;

(iarlock Joseph \V., Afton, transferred to Miss. ]\Iar. Brig., Jan. 19, 'Go.
Green John A., Victor, discharged June -i, 'Go wounds. ;

Gibson James, ("linton, died at Kingston, June 1, '<i4 wounds. ;

Hayman Alexander, Afton, mustered out June 7, 'Go.

Houghton Joseph, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, 'Go.
Hawley jNIatthew S., De Kalb, discharged Jan. 11, 'Go disability. ;

Hughes Elias, Clinton, mustered out June 7, 'Go.

Hall John, iMilan, deserted Sept. 10, 'G2.
Huffman John, De Kalb, killed at Averysboro, N. C, March IG, "Go.
Handy Jerome, Clinton, mustered out June 7, 'G5 wounded. ;

Johans John P., Afton, killed at Resaca, May 15, 'G4.

Johnson John, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '65.
Kellogg Henry, Clinton, died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 12, "G2.
Kruetsfield Peter T., Afton, mustered out June 7, '65.
Kimball Joseph A., Clinton, transferred to V. R. C, March lo, "64.
Lindsny Jeremiah B., Malta, deserted Sept. 80, '62.
Lamb John E., Victor, absent, wounded, at M. 0. of Regiment.
Low James, Clinton, died .'it Gallatin, Tenn., March 3, 'Go.
Mct.'oUuni Joseph W., De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '65, as Corporal.
Milton George, Milan, killed at Pine Hill, Ga.. June 15, '64.
Martin J. Wesley, Milan, deserted Sept. 15, '62.
McCabe James. De Kalb, discharged March 11, '('>) disability. ;

Morrill Jonathan M.. Clinton, died at South Tunnel, Tenn., Jan. 26, "6 k
Manning Luke, Clinton, M. 0. June 7, '<i5 wounded three times.
;

Martin Thomas H., Alton, Corporal. Transferred to Eng. Corps, March

13, '64.
Mennis AVilliam W.. Clinton, absent, sijk, at muster-out of Regiment.
Nichols Edwin, De Kalb, accidentally killed, June 5, '64.
Newton George, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '65.
Olverson Lewis, Afton, died March 25, 'G5 wounds.;

Parr Edwin, Clinton, discharged Dec. 26, '62; disability.

Pearson Edward, ('linton, mustered out June 22, 'Go; wounded.
Peterson Lewen, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, 'Go.
Palquert Liven, Mayfield, mustered out June 7, '65.
Purcell Ehomas, De Kalb, died at Gallatin, Tenn., April 17, 'Go.
Phillips William H., De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '65.
200 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Treslon Stephen F., De Kalb, deserted Oct. 29, 'Gli.

.Smith Andrus, Clinton, mustered out June 7, '(55; wounded.
.Seeley Anson, Clinton, discharged May 15. 'tjo cisability.
;

Schroeder Charles N., Clinton, transferred to Fng. (.'orps, July '2, "(51.

Safford Charles B., Malta, detached at M. O. of Regiment.

Scott George H., Afton, mustered out June 7, '(55, as Corporal.
St. Leger Richard Y., Afton, discharged May 15, '(do disability. ;

Sullivan John. De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '(55.

Telford Robert, Clinton, discharged Jan. 12, '63; disability.
Thompson Robert, De Kalb, discharged March 7, '(55 disability. ;

Towusend Robert, Milan, mustered out June 7, '(J5 wounded. ;

Unwin Emanuel, Victor, mustered out June 7, '(55.

Wheeler Dempster, De Kalb, killed near Marietta, Ga., July 3, '(51.
Woodruff Felix, Victor, discharged June 3, '(55.
Wakefield George W., (Jlinton. mustered out June 7, '(55, as Corporal.
Wakefield Horace. Clinton, nuistered out June 7, '(55 wouiuled. ;

Walker Robert, Clinton, mustered out June 7, '(55, as Corporal

Whitmore Thomas C, De Kalb, discharged April 24, 'ti3 disability. ;

Wheeler William, Clinton, nuistered out June 7, '(35 wounded. ;

Wiltberger William H., Clinton, mustered out June 7, '65, as Corporal.

Whitmore Silas A., De Kalb, died at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. 10, '(33.
RECRUITS.
Lamb Curtis A., Victor, tranferred to Co. A, l(3th 111. Inf.
Pearsons Judson 31., Shubbona, mustered out June 7, '(35.
UNDER COOK OF A. 1).

Fisher Wyatt, killed at Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 16, "61.

ROSTER OF OFFICERS.
Colonel.
Daniel Dustin, Sycamore, promoted Brevet Brigadier General, March 16,
'65. Mustered out June 7, '65.

Lieutenant Colonels.
Henry F. Vallette, Naperville, resigned June 18, '6L
Everell F. Dutton, Sycamore, promoted Brevet Brigadier General, March
16, '65. Mustered out June 7, '65.
Majors.
J]verell F. Dutton, Sycamore, promoted.
Henry D. Brown, Sycamore, mustered out June /, '65.

Adjutants.
William N. Phillips, Wayne, resigned Dec. 2, "62.
David D. Chandler, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '65.

Quarterviaster.
Timothy Wells. Sycamore, mustered out June 7, '65.

Surgeons,
Horace S. Potter, Chicago, killed in battle, June 2, 61.
Alfred Waterman. Warrenville, mustered out Juno 7, 65.
Inrst Assistant Surgeons.
Alfred Wateruu\n, Warrenville, promoted.
George W. Beggs, Naperville, mustered out June 7, '65.

Second Assistant Surgeon.

George W. Beggs, Naperville, promoted.
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH. "201

ClLaplainis.

Levi P. Crawford, Saiidwicb, resigned December 24, '(J2.

Daniel Chapman, resigned January 8, '6-5.

COMPANY " Xr—CajHaius.
Henry D. Brown, .Sycamore, promoted I\Iajor.
George D. Heath, Sycamore, mustered out June 7, '(')•">.

First Lieutenants.
George 13. lleatli. Sycamore, promoted.
Henry II. Slater, Genoa, mustered out June 7, 'G-j.

Second Lieutenants.
Robert D. Lord, Genoa, resigned December 17, '(32.
W. Robert Thomas, Sycamore, promoted, by Pres., A. A. G., July 1''. liL
Chauncey E. Sixbury, Sycamore, mustered out as Sergeant June 7, 'GJ.
COMPANY ^^C."— Captains.
Alexander L. Warner, Sycamore, resigned February 17, "Go.
George AV. Field, Sycamore, resigned July 11, '63.
Charles G. Culver, Sandwich, mustered out June 7, 'G3.
First Lieutenants.
George W. Sycamore, promoted.
Field,
Henry B. ]\Iason, Sycamore, resigned September G, '();!.
John W. Burst, Franklin, honorably discharged October l',t, '<o\.

Isaac S. Brundage, Cortland, mustered out June 7, 'Go.

Second Lieutenants.
Henry B. ]Mason, Sycamore, promoted,
.(ohn W. Burst, Franklin, promoted.
Charles D. Jackman, Sycamore, mustered out as Sergeant June 7, "Go.

COMPANY "E."— C'ajotons.

Thomas S. Terry, Shabbona, resigned March Ki, Go.
Marvin V. Allen, Shabbona, honorably discharged January 2U, 'Go.
First Lieutenants.
]\Iarvin V. Allen, Shabbona. promoted.
Albert C. Overton, Shabbona, honorably discharged August 13, "Gl.
Jonathan D. Marryott, Shabbona, mustered out June 7, 'G5.
Second Jjieutenants.
Albert C. Overton, Shabbona, promoted.
.lohn H. Swift,Paw Paw, resigned March 10, 'G4.
Jacob Ostrander, Paw Paw, mustered out as Sergeant June 7, 'Go.

COMPANY
" Q.''— Captains.
John B. Nash, Franklin, resigned July 17, '64.
John M. Smith, Burlington, honorably discharged as 1st Lieutenant De-
cember 24. '64.
Samuel H. Williamson, Flora, commission returned. Canceled.
First Lieutenants.
Richard B. AVoodruft', Sycamore, resigned December 24, '62.
John M. Smith, Burlington, promoted.
Samuel H. AVilliamson, Flora, mustered out June 7, '65.
John T. Becker, South Grove, mustered out as 1st Sergeant May 26, 'Go.
Second Lieutenants.
John ]\[. Smith, Burlington, promoted.
Hiram S. Harrington, Franklin, resigned August 2, '03.
James S. Hasburgh, Burlington, mustered out as Sergeant June 7, '65.

26
202 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

COMPANY '^E."— Captains.

Eli L. Hunt, Sandwich, resigned December 17, '62.
James S. Forsythe, Somonauk, mustered out June 7, '65.

First Lieutenants.
James S. Forsythe, Somonauk, promoted.
Charles G. Culver, Sandwich, promoted Captain Company C.
Harvey Potter, Ashbury, resigned August 17, '64.
Frank H. Cole, Somonauk, mustered out June 7, '65.
Second Lieutenants.
Charles G. Culver, Sandwich, promoted.
Harvey Potter, Ashbury, promoted.
George W. Dean, Freeland, mustered out as Sergeant June 7, '65,

COMPANY "K."— Captains.

Horace Austin, De Kalb, resigned November 26, '62.
Nathan S. Greenwood. Clinton, resigned December 2, '62.
Almon F. Parke, De Kalb, mustered out June 7, '65.
First Lieutenants.
Nathan S. Greenwood, Clinton, promoted.
Almon F. Parke, De Kalb, promoted.
John Ellis, Clinton, mustered out June 7, '65.

Second Lieutenants.
Almon F. Parke, De Kalb, promoted.
John Ellis, Clinton, promoted.
Charles H. Saulsbury, De Kalb, mustered out as Sergeant June 7, '65.
Eighth Illinois Cavalry.
 EIGHTH TLLTNOIS CAVALRY

When the defeat of the Union armies, at the first battle of

Bull Run, in July, 1861, had shown the loyal men of the
north that the rebellion was far more stupendous in its power
than had at first been supposed, and the first soldiers enlisted
for three months, and whose time was expiring, were preparing
to return home, the country became roused to the necessity
of renewed exertions, and prepared to recruit an army of
greater magnitude and more thorough organization. The
lion. John F. Farnsworth repaired to Washington, and ob-
tained permission to recruit a cavalry regiment of 1200 men
for the three years' service.
The military authorities heretofore had discouraged the
raising of cavalry, but the successes of the Rebel Black IForse
Cavalry had shown their necessity, and a few regiments were
rather reluctantly authorized. No sooner had Col. Farns-
worth received this permission than the young men of this
section of the country hastened to join it. Applications for
commissions to raise companies poured in, and Col. Farnsworth
remarked that, if permitted, he could raise a brigade in a
month. Capt. Lorenzo H. Whitney, of Kingston, in De Kalb
County, first had a company at the rendezvous, where they
took quarters, at the Howard House, St. Charles.
The work do not admit of a detailed account
limits of this
of the experience of the regiment at Camp Kane, St. Charles,
its first rendezvous, —of the kind attention to our needs of
20G HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

the ladies of the place, of the meetings and the speeches, of

the destruction of rum shops, the drills and the discipline.

On the 18th of September, 1861, the regiment was mus-

tered into the United States service, after a very insufficient
surgical examination. Nearly all were received, but if a rigid
examination had been made, according to army regulations, a
great deal of suffering would have been avoided, and the
Government would have been saved a great expense. They
class of men, capable of performing
were a very intelligent
any labor; could build railroads, run mills, build wagons,
carriages, bridges, "run'' newspapers, or labor in the depart-
ments of any of the professions, and in the fine arts. Most
of their accomplishments proved useful in the course of their
career; but many of them were too old, many too feeble, and
many too young, to endure the hardships incident to the sol-
dier's life.

On the 14th of October, 1861, the regiment marched to

Geneva, and took cars for the seat of war about Washington ;

the horses had been sent on a few days previously, in charge

of Maj. Beveridge. On all the long journey to Washington
our passing train was greeted with shouts and cheers, and
waving handkerchiefs, until we arrived in Maryland there, ;

all was sullenness and gloom. We had an especially warm

welcome at Pittsburg, and a bountiful collation given us, in a
spirit of kindness that will long be remembered. Arriving
at Washington, on the morning of the 18th of October, Ave

found the whole country about, covered with camps; and at

the Soldiers' Restwe were furnished with refreshments, as
were all As we marched up
other newly arrived regiments.
T*ennsylvania Avenue, past the White House, President Lin-
coln, who stood upon its piazza, remarked: "There goes

Farnsworth's big Abolition Regiment," a name by which—

we were always after known.
We went into camp on Meridian Hill, two miles north of
the White House, after having lost our way and marched till
almost exhausted, and there awaited for many weeks a supply
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 207

of arms. There was a good deal of sickness, owing to tha

marked change in our mode of life and the unfavorable season
of the year.

Around Washington Gen. McClclhm had now collected the

largest army that had ever been brought together upon this
continent, and the country became clamorous because it lay
inactive, while the rebels were almost surrounding Washington.
(3n the 21st of October we heard the cannon and even the
musketry of the battle of Ball's Bluff', in which a portion of
our army suff'ercd and we wondered much
a disastrous defeat ;

that this should have been permitted while an hundred thou-

sand troops lay idle within hearing distance.
Grand reviews of tens of thousands of troops were of con-
stant occurrence, but still there was no advance upon the

enemy. Large numbers of our troops fell sick, or Avere found

too infirm from age to endure the hardships of life in camp,
and many Avere discharged and sent home.
We were brigaded with the 1st Michigan and 4th Pennsyl-
vania cavalry, forming the First Brigade of Cavalry in the
U. S. A., and we were finally assigned to duty under the
noble and mucb-loved old Gen. Sumner, who had just arrived
from California, and been given a command in Virginia, in
front of Alexandria; but, not having received arms, we did
not move to our newly selected camp until the 13th of Decem-
ber. We had then eighty-five sick, but few of them were
Avilling to go to the general hospital, and all who could sit on

a horse went Avith the regiment.

Thousands of spectators crowded thestreets of Washington

as we passed through, body of mounted men had
for such a
never before marched through Washington. Our new e(|uip-
ments and our well-fed and Avell-groomed Western horses made
a fine appearance. We had eighty-one army wagons to carry
Avhat we then thought Avere themere necessaries of life; but
before the close of the Avar we found that twelve were really
sufficient, — so little did Ave then know of the real life of the
soldier.
208 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

Established in camp, our regiment was almost daily called

on for detachments to do escort duty, and during the fine .

•weather our life was very pleasant but after the festivities of
;

Christmas the rain fell in torrents, the red clay soil became
knee-deep with half-frozen mud, the tents, some of which had
unwisely been dug below the surface to give a greater height
within, became saturated with water sickness began to in-
;

crease, and our discomforts seemed unendurable. During

January more than five hundred of our boys were on the sick
list, mostly from typho-malarial fever, and the two comfortless

hospital tents being over-crowded, many were sent to the

General Hospital at Alexandria, where several died.
About a mile from camp was a handsome mansion, owned
by a rebel, but occupied by another family. This we finally

took forcible possession of, and it made us an excellent hospital.

On the 24th of January permission was obtained to move
the regiment to Alexandria, and shelter it in the vacant houses
abandoned by the "secesh," while our horses could be quar-
tered in deserted foundries.This was a great improvement,
both for our own safety and for our horses, who, left shelter-

less upon the open country, had suffered more than we, and
it Avas really necessary to prevent our destruction by disease.

We now began to live in greater comfort, but our regiment

Avas far from popular among the secesh of Alexandria, or with
Gen. Montgomery, a superannuated old army officer, who was
Military Governor of the city, and a great favorite with the
rebels of the city, especially the ladies. But there were many
good, earnest Union men and women who were
in the city,

warmly our friends, although not popular at Montgomery's

headquarters.
On Sunday, February 9th, Capt. Elon G. Farnsworth, of
our regiment, — a member of the Episcopal —
Church, was at-
tending worship with some of our men, when he discovered
that the secessionist clergyman, Stewart, omitted the prayers
for the President. He arose and demanded that they be read
as usual, and, on refusal, he arrested the clergyman in
 ,
THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 209

pulpit, and took him to headquarters. Gen. Montgomery, of

course, released him.
Petty difficulties were constantly arising between our regi-
ment and the Military Governor, who was trying the concilia-
tory policy with the rebels, and he endeavored to have us,
who had come to fight rebels, removed from the city. The
Union people of the city, however, were anxious that we
should remain, and in token of their good will they formally
presented us with a beautiful silken banner, the presentation
being made the occasion for numerous friendly speeches.
There was evidently no prospect of an advance of the army
before spring, but frequent scouting parties of our regiment
were sent out, in which we generally exchanged shots with
the rebels, and captured some of them.
On the 19th of March the long inaction of the army was
ended, and we were ordered to advance upon the enemy. We
started at five o'clock, and marched in the cold rain nineteen
miles upon that day. The movements of our vast army, as
from some favorable height we occasionally caught sight of it,

was a spirit-stirring spectacle, and at night its thousands of

camp-fires, lighting up the country as far as the eye could
reach, was beautiful indeed. Next morning we moved forward
to Langster's Station, and there learned that the enemy had
evacuated Manassas, and retreated toward Richmond. March-
ing on to Bull Run, on the 12th, we found abundant evidence
of the hasty retreat of the enemy, — their burned wagons and
camp equipage being strown around.
A portion of our regiment was now ordered to Gen. How-
ard's command, another portion to Gen. French's, and a part
remained to guard the wagon trains at Union Mills. Scout-
ing through Centreville, we found its famous fortifications
mounted with wooden guns, and the village of Manassas
burned to the ground.
The roads were terrible, and it being found impossible to
forward provisions so far in advance, we were moved back to
Fairfax Station, where we encamped in a grove in the midst
27
210 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

of a pitiless rain storm. The horses were knee-deep in mud,

and without forage. Soon after we were ordered back to
Union Mills in the night, and the railroad having been re-
paired, so that supplies could be forwarded, the greater part
of the regiment remained on the plains of Manassas with Gen.
Howard, occupying the deserted rebel huts. Here we re-
mained ten days.
On the 28th we moved forward in advance of a strong re-
connoisance under Gen. Howard, and drove a considerable
force of rebels, who burned a large quantity of forage and
stores to prevent their falling into our hands. We retraced
our steps to Warrenton on the next day, and found that our
Adjutant, Lumbard, Sergeant Major Raysworth, and three
privates of our force, were missing. We moved back over
the ground next day in search of them, and found that they
had been captured in a house at which they had stopped, after
making a lively resistance, in which one of their number was
wounded.
On the 31st scouts came in, reporting the advance of a
brigade of rebel cavalry. Our regiment started out to attack
them, when, much to our annoyance, they proved to be a party
of our own regiment, loaded with bundles of hay.
April 2d our scouting parties had a lively skirmish Avith a
force of rebels, wounding several of them. Lieut. Hotop,
Avhile alone in advance, narrowly escaped capture by a display
of great gallantry.
April 7th the third battalion of our regiment, under Major
Dustin, with five companies of infantry and two pieces of ar-
tillery, were ordered forward on a mission which we understood
to be a surprise upon the enemy. Col. Lucas was in command
of the expedition, but lost his road ; and arriving late at the
Rappahannock, we drove some rebels across, and threw some
shells into their fortifications, scattering them, when we re-

turned to our camp in a drenfjhing rain, and with roads almost

impassable.

During the previous two w eelcs McClellaft'^ grand strategic

 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 211

movement on Richmond, by way of the peninsula, had com-

menced, and we who had been retained as a kind of rear guard
were now ordered back to Alexandria, to embark for the pe-
ninsula.

The march to Alexandria was one of the most difficult in

our experience. We
were everywhere surrounded by streams
swollen by the long-continued rains till they had become im-
passable torrents. The bridge at Cedar Run had been burned
by the enemy, but we connected a few floating timbers, so
that, by unremitting labor, we got our numerous sick men

across, and then the regiment was marched to the Junction,

where the stream was forded with difficulty and we proceeded

;

as far as Owl Run, which we found could only be crossed by

swimming. A part had succeeded in gaining the opposite
shore, when Lt. Col. Gamble gave the order to countermarch,
as it was impossible to get our baggage across, and dangerous
for the troops. The scene of a thousand horsemen floundering
in the turbid water of a rapid and dangerous stream was one
that we never desired to see again. Back we turned to our
former camp, which we reached as the rain had turned into
snow, and in the midst of darkness. To add to our discom-
forts, we found that the slight means of shelter which we had
th(ire provided, by piling up logs, driving stakes and fastening
on them our rubber blankets, had been appropriated by other
troops, and nothing but destitution greeted us. We built
fires with difficulty, gathered snow to make coifee, and sat up
all night, trying to dry our clothing. Notwithstanding our
desperate situation, which was increased by our being short
of rations, an universal shout of joy went up when we received
the news of the capture of Island No. 10, and we were in-
spired with fresh courage.Next day the storm still raged,
and weary and exhausted, with scanty rations and no shelter
but our blankets, the horses shivering as if they would fall in

pieces, our distress was extreme.

On the 10th we started again, and by another road. After
narrowly escaping drowning in Broad Run, we reached the
212 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

old Bull Run battle-field, but finding that stream still too
dangerous to cross, we encamped on that memorable ground,
amid the bleaching bones of our fallen braves. Next day,
after several abortive efforts to cross, we found a rickety
bridge, over which we passed, and moving through Centreville
and Fairfax C. H., reached Alexandria. It was just one
month since we started out, with good health, high spirits and
admirable equipments. We had marched hundreds of miles,
endured untold hardships, and now returned, jaded and ex-
hausted, two hundred less in number.
In Alexandria we took our old quarters, and commenced
to recruit, preparatory to our peninsula campaign. Here we
again had difficulty with the new Military Governor, Col.
Viele, an abusive, intemperate man, which was ended by Col.
Farnsworth ordering his guard to shoot him if he attempted
to abuse or interfere with his command.
On the 24th our regiment embarked for the voyage to the
peninsula. Two steamboats, one steam tug, and twenty
transports were required for our conveyance, and we made a
large fleet by ourselves. Anchoring each night for greater
safety, it was not till the 27th that we arrived at Shipping
Point, our place of disembarkation, where an immense fleet

of all made a scene of life and animation

kinds of vessels
long to be remembered. Our turn to land did not come till
the 29th, and was not completed till the 1st of May. The
horses were pushed overboard and swam ashore, and the stores
and men passed on a dock formed of canal boats. The coun-
try was all low, and the water we used came from springs
that were overflown at high tide. It was very poor and
brackish, and numerous cases of diarrhoea were caused by it
among our men.
The army was now stretched across the narrow peninsula,
between the York and James rivers, besieging Yorktown.
Zig-zag trenches were dug at night, in which our men lay
during the day, and earthworks were constructed at intervals,
mounted with heavy guns. The cannonading was constant
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 213

and terrific. We were attached to Gen. Richardson's division,

of Sumner's Corps.
On the morning of May 4th the enemy evacuated York-
town, and our regiment was soon in pursuit. We passed
among their frowning earthworks, where hidden torpedoes,
left by the base foe, occasionally exploded, kilHng and wound-
ing some of our army, and where the ground was strewn with
overcoats, which our infantry, owing to the heat, had thrown
away. Pushing forward over muddy roads, we were formed
for battle at Lebanon Church, where our advance cavalry,
a regular regiment under Stoneman, —
had been ambushed
and repulsed. But we were soon ordered back to make way
for artillery and infantry, who engaged the enemy. At night
Lebanon Church was full of those of the wounded who had
not fallen into the hands of the foe, and our medical staff
spent the night in operating on them, the surgeon properly in
charge being intoxicated and incapable.
Next day, May 5th, occurred the famous battle of Wil-
liamsburg, in which, after long and desperate fighting. Hook-
er's gallant corps, reinforced after long delay by Kearney,
drove the enemy from their thickly wooded position, and
cleared the way to Richmond. But alas, our advantage was
not vigorously followed up. Cavalry not being suited to this

battle,we were in the rear. One company was employed in

overturning army wagons to permit the advance of Kearney
and in the afternoon we were moved to the right of the line,
where the balls from Magruder's batteries came tearing in
among us. Hancock's grand charge finally put an end to the

fight,and moving back, we encamped for the night. Our

horses, without foodfor two days, were very restive, and,
breaking their fastenings, ran frantically about. Every
building was filled with wounded, whose shrieks could be heard
over the sound of the raging storm. It was a fearful night.
Early next morning we advanced over the battle-field,

among the piles of dead, and occupied Williamsburg. The

medical director was without bandages and dressings for the
214 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

wounded, the supply not having come up, and was in great
distress for want of them. We supplied him from the stores
packed for us by the good ladies of St. Charles, and their
bounty no doubt saved many valuable lives. Lieutenant and
Commissary Chamberlain, and three of our men, were here
captured, while out in search of forage, and for years after
Libby prison.
suffered the horrors of
The army remained four days inactive, and our regiment
was employed in scouting, capturing many prisoners.
On the 9thwe advanced five miles, and were just going
into camp when we were ordered to the relief of Gen. Stone-
man, who, with one regiment, was twenty miles in advance.
It was a terribly weary and exhausting night march.

Next day we moved to New Kent, were divided into two

columns, and one under Col. Farnsworth had a sharp skirmish
with the enemy, who retreated. The other, under Lieut. Col.
Gamble, also encountered the rebels, and drove them, without
loss. On the 11th a part of our regiment moved forward,
and drew the fire of rebel batteries, and on the 13th reached
the "White House," on the Pamunkey.
The infantry in immense numbers now came up, and we
moved to Black Creek, where we remained till the 17th, the
entire army delayed for want of a bridge over that stream.
The West Point engineers had taken a survey of the spot,
made a profile view of the structure to be erected, with esti-
mates, etc., and had sent this to headquarters for approval.
When Col. Farnsworth learned the cause of delay, he went to
Gen. Stoneman's headquarters, and learned that several days
would yet be consumed in constructing the bridge. "With
my Western boys I can build a bridge in six hours," said
Col. Farnsworth. "Will you do it?" said Gen. Stoneman;
"if you will, take all the men you can use.'' "I want no
men but my own regiment," said Col. Farnsworth.
In two hours and a-half a squad of our 8th Illinois Cavalry
had constructed a substantial bridge of logs, over which we
passed, and soon captured some prisoners. Stoneman's troops
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 215

followed, and he immediately sent word back to Gen. McClel-

hin that he was beyond Black Creek, and moving on to Rich-
mond. The whole army crossed without difficulty, but the
engineers, who soon after arrived, were incensed because they
had not been permitted to construct the bridge according to
the rules of their profession.
On the 19th we advanced to Coal Harbor, driving the rebel
cavalry before us. The First Battalion, under Major Clen-
denin, near here captured eighty-five mules and horses, with
ten loaded wagons. Many negroes joined us. The better
chiss of whites had fled, and the poorer were so abject and
ignorant as to be objects of pity.
On the 20th the 6th U. S. Cavalry, which had just arrived,
took the advance which we had previously held, and, advanc-
ing without the precaution of throwing out skirmishers, they
were ambushed, and had several killed and wounded. Our
regiment moved forward to the scene of conflict, and encamped
at Gaines' Mill. On the 21st Companies E and K had a
smart skirmish with the enemy, driving them still nearer to
Richmond. On the 23d all advanced with Gen. Smith's di-

vision till within six miles of Richmond, when a rebel battery

opened on us and scattered among us, killing some horses,
shell

but fortunately none of our men. One of our batteries came

up and silenced the rebel artillery. Our men stood to horse
all of that night.

May 24th occurred the battle of Mechanicsville. This

village is five miles from Richmond, a half-mile north of the
Chickahominy. The fight was a desperate one, and the little

village was almost torn in pieces. Our Second Battalion,

under Major Dustin, supported both flanks, and the remainder
of the regiment were engaged in picket duty. After the rebs
were driven across the river, Capt. Rapelje, with Company I,

performed the perilous task of destroying the bridge by which

they crossed. Four of our men chopped ofi" its timbers, and
escaped unharmed, although rapidly fired upon by the enemy's
sharp-shooters. The First Battalion destroyed a portion of
216 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

the railroad and burned a bridge, and in an encounter with

rebel cavalry killed and Avounded several. The rebels seemed
to fear our carbines, which were more efficient than theirs.
We were now in sight of Richmond, distant five or six
miles,and the Chickahominy was the dividing line between
the forces. A large number of our regiment were now em-
ployed as orderlies and scouts under Gen. Keys. On the
11th we captured fourteen rebels, without losing a man. On
the 23d another advance of our army brought on an engage-
ment, in which the enemy were forced back beyond Savage
Station. The line of our army was now about ten miles in
length, crossing the Chickahominy, which here ran south-
easterly, and the 8th occupied the right flank. On the 27th
Fitz John Porter's Corps moved toward Hanover C. H., and
had a severe engagement. We followed in supporting dis-
tance, and captured a train of cars trying to escape from
Hanover to Eichmond. We ran it
up the road some distance,
to reconnoiter, then returned and burned it. We tore up the
road, —
the Virginia Central, —
and then were ordered in the
thick darkness of the night to proceed ten miles to the Rich-
mond and Potomac road, and destroy that. In the murky
darkness, without guide or compass, Ave soon came upon the
rebel pickets. We had been ordered not to fire, but capture
pickets if possible; but soon they fired on us, roused their
camp, and we were forced to retire from our perilous expedi-
tion. We slept in the storm beside our saddled horses, several
miles in advance of the main army, and only escaped capture
by good luck.

Our regiment now guarded the right wing of the army for
ten miles along the Chickahominy and the Virginia Central
Railroad, having picket stations and reserves at various points.
On the 31st and the following day was fought the battle of
Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines. On the morning of the 31st
Major Beveridge crossed the Chickahominy to take command
of his battalion on that side of the stream, but before joining
his men heard rapid firing, and advancing, found Gen. Carey's
 THE EIGllTU ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 217

troops falling back before an impetuous attack of overpowering

numbers, and Gen. Keys advancing to their support. He
supported Gen. Keys, and was directed to keep his men well
in hand, and as near him as possible. Companies D and E
acted as orderlies, were much exposed, and highly compli-
mented for their bravery. Two were killed and one wounded.
These companies lost all of their clothing, camp equipage and
stores. The loss to our army in this terrible battle was 5739';
the enemy acknowledged a loss of 4233. Reinforcements
enabled us next day to remain victors of the field.

Our boys, while on this picket line, kept up a lively trade

Avith the ignorant people of the country, who were anxious to

get Confederate currency, but would not take greenbacks.

Our boys got hold of a supply of the rebel currency, and
lived highupon their purchases with it. Capt. E. J. Farns-
worth one day gave a splendid dinner party at his picket post,

which was an elegant mansion, splendidly furnished, and

Avhere all the luxuries of high life, together with costly wines,
were served up by colored waiters; and the Captain subse-
quently took his guests back to their stations in elegant car-
riages.
Gen. Sumner's opinion of the daring of our boys may be
learned from the following incident:
A Lieutenant commanding a New York battalion was or-
dered to go to the front, and if possible ascertain the position
of the enemy. "How far shall I go?" said he. "As far as
you dare go," was the reply; "and you will there find the
!"
boys of the 8th Illinois miles ahead, stealing horses
On the night of June 3d our army repulsed a severe assault
of the enemy, in which our regiment was engaged, but with- •

out loss.
The news-boys circulated frequently among our men, selling
New York dailies at twenty-five cents each, filled with rumors
of a grand advance, and the speedy capture of Richmond,
but no advance was made.
Passing the battle-ground of Fair Oaks on June 10th, we
28
218 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

found hundreds of the rebel dead festering in the hot sun,

and the stench from their bodies was intolerable. The rebel
prisoners had been ordered to bury them, but had thrown only
a few shovelsfuU of earth on them, and this had been washed
away by the rains, leaving them exposed and putrefying, —
horrible sight.
Our army had now lain nearly a month in about the same
position, fighting some terrible battles, but gaining no marked
advantage. Supplies were with difficulty brought from the
White House, twenty-five miles distant. Stonewall Jackson,
victorious in the Shenandoah, had now returned to the defence
of Richmond.
On June 26th occurred the memorable second battle of
Mechanicsville, and the first of the famous seven-days fight,
in which the army, cut off from its base of supplies at the
White House, executed a change of base to the James River,
at Harrison's Landing, — a movement among the most import-
ant of the war. Upon the morning of this day. Major Dus-
was on picket duty, with reserve posts at Atlee's
tin's battalion

Station, Mrs. Crenshaw's farm. Shady Grove Church, and

the Cross Roads ; and at an early hour the Major, in company
with Captain Hooker and Orderly Armsby, left Atlee's Sta-
tion, and after visiting Company H, rode beyond the videttes
toward Hanover C. H. Half a mile on they passed through
a gateway toward a farm-house, then, starting to return, they
were fired on by what proved to be the advance guard of the
rebel army, in ambush. Captain Hooker was shot through
the body, but clinging with difficulty to his horse, the party
endeavored to reach the reserve post by a circuitous route.
After gaining about half the distance, his strength failed, and
he was assisted to dismount. Major Dustin ministered to. his

wants as well as he was able, but despairing of getting him

within our lines, and knowing that his duty required him to
reach his command as soon as possible, he told the suffering
man that he must leave him. But in vain the Major urged
his imperative duty to his battalion. " Oh, Major!" he cried,
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 219

'•
I you were in my situation." Prom-
would not leave you if

Major Dustin hurried back

ising to return for him, if possible,
to the Cross Roads, ordered out a line of skirmishers, and
sent men to bring in the wounded Captain. But the enemy
advanced so rapidly that this was found impossible. The
Captain fell into the enemy's hands, and was placed in charge
of a Dr. Overton of that neighborhood, and died soon after.
Thus the 8th Illinois received the first fire and made the first

mortal sacrifice in the memorable seven-days battles.

Most of this country is traversed by small streams, running
into theChickahominy, and lined with swamps thickly covered
with timber and underbrush. The roads, running parallel
with the main river, thus crossed alternate woods and open
farms. Our pickets were thrown out at the edge of the woods
and 5wamps, to watch the approaches of the enemy. The
men of Companies C, G, and II, thus thrown out, sent many
a leaden messenger of death into the ranks of the foe as they
slowly advanced, and the other companies on the other roads
pursued the same course, as all retired before the advancing
army, also falling trees to retard their march. By noon the
infantry had reached the front and engaged the enemy, retard-
ing their further approach till three o'clock.

Company B was on the road leading to Pole Green Church,

and vigorously resisted the approach of the enemy, in which
resistance William Chambers was shot through the heart; but
one of his comrades instantly avenged his death by shooting
his adversary. This man's horse was now killed and he se-
verely injured by the fall, and reported killed. As the rebels
advanced he adroitly counterfeited death till the rebels passed
then arose, and escaped to our lines. As our regiment was
drawn up in line awaiting orders, Ave were surprised at the
appearance of the venerable ex-Governor John Wood, of Ill-

inois, who, equipped in captured rebel accoutrements, contin-

ued with us during all the long and memorable series of en-
gagements, exposing himself to the bullets of the enemy, and
cheering us by his courage and devotion.
220 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

We were soon ordered to support a battery near Pole

Green Church, but the expected enemy did not attack us, but
directed their attacks to Mechanicsville, where the fighting
was terrific, and our troops gradually gave way before superior
numbers. They were finally stopped for the night by a stub-

born resistance near Beaver Dam Creek, in which the slaugh-

tered rebels were piled in heaps, and the fight did not cease
till nine o'clock at night. A little before dark our position
became critical; a cannon ball struck the anvil of McGregor,
our old Scotch blacksmith, our camp was broken up, our hos-
pital evacuated, and with one ambulance, a two-wheeled cart,

and one army wagon as our only means of transportation, we

loaded in such of our numerous sick ones as were unable to
walk, and moved four miles across the creek, near Gaines'
mill. Before our hospital was cleared of its sick, a cannon
ballhad struck it and shattered it severely.
Early next morning we shipped our sick and wounded to
White House Landing, on the last train that passed over the
road before that base of supplies was captured.
Next day occurred the battle of Gaines' mill. Our forces
were admirably posted, and long and bravely resisted the
enemy. But Stonewall Jackson's forces came up in the after-
noon, with his fresh troops, and our reserves under General
Slocum were advanced, and for the time drove back the foe
but fresh columns of rebel troops were pushed forward; our
lines became thinner and weaker; thousands of wounded and
stragglers poured to the rear, and the day seemed lost.
Colonel Farnsworth now formed our regiment across the
field,and ordered that none but the wounded be permitted to
pass. We soon had a compact line formed, and they moved
forward, cheering, with but the bayonet as a defence, and
held the groundtill darkness put an end to the carnage.

Detachments of our regiment under Captain Kelly and

Lieutenant W. M. Taylor had been sent out, and had severe
skirmishes with the enemy, succeeding in destroying our sup-
plies to prevent their capture.

yf
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 221

In the morning of the 28th Ave found the railroad had been
cut in our rear. A train loaded with Avoundcd was being
unloaded and laid on the ground, covering several acres, and
our regiment was ordered to take the advance in the retreat
to Harrison's Landing. We selected our own wounded, and
placed them in ambulances, but were forced to deny the re-
quest of hundreds of poor fellows who piteously begged to be
taken with us, so that they should not fall into the hands of
the enemy.
General McClellan, now desiring to prevent our immense
accumulation of stores at the White House from falling into
the hands of the foe, sent to our regiment for three discreet
men to penetrate to that point, through the intervening coun-
try now occupied by the enemy, and bear orders for their
destruction. Colonel Farnsworth selected Sergeant Bushnell,
Private Beckwith, and another of our men, who, guided only
by the stars and a pocket compass, swam the Chickahominy,
threaded the forest, and after an arduous and dangerous night
march, reached the White House in safety, and delivered
their message. The sick and wounded were speedily placed
on steamers, millions of worth of stores were loaded
dollars'
upon and millions more committed to the flames,
transports,
just as the enemy's advance, who had counted much upon
their capture, made its appearance.
Now commenced our disastrous retreat through White Oak
Swamp. Wagon trains, ambulances, artillery, infantry, and
cavalry, crowded every road and path through field and forest.
All day and through the night the teamsters struggled and
worked to get their loads through the mud, and over the one
rickety bridge, while the —
wounded hobbled along, a terrible
procession. On this afternoon occurred the battle at Savage
Station by our forces, under General Sumner, who covered
our rear. Dense clouds of smoke and terrific explosions in-
dicated the destruction of our stores at that point.
Next day our regiment was ordered by General Keys to

conduct a train of seventy ambulances and many hundreds of

ZZZ HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

wagons, loaded with wounded, to James River. They were

loaded to their utmost capacity, while hundreds of sick and
wounded hobbled along beside them, begging and beseeching
to be permitted to ride. All through that dreadful night we
moved on harrassed by squads of rebel cavalry on our flanks,
;

disputing our advance ; forbidden to light even a lantern, lest

we make a mark for the enemy; lighted on our road only by
flashes of lightning, whose peals of thunder, mingled with the
roar of the rebel artillery in our rear, added intensity to its

horrors; often forced to dismount and pull the exhausted and

wounded from under our horses' hoofs, where they had sunk
upon the road, too much exhausted to crawl out from beneath
the wheels of the train. The horrors of that dreadful night
will never be known till those swamps give up their dead who

sank that night to rise no more.

About three o'clock next morning we reached the James
River, near Haxall's Landing. The teams were driven into
some wheat fields, and the tired drivers sank down for a brief
repose.
Soon after General McClellan arrived, and went on board
the gunboat Galena. Mrs. Fogg, an agent of the Sanitary
Commission, who had occupied with Mrs. General Richardson
one of our ambulances, and embarrassed us by their shrieks
of -terror on the march, now proceeded to use up the delicacies
of the commission in a nice breakfast for themselves and some
of the officers, while the wounded, fed on hard-tack and coff'ee,

looked hungrily on.

A severe cannonading, heard in our rear on this day, we
afterwards learned was caused by a contest with the enemy,
known as the battle of Glendale, or Frazer's farm, and said
to be the severest fight since Gaines' mill. The enemy was
repulsed, but our retreat was still continued.
The commander of the gunboats concluding from the steep-
ness of the banks of the river at this point that he could not
protect us with his guns, we now moved down eight miles to
Harrison's bar, through a country full of waving wheat fields,
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 223

and rich in fruit and other resources. We occupied the Har-

rison mansion for our hospital, and soon had two hundred of
the wounded within, and the fiehls around strewn with thous-
ands, tortured as much with hunger as with wounds. We
soon found a half-dozen beef cattle, slaughtered them, hunted
up kettles, made soup, and distributed it with hard-tack to the
famishing men. Soon two steamboats from the White House
arrived, with fifteen surgeons and six cooks, and the wounded
were transferred to the hospital boats. During this day the
roar of the battle of Malvern Hill Avas heard at our landing,
and the wounded still came pouring in upon day and
us, all

the night following. The rain fell in torrents, making mud

unfathomable, but relieving the distresses of the thirsty men.
Upto July 4th our camp was in the utmost confusion, but
the wounded having been mostly sent off, some order was res-
tored, our camp was fortified, and we had time to take a long
breath.
The camp having become more systematized, the regiment
was moved out about four miles, and kept busy in picketing

and arranging the lines, number of our men were em-

while a
ployed as orderlies, carrying dispatches both by day and by
night. In collisions with rebel scouts about this time several
were wounded. General Farnsworth, suffering severely from
a diseased leg, received leave of absence on the 8th of July,
and Major Clendenin took command. Some dissatisfaction
had occurred between members and officers of the regiment,
and several officers resigned, among them Adjutant Gilford,
Captain Dana, Chaplain Matlack, and Captain Cleveland,
whose loss was deeply regretted by most, if not all, of the
regiment. A great many fell sick with dysentery and kindred
diseases.

On the 20th a large detachment of the regiment, under

Majors Beveridge and Clendenin, proceeded toward Malvern
Hill, driving the rebel pickets and drawing their artillery fire.

Sylvanus Brott had his horse killed under him, and was
wounded by a fragment of shell.
224 HcsruKY uf db k.vlb counts.

On the 22d another reconnoisance of the rebels' position on

Malvern Hill was made by two detachments under Major
Beveridge and Captain Waite, in which four of our men were
wounded. On the next day Clendenin drew the enemy into
an ambush, and, getting a cross-fire on them, emptied many
of their saddles, and sent them flying in retreat, when a large
force of rebel cavalry approaching, our regiment returned to
camp.
On August 2d we reported to General Hooker, and moved
out with a large force to repel an expected attack of the enemy
but the expected foe did not approach. Next day Companies
H and K penetrated far into the enemy's lines in the neigh-
borhood of Malvern Hill, and some of our men, disguised,
entered houses, and from their inmates gained important in-
formation about the position of the rebels' pickets.
On the 5th a large force under Hooker, Sedgwick, Kearney
and Couch, captured Malvern Hill, the rebels escaping by a
road unknown to our forces. When their escape was discov-
ered, our regiment charged on their rear. The rebel cavalry
broke and fled, but the infantry poured on us a severe volley,
killing Sergeant Moss, of Company L, Duggan, of Company
C, and severely wounding Lieutenant Colonel Gamble and
four of our men. We captured seventy-five prisoners.
A detachment of our forces under Captain Forsythe had a
sharp encounter with rebels about this time, and soon after
Sergeant John A. Kinley, Ira Kennicott and Ira Pettys pen-
etrated the rebel lines to reconnoiter. They were detected
while climbing trees to get a good look-out, and the rebels
advanced in line of battle, supposing there was a large force.
They escaped barefooted, and without their coats and arms,
after obtaining valuable information, but were very closely
pursued.
Soon after our capture of Malvern Hill our army retreated
from Harrison's Landing to Yorktown, the 8th bringing up
the rear. The boys had been terribly irritated by McClellan's
policy of protecting rebel property, especially by being forced
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. "IZO

to protect the property of one Bill Carter, living; iti t,h;it vi

cinity, who had two sons fighting us in the rebel army, while

his 1200 bushels of corn and fat horses were protected, and
our horses were sometimes starving. When we left, by some
mysterious stratagem, three of Carter's horses went with us,
and did excellent service for us for a year after.
The army crossed the Chickahominy near its mouth, the
8th Illinois being the last regiment to cross, then passed
gloomily through Jamestown, Willi amsbiirg and Yorktown,
the ground we had gained at such a fearful cost, — and on the
30th of August took shipping for Alexandria, where Ave ar-

rived on the 1st and 2d of September.

The rebels' main army was now advancing rapidly on
Washington, hoping to overpower our forces under General

Pope, and capture our National Capital. The second disas-

trous battle of Bull Run, and the subsequent one at Chantilly,

were fought while we were in transit to Alexandria.

All was dismay. Treachery among our Generals, and tri-

umph on the part of the rebels, seemed to be leading us to

immediate ruin.
General Farnsworth joined us at Alexandria, with several
new recruits, and we were at once ordered to Munson's IIill>
where we performed duty as videttes and scouts. On the 2d
and 3d Ave skirmished with the rebel advance, and had some
men wounded. On the night of the 4th, as Ave were lying
down on the ground, Ave received orders to march; passed
across the Potomac, through Washington and Tenallytown on
the north, and, marching all night, reached Darnestown,
Maryland, at 10 o'clock A. M. But we were at once ordered
out on a scout, although Ave had marched forty-six miles with-
out food for ourselves or horses.
The rebels had gone up the Potomac, and were making
dashes into Maryland, and it was our duty to repel them.
The 3d Indiana Cavalry, —a splendid regiment, admirably
mounted, each man furnishing and OAvning his horse, here —
became associated Avith us, and during a long subsequent
campaign became to us like brothers.
29
226 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

On the 7th a detachment of our regiment under Captain

Farnsworth, — the model of the daring cavalry oflBcer, — dashed
into Poolesville, and captured two rebels with their accoutre-

ments.
Major Dustin, who had been absent at home, and while
there had been chosen Colonel of the 105th Infantry, now
returned to take leave of his regiment. Colonel Farnsworth
was put command of tho Cavalry Brigade, and Major
in

Medill assumed the command of our regiment.

On the next day our brigade moved into Poolesville, after
a severe fight, in which the enemy were driven from the field,
leaving eight dead and twenty wounded.
On the 9th we moved toward Barnesville in detachments.
One, under Captain Farnsworth, dashed upon the 9th Virginia
Cavalry, drove them, and charging furiously upon them in
their retreat, killed some of their horses, whose falling bodies,
undistinguishable amid the clouds of dust, brought pursuers
and pursued together in heaps upon the road. We captured
eight prisoners and the rebel colors. On another road an-
other detachment under Captain Kelley drove the rebels two
miles beyond Barnesville, capturing thirteen prisoners. On
this charge it is related that Corporal George M. Roe, of
Company B, mounted on a splendid horse, well knt)wn in
Shabbona, in this County, as "Lamkin's Billy," and sold for
incurable viciousness, dashed uncontrollable beyond a party
of rebels, and when he finally was stopped, and the four gray-
backs approached, with revolver in hand Boe demanded their
surrender. One moved to get out his pistol, and Boe shot
him ; then, covering the others with his revolver, he held them
in the road till Captain Kelly's company coming up, they
were all taken prisoners. Captain Kelly had a personal en-
counter with a rebel Lieutenant Williams, and gave him a
mortal wound.

Our regiment halted at Barnesville, when the rebs again

advanced upon our men, who were drawn up to receive them.
Our artillery in the rear scattered them. One shot took off
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRl 227

the nose of the horse on which Solomon Jewell, of our re^i

ment, was seated.
On the 12th we marched in a severe storm to Frederick
City, meeting General Banks' Corps on the way, and encamped
in sight of rebel camp-fires on the neighboring hills.
Moving forward again next day, we found the pass in the
mountains defended by the enemy's artillery, and an encounter
with our artillery and infantry lasted till noon, but ended in
the rout of the foe, when our cavalry dashed forward in pur-
suit. Wedashed on to Middletown, where the rebs burned a
bridge to impede our pursuit, and where the people received
us joyfully, supplying us with refreshments. We forded the
river, and again came up with them near South Mountain.
A detachment under Major Medill went out on the Harper's
Ferry road, and had a fight with a very superior force, in
which we lost eight men Avounded, and the 3d Indiana lost
many more. F. B, Wakefield, of Company Gr, was captured
by a party of rebels, who subsequently attempted to kill him
by sabre cuts on his head. They left him for dead, but he
subsequently returned to our lines and recovered; but in his
subsequent career he amply avenged this brutal treatment.
On the 14th occurred the memorable battle of South Moun-
tain, fought among mountain fastnesses, where cavalry could

not be used. Posted in the rear, we watched the varying

and when at dusk
issues of the conflict with eager interest;
Hooker's Corps gained the crest of the mountain, and put the
foe to flight, we shouted with glad joy. Next day the enemy
retreated, and we followed in pursuit, passing where every
house, barn and shed was filled with neglected wounded men.
At Boonsboro a cavalry brigade under Fitz Hugh Lee
made a stand. Colonel Farnsworth ordered a charge, and so
impetuous was it that the enemy broke and fled. Several
times they attempted to rally and form a new line, but our
pursuit was too sharp. For two or three miles we kept up a
hand-to-hand fight, in which great gallantry was displayed by
both sides, and we finally scattered them among fields and
woods, where they could not be followed.
 228 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

Pages might be filled with incidents of thrilling interest

and daring displayed on this charge. One member of Com-
pany B shot down a rebel who had his sabre uplifted in the
act of striking down Colonel Farnsworth, while the Colonel
was chasing another rebel, whom he shot from his horse. Fitz
Hugh Lee was unhorsed, and escaped in a cornfield. We had
twenty-four killed and Abounded among the latter was Cap-
:

tain Kelly.
At another point on this day four men of the 8th Illinois
Brown, Morris and Maccham, under command of Sergeant
—
W. A. Spencer captured a rebel picket post of fourteen men,
beside taking several other straggling rebels, all fully armed
and equipped. The whole number captured that day by this
detachment of the 8th Illinois alone was about five hundred.
The history of the war furnishes no instance of a more bril-
liant ormore successful cavalry charge, nor of one that re-
flectedmore honor upon this branch of our service.
On the 17th, our immense army having come up, the battle
of Antietam commenced. We were ordered across the stone
bridge over Antietam creek, to support Robinson's battery,
which we crossed under a terrible fire, and were sheltered
somewhat in a shallow ravine, over which the balls of both

armies were flying. The armies swayed to and fro over a

field which was repeatedly won and lost, and which was soon
thickly strewn mth the dead and dying. At the lower bridge,

where Burnside was engaged, the slaughter was still more

fearful. Night closed in, and Ave thought our army had won
the battle.
Next morning, to our astonishment, no orders came for a
renewal of the fight. In the afternoon our surgeons attempted
to relieve the distresses of the wounded in a lane near by — to

moisten their lips with a little water —but the rebels fired on
them, and forced them to retire. As they left the field the
wounded set up such a terrible wail of despair that the recol-

lection of it has ever since haunted those of us who heard it.

When they next visited the ground not one was found alive.
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 229

From this lane, eighty rods in length, nearly one thousand

dead bodies were buried.
On the 19th we received orders to advance, but the enemy
had escaped across the Potomac, with all their stores.
On the 20th we crossed the Potomac at Shepardstown, but
while fording the stream received orders to return, for the
enemy soon approached, and a heavy artillery fire was kept
up across the river.

We now lay quiet several days, — a much-needed rest.

On the 25th, under command of Colonel Farnsworth, we

made a reconnoisance across the river, driving the rebels from
Shepardstown, and capturing several prisoners of rank; and
on the 29th we participated in another reconnoisance in force,
under command of General Pleasanton.
On the 30th a squadron under Captain Waite made a dash
into Shepardstown, and had a lively skirmish. Soon after
we dashed into Martinsburg, after driving the rebs with our
cavalry and artillery for several miles, and capturing a num-
ber of prisoners.
We were now far into the enemy's country, had gained
valuable information, and soon learned from a Union man
that the rebel commander was movbig his army with the view
of capturing our whole force.

The 8th Illinois, under Major Medill, acted as rear guard

on our return ; and as we left the town the streets were com-
pletely filled with rebel cavalry, who poured in after us. Our
them in check, but they advanced on each side
artillery held
of the road and in our rear. Our men, now thoroughly dis-
ciplined by long service, behaved splendidly, and were highly
praised, both by our superior officers and by the rebels.
Some of our men were captured and paroled by the rebels.
The rebel General J. E. B. Stuart told them that he knew
that he was fighting the 8th Illinois, by the vigor and courage
with Avhich they resisted his charges; that he knew no good
reason why he had not captured them; that they called the
8th Illinois the best, and the 3d Indiana the next best, cavalry
230 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

regiments in the federal army. One rebel officer sent his

compliments to Captain Clark, saying that he liked his style,
but that saucy little cuss with him (Captain Waite) was a very
devil.

After a long and perilous retreat night came on, and our
little band of 800 men escaped in the darkness. Official re-

ports showed the enemy's loss to be one hundred and fifty

men. Our regiment lost twelve wounded and four captured.
On the 3d of October occurred one of McClellan's grand
reviews, President Lincoln being present.
On the 11th we were ordered in pursuit of Stuart's cavalry,
who had started on a raid around the rear of our army.
General Pleasanton accompanied us, and Captain Clark was
in command of that portion of our regiment that was in con-
dition to move. We passed through Hagarstown to Williams-
port, then back to Hagarstown, then along the base of the
Blue Hidge, then over it, and down into the valley of Mono-
cacy to Mechanicsville. On we rode at a brisk pace all night,
passing through Frederick City, to the mouth of Monocacy
river, where, at nine o'clock, we found the rear guard of the
confederates. They had captured at Chambersbury a large
amount of our army clothing, and immediately exchanged it
for their rags, thus deceiving our men. Captain Forsythe,
with a few men, overtook a company of them, and on demand-
ingwho they were, was answered by a shower of bullets.
There was a lively skirmish, and some of them were captured.
But Stuart, with his main force, had escaped across the Poto-
mac, with several hundred stolen horses.
We lay down in a field of grain, utterly exhausted, having
ridden eighty-six miles in twenty-six hours, which was, per-
haps, the best marching made by any command during the
war; but we were depressed by our want of success. The
mistake was in sending us after the great raider, instead of
trying to intercept him. We
marched back to our camp, and
next day, without a day of we were moved to Knoxville.
rest,

On the 17th Major Beveridge arrived, and relieved Major

 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 231

Medill, Avlio had been in command during the whole Maryland

campaign.
On the 27th, after a delay of a month since the great battle
of Antietam, the army crossed into Virginia, and we, in ad-
vance, drove the rebels into Purcellville, capturing three.
This section of country was thoroughly foraged during our
stay, and those secessionists who supposed we came there to

protect their pigs and poultry were thoroughly undeceived.

By November 1st most of our infantry had arrived, and,
as van-guard of a mighty army, we moved along the eastern
base of the Blue Ridge.

Next day we had a severe artilleryand cavalry fight for

several hours, near Uniontown. Samuel McGowell, of Com-
pany A, was killed by a cannon ball, but so Avell trained were
the horses that his riderless horse did not move out of rank,
but continued move with his squadron.
to

We next day moved forward, skirmishing sharply all day,

to Ashby's Gap, where the rebels thought themselves secure,
and on November 5th had a severe engagement near Barber's
Cross Roads. Companies B and E made a brave assault on
the rebel batteries, but they were defended by barricades of
rails, and, not being supported by sufficient force, they with-
drew. Desperate fighting, — charge and counter-charge,
followed, but the rebels finally fled, leaving many Avoundcd
and prisoners in our hands. William Mace and John Brown,
of our regiment, were killed, and Josiah Richardson, Charles
Plant, George S. Sager, B. F. Homer, E. H. Burdick, Mar-
tin Fancher, James McConnell, and Harrison Hoker, most of
them De Kalb County men, were wounded.
The army moved on next day, leaving the wounded, some
thirty in all, in a hospital building at Markham Station, under
charge of S. K. Crawford, Assistant Surgeon. The subse-
quent adventures of these wounded are sadly exciting. Some
days after this fight they were captured and paroled by two
companies of Virginia cavalry, who robbed them of their
clothing, money, and the barest necessaries of life, stripping
232 IIISTOKY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

them of their clothes, blankets, etc., with a cruel violence

that drew from them shrieks of anguish. They carried oiF
all of their provisions, leaving only five pounds of hard bread,

and forbid the use of any fire wood to supply Avarmth to their
naked and chilled limbs. Destitute of food, of clothing,
helpless with wounds, and momentarily expecting death, what
situation could be more deplorable ?
On the night of the second day after this raid of the brutal

rebels,an old black woman appeared, loaded Avith provisions

contributed by the negroes around the place for their relief;
and they were supported solely by contributions from the
same generous source till the 16th, when they received per-
mission from Stonewall Jacksoti to remove within our lines.
They procured a broken-down hand-car, fitted it Avith an ex-
tended platform, so that by close packing all could sit or lie

upon it, and started for Siegel's headquarters at Gainesville,

forty miles distant. Dr. Crawford drawing the car with a rope,
while his attendants aided by pushing.
The road and bridges were in a terrible condition, and as
they travelled in the night, they were in constant alarm lest
their precious load should be precipitated into the abysses
beneath them. After thirty hours' toil, they procured a little

hard bread and coifee, —the first food taken since leaving
Markham's Station, — and on the evening of the second day
arrived at their destination, from Avhence a special train con-
veyed them to Alexandria.
To return to our regiment. On the day after the fight at
Barber's Cross Roads we moved toward Chester Gap, in hopes
of preventing the escape of the rebel army through that pass.
But we were and returned to Orleans.
too late,
On the 7th we crossed the Rappahannock, and Major Bev-
eridge, with a detachment of the 8th, had a sharp skirmish at
Sperryville. Companies A and G, in another direction, cap-

tured ten prisoners, the snow at this time falling so rapidly

that the rebels did not discover our boys till too late to escape.
On the 8th our regiment dashed into Little Washington,
BREVET BRIG. GENV CHAS.WAITE
OF SYCAMORE
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALKY. 233

fter a sharp skirmish, nearly capturing Wade Hamptonf or,

whom, with his officers, a bountiful dinner had just been pre
pared by the citizens. Colonel Farnsworth, with our officers,
sat down, and with a hearty relish devoured the luxurious
dinner prepared for his adversary. The fighting on this day
was most gallantly conducted, and won for our regiment high
commendation.
At Annissville we found a thousand rebel tents stored in
buildings, and marked "Small Pox." Our boys, seeing
through this dodge, took what they wanted, and burned the
remainder, assuring the protesting citizens that it was abso-
lutely necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.
General McClellan was now removed from command of the
army, and Burnside was appointed in his place.
November 22d we reached the Rappahannock, opposite
Fredericksburg, which place we had hoped to occupy before
tlie enemy; but we found- the rebels in possession of the city.

Our regiment encamped at Belle Plain, the new base of sup-

plies for the army.
On the 9th of December Colonel Farnsworth was made a
Brigadier General, which made occasion for many promotions
in the regiment. Surgeon Hard was also made Surgeon-in-
Chief of the Cavalry Brigade, on the staff of General Pleas-
anton.
On the 11th Fredericksburg was bombarded, and at night
some of our troops crossed on pontoons into the city. Major
Beveridge, in command of a portion of our regiment, crossed
the pontoons next day under a heavy fire, and on the 13th
the terrible struggle at Fredericksburg really commenced.
With what interest we watched it cannot be described. Cav-
alry could take no part in such an assault on fortifications;
but one-third of our regiment was under fire during most of
th^ three days' fight. Our army was defeated, and retired
across the river with fearful loss.
The army, now fast in Virginia mud, went into winter
quarters ; but our regiment did picket duty in King George
80
234 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

County, preferring this duty, where foraging was good, to

living in camp on hard-tack and pork.

In January General Burnside moved the army up the
Rappahannock, intending to cross at another point, and take
Fredericksburg. But a terrible storm came on, the army
was fast in the mud, and we were forced to return to the old

camps.
Burnside was now relieved, and General Hooker appointed
to command the army.
On the ".I6th of February the cavalry changed its base to
Acquia Creek, to which point we marched in a severe snow
storm, and, arriving late, lay down for sleep in the snow, eight

inches deep. Awaking in the morning, we found ourselves

covered by three inches more of the fleecy covering, which
had fallen in the night.
The difiiculty of obtaining supplies here was equally great
as before. They were brought three miles on the backs of
mules, through unfathomable mud, in which mule and load
often sank out of sight together.
On the night of the 25th, in a furious rain storm, we were
ordered to march and attack Stuart's raiders, who were oper-
ating at Warrenton. We marched forty miles, but were a
day too late. He had escaped with a supply of horses and
prisoners from a Pennsylvania regiment, which he captured.
He paroled some prisoners, and sent them, with his compli-
ments, to General Hooker, requesting that he would keep his
horses in better order, as he was depending on the Pennsyl-
vania cavalry to supply his with horses. The regiment re-

turned to its old quarters, and to its laborious picket duties.

With weary days and sleepless nights, hard work, and fre-

quent attacks by "guerrillas, the Avinter wore away. Many

were permitted to absent themselves on furloughs of fifteen

days.
On the 6th of April another of those grand reviews, so
wearisome to the soldiers, was held at Falmouth, at which the
whole cavalry force was present, —the largest body of cavalry
ever assembled on this continent.
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIvS CAVALRY 235

On April 13th our regiment moved off under Stoneman, oh

the famous great raid around the rear of the rebel army. We
moved Warrenton, where Captain Farnsworth's company
to
captured eight of the rebels; and pressing rapidly on, we
camped at ten o'clock at night, too weary to prepare supper.

Next day we crossed the Rappahannock, but while detached

from the brigade came near being captured by a superior
force, and re-crossed the river. Mosby and White's cavalry
were out in force in the valley above, and we were detached
from the raiding force to attend to them. Every portion of
that countrywas thoroughly scouted over by our force, who
often marched day and night, and fared sumptuously off of
the rebels' supplies.

On the 29th we crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford,

and after a lively skirmish passed on through Culpepper, to
the Rapidan river, where we woke up the rebel artillery, and
rested for that night. A desultory fire was kept up all of the
next day, and we expected to cross, drive off the small force
opposing us, and join the main raid. But General Averill,
our present leader, gave no such orders.
A rebel Colonel, with a squad of thirty men, captured
Captain Waite, by killing his horse while he was at oui- ad-
vanced picket post; but our picket reserves made a gallant
charge and recovered their Captain.
On the 1st of May we passed down the river again, crossing
at U. S. Ford, greatly disappointed at not being permitted to
go on the great raid.
The raid was unsuccessful in its main purpose of cutting
the railroad connection with Richmond, but destroyed millions
of dollars' worth of rebel property.
On this day the great battle of Chancellorsville commenced,
in which, after a three days' struggle, our great army was
again defeated with tremendous slaughter, and driven across
the river again. We did not return in time to take any active
part in this engagement.
On the 7th and 8th of May detachments of our regiment
236 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

were employed in digging rifle-pits to defend Kelly's and

Norman's fords ; and at night Stoneman's force reached the
ford opposite us, and we returned down the river, terribly
jaded.
On the 11th we were paid off, and our boys sent home
$25,000 from their wages, —$32 to each man.
Much to our delight we were ordered on the 17th to make
a reconnoisance in King George County and the Northern
Neck, a great refuge for smugglers. Marching in three bat-

talions, under Colonel Clendenin, Major Beveridge and Major

Medill, respectively, we scoured every nook and corner of that
country, capturing and destroying immense quantities of rebel
property, burning one hundred sloops, yawls and ferry-boats,
with their valuable contents, consisting of whisky, salt, leather,

stationery, boots, shoes, clothing, and almost every conceiva-

ble article of supplies.
On returning, the negroes from the plantations joined the
regiment, fifteen hundred strong, with women, children, horses,
carts, and all the movables that they could carry. We also

brought off five hundred fine horses and mules, and one hun-
dred prisoners, returning on the 27th, — all in all the most
ludicrous procession we had ever seen. At Belle Plain the
negro men were retained and set to work, and the women and
children transported to Washington. There was little or no
smuggling across that neck after that raid of the 8th Illinois.

On the 5th of June Lee commenced his grand march to the

north, and the grand invasion of Pennsylvania, which was de-
feated and hurled back at Gettysburg.
The cavalry corps under Pleasanton was now pushed for-
ward to ascertain his position. Captain Clark, who had just
been appointed Major, being in command of our regiment,
which was in Buford's division. We crossed Beverly Ford
in the advance, theenemy being very near, and there we had
one of the most severe fights we had ever engaged in, and
one which was said to be, up to that time, the hardest-fought
cavalry engagement in the war. But the cavalry were finally
compelled to withdraw across the river.
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 237

In this engagement Captain (Jlark and J. G. Smith were

mortally wounded, Captains Forsythe and Ilaynes severely
wounded, and we men by wounds, among them
lost thirty-six

W. H. M. Perry, of Company B, and

Shurtleff and George
Henry Aiken, William Snively and Thomas Bolter, of Com-
pany L. It was a noteworthy fact that the lives of both

George M. Perry and Harry Pearsons were saved at this en-

gagemont by Testaments which their mothers had given them,
and which, carried in their breast-pockets, stopped the force
of the bullets.
Most of the other regiments engaged sufi'ered very severely,
tlie enemy being defended by breastworks, behind which ar-
tillery was strongly posted.

We moved to Catlett's Station on the 10th, and on the ITth

started for Pennsylvania.
At Aldie we met the enemy, and the rash Kilpatrick or-
dered a charge over a stone wall upon them with sabres. It

Avas gallantly made, but we lost far more than the rebels.

Next day, skirmishing near Goose Creek, in which our

regiment drew high compliments from Generals Buford and
Kilpatrick, some officer, unnecessarily alarmed, foolishly

burned the bridge in our rear, compelling us to swim the deej),

cold stream on our return.

On the 21st we had a fight at Middlebury, driving the
rebels, who rallied behind every stone wall until, near night,
our little force had pressed them to the mountains. Here we
suddenly came upon some six thousand of them, drawn up in

line of battle, and defended by artillery. General Buford

ordered a charge, and it was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Clen-
denin and the 8th Illinois, through a storm of grape and can-
ister. At the first fire Colonel Gamble and Lieutenant-
Colonel Clendenin had their horses shot under them, and
Major Medill took command.
Forward was the word, and the gallant 8th, that never
quailed before the rebels, advanced to Avithin a short distance,
when, at the word, our seven hundred good carbines blazed
238 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

away at them, sending many a grayback to his last account.

Then them we went, Avith revolvers cracking away in all
at

directions. They broke and fled, but were reinforced again ;

and our regiment, with some of the 3d Indiana and 12th Illi-
nois, formed a new line behind a stone wall. After receiving
their fire. Major Medill ordered another charge, and we drove
them again from the field. Three times more did the rebels
attempt to drive us, and as often were they repulsed. We
killed and wounded more than two hundred of the graybacks,
and remained masters of the field, the rebels retreating
through Ashby's Gap.
Innumerable instances of individual heroism upon this oc-

casion are related.

Next day we returned to Aldie, and remained till the 2(Jth,
Avhenwe crossed the Potomac, and marched over the Katochin
mountains to Middletown, where we learned that General
Hooker had been removed, and General Meade appointed to
command of the army also, that Lee was already before us
;

in Pennsylvania.
On the 29th we camped twelve miles from Gettysburg, and
next day encountered the enemy in force at Fairfield. We
had a sharp skirmish, and then Avent to Gettysburg.
Next day, July 1st, the enemy advanced in force, the great
decisive battle of Gettysburg began, and our regiment, as in
several other of the greatest battles of the war, received the
first fire and shed the first blood. We alone resisted the
onset of the enemy for several hours; and when the infantry
came up we operated upon the flanks. Night found our army
driven a mile out of the town.
Next day the battle raged still more fiercely, but we were
ordered to protect the army supplies.
Our gallant Captain E. J. Farnsworth, who had just been
made a Brigadier-General, was on this day ordered by Kil-
patrick on a rash, useless, desperate charge. He said he
could never come back alive, bid his comrades farewell, dashed
at the head of a small force upon the enemy, and was at once
riddled with bullets.
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 289

Upon the defeat of Lee, next day, we were sent to intercept

his retreat through Frederick City, and Boonsboro, and Wil-
liamsport, where we had a very sharp fight, in which several
of our men, among them our gallant Major Medill, Avere mor-
tally wounded.
On the 8th the enemy drove one regiment of our cavalry,
and the 8th Avas ordered to re-take the lost ground, which we
did, with the highest compliments of Buford and Kilpatrick,
the latter of whom bitterly cursed his men for not being able

to do their duty in the same brave manner.

On the 9th and 10th more sharp fighting, and more of our
men killed and wounded.
AVe constantly expected another advance and a consequent
capture of Lee's army, but a council of war decided to rest
awhile, during which rest we were actively employed till the
14th, when, advancing, we found that Lee's main army had
escaped across the river. Our cavalry came upon two brig-
ades of the rebels behind earthworks, two miles from Falling
Waters, and at once attacked them. Our division, under
Buford, went round to flank them on the left, but before we
could arrive at our position the impetuous Kilpatrick ordered
an unnecessary assault by his division, which Avas repulsed,

his l)vave boys being slaughtered by scores. We were soon

ill on their flank, however, and after a desperate fight, in

which Ave lost severely, we captured four hundred prisoners,

Kilpatrick's division also taking OA'er six hundred.
On the 18th Ave again crossed the Potomac, following over
the same ground that Ave had passed over after the battle of
Antietani. We attempted again to intercept the rebels before

they reached Chester Gap, but were too late as before.

On the 22d Ave had quite a sharp fight at Lovetsville, in
which Ave gained some laurels, and lost several good men.
On the 27th we marched to Kappahannock Station, the
Rappahannock river being, as before, the dividing line betAveen
the hostile forces.
On the 1st of August we crossed the river for a reconnoi-
240 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

sance, and had a severe engagement near Culpepper, on the

plantation of John Minor Botts. We gained the information
needed, but our forces engaged lost twenty killed, one hundred
wounded, and one hundred and forty-eight in missing.

From the loth to the 31st of August we remained near

Dumfries, doing picket duty.
On the loth of September our regiment, dismounted,
climbed up and captured Pony Mountain, a signal-station of
the enemy, and on the 14th lost some of our men in a desul-

tory fight near that point, which lasted all day.

On the 18th an infantry force relieved us from picket duty,
and we marched to Stevensburg.
On the 22d occurred the fight at Jack's Shop, a little vil-

lage near Madison. It commenced by some shots from rebel

artillery, and a demand for our surrender, which we answered
by a volley from our pistols that staggered the foe. We dis-

mounted and went at them through the woods. After waiting

some time for Kilpatrick to cut oif their retreat, which he
failed to do, our boys finally pitched into them, and drove

them in the greatest confusion. It was one of the most hand-

somely fought engagements in which we participated. A\^e

drove the graybacks across the Rapidan, and on the next day
returned to Culpepper, and subsequently to Stevensburg.
This Avas the last of our severe engagements in the autumn
of 1868.
We moved back through Culpepper to Hazel river, where
we'had a smart skirmish with the enemy, who resisted our
passage. Several of our division were killed, but the enemy
was driven back.
Mosby, the fearless and impetuous guerrilla, who kept that
whole section of the country in constant alarm, was now
scouring the hills and valleys of Virginia, and we were in
pursuit of him. We proceeded to Fairfax Court House, and
thence to Culpepper. There we remained a month in camp,
and there the regiment re-enlisted as veterans.
The 8th Illinois Cavalry has the honor of originating the
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 241

system of veteran re-enlistment. As early as July, 1863, a

majority of the regiment had offered to re-enlist as a regiment;
but the Department, always behind the people in their de-
mands for men, discouraged the offer. But after the regiment
had lain at Culpepper in winter quarters, the permission was
received, and the regiment went home on a veteran furlough
of thirty days. About one hundred and fifty declined to re-
enlist, and were sent on detached duty as body-guards, and
in service of that character, till the expiration of their three
years' service in September, 1864.
Headquarters were now at St. Charles, Illinois, and there,
after their short furlough, the regiment re-enlisted in Febru-
ary, and reached Washington again in March. We were en-
camped at Giesborough Point, near Washington, for about
two months, and then crossed to Washington, where we were
employed on patrol duty in and about the city.

The grand army under Grant was now making its way on
the great final campaign to Richmond, and a rebel force under
Early again crossed the upper Potomac, through Maryland,
and endeavored to effect the capture of Washington. A
comparatively small force could only be spared from the grand
army to resist this attack. It was placed under the command
of General Lew Wallace, and the 8th Illinois acted as his
cavalry support.
We fought the enemy in the engagements at Middletown
and Monocacy, and at Urbana our regiment held in check
two rebel brigades, resisting their approach till the bleeding
and shattered forces of General Wallace could be rallied and
saved from rout and destruction. It Avas a service whoso
value could hardly be over-estimated.
The Sixth Corps were summoned to the defence of the
Capital, and drove Early back into Virginia.
We were now stationed at Washington, and employed in
the comparatively light and easy duties of patrolling the city.
In August we crossed over into Virgniia, and during the
autumn, and, indeed, long after we had gone into winter
dl
 242 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

quarters at Fairfax, we were employed in scouting and scour-

ing the country after the ubiquitous Mosby, whose forces,
sometimes three hundred strong and sometimes not more than
a dozen, were constantly committing depredations on the
Union armies and the Union people, yet vanishing as a vapor
when pursued. His depredations were usually committed at
night, and on many of those cold, wintry nights we were
roused from our slumbers to pursue him, but he always eluded
pursuit, and was never captured.
When, in the following April, President Lincoln was assas-
sinated by the actor Booth, our regiment was dispatched to
the peninsula to assist in searching for the infamous assassin
and his associates, who were supposed to be a formidable band.
The assassins captured, the regiment remained in King
George and St. Mary's Counties, Maryland, engaged in the

prevention of smuggling, and in making prisoners of all those

of the inhabitants who declined to take the oath of allegiance.
All of this class who refused the oath were sent to the Capital
prison at Washington.
In June, of 1865, the regiment was again encamped at
Fairfax Court House, and the great rebellion having finally
been crushed, they were ordered to the West to operate against
the Indians, who were then threatening serious trouble upon
the Western plains.
They reached St. Louis in July, but on the passage met
with a serious misfortune by the overloading of the boat on
which they were transported. In the darkness of the night
of June 28th the steamer ran aground, and careened upon
her side. Eight members of Company L, roused from their
slumbers by the alarm, threw themselves into the water, and
five of them were drowned.
The order to move out upon the plains was very decidedly
opposed to the wishes of the men of the regiment. For nearly
five years they had been fighting the rebellion, and now that
it was finally and gloriously ended, they thought they were
entitled to return to their long-lost homes. A vigorous pro-
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 243

test was made against tlie order, and, thanks to influential

friends, it was successful.
After remaining a short time at St, Louis the regiment was
ordered to Chicago, and there, on July 17, 1865, was finally
mustered out.
The service of the 8th Illinois Cavalry had been long, ar-
duous, dangerous, and brilliant, with many gallant and noble
deeds. It had shed lustre upon our State, and its memory
will ever be preserved as among the choicest, proudest trophies
of the great State from which it sprang. Friends and foes
alike have described it as the best cavalry regiment in the
great army of the Potomac. The writer has heard this high
compliment paid it from too many different members of the
rebel cavalry, so long opposed to it, to doubt the candor or
sincerity of their statement.
The following is the roster of the officers and men in the

companies that went from De Kalb County, as taken from

the official reports
 The Eighth Cavalry Eegiment.
COMPANY A.
Harvey A. Humphrey, Franklin, 1st Lieut. Promoted Capt. Co. D,
Shields Joseph, Franklin, re-enlisted as veteran.
Eurmier John, Franklin, mustered out July 17, '65, as teamster.
Fisher Charles, Franklin, mustered out July 17, '65, as Corporal.
Hoffman Valentine B., Franklin, mustered out July 17, '65, as Corporal.
Smith Leonard G., Cortland, promoted 2d Lieut,
(irashaber Franklin, Franklin, prisoner of war.
Phillips Joseph, Franklin, re-enlisted as veteran.
Stevens Isaac W., Franklin, mustered out July 17, '65.

OFFICERS OF COMPANY B.
CAPTAINS.
Lorenzo H. Whitney, Kingston, resigned July 15, '62.
John G. Smith, Sycamore, died of wounds June 16, 63.
John A. Kelley, Sycamore, term expired September 18, '64.
George W. Corbit, Afton, mustered out July 17, '65.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
John G. Smith, Sycamore, promoted.
Jchn A. Kelley. Sycamore, promoted.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Jacob M. Siglin, Sycamore, resigned July 15, '62.
S. Spencer Carr, Genoa, promoted.
George W. Corbitt, Afton, promoted.
riRST SERGEANT.
John A. Kelley, Sycamore, promoted 2d Lieut.
Q. M. SERGEANT.
J. J. Woodruff, Clinton, discharged Oct. 14, '62; disability, and died.
SERGEANTS.
E. B. Wright, Genoa, mustered out September 28, '64.
J. William Moody, Burlington, discharged January 16, '62 disability. ;

W. H. Whitney, Kingston, discharged April 17, '62 disability. ;

CORPORALS.
Spencer S. Carr, Genoa, promoted 2d Lieut.
Adin F. Cowles, Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
George M. Roe, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
(ieorge W. Corbitt, Afton, re-enlisted as veteran.
E. H. Burdick, Sycamore, discharged December 28, '62 ; disability.
PRIVATES.
Allen Abner, Genoa, died at Alexandria, Va., February 9, '62.
Blakesly James N., Sycamore, mustered out September 28, '64.
Baxter Charles, De Kalb, mustered out September 27, '64.
Bannister Charles F., Malta, died at Alexandria April 13, '62.
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 245

Bedee Joseph, Sycamore, discharged May 15, '63.

Bailey William, Clinton, mustered out September 28, '64.
Boon Shubble S., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Bell James M., Clinton, re-enlisted as veteran.
Collins C. H., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Cook S. W. L., Genoa, transferred to V. R. C, March 14, '64.
Caless John, Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Close Robert, De Kalb, re-enlisted as veteran
Campbell William L., De Kalb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Chambers A. B., De Kalb, killed at Mechanicsville June 26, '62.
Cutshaw B. F.. Burlington, re-enlisted as veteran.
Doney Davis S., Genoa, transferred to Invalid Corps.
Dennis Lyman, Mayfield, mustered out September 28, '64.
Davis Samuel, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Farrel Edward, Afton, died at Alexandria, Va., February 21, '62,
Farnam Simon, Sycamore, mustered out September 28, '64.
Fradenburg Garritt, Sycamore, discharged September 18, '64.
Freeman Watson, Genoa, re enlisted as veteran.
Fancher Martin, Clinton, discharged April 6, '64 wounds.
;

Fraser Thomas, Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.

Gillott Robert M., Genoa, Corporal. Died at Alexandria April 12, '62.
Hall George, Sycamore.
Haskins Elmer, Sycamore, died at Alexandria February 15, '62.
Holderness Elisha, Malta, discharged November 8, '62 disability. ;

Hitt Wesley, Genoa, discharged April 17, '62; disability.

Howe James M., Mayfield, re-enlisted as veteran.
Herrick William, Clinton, mustered out September 28, '64.
Hill Henry, Clinton, mustered out September 28, '64.
Ingols Charles, Burlington, died on the road to N. Y. May 10, '62.
Losee Rufus, De Kalb, discharged December 28, '62 disability.
;

Mace William, De Kalb, Corporal. Killed November 5, '62, at Barbers X

Roads.
Miller Solomon, De Kalb, deserted August 30, '62.
Maclan James, De Kalb, mustered out September 28, '64.
Morse C. Wesley, Milan, re-enlisted as veteran.
O'Connor Daniel, Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
Parkhurst A. M., Sycamore, mustered out September 28, '64.
Porter George, Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Partlow James F., Burlington, discharged April 17. '62; disability.
Perry George W., Burlington, mustered out September 28, '64.
Pittenger Reuben S., Burlington, discharged May 2, '62 disability. ;

Pierce Washington F., Afton, discharged May 8, '62 disability.

;

Peavey Ira W-, Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.

Reeves Robert L., Burlington, mustered out September 28, '64.
Shurtleff W- H., Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
Thomas Julius 0., Clinton, discharged May 15, '62.
Weaver Isaac, Sycamore, died at Camp California January 21, '62.
Wilcox Daniel, Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
VETERANS.
Bell George H,, Sycamore, mustered out as Sergeant July 17, '65.
Bell James M., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Boon Shubble S.. Sycamore, Corporal. Absent at muster-out.
Banner George P., Burlington, mustered out July 17, '65, as Corporal.
Corbitt George AV., Sycamore, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Collins Charles H., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Crouk Cyrus H., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as Sergeant-
Cowles Adin F., Sycamore, transferred.
246 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

Close Robert Sycamore, died at Washington March 13, '64.

J.,
Campbell W. L.,Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as bugler.
Callies .John, Sycamore, mustered out .July 17, "fio, as Corporal.
Dewitt Hiram S., Sycamore, mustered out .July 3 7. '<Jo, as Sergeant.
Dunning Dyer D., Sycamore, promoted Sergeant, then 2d Lieutenant.
Dake Oliver S., Sycamore, mustered out, July 17. 'Ho.
Davis Samuel, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, 'fio.
Fraser Thomas, Sycamore, mustered out July 17. >j-').
Kassett Ceylon A., Sycamore, hospital steward.
Freeman Watson L., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, "(J;').
(Iraves Martin, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '05.
Hokes Harrison, Sycamore, promoted 1st Sergeant, then 1st Lieutenant.
Howe James M., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, 'fi5, as Sergeant.
HoUister Henry, De Kalb, mustered out July 17. '65, as Corporal.
Maynard James M., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, ''io, as Sergeant.
Morse Charles W-, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as blacksmitli.
McGregor George, Sycamore, killed at Monocacy July iK '64.
O'Connor Daniel, Sycamore, killed at Cockeysville July 18, '64.
Porter George, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Peavey Ira W., Sycamore, mustered out July 17. '65.
Roe George M., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Rernmington Darius H., Sycamore, Sergeant.
Reynolds Andrew A., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as Sergeant.
Shurtleff W- H., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Starkey Simon P., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65. as Fai-rier.
Wilcox Daniel. Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Weed John. I5urlins;ton, commissioned 2d Lieutenant.

William T., Sycamore, deserted September

iVlbert 27. '62.
Baker Fred W., Genoa, transferred to Co. D.
Banner George, Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
Brooks Rufus, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Butler W. A., Cortland, mustered out July 17, '65.
Buck Ellis, Genoa, died at Washington April 28, '64.
Campbell Geoi-ge N., De Kalb, discharged January 1. '64: disability.
Campbell CTeorge N., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Denton Isaac G., Afton, mustered out July 17, '65.
Davis Reed, Buidington, mustered out June 22, '65.
Disbron Edward, Alden, died at Fairfax December 13, '64.
Everetts Aranthus, Burlington, mustered out July 17, '65.
Fraser Alexander, Sycamore, discharged July 17, '62 disability.
;

Freeman Wilbert S., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as bugler.
Fleet Charles, Afton, mustered out June 27, "65.
Gregory William, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65.
Hyland George G., De Kalb, died at Washington September 5, '64.
HoUister Henry D., De Kalb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Hatch Simeon P., Burlington, mustered out July 17, 65.
Percival .Judson, Clinton, mustered out July 17, '65.
Percival Stephen. Clinton, mustered out July 17, '65.
Partlow Calvin, Burlington, mustered out July 17, '65.
Reeves John VV., Burlington, mustered out July 17, '65, as Corporal.
Roach John, Genoa, mustered out July 17, '65.
Starkey Henry S., Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
Snyder S. S., Cortland, mustered out July 17, '65.
Thomas Isaac E., Cortland, mustered out .July 17, '65.
Thomas Edwin J., Cortland, discharged January 29, '65 disability.
;
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 247

Van Amburg Matthew, Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '60.

Weed Johu J., Burlington, re-enlisted as veteran.
Westbrook ('harles, Genoa, nuistered out July 17, 'Uo, as Corporal.
COMPANY I.

Aldricli Charles, Somonauk, musered out July 17, '•)">.

(iatesOrlando L., Shabbona, mustered out July 17, '6-"i.

Rockwell Hamlin J., Somonauk, discharged July 10, 'tiii, for promotion in
colored regiment.
Winans Wesley J., Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '(>5.

COMPANY K.
Brown Charles D., Victor, Sergeant. Mustered out September 2X, 'M.
Wesson Silas D., Victor, Corporal. Re-enlisted as veteran,
(xould George, Victor, Corporal. Mustered out Sept. 28, 'H4, as private.
Beckwith Joh)i, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Bond Charles, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
l:iullock Daniel, Victor, mustered out September 28, '04, as ('orporal.
Hurnham Samuel M., Victor, discharged March 8, 'H2 disability. ;

Bacon Lawrence T., Somonnuk, discharged May 1, 'H2 ; disability.

Dean De Grass, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Dutton Whitney, Somonauk, discharged September 2'.>, '()2 : disability,
(jreenville Charles, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Hall Jacob iNL, Somonauk,
killed at Hazel River October 17, 'fio.

Kennicott Irn, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran

Moore Wallace discharged May U, '()2 disability.
^l.. A'ictor, ;

Mead Chauncey. Somonauk, mustered out September 28, 'B4.

Schoville Fred E., Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Snydam Cornelius R., Victor, died at Alexandria January 27, (VJ.

Snydam Simon. Victor, mustered out September 28, 'tl-l.

Stockham Dewitt C, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Tripp Calvin, Somonauk, mustered out September 2S, '(i4.

Van Fleet Alfred, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.

Voorhees Peter, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
Willard AVilliam, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.
VKTKUANS.
IJeckwith John S., Victor, mustered out July 17, 'Ho.
iSrown Alden, Victor, mustered out July 17, 'tio, as Sergeant.
Bond Charles T., Victor, died at Pittsburg March 16, '(j4.
Keau De Grass, Somonauk, mustered out August 8, '60.
Kennicott Ira, Victor, mustered out July 17, '()').
Scoville Fred E., Victor, mustered out April 12, "O.").
\'an Fleet Alfred, Victor, mustered out July 17, '(5').
Voorhees Peter, Victor, mustered out July 17, '•>•').
Wesson Silas D., Victor, mustered out July 17, 'ii~>, as Sergeant.
AVillard William, Clinton, mustered out July 17, "ti-").
RECRUITS.
Bakeir George L., Somonauk, mustered out July 17, 'ti.').

Higelow W. 11., Somonauk. mustered out July 17, "()•'>.

Bennett James, Somonauk, mustered out July 17, "6-j.

Baker John T., Somonauk, killed at Frederick .luly 8, Ii4.

Brown Alden, Victor, re-enlisted as veteran.

De Forrest William, Afton, died at Camp Stoneman, D. ('., Nov. '.<. "(U.
Frank Frederick, Sycamore, killed, March 30, 'ii^j.
Graham Forrester, Sandwich, deserted October tj, '62.
Huntington Averell, Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65, as bugler.
Kirkpatrick Isaac, Somonauk, discharged July 22, '62 disability. ;
 248 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Kimball Nathan G-, Somonauk, transferred to Co. G.

Mack Samuel J., Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65, as Corporal.
McBrayton George, Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65, as bugler.
Felling William, Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65.
Ryan Horton, Afton, mustered out July 17, '65.
Ryan John, Afton, mustered out July 17, '65.
Wilson James JH., Somonauk, mustered out July 17, '65.
COMPANY L.
CAPTAINS.
Daniel Dustin, Sycamore, promoted.
John M. Waite, Sycamore, promoted.
James F. Berry, Sycamore, term expired December 28, '66.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
John M. Waite, Sycamore, promoted.
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
John M. Waite, Sycamore, promoted.
Q. M. SERGEANT.

Phillip McRae, Sycamore, discharged, and promoted 2d Lieutenant in

17th Cavalry.
SERGEANT.
James Sycamore, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
F. Berry,
CORPORALS.
William S. Thompson, Dement.
Sidney S. Sessions. Sycamore, Sergeant. Accidentally killed May 15, '62.
Edward J. Blanchard. Maytield, died at Alexandria, February 12, '62.
PRIVATES.
Albro Simeon, South Grove, mustered out September 28, '64.
Burzell Arick H., Genoa, re-enlisted as veteran.
Butler Thomas, South Grove, re-enlisted as veteran.
Carr .James H., Frankliu, re-enlisted as veteran.
Carr Winslow A., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Cole Amos R., nuistered out September 28, '66, as Corporal.
Countryman James, Franklin, re-enlisted as veteran.
Depue James S., Sycamore, discharged December 23, '61.
Dixon Joseph E., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Edson Samuel L., Sycamore, transferred to Invalid Corps. Feb. 7, '64.
McKinney A. C, Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Rosbach William H., Sycamore, re -enlisted as veteran.
Stevens Judson A., Genoa, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Young Walter W., Mayfield, re-enlisted as veteran.
VETERANS.
Butler Ihomas L., Sycamore, transferred to U. S. Navy, Sept. 21, '64.
Burzell Arick H., Genoa, Sergeant. Drowned in Mississippi river, June
28, '6-5.

Crosby James A., Sycamore, absent, sick, at muster-out of regiment,

Carr James H.. Franklin, mustered out July 17. '65, as Sergeant.
Carr Charles M., Franklin, mustered out July 17, '65, as Farrier.
Dixon Joseph E., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, '65, as Sergeant.
McKinney Artemus, Sycamore, mustered out July 17. "65, as Corporal.
Rosback Wallace H.. Sycamore, mustered out July 17. 65.
Waldron Isaac N., Sycamore. See Co. B.
Young Walter W., Sycamore, mustered out July 17, "65, as bugler.
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 249

RECRUITS.
Adams Eli, Pierce, mustered out July 17, '65.
Blakely John, Pierce, mustered out July 17, '65.
Crosby James A., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Carr J. A., Franklin, killed at White Plains, in a charge, Oct. 11, '64.
Logan Elias, Cortland, mustered out July 17, '65.
Nichols George A., Malta, re-enlisied as veteran.
Porter Leroy L., Sycamore, discharged March 10, '62.
Waldron Isaac N., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
COMPANY M.
Brownell Joseph 0., Somonauk, mustered out July 13, '65.
Leason William, Somonauk, mustered out July 13, '65.
Overocker M. D., South Grove, mustered out Sept. 28, '64, as Corporal.
Williams Joseph, Somonauk, mustered out June 21, '65.
Yalding Herman, Sycamore, mustered out June 3, '65.
Crouk Eugene, Somonauk, veteran. Deserted.
Douglas Edward A., De Kalb.
Kelly Thomas, Cortland, deserted.

32
Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry.
 THE ITTH ILLINOIS CAVALKY.

In the autumn of 1863, when the hearts of the lovers of

the Union had been cheered by the great victory at Antietam,
which sent Lee and his mighty invading horde of rebels flying
back across the Potomac, yet had been depressed again by
the fact that he had been permitted to escape without the
destruction of his army, which they had confidently anticipated
as the result of this great victory, and when it was evident
that more of the country's brave boys must be called
still

from give what was fondly hoped would be a

civil pursuits, to

final death-blow to the rebellion. Colonel John F. Farnsworth,

who was then acting as Brigadier-General of cavalry upon the

Potomac, was authorized by the War Department to raise a
fresh brigade of cavalry.
Upon Colonel Farnsworth's recommendation a commission
was issued to Major John L. Beveridge, of the 8th Cavalry,
to raise one regiment of that brigade at his own home in Illi-

nois. He proceeded at once to this State, and began the

work of recruitment, establishing his rendezvous at St. Charles,
Kane County.
Captain Jesse D. Butts, of De Kalb County, who had been
forced by one of those chronic ailments which beset the soldier
to resign his office as Captain in the 42d Infantry, and had
been at home a few months, commenced, on the 1st of October,
to recruit a company for that regiment, —
a work in which he
 THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 253

was most efficiently aided by Jasper H. Waite, of Sycamore,

a scholarly young man who left Beloit College to do his share
in the defence of his country, and by Sergeant Phillip Mc-
Rae, of Mayfield, a dashing trooper who had seen some two
years' service in that excellent school for the cavalry soldier,
the 8th Illinois.
The recruiting for this regiment was conducted under one
marked disadvantage: To
up the thinned ranks of the
fill

veteran regiments then in the the Government had offered

field

a bounty of $300 for recruits. For those who enlisted in

the new regiments, then forming, only $100 bounty was at
first allowed. The service in the veteran regiments was more
arduous, the chances of speedy promotion very much less,

and the new regiments were decidedly the favorites ; so that,

in spite of this drawback, the regiment mustered five hundred
men in two months from the first attempt to recruit, and was
mustered in January 22, 1864.
Subsequently the bounty of $300 was extended to all who

enlisted for three years, and up more rap-

their ranks filled
idly, so that, on the 12th of February, the whole number of

twelve companies were in camp at St. Charles, and preparing

for duty in the field.
The recruits had been encouraged by the Government to

select and furnish their own horses, for each of which the
United States allowed them $130. This permission was a
great favor. The farmer lads of Illinois, a land in which —
there were more horses than children in each family, and
where each young man had his favorite steed, who was as
dear as a brother to him, —
felt that with his own horse as his

constant companion he would not be quite alone any where,

and, engaged in the service, they cared for their steeds with
a thoughtfulness and tenderness that they could never have
felt for such an one as might have fallen to their lots by the
chance distribution of the United States officer.

The men of Company C, which was Captain Butts' com-

pany, were well mounted. Many
a superior horse, costing
twice the Government price, had been purchased and given
254 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

to the young troopers by their good friends at home, and by

the close of April six hundred and fifty horses had thus been
brought in by the men and sold to the Government.
The form of election of officers was usually gone through
with by the new companies, and there was generally some
sharp contests for the positions ; but without much opposition
the De Kalb County Company (Company C) selected Jesse
D. Butts as Captain, Jasper H. Waite as 1st Lieutenant, and
Phillip McRae as 2d Lieutenant. They proved to have been
excellent selections, and in all the vicissitudes through which
this company passed there was little or no inclination to regret
their choice.
The field officers of the regiment were: Colonel, John L.
Beveridge; Lieutenant-Colonel, Dennis J. Hynes; Major,
Hiram Hilliard; 2d Major, Lucius C. Matlack; 3d Major,
Phillip E. Fisher; Adjutant, Samuel W. Smith; Quarter-
master, Philo P. Judson; Commissary, John A. Colton; Sur-
geon, Samuel K. Crawford; Assistant-Surgeon, Samuel A.
Dow; Chaplain, Edward O'Brien.
On the 1st of May the regiment, eager for active service,
and wearied with the monotony of camp-life, was pleased to
receive orders to break camp at St. Charles, and report for
duty to General Rosecrans, commanding the department of
Missouri.
They proceeded to Jefi"erson Barracks, twelve miles below
St. Louis, where their outfit was completed ; and they were
ordered to Alton, where for a month they were employed in
doing guard duty over a large body of rebel prisoners confined
in the deserted State prison at that place.

The regiment was divided into three battalions, and each

battalion into two squadrons of two companies each.
Lieutenant- Colonel Dennis J. Hynes, an experienced and
dashing officer who had served in the 8th Illinois Cavalry,
commanded the 1st Battalion, which was composed of Com-
panies A and B, who constituted the 1st Squadron, and was
under command of Major H. Hilliard, and of Companies C
 THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 255

and D, who constituted the 2d Squadron, which was com-

manded by Captain Butts.
Major L. C. Matlack, formerly a chaplain of the 8th Illinois
Cavalry, commander of the 2d Battalion, was assigned by
General C. B. Fisk to the post at Glasgow, Missouri, and for
four months subsequently the three battalions were separated
and remote from each other.
The De Kalb County company was, with the remainder of
the 1st Battalion, moved to St. Louis, where it was assigned
to,and for three months mostly employed in, escort and pro-
vost guard duties in North Missouri. Their headquarters
were at St. Joseph, in Northwestern Missouri, whither they
were conveyed by steamer.
Northern Missouri was at that time terribly scourged by
rebel guerrillas, and on their way up the river they heard of
the near presence of the guerrilla Bill Anderson, with a large
part of his gang. The boat was stopped, one hundred and
fifty of the 17th were landed, and attacked his force with
success, driving them into the interior.
In engagement Henry Heed, a worthy member of
this
—
Company C, from De Kalb, lost his life, the first casualty
in the regiment.
While posted at St. Joseph Captain Butts was detailed as
Judge Advocate, and Lieutenant Waite as Assistant Adjutant
General, on General Fisk's staff.
The company was selected as a body-guard of General Fisk,
but was constantly on duty, scouting through the country,
under command of Lieutenant Phillip McRae, who proved
himself one of the most dashing and efficient ofiicers in the
service; often routing the guerrillas, and terrifying them into

their dens.
About the middle of September the company was again
ordered out in pursuit of the notorious Bill Anderson, Avho
had just committed a shocking massacre of L'nion men at
Centralia. The rebel band was discovered near Fayette, and
after a long, and desperate contest were driven from their
grounds and dispersed.
256 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

Soon after this the Companies C and J), forming the 2d

Squadron of the 1st Battalion, under Captain Jones, "were
ordered to Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, which was
threatened by the rebels under Price, who was scouring the
country with his accustomed vigor and energy. They moved
across the country by land, and on the 6th and 7th of October
assisted in the defence of the capital.
The 3d Battalion, which, with the regimental headquarters,
had remained at Alton, Illinois, until September, now joined
the 1st and 2d at the capital, and for a long period conducted
a very active campaign under Colonel Beveridge, in which
the regiment was a unit.
About this time Colonel Harding, who was commander of
a Missouri regiment, with a force of about five hundred men,
had been surrounded by a much larger force of the enemy,
and after having contended for five hours with a greatly su-
was compelled to surrender.
perior force,
Lieutenant-Colonel Hynes, Commissary Colton, Lieutenant
Eldridge, and three men of Company C, who had been away
on leave of absence, and being prevented from reaching their
regiment had taken service on this expedition with him, were
among the captured upon this occasion.
On the 19th of September the regiment, under Colonel
Beveridge, reported to General McNiell, at Rolla, an import-
ant strategic point in Southwestern Missouri, then the ternii-
nus of a railroad, and constantly threatened by the vigilant
and active rebel Price, whose name in the West had a power
and popularity equal to that of Lee in Virginia.
Soon after their arrival there all communication with St.

Louis was cut off and a force commanded by Colonel

by Price,
Ewing, and stationed at Pilot Knob, some sixty miles farther
to the southwest, had, after a brave resistance, been driven
from and was retreating on Rolla.
its post,
At noon of the 28th the 17th, under Colonel Beveridge,
was sent out to their relief, and after meeting and routing a
cavalry force that appeared near Cuba, it pressed on to Lees-
burg, thirty-three miles distant.
 THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOI^; CAVALRY lio (

111 the morning it reached the little army of General E^ving,

composed of only eight hundred men. It was hastily en-

trenched, expecting constantly an attack from the overwhelm-
ing force of the enemy, and anticipating either capture or
destruction. The joy of the little army of General Ewing at

the sight of the friendly blue coats of the 17 th, which assured
them of safety and succor, may readily be imagined. They
speedilymoved back to Rolla.
Arrived there, they found that the rebel forces under the
vigilant General Price had cut the railroad, destroyed the
telegraph, and were reported moving with an army of twenty
thousand men upon Jeiferson City.
General Sanborn had now come up to Rolla from Spring-
field, to avoid being surrounded and captured at that distant

and exposed point.

No orders could be received from headquarters, nor definite
knowledge of the plans of the rebels could be procured.
Generals McNiell and Sanborn, however, concluded upon
what happened to be the wisest plan they could pursue. They
struck out at a venture for the State capital, wisely judging
that Price was aiming for that point and thus commenced
;

by most exciting episode in the history of the 17th

far the
Cavalry, and one of the most thrilling events of the Avar. It

was the famous movement known as the Price raid, a move- —

ment in which the endurance of which human nature was
capable was put to the severest possible test, in which the
regiment lost five hundred horses from utter exhaustion, and
in which, at one time, they were for fifty-six hours in the
saddle, with orders to lose not even time enough to water
their horses, but press on the enemy at every hazard; a
movement which resulted in a complete baffling of the plans
of the vigilant enemy, and his final ruin.
On the second day's march, October 2d, the scouts reported
that Price's army, only five miles distant, Avas pressing for-
ward Avith all possible haste on a parallel line with ours, for
the capital at JeflFerson City.
33
258 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The population, generally favorable to the rebels, furnished

them all possible aid, while they hindered and obstructed our
forces as far as they dared.
The rebel veterans, inured to hardship, born and brought
up in the bush, accustomed to coarse and scanty rations, were

among the most effective troops in the world. But the brave
boys in blue, marching with all possible speed, finally baffled
their foes, and reached the capital a few hours in advance of
the rebels.
Hasty preparations for a vigorous defence were made.
The men worked with energy, for the rebs outnumbered them
three to one. The 17th had the post of honor and of danger
upon the extreme right of the city, —a position on which,
from the nature of the ground, the principal attack was
expected. Breastworks were thrown up, and General Neill
addressed the 17th, warning them to expect a fierce onset
from the enemy, and to stand their ground bravely.
Price, finding our troops prepared to make a brave defence,
after an attack upon the center, on the 4th, withdrew his

forces in the night, and moved northwestwardly upon Boone-

ville.

Colonel Beveridge, scouting with a few attendants early on

the morning of the 5th, discovered the new movement of the
enemy, and in a few hours the whole Federal army was in

hurried pursuit. General Pleasanton having now arrived, the

whole cavalry force was organized as one division, with Gen-
eral Sanborn in command. Colonel Beveridge having charge
of the 2d Brigade of four regiments, and Major Matlack
under him of the 17th regiment.
Hard marching for six days brought our cavalry upon the
rebels, posted in strong force at Booneville. Their shirmisli-
ers were driven in, and a strong line of battle being developed,
our forces awaited the morning, at which time Colonel Bev(}r-
idge was ordered to attack. The 5th Missouri and the 17th
Illinois attacked at four o'clock in the morning. The 5th, in
advance, found the sleepless rebel foe prepared for the onset;
 THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 259

but the rebels were driven more than a mile, Avith great loss
to them, andmany wounded on our side.
The 17th now had the advance, and the foe, reinforced,
was detained by its assaults till the main army, a day behind,
could be brought up. The 17th retired beyond a bridge when
the fight had commenced, tearing it up on their passage, and

were amused at seeing the rebel artillery playing for some

hours upon the line where they had been posted, and where
they supposed them located.
still The Federal reinforcements
now coming up, the enemy evacuated Booneville, and fled
toward Lexington.
A re-organization of the cavalry now placed Colonel Bev-
eridge in immediate command of the 17th, and moving rapidly
through Lexington, they overtook the enemy near Inde-
pendence. Here the 17th, dismounted, was deployed on the
left, while a dashing charge of the Missouri and Kansas cav-
alry captured a number of the rebel cannon.
At midnight of the 22d the brigade left Independence going
towards Hickman, where the rebels were encountered next day
at noon. Pleasanton, at this point, had arranged for and
anticipated the entire destruction of the rebel army. But a
delay in the advance of McNiell's brigade of cavalry disap-
pointed their calculations, and it was allowed to escape.

When the main column of the brigade under McNiell finally

attacked the head of the rebel column, the 17th was ordered
to form a separate column, and strike them on the flank.

The boys of the 17th, who had been terribly chafed by the
unaccountable delay, received this cheering order with delight.
With shouts they rushed a half-mile over a plain, then down
a rugged ravine, slowly climbed a hill beyond, on through the
woods, and then were preparing to capture Price's wagon
train, the main-stay of his army, slowly passing before their
eyes, when, to their infinite chagrin, a positive order from
McNiell re-called them to support a battery in front, and
they were forced to relinquish the coveted opportunity for
high distinction and most eflective service.
2G0 HISTORY OF DE KALB COrNTY.

Late on the next day the brigade joined Pleasanton, still

pursuing the retreating Price.The tired and exhausted army
still made sixty miles on that day, passing Curtis, with his

reinforcements of Kansas troops.

The enemy was finally encountered again, and after a cold
and rainy night, without supper or breakfast, at early dawn
of October 26th, the army again attacked the enemy, and on
this day fought the battle of Mine Creek, capturing the rebel
Generals Marmaduke and Cabel, with a thousand prisoners,
and ten pieces of artillery.

Still the brave boys of the 17th pressed forward, buoyed

with the hope of capturing the whole rebel army, and ending
the war in Missouri.
For fifty-six hours they were in the saddle. The rebels
preceding them captured all the fresh horses in the country,
and still kept in advance. Hundreds of our horses, after
being kept on the gallop till they could go no longer, would
fall into a slow trot, and then either fall to the ground or

stand stock still, refusing for the spur or the most furious
beating to move another step. The dismounted trooper would
strip his saddle and accoutrements from his horse, and carry
them on his own back, hoping to find a fresher horse to place

them on. Jack Houghton, of De Kalb, one of the best of

soldiers, once carried his saddle fourteen miles before he got
another horse.
The scattered remnant of the rebel forces finally escaped
over the line into Arkansas, and the brigade ceased the pur-
suit at Springfield, Missouri, and soon returned to Rolla,
which place was reached November loth, 1864. During the
previous forty-three days the regiment had marched one
thousand miles and lost sixhundred horses. Less than one
hundred and fifty mounted men came back from that terribly
destructive, continuous pursuit of this untiring foe.
The winter now set in.
Colonel Bcveridge was brevetted Brigadier-General, and
put in command of a military district in the department of
 THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 261

Missouri. Lieutenant-Colonel Ilynes, Chief of Cavalry of

North Missouri district, on General Fisk's staff, was relieved,

and returned to the regiment, for a time being in command

of a military sub-district, with headquarters at Pilot Knob.
Major Hilliard, on North Missouri, was re-called to
duty in

the regiment and put in command. Major Matlack was de-

tailed by order of General Dodge as Provost Marshal of the
district of St. Louis, and by the same officer Major Fisher

was made Chief of Cavalry for the district of Rolla.

The spring 1865 found the regiment, under the command

of
of ^Lieutenant-Colonel Hynes, at Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
At this time the armies of the East, under Generals Grant,
Sherman and Sheridan, had crushed the rebellion east of the
Mississippi. West of the great river the nearest rebel force
was that of Jeff. Thompson, reported at sixty thousand mer:
Early in May Major-General Dodge sent out commissioners
to offer Thompson terms of surrender, and the 17th was

chosen as an escort. Four companies, under Lieutenant-

Colonel Hynes, crossed the St. Francis river at Chalk Bluffs;
four companies, under Major Hilliard, with a section of ar-
tillery, encamped twelve miles in the rear ; while the commis-
sioners went forward to Jonesboro, Arkansas, and returned
on the 9th of May with Jeff. Thompson, who arranged the
surrender of his forces.
It took place at Wittsburg May 25th, and at Jacksonport
June 5th, the total being six thousand men, — -just one-tenth
of what was reported.
This was the last of the rebellion, and the last time that
the 17th met the foe in arms.

Late in May the regiment, re-mounted, was shipped to

Kansas City to guard a portion of Missouri, containing five
Counties, from which the entire population had been driven
out on account of their furnishing a harbor for guerrillas.
After remaining about five months Major Butts, with three
companies, was ordered to Fort Larned. Company C, now
under Captain Waite, had been stationed at Trading Post, a
262 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

small village near Fort Scott, — a very unhealthy location,

and most of its members had become ill. They were reported
unfit for duty, and ordered to Fort Leavenworth to- recruit
their health.
The men of the 17th were sadly disappointed at not being

discharged when the war was over, and some of the companies
had some trouble in maintaining discipline and preventing
desertion ; but the men of the De Kalb County Company
made no opposition to the orders of their officers. It was not
till the winter of 1865-66 that the regiment was finally mus-
tered out at Fort Leavenworth, and the men returned to their
homes.
From the ranks of Company C nine commissioned officers

were promoted. Its Captain, J. D. Butts, was commissioned

Major in April, 1865, and subsequently, in December, bre-
vetted Lieutenant-Colonel of U. S. Volunteers. It furnished,

also, a 1st Lieutenant, in the person of D. E. Butts, of De

Kalb; a Quartermaster, Philo Judson; a Commissary, John
A. Colton, of Genoa and five 2d Lieutenants, Robert Sou-
; —
ders, Albert V. Ammet, Thomas Hickman, Egbert Johnson,
and Thomas Searle.
The service performed by the 17th has been a most honor-
able one ; their record may well inspire its members with pride.
Enlisted Men of DeKalb County, 17tli Illinois Cav.

SERGEANT MAJOR.
John V. Henry, Somonauk, promoted from 105th Illinois Infantry.
PRIVATES.
Charles Price, Sandwich, died at Weston, Mc, Sept. 18, 1864.
Edward Baker, Squaw Grove, deserted Sept. 10, 1865.
COMPANY C.

COMMISSARY SERGEANT.
Charles Chapel, South Grove, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
SERGEANTS.
.Joshua R. Nichols, Mayfield, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Charles Goodrich, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865. private.
Daniel H. Lindsay, Mayfield, mustered out Nov. 24, 1865, private.
CORPORALS.
George Sycamore, mustered out July 20, 1865.
L. Fisher,
.lohn A Trude, May ti eld. mustered out Nov. 23, 1865, private.
.Jonathan Houghton, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865, private.
Charles H. Green, Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865, private.
FARRIERS.
Horace Tennant, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23. 1865.
Benjamin F. Harroun, Sycamore, mustered out Aug 8, I860.
BUGLERS.
W. H. Lindsay, Maytield, absent sick at muster out.
Charles A. Brett, DeKalb, mustered out as private.
•SADDLER.
Joseph Cheesbro, Sycamore, mustered out June 5, 1865, private.
I'HIVATES.
Ames Oliver, Malta, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Beardsley Elijah, Maytield, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Beemis Henry, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Benedict Alfred N., ('ortland, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Cunningham Thomas, Pierce, died at DeKalb April 6, 1864.
CrofF Cyrus E., Cortland, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
('iillson M. E., Cortland, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
tjarver Charles B., Malta, died in Lee county, Illinois, August 10. 1864.
Courser Milton, Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Churchill Menzo, Cortland, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
<Bolton John A., Genoa, promoted 1st Lieutenant.
Dowd Frank, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Downs Charles M., Cortland, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Daily Francis, Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Gardner Alfred, Sycamore, died at St. Joseph August 10, 1864.
Gardner James, Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
264 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

Gage Amaza, Snuaw GroTe, mustered out Nov. 2o, 18(J5.

Holderness J. C, Malta, jnustered out Nov. 2o. 180-5.
Harding Zora, Afton, mustered out Nov. 2o, 1865.
Ingliam Ellis, Cortland, mustered out Nov. '23, ISbo.
.Johnson Charles, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 18(j-").
Lamb James, Sjcamore, died at Alton July, 1864.
Losee Rufus, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 28, 1865.
Mosoni r. S., DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 2o, 1865.
Muzzev Ira C, DeKalb, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
I'rice kcnsellaer, DeKalb, died at Alton, Illinois, June, 1864.
Peterson Anderson, detached at muster out of regiment.
Perkins John N., >Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Reid Henry, DeKalb, died July 20, 1864.
llogers Charles, Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
.Sipp Samuel L., Malta, deserted Nov. 1, 1865.
Stewart James II., Sycamore, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Wager Ira, DeKalb. mustered out May 25, 1865.
Whitmore Charles, DeKalb, mustered out Not. 23, 1805.
VanOlinder E. E., Somonauk, mustered out Not. 23, 1805.
KECRUITS.
Deardslcy Earl A., Somonauk, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865, as Sergeant.
Buroess Albert, Somonauk, absent sick at muster out.
Pirookins James, Somonauk, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Brown Hamilton, Victor, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Beardsley W. H., Victor, mustered out Not, 23, 1865.
Baker Alonzo L., Shabbona, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Freer H. T., DeKalb, mustered out July 5, 1865.
(iriffia Justus, Afton, mustered out Oct. 4, 1865.
Haish Abram, I'ierce, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
Labrant L, Pierce, nuistered out Nov. 23, 1865, as Sergeant.
Patridge Zelotas, Pierce, mustered out Oct. 4, 1865.
Ramer Anthony, Pierce, mustered out as Co. Q. ^I. Sergeant.
Schoonover John A., DeKalb, mustered out July 5, 1805.
Townsend Solomon, Somonauk, mustered out Nov. 23, 1865.
COMPANY D.
SEEfJEAXTS.
John M. Osborn, Clinton, mustered out as private.
John F. T. J. McKinney, Clinton, dischargsd October, 1864.
Harrison S. Andrews, Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865.
PRIVATES.
Bechtel Samuel, Sandwich, mustered out Dec. 20, 18()5.
("unningham John, Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865.^
Field Robert, Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865, as Corporal.
Gorham Ed. E., Sandwich, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865.
Lillard Joseph jl., Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865.
Ledbetter Job, Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865.
Lillard William E., Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 18(>5.
Morse AVilliam IL, Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865.
Polan Samuel, Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865.
Snowball Charles, Kingston, mustered out Dec. 20, 1805.
Wimer John R., Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865, as Q. M. Sergeant,
Williams Lewis, Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865, as Q. M. Sergeant.
Clemmens A. J., Clinton, mustered out Dec. 20, 1865.
COMPANY E.
Emerion Freeman, Sycamore, discharged for disability.
i^lVIT LICOI. JvD. BUTTS
OF DEKALB.
 THE SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY 265

Banfield Benjamin, Matta, dishonorably discharged.

Depue Richard D., Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 16. 1865.
Gear Benjamin, Cortland, mustered out Dec. 18, 18(35.
Siglin Isaiah, Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 18, 1865.
Siglin Joshua, Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 18, 1865.
Tenscott Richard, Sycamore, mustered ont Dec. 18, 1865.
VanDeusen John A., Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 18, 1865.
Wright Halbert, Sycamore, mustered out Dec. 18, 1865, as Corporal.
Hubner Charles, mustered out Oct. 3, 1805.
COMPANY H.
Bailey Austin R., Geuoa.
Bailey Frank H., Genoa.
Chase Jacob H., Genoa, died at Kansas City, July 11, 1865.
Dewberry Joseph, Pawpaw, deserted Sept. 11, 1864.
Hill George, Geuoa, mustered out Oct. 20, 1865.

COMPANY I.

Stewart Morris, Pierce, mustered out Oct. 9, 1865.

Depue Nicholas, Genoa, mustered out Oct. 9, 1865.
Norris S. W., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 9, 18(55.

34
Fiftj-Eighth Illinois Infantry.
 Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry.

Few regiments in the service saw more hard fighting, or

endured a more varied and severe experience, than the 58th

Illinois Volunteer Infantry. It was organized at Camp
Douglas, in Chicago, and mustered into the service on the 25th
of December, 1861.
Its first field oflScers were : Colonel, William F. Lynch
Lieutenant-Colonel, Isaac Rutishauser New- ; Major, Thomas
lan. Colonel Lynch was Kane County,
a resident of Elgin,
Lieutenant-Colonel Rutishauser of Somonauk, DeKalb County,
and Major Newlan of Aurora, Kane County.
Company C of this regiment was raised in the town of
Shabbona and its neighborhood. Its officers were: Captain,
G. W. Kittell ; 1st Lieutenant, S. W. Smith ; 2nd Lieutenant,
Joseph G. Burt of Chicago.
A portion of G was also from DeKalb County.
Company
Its Captain was Bewley of Dement. Rev. Job Moxom,
an eloquent preacher and a heroic soldier, recruited a large
portion of Company G, but was mustered into Company I as
2nd Lieutenant. A part of Company E was also from this
County so that our County was well represented in the 58th
:

regiment. The regiment remained at Camp Douglas until the

month of February, 1862, when it was removed to Cairo,
where it was embarked on a steam transport for Fort Donel-
son, at which place it arrived on the morning of the 14th, just
 THE FIFTY-EIGHTPI ILLINOIS IXFAXTRY. 269

in time to participate in the capture of that place, which sent

such a thrill of joj all over the land.
Disembarked at sunrise, the regiment was marched imme-
diately to the scene of the conflict, thus being ushered into the
midst of blood and carnage in three days from the time it left

home. A few of the men had seen some service, but most of
them were entirely unused to the duties of the soldier, and
fresh from civil life. Arms were furnished them for the first

time while at Cairo, and accoutrements and ammunition while

on the boat. One-half the men until that time had never
seen a cartridge, and many of them had never loaded a gun
until they loaded them for service against the enemy. For-
tunately the regiment saw no severe service on the first day,
but was employed in skirmishing and maneuvering. On the
second day they were iu the midst of the and behaved
fight,

remarkably well for green troops. Three of them were killed

and nine were wounded.
The fort was surrendered, and, following its fall, the 58th
marched with the army to Fort Henry, participated in the
capture of that fort, and remained there until under General
Grant it moved up the Tennessee river to Shiloh or Pittsburg
Landing. It now formed a part of General H. L. Wallace's
division. In the ever-memorable battle which occurred a
this place, the division was in the center of the line of battle
on the first disastrous day, and held the main Corinth road to

the landing. It is a matter of history that this division did

some of the hardest fighting on that day.

At about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, all the field officers and
about two-thirds of the line officers, with two hundred of its

men, were taken prisoners, and for many months after, endur-
ed the horrors of the rebel prison-pens at Mobile, Cahaba,
Selma, Macon, Montgomery, Griffin, and finally in Libby
Prison in Richmond. Companies A, C and G were on the
skirmish-line at this time, and most of them escaped capture.
Fifty-nine were killed and wounded, and two hundred and
twenty were captured. The loss of Company C was two men
270 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

and thirteen wounded. Oliver B. Wilson of Malta was

killed
the man killed from our County. Captain Bewley of
first

Company Gr was killed, and Captain K. P. Rutishauser of

Somonauk met the Same fate. Corporal William F. Williams
of Company C lost an arm, and subsequently died of the
wound and Lieutenant Moxom was severely wounded. He
;

managed to crawl behind an old log which lay on

the field, across which the fight was kept up for several
hours, and, in spite of his eiforts, was twice again wounded
while he lay there ; but, after remaining there two days, he
was rescued and recovered, and is now doing good service as
pastor of a large and flourishing church in Michigan.
The Union line of battle was formed by the side of this

cleared and that of the rebels was in the timber on the

field,

opposite side, which was about four hundred yards distant.

The rebels made several attempts to cross this field, but were
each time driven back with great slaughter. A rebel battery
posted in the woods opposite this regiment annoyed our force,
and Companies C and E were ordered forward as skirmishers
to some buildings which stood near the center of the field, with

orders to silence the battery if possible. This work was soon

accomplished, but the battery was now moved around to the
right, and commenced an enfilading fire upon our men behind
the building. A retreat was ordered ; but, in the confusion?
five men who were in a cotton-house at the left of the others
failed to hear the order, and remained at their posts. When
the companies had retired, the rebels
moved forward and held
the same ground that our men had abandoned. The men in
the cotton-house were now cut off from the opportunity to
retreat, and seemed to be obliged to surrender ; but, to avoid
this, three of them jumped into the building, and concealed
themselves beneath the mass of loose cotton. Sergeant Chaa.
0. Wheaton of Company C remained outside, but stepped
around the corner of the house. Five rebs came around
where Wheaton stood, gun in hand, with fixed bayonet. One
says: "You are our prisoner." Wheaton replied that he
 THE FIFTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 271

supposed SO, for he saw no use in further resistance. Anothar

says : "D n him, let us shoot him!" and both raised their
guns to fire. "VVheaton, seeing this, thought he would sell his
life as dearly as possible, made ready, and the three fired at
once. One rebel fell dead : one ball passed through Wheaton's
clothing, carrying away his canteen, and the other shattered
his left hand, and glanced from his gun-barrel. The living

rebel now made a bayonet thrust at Wheaton, which he dodged,

and, before the grayback could recover, ran his bayonet through
his heart.

Three rebels now lay dead at his feet ; and, seeing no more
on that side of the house, he also jumped into the cotton, and
concealed himself, thinking that the rebels might be driven
back, and all could escape to our lines. But they had not
this good fortune. Our troops were steadily driven back,
and, two hours after, our boys were discovered, marched back
to Monterey, and placed in a log house which was used for a
hospital. Sergeant Wheaton and Job Davis of Company C
one of the boys who hid in the cotton — concluded that they
would go no farther unless they ay ere carried: so Davis bound
up his leg with bloody bandages, made an artificial bullet-hole

in his pants, and enacted the part of a wounded in the

soldier
leg. On Monday morning all who could walk
the prisoners
were ordered to fall in, and were marched oif but Wheaton;

and Davis, who appeared unable to march, were left behind ;

and, in the general stampede which ensued, when the rebel

army was beaten on that day, they escaped in the confusion,

and both reached our camp —Davis on Tuesday night and

Wheaton on Wednesday.
Following the fight at Shiloh, the shattered remnant of the
o8th was united with similar fragments of the 8th, the 12th
and the 14th Iowa, and called the Union brigade. Three
captains, G. W. Kittell and R. W. Healy, of the 58th, and
Captain Fowler of the 12th Iowa were detailed to serve as
field officers.
272 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

The Union brigade formed a part of the 2nd Division of the

xVrmy of the Tennessee, commanded by General Davies. The
grand army commenced the advance upon Corinth on the 20th
of April, and the 2nd Division served in the advance during
the siege that folloAved. Being placed in the center of the
line, the regiment was as much exposed and saw as much
skirmishing as any portion of the army. It lost a number of

good men who were killed and wounded.

Corinth Avas at last evacuated by the rebels, and our regi-
ment followed the foe to Boonville, and then, as they seemed
to have escaped us, returned to Corinth, where it remained

doing garrison duty till October 3d, 1862, when the great
battle of Corinth was fought and won. The rebels under

Price, YanDorn and Vilapyne Avere severely whipped and fol-

lowed up to Ripley.

Our 2nd Division was in the front of the battle on both

days, and suffered severely. The division numbered only
8100 men, and of these they lost1040 in killed, wounded and
prisoners, of whom only fifty were prisoners . All the brigade
commanders were either killed or wounded. The Union brig,
ade had only 350 men engaged, and lost 110 killed and
Avounded and seven prisoners. Of the men of Company C,
four were wounded, among them Sergeant J. C. Wright of
Shabbona, Avho had his leg shattered by one ball and his arm
broken by another. He was left on the field, and picked up
by the enemy, who amputated his leg and dressed his Avounds,
but left him when they retreated. He was Avounded on Fri-
day, and was not found till Sunday night, and meantime had
nothing to eat or drink.
After remaining at Corinth till December, the 58th Avas

ordered to Springfield, Illinois, to reorganize and recruit, and

remained guarding rebel prisoners and filling up its depleted
ranks till June 20th, 1863, when it was sent to Cairo. One
company was then sent to Mound City, and three —A, B and
—
C to Paducah, Ky., under command of Captain Kittell of
Company C. Here they were constantly engaged in scouring
 FIFTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 273

the country for bush-wrhackers, and had many startling adven-

tures and hair-breadth escapes.
On the 28th of January, 1864, the regiment, which had
been reunited at Cairo, started by steamer for Vicksburg. It
was now 2nd Division of the 16th Army
in the 1st Brigade,

Corps, and under command A. J. Smith,

of General
On the 2nd of February it started on Sherman's great raid
to Meridian, returning March 6th, after having marched four
hundred miles, destroyed one hundred miles of railroad, and
had daily skirmishes with the enemy, in which it lost two
wounded and six prisoners.
On Army Corps left
the 10th of March, the 16th and 17th
for Red where the troops were disembarked in the night
river,

of the 13th, and commenced a march across the country to

Fort DeRussey. Arriving there at five o'clock in the after-

noon, the fort was immediately stormed and captured by our

1st and 2nd Brigades, with a loss of sixty-five killed and
wounded, the 58th regiment losing seven of the number. Next
day it embarked where the army awaited the
for Alexandria,
arrival of GeneralBanks from New Orleans.
Now, after many delays, commenced the grand expedition
of General Banks up Red river. Accompanied by Commo-
dore Porter's gunboats, the army proceeded, a part by land
and a part by water, to Grand Ecore, at which point all fit for
duty, disembarked and marched for Shreveport. The fleet,
with the sick and disabled on board, proceeded up the river
to the same destination.

On the 8th of April our army met the enemy at Sabine

Cross-Roads, and suffered a repulse. Our forces were scat-
tered along the road for twenty miles, the 13th Corps in the
advance, the 19th following it, and the 16th Corps in the rear.

Before assistance could arrive, the 13th was overpowered and

driven from the field in great confusion, losing 500 killed and
wounded, 1000 prisoners, 80 wagons and 18 pieces of artillery.
Next day, hoAvever, we made a stand at Pleasant Hill, and won
a handsome victory. Skirmishing commenced at daylight
35
274 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

and continued till five A. M., when the rebels, strongly rein-

forced, made a desperate charge upon the center of our line

and at the first fire, a brigade of eastern troops broke and
ran. In a pine thicket at the left of this brigade the 58th
was posted. It immediately changed front to the right, and
charged upon the flank of the pursuing foe. The charge was
so well executed, and so unexpected, that they faltered, turn-
ed back, and, at a much quicker rate than they came, they
turned and fled to the woods, closely pursued by the gallant
little band. Here they turned, and were about surrounding
our solitary regiment, when it fell back in good order to escape

capture. While was being done, our flying troops were

this

rallied, our reserves brought up, a grand charge made by our

whole line, and the enemy was routed and pursued till dark-
ness put an end to the fight.

In this charge over over one thousand prisoners were cap-

tured, the 58th taking more than its own number. In this

action the 58th won great honor. General Stone says that
but for the valor of this regiment, the battle of Pleasant Hill
would have been a disastrous defeat. Its loss was 35 killed

and wounded, of whom Company C lost only two wounded

— a remarkably small loss, considering that, for over an hour,
it was in a hand-to-hand fight, and that nearly every man had
his clothing pierced with bullets.

To our great surprise, although the rebel army was routed,

and running like frightened sheep. General Banks ordered a
retreat before daylight next morning, leaving our dead and
wounded, with several batteries of artillery, and the small
arms of the numerous dead and wounded of both armies.
Two days of hard marching brought the army back to
Grand Ecore, from whence we fought our way back to Alex-
andria. Here the river, which had fallen since the gunboats
ascended, was dammed to enable them to pass over the falls
and two weeks were required to accomplish this work, during
which time we were engaged in defending ourselves from rebel
attacks, and collecting forage.
 FIFTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS nTFANTRT. 275

The 58th was frequently engaged in severe skirmishes,

amounting almost to battles.
On the 14th we began fighting our way down the river
again ; and, on the 18th, while Banks was crossing the Atch-
afalaya, which was now very high, the 16th Corps lay at Yel-
low Bayou, three miles distant, as rear guard. The rebels
here drove in our pickets. General Mower now crossed the
bayou and drove them back and the rebs in turn sent a large
;

infantry force, with twenty pieces of artillery, which opened

upon our corps at short range. General Smith now brought
up three batteries of artillery, another brigade of infantry
and some cavalry, to protect our left flank, and sent to General
Banks for reinforcements, stating that the whole rebel army
had attacked him, and that he would send the 19th Corps
if

to turn the enemy's right flank, a complete victory could be

obtained. Banks answered that General Smith had gone into
the fight without orders, and must get out the best he could.
The enemy had taken a strong position behind a breastwork
of rails. General Mower ordered a charge ; and, amid fearful
slaughter, the rebels were driven out of their works and back
to their reserves. In this charge Colonel Lynch of the 58th
was wounded, and four color-bearers were successively shot
down ; but, as often as they fell, other hands were ready to
take them, and bear them on to victory again.
The artillery now opened upon our forces more fiercely
than ever ; and a large force endeavored, amid sharp resist-
ance from the cavalry, to turn our left flank. In fine order
our forces now fell back and left the field they had so dearly
won, carrying ofi" all their wounded and most of their arms.

The enemy followed up to their former breastworks and, as ;

soon as our wounded were removed, another charge was made

upon them. This proved more desperate than the former
for they had formed a double line of battle, and were deter-
mined to resist the charge. Our men swept over the breast-
works like the rush of a tornado, and the rebels flew like
leaves before the gale. In this last charge, four more of the
276 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

color-bearers of the 58th were shot down and, the last time,
;

the colors were taken by a commissioned officer, and borne

over the rebels' works.
The battle raged till sunset, when fighting ceased by mutual
consent. Our men bore away their wounded and their arms,
and then crossed the bayou. The day was intensely hot, and
many were overcome by the heat and carried from the field.

The loss of the 58 th was sixty -five in killed and wounded,

among whom was Sergeant Elijah Curtis, who was here
—
wounded for the third time first in the foot at Shiloh, second
in a leg at Corinth, and now a ball passed through both thighs.
General Banks reported this battle as an artillery duel of
little consequence, which took place while he was crossing the
Atchafalaya.

Next day the 15th Corps followed Banks across the river,
and on the 20th the whole army reached the landing at the
mouth of the Mississippi.
This ended the disastrous Banks expedition up Red river.
From when we captured Fort DeRussey,
the 14th of March,
till we arrived at Red river landing, on the 20th of May, not

a day passed without more or less of fighting. The total loss

of the 58th Regiment was one hundred and ten men in killed

and Ty-ounded.

On the 22d day of May, the 16th Army Corps embarked

on board the transports that had accompanied them in this long

and disastrous expedition, and started up the river. They

arrived at Vicksburg in due time. Here the veterans of the
58th were mustered into the United States service for three
years more, about two hundred having re enlisted. After
remaining here four days, the army started for Memphis, but
found the river blockaded by the rebel General Marmaduke
at Columbia. The army landed at daylight one morning in a
furious rain-storm, and found the rebels about three miles from
the place of landing, posted in a heavy timber lining the west
bank of a lagoon too deep to be forded. The only crossing-
place was a narrow bridge, which was swept by shell and
 THE FIFTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 277

canister shot from a rebel battery at short range. A charge

as ordered, and th3 brid^^a was crossed, with a loss of thirty
men killed and seventy wounded. As soon as the bridge was
crossed, the enemy fled, leaving a part of their dead and
wounded on the field. Their loss was small compared with
ours, as they fought under cover. Our men pursued them
about ten miles, then turned their course for the transports.
We arrived at Memphis just as the stragglers from the Gun
Town fight, under General Sturgis, were coming in. The
veterans of the 58th received their furloughs, and started for
home June 28th, and the remainder of the army under A. J.

Smith, started in pursuit of the rebel General Forest, who,

being encouraged by his victory over Sturgis, and out-gener-
aled by the strategy of General Smith, was compelled to fight
at Tupello, Miss. The action commenced at daylight by the
enemy's skirmishers and artillery which continued until about
10 A. M., when the rebs charged with their whole force.
When within a few rods of our men, they were met with a
counter-charge which they could not stand, they turned and
fled from the field in great confusion, followed closely by our

men. The dead and wounded of the enemy fell into our
hands, and about two hundred prisoners a few wagons and ;

great numbers of small arms.

Our loss was about two hundred killed, wounded and miss-
ing ; that of the 58th was five killed and ten wounded. Com-
pany C lost none, as there were only fifteen present, the oth-

ers being home on veteran furlough.

The army returnedto Memphis, as the rebel army now broke
up and scattered through the country, ready
into small parties
to be whistled together again as soon as the danger was over.
Smith and his troops had not been in Memphis over a week
before Forest and his graybacks were within twenty miles of
that place, as saucy as ever, but more cautious.
On the 6th of August, the veterans of the regiment, who
had been at home enjoying the usual veteran furlough granted
to all who re-enlisted, returned to the regiment, and, on the
278 HISTORY or db kalb county.

following day, were sent out on the Oxford raid, returning on

the 30th.
On we began a campaign against Price
the 5th of September
in Missouri,and reached Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, on the
29th of September. On the 2nd of October we left St. Louis,
marching on the long and arduous campaign known as the
Price raid, through Missouri to the borders of Kansas. This
the veterans of the 58th, although inured by long service to
every hardship, found to be one of the most severe and
laborious of all their campaigns. They marched with great
rapidity, were frequently in action, and most of the time were
poorly supplied with rations.
Returning to St. Louis, November 18th, it was now ordered
to Nashville, Tenn., which place it reached on the 1st of De-
cember, and on the 15th and 16th was engaged in the severe
battles at that city, and, on the I7th, joined in the pursuit of
the retreating army of Hood, following it as far as Eastport,
Mississippi.
The term of the original organization expiring on the 6th
of February, 1865, those Avho had not re-enlisted were order-
ed home, and the veterans and recruits, amounting to 390
men, were consolidated into four companies, and known as the
"Battalion of the 58th Illinois Infantry." Major R. W.
Healy being retained in command, the battalion left for New
Orleans, and in March joined Canby's army in its operations
against Mobile. On the 9th of March it was in the front line
in the grand charge which captured Fort Blakeley. While at
Mobile it was joined by six new companies, raising it to a full
regiment again.
The last of April it was stationed at Montgomery, Alabama,
and continued in service there until April 1st, 1866, when it

was finally mustered out of the service, after having been on

duty more than four years and a half. The record of no reg-
iment in the service is more brilliant, nor will redound more
to the honor of its members, than that of the brave, hard-

worked old 58th Illinois Volunteers.

Men of DeKalb County in the 58th Illinois Inf.

OFFICERS-
IIEUTENANT-COLONEIi.
Isaac Rutishauser, Somonauk, honorably discharged, Jan. 27, 1865.
COMPANY B.

FIRST LIEUTENANT.
Job Moxoin, DeKalb, -wounded, resigned March 2, 1868.

COMPANY C.

CAPTAIN.
George W. Kittell, Shabbona, mustered out; time expired.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Sanford W. Smith, Shabbona, resigned May 10, 1862.

Henry Smith, Shabbona. transferred as consolidated.

COMPANY E.

FIRST LIEUTENANT.
Karl A. Rutishauser, Somonauk, died of wounds, St. Louis, May 18, 1862.

SECOND LIEUTENANT.
Joseph Stauffer, Somonauk, resigned May 21, 1862. ,

ENLISTED MEN.
COMPANY A.

I.ECRUITS.
Losle William, Cortland, Sergeant, klTed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.
Packard Dwight, Coriland, killed at Shiloh. April 6, 1862.
Packard W. 0., Cortland, discharged for disability.
COMPANY C.

SERGEANTS.
Henry Smith, Shabbona, promoted 2nd Lieutenant.
Charles 0. Wheaton, Shabbona, discharged for wounds received at Shiloh.
Sosiah 0. Wright, Shabbona, discharged April 10, 1863, for disability.
James M. Round, Shabbona, died July 29, 1862.
Franklin 0. Stephens, Shabbona, discharged June 17, 1862, for disability.
CORPORALS.
Cyrus A. Nelson, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Levi W. Park, Shabbona, deserted Jan. 31, 1865.
William F. Williams. Shabbona, died June 13, 1862, of wounds.
Lyman Grover, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
280 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Baker John L., Shabbona, discharged for disability.

Blair Labon, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Ball Daniel F., Shabbona, deserted at Camp Douglas, 111.
Cook Henry H., Shabbona, trans. Jan. 4, 1864, to Bat. H, 1st Mo. Lt. Art
Curtis Elijah, Shabbona, mustered out Feb. 7, 1865, as Sergeant.
Cornish John W., Shabbona, trans Feb. 1, 1864, to Bat. H, Mo. Lt. Art.
Davis Joseph, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Damuth George, Jr.. Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Flick George, Shabbona, deserted at Camp Douglas, 111.
Filkins Nelson, Shabbona, died at St. Louis May 21, 1862.
Goodell Henry C, Shabbona, discharged as a minor.
Horton "William, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Hunt Theodore H., Shabbona. discharged for disability.
Hinds William W., Shabbona, deserted July 1, 1862.
Hamblin John A., Shabbona, discharged May 20, 1862.
Johnson Charles, Shabbona, discharged August 25, 1862, for disability.
Kelly James, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Lumbkins Josiah, Shabbona, deserted.
Muzzy John A., Shabbona, died at Brownsville, Miss., March 6, 1864.
Morris John, Shabbona, mustered out Dec. 11, 1864.
Nichols Byron, Shabbona, died at Paducah, Ky., Jan. 1, 1864.
Perkins George, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Price Pdchard C, Shabbona, deserted.
Buddy Anthony, Shabbona, deserted Dec. 1, 1862.
Scott Miles D., Shabbona, deserted.
Simpson William, Shabbona, trans. Feb. 14, 1864, to Bat. K, 1st Mo. Lt. Art.
Shehan Timothy, Shabbona, re-enllsted as veteran.
Todd Owen, Shabbona, detached in 1st Missouri Light Artillery.
Tompkins John, Shabbona, deserted.
Unwin William, Shabbona, deserted July 20, 1862.
VanDeventer Erwin. Shabbona, captured at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.
VanVoltenburg John, Shabbona, mustered out Feb. 7, 1865.
Witherspoon Frederick, Shabbona, discharged as a minor.
Williamson William, Shabbona, trans. Jan. 4, 1864, to Bat. H, 1st Mo. Art.
Witherspoon Edmund, Shabbona, mustered out Feb. 7, 1865.
Whitbeck James, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Weston Edson H., Shabbona, discharged June 20, 1862, for disability.
Woodward William, Shabbona, deserted July 20, 1862.
Wigton Charles C, Shabbona, re-enlisted as veteran.
Nelson Cyrus A., Shabbona, Sergeant, trans, to Co. C as consolidated.
Harris Orange P., Afton, Sergeant, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Perkins George, Shabbona, Serp^eant, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Horton William, Shabbona, Corporal, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Grover James, Shabbona, Corporal, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Kelly James, Shabbona, Corporal, deserted Dec. 1, 1864.
Whetbeck James, Shabbona, Corporal, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Blair Laban, Shabbona, deserted Dec. 1, 1864.
Damuth George, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Davis Job, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Grover Lyman, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Shehan Timothy, Shabbona, transferred to Co.C as consolidated.
Williams John, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Wigton Charles C, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Club Charles, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Clapsaddle Henry L., Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Dugan James, Shabbona, discharged Nov. 7, 1863, for disability.
-A^v-^

2<? ILL. ARTILLERY.

(luc-a-l.) Lirli.isnililiin:; CuMiii

 FIFTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 281

Davis Harvey M., Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.

DeWolf William W., Shabbona, triinsfei-red to Co. C as consolidated.
Gates Charles, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Hamlin Horace A., Shabbona, transferred to Co. G as consolidated.
Harris Orange P., Afton, re-enlisted as veteran.
Kennicutt Daniel, Shabbona Grove, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Kettle John N., Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Lilly Charles, Shabbona, discharged June 17, 1862, for disability.
Martin Daniel. Shabbona, discharged Jan. 20. 1862 minor. ;

Norton Francis, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.

Palm Dennis G., Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Price George N., Shabbona, mustered out Feb. 7, 1865.
Kowe William H., Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Simpson Elmer G., Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Smith Joseph Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Town Russell, Shabbona Grove, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Town Daniel, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.
Wright Eugene, Shabbona, transferred to Co. C as consolidated.

COMPANY D.

Brigham John, Somonauk, mustered out Feb. 7, 1865.

Nielly Simon, Somonauk, killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.

COMPANY E.

SERGEANTS.
Henry Duft, Somonauk, died at Macon, Ga., Oct. 15, 1862, while prisoner.
Philip Haibach, Somonauk, deserted from Camp Butler, 111.

Joseph Savasin, Somonauk, deserted Feb. 15, 1363.

Friedrich Wehrle, Somonauk, discharged for disability.
Henry Miller, Somonauk, died at Macon, Ga., Sept. 24, 1862, a prisoner.
Rudolph Seidel, Somonauk, deserted June 20, 1862.
Gustavus Seller, Somonauk, mustered out Feb. 7. 1865.

Anders Charles, Somonauk, discharged for disability.

B ootz Joseph, Somonauk, mustered out Feb. 7. 1865.
Biehlman Samuel, Somonauk, mustered out Feb. 7. 1865,
Conway Denis, Somonauk, died at Camp Butler, 111.
Dooley William, Somonauk, discharged Dec. 2, 1862, for disability.
Gerold John, Somonauk, discharged Jan. 1, 1864, to re-enlist in 1st Mo. Art.
Graf Samuel, Somonauk, mustered out Feb. 7, 1865.
Goodrich Christopher, Somonauk, discharged for disability.
Hasken James, Somonauk, discharged for disability.
Hecker Anton, Somonauk, discharged for disability.
Henry William, Somonauk, discharged for disability.
Krissman Louis, S omonauk, deserted Oct. 15, 1862.
Steinbiss Frederick, Somonauk, deserted Feb. 15, 1863.
Thomnson William, Somonauk, mustered out Feb. 7, 1865.

Beck Louis, Somonauk, died at Camp Butler, 111., May 5, 1863.

Bradley Edward, Somonauk, died in rebel prison.
Frank Philip, Somonauk, re-enlisted as veteran.
36
282 HISTOKY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

COMPANY G.

Artlip Edward, Cortland, deserted Jan. 25, 1863.

Artlip John, Cortland, discharged July 5, 1862, for disability.
Albright Adelmar, Cortland, deserted June, 1862.
Croft James, Somonauk, deserted ^lay 1, 1862.
Chamberlain Ebenezer L., Somonauk, discharged June 2, 1862 ; disability.
Erkhort Daniel, Cortland, deserted Feb. 6, 1S62.
Grey Stephen, Pierceville, deserted Sept. 1, 1862.
Hogan William, Clinton, tranferred to Co. I, Jan. 5, 1862.
Johnson Stephen, Pierceville, disc. Jan. '62, for prom, as Hosp. Stew. U.S. A.
Johnson Sylvester j\I., Squaw Grove, transferred to Co. B as consolidated.
Labrant Charles, Pierceville. died at St. Louis May 12, 1862, from wounds
Labrant Jonathan, Pierceville, mustered out Feb. 7, 1865, as Corporal.
Kamer Philip, Pierceville, discharged Oct. 13, 1862, for disability.
Raymond Henry E., Cortland, discharged Nov. 14, 1862, for disability.
Smith Moses, Pierceville, discharged Jan. 8, 1863, for disability.
Walker William P. J., Clinton, mustered out Feb. 7, 1865: was prisoner.
Wells Pioyal, Pierceville, re-enlisted as veteran.
COMPANY H.
chwartz Michael, Clinton, deserted April 6, 1862.
Schefnerr Alonzo, Clinton, mustered out April 17, 1865.
COMPANY I.

Chamberlain Daniel, Somonauk, transferred to Co. G, Jan. 5, 1862.

Fargo William P., DeKalb, transferred to Co. G, Jan. 5, 1862.
Griffith Horace, DeKalb, transferred to Co. G, Jan. 5, 1862.
Hooker Lewis H., DeKalb, transferred to Co. G. Jan 5, 1862.
Parker John C, DeKalb, transferred to Co. G, Jan. 5, 1862.
Paisley Sylvester, DeKalb, transferred to Co. G, Jan. 5, 1862.
Turner Henry, DeKalb, transferred to Co. Ct, Jan. 5, 1862.
Wolrod Charles, DeKalb, transferred to Co. G, Jan. 5, 1862.
Tenth Illinois Infantry.
 TENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.

The 10th Illinois was first organized as a three-months

regiment at Cairo, April 29th, 1861, under the command of
Colonel B. M. Prentiss, and subsequently as a three-years
regiment under Colonel James D. Morgan, Company C, of
Sandwich, DeKalb County, is said to be the first full company
raised in the United States under the first call of President
Lincoln.
Two weeks after the fall of Fort Sumter, this company was
ready for service, fitted with quaint home-made uniforms by
the citizens of Sandwich, and on the 22nd of April was order-
ed to, and started for, Cairo, an important strategic point,
which was quickly seen to be of immense importance to the
loyal cause. The occupation of Cairo was not eifected a day
too soon, for the country around it swarmed with disloyalists,
and in a few days it would have been fortified by the traitors.
The 10th remained engaged in fortification and garrison du-
ties at Cairo during its first three months' service. The regi-
ment consisted of seven companies of infantry and three of
artillery, and, during its brief term of service, engaged in
expeditions to the rear of Columbus, in June, and to Benton,
Missouri, in July.
On the 29th of July it was re-organized, and mustered into
the United States service for three years, with Colonel Morgan
as its commander.
 THE TENTH ILLTNOTS INFANTRY, 285

On the 10th of January, 1862, it started on a raid through

that portion of Kentucky which lies adjacent to Cairo, and
accomplished the destruction of a large amount of property
that was giving suppost to the rebels.

On the 1st of March, in connection with the 7th cavalry,

the regiment scattered Jeff. Thompson's guerrillas at Sykes-
town, Mo., taking several prisoners and two guns.
On the 10th of March it left Bird's Point, joined General
Pope at New Madrid, driving the enemy's pickets and losing
Captain Carr and two men, and took part in frustrating the
plans of the rebels, who were endeavoring to escape from Island
Number Ten, causing the surrender of General Mackall and
2500 men.
On the 10th of April it returned to New Madrid, thence
went to Osceola, near Fort Pillow, and from thence to Pitts-

burg Landing, which it reached soon after the great battle at

that point. It then took part in the siege of Corinth, and was
foremost in pursuit of the flying rebels to Booneville. The
regiment lay at Big Springs during June and July, and from
the 13th of July till the 28th of August it was at Tuscumbia,
Ala., and was then sent via Florence and (Jolumbia to Nash-
ville, losing, on the way, five men killed. This place it guard-
ed from September 12th till relieved by the army of General
Rosecrans. During was fighting almost constant-
this time, it

ly, for a part of the time being on one-half rations, then one

fourth, and finally almost without rations at all. On Novem-

ber 15th it lost, in a repulse of the enemy, two men killed.
Yet the boys found time to build Fort Negley. Assigned to
General Mitchell's corps, it remained at Nashville till July,

1863, and then, under General Thorne, went through the

campaign in Alabama and Mississippi, reaching Bridgeport
August 24th. October 1st, in Sequatchie Valley, in connec-
tion with McCook's cavalry, it drove Wheeler's cavalry from
the valley. November 24th, it crossed the Tennessee River
on pontoons, supporting General Sherman's attack on the left

of Mission Ridge.
286 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

On the 26th it pursued Hardee's retreating column, and

captured twenty of their rear guard at Chickamauga Station.
It followed the retreating enemy to Ringold, thence to the

relief of Burnside, marching in mid-winter without blankets,

shoes or tents, —thence back to Chattanooga, and went into
winter-quarters at Rossville, Ga. No sterner trials, no more
heroic sacrifices, were ever made by any soldiers of any age
than in this campaign of the 10th Illinois.

On the 1st of January the regiment, reduced to 394 men,

re-enlisted as veterans, and started for home on January 11,
1864.
The regiment left Illinois for the field again in February
commanded by Colonel John Tillson, and, under Sherman,
joined in the advance on Atlanta, and in Sherman's grand
march to the sea.
It reached Beaufort, South Carolina, on January 9th, and
on the 13th started to cross the Salkahatchie, but failed, on
account of high water and the resistance of the enemy, until,

on the 3d of February, it effected its purpose in spite of the

obstinate opposition of the rebel foe. It here lost forty men
in killed and wounded. The swamp upon the banks of the
river was a mile wide, and the regiment was in its ice-cold
water from one to five feet deep from 7 A. M. till dark. Gen.
Howard, who was present, pronounced this engagement "the
best thing of the war."

On the 9th it crossed the South Edisto, throwing a pontoon

in the face of the enemy, and, after wading a half-mile in the
darkness of night, attacked the enemy in the flank, and drove
them from their entrenchments, capturing many prisoners.
Passing through Columbia and Cheraw to Fayetteville, and
tearing up railroads on the way, the regiment was there de-
tached to lay a pontoon over Cape Fear river ; and it drove
the enemy from the opposite bank, losing six men. Then on
toward Goldsboro : and when the 14th Corps was attacked at
Bentonville, it made a forced night march, and took part in

the battles of the 20th and 21st. On this latter day the reg-
 THE TFNTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 287

iment got on the enemy's flank, and captured his headquarters

material. The division successfully withstood the attack of
Hardee's whole corps, losing sixty men of the 10th and over
one hundred in the brigade, being one-fourth of the loss of the

whole army.
Thence it passed on to Raleigh ; and, after the final collapse
of the rebellion, by the surrender of Johnson's army, it moved
to Richmond, Fredericksburg and Washington, participating
in the grand review.
Un the 4th of June it was moved to Louisville, Ky,, and
was mustered out of service July 4th, 1865, receiving its final

discharge and pay at Chicago, July 11th.

The regiment, in its last campaign, was commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Gillespie, and was attached to the 17th
Army Corps under General F. P. Blair, in the Army of tlie

Tennessee, commanded by Major-General 0. 0. Howard. It

is a regiment whose long services, Avhose great sacrifices and

whose heroic achievements, merit a more extended history
but the materials are not at hand. The brief record of its

sufferings and its exploits must ever be a crown of honor to

all its members, and a source of pride to the County of Dc
Kalb.
Men of DeKalb County in the 10th Illinois Inf.

COMPANY H.
SERGEANTS.
Daniel R. Ballou, Sandwich, promoted 1st Lieutenant.
Franklin Munson, Sandwich, promoted 1st Lieutenant.
Hubert Carwer, Sandwich, mustered out Aug. 28, 1864.
Edward Hoag. Sandwich, died Feb. 6, 1862.
Charles Kenrill, Sandwich, mustered out Aug. 28, 1864.
CORPORALS.
M. R. VanNostrand, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
George Woodward, Sandwich, promoted 1st Lieutenant,
.lohn Culver, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Cornelius Haggerty. Sandwich, died August 31, 1862.
PRIVATES.
Brucham William, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Baldwin John, Sandwich, discharged March 9, 1862.
Baldwin Kipps, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
Banlield .John, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
Baker Thornton. Sandwich, discharged May 26, 1862.
Corke Thomas, Sandwich, re-ealisted as veteran.
Canham William, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Colgrove Franklin, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
Davis W^ashington, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
Drujar William, Sandwich, died Feb. 2-5, 1864.
Estabrook Edwin, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
Fuhr Adam, Sandwich, mustered out August 28th, 1864.
Faxon Samuel, Sandwich, re -enlisted as veteran.
Godfrey Charles, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Gilbert Franklin, Sandwich, discharged March 12, 1862.
Hamlin Charles, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Hamlin William H., Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Hinkins Andrew, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Hart Henry, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Hammer Francis, Sandwich, discharged March 11, 1862.
Ise Henry, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
.Tudd Albert, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Lacey Michael, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
Mullin Nathaniel, Sandwich, re-enlisted a? veteran.
Miller James, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Miller GeorgeC Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
Miller William, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
Rose Andrew, Sandwich, mustered out June 15, 1865.
Sanders Milton, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
Snyder Augustus, Sandwich, died March 4, 1864.
Stall John, Sandwich, mustered out August 28, 1864.
 THIRTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 289

Stipp Herman, Sandwich, died Nov. 6, 18(32.

Frorget Henry, Sandwich, discharged Nov. 20, 1863.
Wait Lorenzo, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.
Whitney Edward, Sandwich, deserted Nov, 27, 1861.
VETERANS.
Baldwin Kipps, Sandwich, died July 20, 1864, from wounds.
Banfield John, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865, as Corporal.
Colgrove Franklin, Sandwich, discharged June 23, 1865, for disability.
Corke Thomas, Sandwich, transferred to non-commissioned staff.
Davis Washington, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865, as Corporal.
Kstabrook Edwin, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865, as Corporal.
Faxon Samuel, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865, as Sergeant.
Hammer Francis, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865.
Lacey Michael, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865, as Sergeant.
Miller James, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865, as Sergeant.
Rose Andrew, Sandwich, wounded.
Stipp Herman, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865, as Sergeant.
Nonslat Eugene, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865, as Sergeant.
VanNostrand M. R., Sandwich, transferred to non-.ommissioned stall'.
Wait Lorenzo, Sendwich, transferred to non-commissioned staff.
RECRUITS.
Coster Nicholas, Sandwich, mustered out Sept. 5, 1864.
Dobbin David, Sandwich, mustered out Sept. 27, 1864.
Davis Henry, Sandwich, died May 8, 1862.
Estabrook Adelbert, Sandwich, mustered out July 4, 1865.
Gletty George, Sandwich, mustered out Dec. 28, 1864.
Gletty Jacob, Sandwich, died Jan. 29, 1862.
Hough George A., Sandwich, discharged July 19, 1863.
Holden William, Sandwich, mustered out Dec. 28, 1864.
Hoefner Antonio, Sandwich, transferred to Mississippi Marine Brigade.
Latham Thomas A., Sandwich, mustered out Dec. 28, 1864.
Morrison Thomas, Sandwich, transferred to Mississippi Marine Brigade.
Seaton Leonard B., Somonauk, mustered out July 4, 1865.
Trouslatt Eugene, Sandwich, re-enlisted as veteran.

37
Thirteenth Illinois Infantry.
 Thirteenth Illinois Infantry.

The history of the early part of the war for the Union is a
record of a persistent effort hy the people to procure from
their government the privilege of placing enough armed men
in the field to march over all opposition, and a constant resist-
ance on the part of the government, which desired to carry on
the civil war with much more civility than the case demanded
to conduct it in a deliberate, cautious way, with as small an
army arid as little' material as possible.
When Fort Sumter had fallen, and that indignant uprising
of the people had occurred which everywhere followed it, in
every town and hamlet of loyal Illinois the notes of martial
preparation were heard, and little bands of men, gathered to-

gether, began and clamorously demanded of the gov-

drilling,

ernment to be led against the enemy. The President soon

called for 75,000 troops for three months, feeling warranted
by the laws as they existed only in calling out troops for that
length of time. This call was filled ; and still hundreds of
thousands of men, anxious to do their duty upon the battle-
field, were left out of the ranks.
Upon the 4th of May, the President made a new call for

42,000 more men, to serve three years ; and Illinois was given
the privilege of furnishing six regiments of them. Then be-
gan such a scrambling for the privilege of forming a part of
these regiments as was probably never seen before in any
 THE THIRTENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 293

country. Places were sought in these regiments with as much

avidity as civil offices are now struggled for. All manner of
schemes, combinations and strategems were used to aflFect the

minds of the authorities, so as to gain the boon of a place in

these regiments.

A convention of claimants for this honor in this congres-

sional district was held at Geneva, and every one who had any
influence or acquaintance with any person in authority was
urged to attend and secure a recognition for these companies.
The convention accomplished nothing but soon after, an order
;

was procured for the creation of one regiment, the 13th Illi-

2nd congressional district. Of its ten companies,

nois, in this
one from Sycamore and one from Sandwich were fortunate
enough to secure a place and a right to serve their country.
Most of the companies had been filled up to the number of
one hundred privates, besides the officers, when an order came
from the War Department, still bent on diminishing the force,
to reduce the company to eighty -four privates.
This was a sore disappointment to those who were excluded.
In some of the companies the men drew lots to determine who
should remain ; and by some kind of authority, the
in others,
married men of the company were forced to fall out of the
ranks and stay at home, the single men only being accorded
the privilege of remaining. It is also a noteworthy fact that
many men purchased the right of those who had been fortu-

nate enough to be accepted, paying from $20 to $50 for the

privilege of taking their places.

The Sycamore company had for several weeks been drilling

daily under charge of Z. B. Mayo, a decrepid old soldier who
had seen service in the Mexican war and many will recollect
;

how, being without arms, they daily went through the manual
in the streets of Sycamore with broomsticks and hoe-handles.
When the permission was really gained to join the regiment,
the people of the place, anxious to do something for these men,
assembled in the Court House, and the ladies busily employed
themselves and their sewing machines in makinn uniforms.
294 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The citizens were ignorant of any army regulations of cloth-

ing ; but gray was thought to be a desirable color ; and the
boys were equipped in full suits of gray, the gifts of the

ladies and gentlemen of the place. With a vague idea that

each company required a banner, a beautiful silk flag was
prepared and presented to our company by one of the young
ladies, before an immense crowd gathered to witness the novel

scene.

On the 9th of May, 1861, the 13th regiment was organized

at Camp Dement, Dixon and on the 24th it was mustered
;

into the service. It is said to have been the first regiment to

organize under the President's call for three years men, and
the first to enter the United States service.
The regiment remained weeks engaged
at Dixon for a few
in improving its drill and here lost its first
and discipline ;

man. Sergeant Berry, a young gentleman of fine promise, who

was shot by one of the sentinels.
The regiment was soon after ordered to Caseyville, Illinois,
and in July moved forward to Rolla, Missouri, an important
strategic point, the termination of a railroad, and the depot of
supplies. It was the first regiment to cross the Mississippi
river, and move into the hostile region of Missouri.
The regiment did excellent service in suppressing the plun-
dering bands of guerrillas who infested that region for forty
miles around. They also served to inspire with courage the
Union people of the country, who had been cowed by the
prevalent disloyalty. While they were stationed here. Colonel
Wyman organized many of the Union citizens of the neighbor-
hood into cavalry companies, who afterwards, under General
Curtis, proved themselves the most efficient cavalrymen in the
southwestern army. While at this point. Captain Z. B. Mayo
resigned his captaincy, and was succeeded by 1st Lieutenant
E. F. Dutton.
Engaged in this duty until October 25th, the regiment was
then ordered forward to join the army which was forming
under Fremont at Springfield, in southwestern Missouri. The
 THE THIETENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 295

troops were still comparatively unused to long marches ;

yet
they were urged forward with great rapidity, marching, on the
second day, thirty-four miles, and reaching Springfield, a
distance of one hundred miles, in four days. Gen. Fremont,
learning the speed on which it had come to his assistance,

named it his "Flying Infantry," and, noting its superior dis-

cipline, assigned it the highest post of honor and danger in
his army.
But Fremont was now removed from command, the plan of
the campaign was changed, and the 13th returned to Rolla.
In the retrograde movement, on the night of November 11th,
a very sudden death occurred at Camp Plummer, proving that
the skeleton-king oft comes when least expected — passing from
the blazing battery to strike his victim in the midst of security
and peace.
A young man, Henry Holt, bugler of Major Power's caval-
ry, attached to the 13th regiment, was complaining of feeling
rather ill, when the Quartermaster, Captain Henderson, who
had a passion for aught like fun, proposed to bury the musi-
cian ; and, in the spirit of merriment, seized a spade, and,
after measuring the complainer, dug a grave of his exact pro-
portions.
The bugler laughed, as did his companions, at the humor of
the officer, and soon after went away to discharge some duty
with which he had been intrusted.
About nine o'clock the same evening. Holt was sitting, with
seven or eight of his company, about a camp-fire, within a few
feet of the grave, when some one pointed to it and remarked,
in a tone of badinage
" Come, Harry, get ready for your funeral !

The youth looked over his shoulder at the gloomy cavity in

the earth, put his hand to his head, and fell from his stool.
His companions laughed at the little piece of acting, as they
supposed it, and were surprised that he did not rise from the
earth.
They went up to him, asking, "Are you asleep, Harry ?"
296 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

He made no answer, and yet his eyes were open.

Thej shook him in vain.

His friends grew alarmed. One placed his hand upon

Harry's heart. It was still : he was dead !

He had perished of a stroke of apoplexy, and was buried at

midnight, in the grave made for him in jest by a merry-heart-
ed friend.
And was drowned in the hollow sound of
so the droll jest
the earth falling upon a rude coffin, and solemnly waking the
stillness of the night-morn amid the solitude of a broad prairie
of the southwest.

The regiment remained at Rolla till, on December 12th, it

moved to Salem, where guerrillas were reported to be infesting
the country, and, after remaining two weeks, returned to

Rolla.

Here the cold dreary winter was spent until, on the 6th of
March, 1862, the regiment was sent to join the army of Gen.
Curtis, who was threatened by Price's rebels, and who, before
our regiment could reach him, had fought the famous and
sanguinary battle of Pea Ridge. It was a terribly severe
march. Through constant rain and mud, and amid want and
destitution, it pressed on from twenty to thirty miles a day,

living upon most scanty rations, and forbidden to forage upon

the country — as the policy of the higher powers was still to
please instead of punish the foe.

On the 14th it passed over the battle-field of Wilson's Creek,

and on the 17th camped on the battle-ground of Pea Ridge.
The ground was strown with shot, shell, and other remains of
the conflict. The odor of the decaying bodies was still ex-
tremely ofiensive. In one spot the bodies of seventy hostile
Indians lay festering in corruption : there was such a bitter
feeling toward the savages who had scalped and plundered our
men, that they were refused interment.
On the 18th the regiment joined Curtis' army, but next day
moved back again some ten miles, Price being reported within
 THIRTERNTH ILLINOIS INFAXTRT. 29 (

twenty miles with 50,000 men. But Price's armj was too
badly shattered by its late terrible conflict to dare to attack us.

We lay encamped till the 8th of April, and then commenced

a long, tedious and laborious movement across the country to

Helena, Arkansas. No one who was engaged upon that ter-

rible march can ever forget its painful weariness, the cold, the
hunger, the drenching, chilling rains, the dangers from flooded
rivers, the perils from hovering guerrillas and armed bands of
the enemy, the destitution from scanty rations, and, at tiuiey,
from thirst. Terrible sufferings were caused during the latter
part of the march by this cause. The weather had become
intensely warm, streams were very rare, the rebel inhabitants
filled up and destroyed their wells upon our approach, and

our troops often were without water for a day at a time.

Men could be seen struggling along in the intense heat, their
tongues swollen and hanging out of their mouths. Yet guards
of United States troops were sent forward every day to guard
every rebel's house that we passed, and prevent foraging upon
the inhabitants. The march lasted more than three
for
months; and it was not till the last of July that our
army
reached the Mississippi at Helena, and again was furnished
with the necessaries of existence from the stores of the United
States.

We reached the river accompanied by an immense train of

negroes, the slaves of the rebels, who followed the army loaded
with such provisions and property as they could secure —
most ludicrous procession.
After some desultory service about Helena, the regiment
was attached to General Steele's division of Sherman's army,
^hen assembling for the movement upon Vicksburg.
On the 22nd of December the regiment, with an immense
moved down the Mississippi, and, on the 26th, under
fleet,

convoy of the gunboats, moved up the Yazoo river to the at-

tack on the city in the east.
On the morning of the 27th, the whole army was drawn up,
the 13th, in Steele's division, on the left. Durino- the after-
38
 298 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

noon the rebel pickets were driven in, and the regiment went
into camp for the night in a
rain-storm. In the
furious
morning the regiment was engaged in skirmishing, and during
the afternoon a dashing charge was made upon a rebel battery
by the 13th and 16th Illinois, under General Wyman. He
had placed himself at the head of the 13th, and the regiment
was moving on the battery, and had arrived at a small bayou,
silenced the rebel guns upon the opposite side, and lay down
and began firing on the sharpshooters who swarmed in the
woods. As General Wyman rose up to move among his men,
he was struck by a rebel bullet in the right breast and mor-
tally wounded. The fall of the General Avas a terrible shock
to the regiment. Several officers rushed to his assistance, but
he cried, " For God's sake leave me and attend to the men.''
The regiment remained there some time, and were subsequent-
ly moved to another part of the field. At this time Porter
D. West and Isaiah Babuock of Company F were severely
wounded.
On that night the men lay on their arms in line of battle,
destitute of blankets, although the weather was freezing.
On the 29th occurred the grand desperate charge upon the
rebel works on Chickasaw Bayou, in Avhich the regiment lost
one-third of its number.
About nine o'clock a line Avas formed for an assault upon
the batteries. They stood on eminences, in horse-shoe form;
and, in the terrible abyss into which shot and shell from three
sides were pouring, the regiment Avas formed for a charge.
There were three brigades and the 13th Avas in the brigade
;

under command of General Frank P. Blair. Most of this

brigade was composed of neAv troops ; so that the veterans of

the 13th were required to lead the charge.
Into all this terrible storm of shot and shell the 13th march-
ed without faltering. They captured two lines of rebel rifle-
pits and when they reached the third line, very few remained
;

of this brigade but a scattered remnant of the 13th.

They were now within thirty rods of the fortifications. Of
 THE THIRTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 2^9

the 600 men who started, 177 were either killed, wounded or
captured. Of 63 men of Company F, 22 were killed, wounded
and missing. Captain R. A. Smith, who had gallantly led his
company his arm while in the ad-
to the third rifle-pit, lost
vance, but bound it up and continued with the troops until
the charge was over.
If Ave could have captured the fortifications, which we had
now so nearly accomplished, the road to Yicksburg would haVe
been open to us, and all the loss of life and property that
subsequently occurred in the struggle for its capture would
have been saved.
But the day was full of misfortunes ; the divisions moved
without concert of action. No reinforcements were sent for-
ward, and, after holding their ground for half an hour, the
order came to retire; and, as similar misfortunes had occurred
at other points, the day was lost.

But the 13th Illinois were the heroes of the day. They
fought with magnificent bravery, reckless of all danger. No
sooner were their lines formed than they fell before the pitiless
storm of shot and shell, like grass before the scythe of the

mower ;
yet they held their position like Spartans, although
exposed to this terrible fire from batteries agamst which their
own fire was harmless.
The colors of the regiment were left upon the field of battle,
and afterwards sent as a trophy to Richmond. They lay there
till the final capture of that city, when they were found by
one of the first of the Union troops who entered, and were
thrown to the breeze — the first Union flag that had been seen
in that rebel capital since the fall of Sumter.
The grand attack upon Vicksburg had failed, and the
country was much depressed.
Up the Arkansas river was Arkansas Post, a strong fortifi-

cation to protect that river, and to McClernand Avas assigned

the task of capturing it. Steele's division, in which was the
13th Illinois, was among his troops. After a day of hard
fighting, Arkansas Post was forced to surrender to the Union
•300 HISTORY or DE KALB COTXTT.

arms and with it five thousand prisoners were taken, and a

;

large amount of munitions of war. It was a victory that

raised the hopes and the spirits of the country, and greatly
cheered the hearts of the soldiers.
Upon the fall of Arkansas Post, the regiment accompanied
General Steele to Greenville, Miss., where an immense amount
of stores were captured and destroyed. Passing then under
the immediate command of General Grant, it marched across
Milliken's Bend to Grand Gulf, and, making a detour, took
part in the capture of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi.

(Jrders from the General authorized the 13th to inscribe upon

its banners, with Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post, the
word Jackson, as a token of its participation in that achieve-
ment of our troops.
From Jackson the regiment moved upon Yicksburg, and
engaged in the siege of that place until its final fall on July
4th, 1863. In the trenches, in the deadly assault, in the
dangers and sufierings of that long siege, the 13th bore its

full share ; and Vicksburg was also inscribed upon its banners
and its list of triumphs.

was the grandest triumph yet vouchsafed to the Union

It

cause for it bisected the Confederacy and restored to us the

:

control of the Mississippi, the great Father of Waters.

Two days after the surrender, the 13th were again moving
upon Jackson, which had been re-occupied by the enemy
and, upon the 10th of July, that city was again in possession
of our boys, and Jackson, July 10th, was added on our ban-
ner to the list of our victories.

For a few weeks the regiment was rested, encamped upon

Black river, in the rear of Yicksburg. There George Carr
and Samuel Bryant were captured by the enemy, and for
many long months endured the horrors of captivity in rebel
prisons.
Then under the great Sherman, it moved on Chattanooga.
Arriving at Bridgeport, on the Tennessee river, Col. Gorgas
turned over the command to Lieutenant-Colonel Partridge,
 THE THIRTEENTH TLLINOIS INFANTRY. 301

and departed on recruiting service, appearing no more with

the regiment until after its active campaigns had ceased.
The regiment now engaged in the active operations for the
capture of Chattanooga. They acted as rear guard for the
loth Army Corps on its march from Corinth to Tuscumbia,
and for one week were every day engaged in severe skirmishes
with the enemy, who was striving to cut oft' its wagon-train.
Upon the capture of Tuscumbia, the name of that place was
ordered t9 be placed upon its banner.
In Lookout Valley the regiment was placed in the command
of Fighting Joe Hooker, and participated in the memorable
capture of Lookout Mountain, and, on the 25th, in the still

greater victory of Mission Ridge, where the loth captured

more prisoners of the 18th Alabama regiment than it had mon
of its own, and carried off" in triumph from the field the battle
flag of that regiment.
Here the rebel foewas defeated and routed, flying in de-

spair across the Chickamauga, and burning the bridge in its

rear. The 13th was among the troops sent in pursuit of them.
Cleburne, who, among the rebels, was called the Stonewall
Jackson of the west, was in command of the rear of Bragg's
flying host, and, at Ringold Gap, determined to make a stand
and resist his pursuers.
The 13th, upon that bloody day, was the first to engage the
enemy and the last to leave the field. It was sent forward
over an open plain to seize an important position. Of their

service on this occasion, General Osterhaus ofiicially says

" The 13th Illinois executed the order in magnificent style.
They charged through a hail-storm of balls, and gained the
position assigned to them —held it, although the enemy pour-
ed a murderous fire into their brave men, both from the gorge
above and the hill upon the right."
The rebels rallied and made a desperate charge upon its

position, but the charge was repelled with heroic courage.

General Hooker says: "The position was heroically taken
and held by that brave regiment, it all the time maintaining
302 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

its position with resolution and obstinacy. It has never been

my fortune to serve with more zealous and devoted soldiers."
No small praise, this, from the most famous fighting general
of the war.

Many instances of individual heroism upon this occasion

might be related. Patrick Riley, the color-bearer, while car-
rying the flag across the open plain, was struck in the b^-east,

and fell to the ground, the flag bespattered with his blood
but he still held it firm and erect, until his successor was
obliged to wrench it from his dying grasp and pass on. The
regiment gained undying fame by its valor at this fight ; but
it was at a fearful cost. It lost, in dead and wounded, one-
one-seventh of the entire loss of the desperate battle ; but the
victory was Avon, and Cleburne driven from his position.
Among its dead was Major D; R. Bushnell, and of its
wounded were Colonel Partridge, Captain Walter Blanchard,
and Captain James M. Beardsley. Major Bushnell was a
citizen of Sterling —
one of the noblest and manliest of all our
citizen soldiers. His loss was sadly deplored. Captain
Blanchard, who subsequently died of his wounds, was an aged
man, a judge of DuPage County Court, and President of the
Naperville Bank ; had two sons in the army, but endured all

the hardships of the service with a heroism that nothing could

overcome.
On the 17th of April, when
the time of the regiment would
have expired in a was posted at Madison Station in
week, it

Alabama. The rebel Roddy's command, outnumbering it five

to one,came upon it disguised in the blue uniforms of our
own army, and completely surprised and surrounded it. The
regiment at this time had only 350 men fit for duty. The
rebels had three pieces of artillery and 1500 cavalry and in-

fantry. After two hours hard fighting against these odds, the
regiment was obliged to abandon the station, fighting its way
through its foes, losing sixty-six men prisoners in their hands.
The enemy's loss, as reported by flag of truce, was sixty kill-

ed,wounded and missing.

 THE THIRTKENTH ILLIxNOIS INFANTRY. 308

In the summer of 1864, Avorn down with the hazards and

hardships of three years of very active service, having travel-
ed through seven Southern States, marched more than three
thousand miles, fought twenty pitched battles and innumerable
skirmishes, the scarred and war-worn veterans of the 13th
Illinois came back to their homes, and were received with a
welcome such as their heroism deserved.
A large number of the regiment re-enlisted, and were con-
solidated Avith the Alith Illinois Infantry, being there known
^s Company I ; and for another year they fought the rebel-
lion till its close.

(.)f the remainder of the regiu ent, full one-half subse([uently

re-enlisted in other regiments, and again took the field. The
regiment entered the service with 1010 men. It received 5,")

recruits, but, Avheii mustered out, its whole force was 500. It
had lost from the various casualties of Avar 5(35 men.
Men of DeKalb County in the 13th Illinois Inf.

COMPANY E.

SERGEAJJTS.
E. W. Duvey, Sandwich, deserted Jan. 1, 1853.
B. W. Clifford, Piano, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Zenas S. Harrison, Sandwich, discharged Nov. 3, 1861, for disability.
William "Wallace, Sandwich, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
CORI'ORAI.S.
James M. Dobbin, Freeland, died Jan. 12, 1868, of wounds.
William E. Un<lerwood, Sandwich, mustei-ed o-t Jan 8, 1865, as Sergeant.
.MCSICIANS.
E. T. Bowers, Somonauk, mustered out. Jnue 18, 186'1.
S. W. West, Somonauk, mustered out June 18, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Ankle Henry, Somonauk, mustered out June 18, 1864.
Bish Lewis, Squaw Grove, mustered out June 18, 1864, as Corporal.
Bashew Joseph M., Sandwich, died Jan. 21, 186;!, of wounds-
Brookins James, Squaw Grove, mustered out June 18, 2Htil.
Brainard Jacob, Squaw Grove, mustered out June 18, ISC.J.
Uoolittle Marcus B., Sandwich, died March 7, 186 \
Filch Albert C, Somonauk, mustered out June 18, 1864.
Hermis Lewis, Sandwich, prisoner, mustered out June 1<>, 186.S.
Joles William, Sandwich, mustered out June 18, 18G4.
Judge Michael, Somonauk, mustered out June 18, 1864.
Kelly James, Somonauk, mustered out June 18, 18(j4.
Koutli Michael, Somonauk, deserted July 4, 1861.
Liter Nicholas, Squaw Grove, mustered out June 18, 1864.
Miller Nicholas, Squavr Grove, m. o. June 18, '64, Corporal was a prisoner.
;

Mullin Andrew, Sandwich, killed at Chickasaw Bayou, Dec. 20, 1862,

Mattison Joseph D., Sandwich, mustered out June 18, 1864.
Nicholas Thomas, Somonauk, died August ]ij, 1863.
Orj: Alfred B,, Somonauk, dischai-ged Sept. 8, 1863, for disability.
Patch William B,, Clinton, deserted March 10, 1862.
Potter Thomas B., Somonauk, killed at Chickasaw Bayou, Dec. 20, 1862.
Palmer Camillas L., Squaw Grove, died June 16, 1863.
Pierce Benjamin, DeKalb, died Jan. 7, 1862.
Stewart Daniel, Sandwich, mustered out June 18, 1864.
VanVelzer Lucien L., DeKalb, deserted April 24. 1862.
Wilcox Otis, Sandwich, deserted July 4, 1861.
RECRUITS.
Alger William H., Somonauk, transferred to Company I, 56lh Illinois Inf.
Mullin John, Sandwich, prisoner, mustered out May 30, 186-5, as Corporal.
Trapp Frederick, Somonauk, died March 7, 1863.
saiiYii Bi^iG,. g;im' F. W- mmmmi
OF SAMD^IOff.

aiu-a;i<>lllluvi.aiiJlill-ilc
 THIKTEENTli ILLINOIS INFANTRY. oOo

COMPANY F.

SEROKANTS.
John S. }I;irruuii, S^'cauiore, aliseiit ; not niuyti'iiMl in.
Azro A. lUick, Sycamore, prouiuteil Captain.
Lorenzo H. AVhitney, Sycamore, discharged Scpl. H), lsi;i.
Hnos Churchill. Cortland, mustered out June l.s, ^K')^.
I'orter i). Hall, Cortland, absent wounded since ^ov. LSd:',
CORrORALS.
I'.yron F. Wyman, Sycamore, mustered out.luuc li^, ]Sti4, as 1st Sergennt.
[{ansom F. Burleigh, Sycamore, mustered out .June ]>^, 1S()4, as Pergcant.
William S. ?mith, Sycamore, died September I'.t, lS(i4.
Edward W. Olney, Sycamore, mustered out June IS, 1Hii4, as Seigean).
Tlionuis Hogan, Sycamore, died jNlay l25th, 18(i8, of wounds.
Wesley D. Kussell, Sycamore, died June 26, ISHo. •

I'RIVATES.
Allen AVilliani, Sycamore, mustered out June IS, 1S(3-1.

Atwood INloiris, Sycamore, discharged Sept. U, 18(Jo, fni' disability.

Bryant Samuel T., Sycamore, mustered out June IS, ISOl.
Babcock Isaiah, Sycamore, mustered out June 1S64.
Bradley Daniel, Sycamore, prisoner, mustered out May S. isir..
Durkee Cyrus C, mustered out June 18, 18(;4.
Burgess Lewis, Cortland, discharged Jan. 1, ISOL'.
Barton Anthony, Sycamore, mustered out June IS, ISCl.
Barnes Daniel A. A. B., Sycamore, mustered out June JS, 1S64.
Cdogle John, Sycamore, deserted August IS, IStil.
Carr George,'Sycamore, prisoner, mustered out June H, lS(i."i.
Courtwright Cyrenus S., Cortland, mustered out June IS, 1S(;4.
Clewson Leonard S.. Sycamore, mustered out June IS, ISiil.
Culver Harlan, Cortland, discharged Jan. 1, 18(i2.
Campbell George, Sycamore, prisoner, mustered out June, IS65.
Caswell Charles H., Sycamore, mustered out June 18, iSiil.
Crosby Charles R., Sycamore, mustered out June 18, lS(i4.
Clarke John, Cortland, discharged Dec. 10, 1S61.
Depuc Nicholas, Sycamore, mustered out June 18, ]S(i4, as Corporal.
Deily Jacob S., Sycamore, wounded since Dec. 'J.{), 18G2.
Dolan Thomas, Sycamore, discharged July 1, 1862.
Fidermont Samuel, Sycamore, mustered out June 18, 1864.
Gandy Wayne, Cortland, discharged May 4, 1863, for disability.
Greene Andrew J., Sycamore, died Oct. 2, 1862.
Hartman Philo D., Sycamore, mustered out June 18, 1864.
Harrison Charles, Sycamore, mustered out July 25, 1864.
Houghton Alonzo, Sycamore, mustered out July 25, 1864.
Hevenor Reuben M., Malta, mustered out .June 18, 1861.
Hill John, Malta, deserted April 28, 1863.
Goodrich George, Cortland, died Feb. 16, 186:1.
Kerr William C, Sycamore, died Jan. 5, 1863, of wounds.
May 17, 1862.
Fveppell Isaac, Kingston, died
I,oring Theodore, Cortland,promoted Lieutenant.
Losee Joshua, DeKalb, prisoner, mustered out June 6, 1S6.3.
Myers Frederick C, Sycamore, veteran, prisoner, mustered out June, Ihb-^.
McLaughlin Thomas, Sycamore, deserted Feb. 28, 1863.
Milligan Robert, Sycamore, deserted April 28, 1863.
Mulligan Albert, Sycamore, mustered out June 18, 1864.
Nagreen Joseph, Sycamore, absent sick since October 21, 1863.
Norris Sylvester W-, Sycamore, mustered out June 18, 1864.
39
 306 HIPTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Nichols John W., yycamm-e, mustered out May ">0, 1865, as Sergeant.
Orr Thomas .1., .Sycamore, mustered out June 18, 18(>4.
()rritt,John, Malta, discharged November, 1862, for disability.
Oleson Hans, Cortland, died Nov. 2, 1863, of wounds.
Peck Charles V., .Sycamore, killed at Ringold Nov. 27, 186:!.
Partridge Zelotes 13., Sycamore, discharged May 6, 1868.
Phelps WilliatU A., Sycamore, mustered out June 18, 18lM.
Potter Seneca, .Sycamore, discharged July 2-5, 1862, for disability.
Robbins Alfred, Sycamore, discharged Oct 28, 1862.
Russell Gustavus F., Cortland, mustered out June 18, 1861.
Ramer Henry, Pierce, mustered out June 18, 186-1.
Siglin Jacob, Sycamore, discharged Sept. 12, 1861.
Stark W. H., Cortland, died Dec. ir>, 1861.
Smith James M., Sycamore, deserted May -SI, 1862.
Spiking John H., Sycamore, mustered out June, 186:1.
Smith Henry, Pierce, killed at Ringold Nov. 27, 1862.
Stafford Seymour, Sycamore, transferred to Invalid <'orp5.
Thompson Julius, DeKalb, muslered out June, 1864.
.Secord Francis, Sycamore, sick since Oct. 1, 1863.
Smith Oliver W., Sycamore, mustered out June 18, 1864,
Waldron John, .Sycamore, discharged December, 1862, for disability.
West Asa 1'., .Sycamore, discharged June 6, 1863, for wounds.
Wing Vintner B., Sycamore, died September, 1862, of wounds?.
Willis Moses P.., Sycamore, discharged August 11, 1862.
Voung John, .Sycamore, died .Ian. 13, 1864, of wounds.
VETERANS
(larrington Nelson H., .Sycamore, Corporal, transferred to 66th Infantry.
Houghton Alonzo, .Sycamore, transferred to 56th Illinois Infantry.
Myers Frederick, Sycamore, transferred to 56th Illinois Infantry.
Orvis Chas. W., Sycamore, tr. to 56th 111., prisoner, mustered out June, '6*
RECRUITS.
Adams John, .^vcamorc, mustered out June 18, 1865, as Corporal.
Burbank Horace C, Sycamore, transferred to Invalid Corps Sept. l!-!65.

Burbauk Elbert, Sycamore, mustered out June 18, 1864.

Berogan John, Pierce.
Brown George, Cortland, prisoner, mustered out June h, 186.S,

Freeman William, .Sycamore, deserted Jusy 31, J861.

Gould Benjamin L., Cortland, discharged Jan., 1863, for 'li^abiluj.
Harrington Nelson R., Sycamore, re enlisted as veteriin.
Ringsley Albeit F., Sycamore, promoted Corporal.
r>awrence John M., Ccrtlaud.
Nichols Stephen, .Sycamore, discharged Feb., 1863, for disability,
Orvis Charles W., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Patten David H., Sycamore, mustered out June 18, 1864.
Russell Alphonso, Cortland, killed Dec. 29, 1863, at Chickasaw Bayou.
Spragne Edward F., .*^ycamore, transferred to 56th Illinois Infantry.
Fourteeiitli Illinois Cavalry
 Fourteenth Illiaois Cavalry.

Recruiting for the 14tli Cavalry was begun, under very

tllscouraging circumstances, in the summer of 18G2; but an
organization was not effected until January 7th, 18(33, when
the first and second battalions were mustered in. This was
done by the consolidation of the nuclei of three regiments,
then in camp at Peoria — Colonel Capron's, Colonel Hancock's
and Colont'l Jenkins'. On the Gth of February, the third
battalion was mustered The regimental muster-in roster
in.

was as follows : Horace Capron Lieutenant-Colonel,

Colonel, ;

David P. Jenkins 1st Major, Francis M. Davidson 2nd

; ;

Major, David Quigg 3rd Major, Howland Tompkins Adju-

; ;

tant, Henry W. Carpenter; Quartermaster, Samuel F. True;

Commissary, Bruce C. Payne Surgeon, Preston II. Bail-
;

hache 1st Assistant Surgeon, George A. AYilson 2nd As-

; ;

sistant Surgeon, John Ivory "VVilkins Chaplain, Samuel Chase,

;

During the months of February and March, 1863, the reg-

iment received its horses and equipments, and was thoroughly
drilled in cavalry tactics. On the 28th of the latter month,
it broke camp and started for Kentucky, reaching Glasgow,
in the southern portion of that State, at noon on the ITth of
April. Two hours later it started upon the march for the
Cumberland River, traveling day and night. It reached Ce-
lina the next evening, where, on the succeeding day (the 19th,)
 THE FOURTKKNTTT TLLTNOTS CAVALRY. 309

it had a ])rief skirmish witli tlio enemy, (h-iving them from the
place, and afterward burned tlie town and destroyed one hun-
dred thousand dollars' worth of army stores. Tt then return-

ed to Camp Boyle, at Glasgow, where it remained some months.

Here it received four six-pounder mountain howitzers.
While stationed here, it was engaged in scouting through
the country. In June it pursued the rebel Colonel Hamilton
to the river, effected a crossing, and surrounded his camp,
capturing a number of prisoners, their train, two cannon, six
hundred stand of arms, and all the rebel commander's papers
The doughty Colonel escaped, amid a perfect showei- of Imllets,
by putting spurs to liis blooded iron-gray horse.
Nothing more of particular note occurred until the famous
raid of Morgan across the Ohio River. The 14th, under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Jenkins, was engaged in the
pursuit and capture of the bold rider and his crew. It then

returned to Glasgow, having traveled during this expedition

over 2,100 miles.
On the 18th of August, it started for East Tennessee,
reaching Burnside's army, at Montgomery, on the 30th, leav-
ing him the next day at Emery river, and hastening on to

Knoxville, which place it reached on the 1st of September,

capturing the rear guard of the enemy, and a considerable
amount of stores.
The regiment was the first to enter this city, the only con-
siderable town in the south then devoted to the Union and ;

it was received with cheers, waving handkerchiefs, ringing of

bells, refreshments of fruit, etc., from the ladies, a genera]

display of the Union flag, and every other demonstration of

joy. Captain Burpee was here made Quartermaster of the
regiment.
The regiment was present at the surrender of Cumberland
Gap, September 9th, and was then sent across the Clinch
mountains, and placed at guarding railroads, having about one
hundred and fifty miles of track in charge. While here, it
was frequently engaged in skirmishing with the enemy, and
310 HTRTOKY OF 1)11 KALR COTINTV.

often sufl[ere<l for food. On the 18th it pursued the routed

forces of the rebel Colonel Carter for nearly ten miles toward
Bristol, capturing and killing many, taking their train and a
large quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage. On
the following day it drove them from Blountville through
Bristol, into A'^irginia, destroying at Bristol a hirge depot of
army supplies.
On the -0th it again engaged the enemy at Zollicotter.
Zollicoft'er was situated upon a, high eminence, and it was of
especial value to the rebels, on nccount of its salt works, that
supplied the Confederacy with that necessary article, for the
want of which they suftered severely.
There was a sharp resistance at tliis ))oint, and we lost two
men killed ; but during most of our encounters, the rebel cav-
alry fled at our first onset. Our mountain howitzers, moved
by two horses, and loaded :is we moved along, could be wheel-
ed in an instant and discharged into their ranks, before they
could get their heavier pieces in position.
On the li2nd, it met the enemy at Blountville, and, after
four hours' hard fighting, drove them back. On the 11th of
October, it had another severe engagement with the enemy,
gaining great credit for boldness and skill. At Blountville,
on the 14th, it fought them for five hours, driving them toward
Bristol.
After this it returned to the vicinity of Knoxville, from
v\"hence it was ordered to Lf)udon, Va., a force of rebels being
reported to l)e concentrating at that point. It was a very
severe march, the mud being very deep and the weather cold
and stormy. It is worthy of remark that, from the time the
regiment first entered on active service until mustered out, it

had no shelter, in summer or winter, other than the scanty

dog-tents —a narrow covering about four feet wide by seven
long, open at the sides and ends.
The siege of Knoxville by the rebels changed the plans of
our commanders ; and the 14th was employed in harassing
the besieging forces.
 THE FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAYALR-J. 811

On the IDth of December, the brigade Avas attacked by an

overwhelming force of rebels, and compelled to retreat ; but
the latter operation was conducted a In Sigel — whipping the
enemy while itself in retreat. The losses of this affair were
very severe on both sides.
After the raising of the siege of Knoxville, the 1 4th was
engaged i»i the pursuit of Longstreets forces up the Richland
Valley.

On the 14th of December, our forces were attacked ;>t

Bean's Station by Longstreet\s corps. Although the odds

against them were well-nigh overwhelming, our boys main
tained their position with great boldness and success. Thn
enemy were repulsed with a loss uf eight hundred men. On
the following day, the light was renewed seven miles bol>>-\v

Bean Station, with a similar result.

Dec. 24th the 14th moved across Holston river, ami was
incorporated with General Sturgis' cavalry corps, an<l an as
thereafter engaged in campaigning against Longstreet, who
was attempting to re-invest Ki oxviHe.
[n January, lS(-i4, the brigade of Avbich the 14th had long
formed a part was broken up, and the regiment was for a timo
engaged in guarding railroads. Before the month Avas ended^
it W.1S ro-unitcd. and joiiuMl in driving the enemy to Dandritlge.

where a severe ]>attle avms lought. Immediately afterward,

with General Sturgis" c(U-ps, it crossed asjuir of the mountains,
and (•am))ed at Tiickaleehee Cove, danuary oOtli.

The 14th was now chosen i'or an expedition into North

Carolina, to punish a noted band of robbers, known as

"Thomas' Legion," compused of one hundred Avhites and tAvo

hundred Cherokee Indians. The expedition was begun on
the 81st of January, ami, on the 2d of February, after march
mg day and night through the most rugged and mountaimuis
region in the country — a region that justly characterized
is as
the Switzerland of ^Vmerica— the regiment came upon the
object of its search, Avhom it completely routed, killing sixty
and capturing fifty-six of the band. The 14th lost four killed
312 HISTORY OF DE KALE COUNTY.

and five Avoiindcd. (Jne of the latter — the lamented Lieuten-

ant Horace Capron, son of Colonel Capron — died a few days
later.

On the oth, the regiment reached the valley at the foot of

the Smoky Hill range in Tennessee.
A few reconnoissances, with a great deal of hard marchun c'
filled the time till March 13th, when the regrment was found
at Madisonville. This point Avas made headquarters, while
the regiment was broken up into detachments, and employed
in guarding fords and mountain passes. While thus engaged,
a band of Thomas' Legion, consisting of about one hundred
and fifty Indians, planned the capture and slaughter of the
detached companies.
Their first attempt was made u})on Company E, at Cittico,
May 27th. Our boys were warned of the expected attack by
a friendly negro ; and, leaving camp-fires lighted, and lights
in their tents, as if all unconscious of danger, they concealed
themselves near by, and saw the rebels rush into the camp
and prepare to They heartily enjoyed
slaughter our men.
the surprise and discomfiture of the rebs when they found the
occupants all gone. They had planned to attack their enemy
at this time,and capture them but they Avere found to be so
;

numerous that it was thought best to retire a few miles, to

gain the help of another company, when, joining forces, they
advanced on the rebels and drove them back into the moun-
tains.

June the 14th was ordered to join k^heruian, aixl on the

In
13th began 'its march, camping near Lost Mountain on the
29th. The next day it joined General Stoneman's cavalry
corps, and remained Avith it through the Oeorgia campaign, or
until his capture.
It participated in the famous movement on Atlanta ; and,
to insure the speedy capture of the city, it Avas sent under
Stoneman, with six other regiments of cavalry, to cut the rail-
road farther in the rear ; but he failed in his attempt, and
Avhen our boys reached Macon, after three days and nights
 THE FOURTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRH 313

hard riding, they were astounded bj the sight of an immense

infantry force in their front, while a large body of rebel cav-
alryswung around in their rear, to cut oif all escape. General
Stoneman now tried to return; but, after a terrible fight at
Sunshine Church, he gave up the attempt, and surrendered
his forces to the enemy.
Colonels Capron and Adams, however, thinking the surren-
der unnecessary, determined to cut their way through. This,
after a hard fight, they succeeded in accomplishing. They
broke through the rebel lines at several points, and subse-
quently united in the rear.
A dispute now arose between the two Colonels about Sen-
iority of rank and the proper course to pursue ; and, after
another day's marching, at the banks of a creek that ran at
the base of Hogback mountain, the two regiments parted.
Colonel Adams at once crossed the stream, and subsequently
reached the Union lines in safety. Colonel Capron's men had
now been in the saddle for seven days and nights. Their
horses were fresh, as they had all been exchanged for horses
captured in the vicinity. Captain Burpee's men at one time
brought in one hundred fresh horses, and mounted his me^
upon them, turning out his exhausted animals.
But the men who had had no sleep, except what they took
while riding, were completely exhausted, and could be kept on
their horses no longer. Supposing himself safe, he ordered a
halt at one o'clock on the morning of August 3d, and suffered
his men to lie down. But, unknown to them, a regiment of
rebel cavalry were near that place, engaged in guarding the
road. Some farmers in the vicinity gave them notice that
some Union troops were there asleep and about daylight,
;

while our boys were in the deep slumber induced by their

excessive labors, the rebel cavalry dashed in upon them,
butchering a large number of them before they could be
aAvakened. Not one man could mount his horse or secure his
arms. Those who escaped fled on foot to the woods, and for
several days, while entirely unarmed, were pursued and
40
 314 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

slaughtered bj rebel citizens, guerrillas, soldiers and blood-

hounds. Not one-half of the regiment ever reached the Union
lines. The recital of their dangers, their sufferings, their
hair-breadth escapes, would fill a volume.
During the raid upon Macon, the first battalion of the 14th,
under Major Davidson, left the main command July 29th, and
"marched over one hundred and sixty miles in less than three
days and nights, destroying four depots, forty engines, five
hundred freight and passenger cars, many miles of railroad,
thousands of cords of wood, public buildings and large stores
of military property, with a number of important bridges, in-
cluding the great Oconee bridge. On several occasions it

passed near large bodies of the enemy — once attacking, rout-

ing and chasing for miles the rear guard of a large force that
was marching to guard the Oconee bridge, which our troops
had just destroyed and once they passed between Milledge-
;

ville and the rebel picket, not more than a half mile from the

city, and finally joined the main command August 1st, in time

to share the great disaster of the 3d. For this exploit the
Major was recommended for promotion by General Stoneman."
After the scattered fragments of the brigade of which the
14th was a part were re-united, being dismounted and unarm-
ed, they were furnished with muskets, and sent to the Chatta-
hoochee river. On the 15th of September, the brigade was
S3nt to Kentucky to be remounted, which was effected at
Louisville October 16th, still retaining its muskets. It was
then sent to Pulaski, Tennessee, arriving November 3d, and
on the 18th marched to Waynesboro, to oppose Forrest.
For three days the ground was contested against over-
whelming odds, our troops slowly retiring, and fighting a se-
vere battle below Mount Pleasant on the 2od. The 4th Corps,
under Schofield, was filling back, the cavalry brigade guard-
ing the rear, and holding Forrest in check. On the 24th the
rebels succeeded in flanking the cavalry, who were driven in
disorder ; but the 4th Corps came up on the double-quick, and
repulsed the enemy.
 FOURTEENTn ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 315

November 29th, the cavalry brigade was sent up the north

bank of the Duck river, to prevent Forrest's crossing. Here
it again narrowly escaped capture, being at one time entirely
surrounded by three rebel divisions. (Jolonel Capron with a
few companies cut his way out. This movement was followed
by a similar one by the 14tli regiment, under the lead of
Captains Jenkins and Connelly, who thus saved the brigade.
The brigade then joined the cavalry corps, and aided in check-
ing the advance of the rebels. During the battle of Franklin,
it was on the left wing, in sight of the town.
Arriving at Nashville, the 14th turned over its remaining
horses to other regiments, and in the battle at that place
served on foot, performing important service. It then joined

in the pursuit of Bragg's retreating forces, returning to Nash-

ville, where it remained till April 1st, 1865, when it was or-
dered to Pulaski. Here it remained till July 31st, when it

waa mustered out of the service.

While the regiment was Capron and
at Nashville, Colonel
Lieutenant-Colonel Jenkins and Major Davidson
resigned,
was promoted to the Colonelcy, Major Quigg being appointed
Lieutenant-Colonel. Captains Dent, Connelly, Jenkins and
Sanford received Majors' commissions.
The aggregate of all the marches by the regiment in force
was 10,000 miles. This is exclusive of marches by detach-
ments.
Forty-Second Illinois Infantry.
 Forty-Second lUiaois Infantry.

COMPANY K.
For several months before the great war of the rebellion
had commenced, an independent company of artillery had
been organized at the village of DeKalb, under the command
of Captain J. D. Butts. It was really intended more for or-
namental duties than for the stern service of actual warfare.
Its services had been confined to the management of a field-
piece used for salutes upon the anniversaries of the country's
birthdays and like joyful occasions.
But upon the first day after the thrilling news of the cap-
ture of Fort Sumter had echoed over the land, rousing all the
warlike spirit of the peaceful north, and summoning it to resist
the traitors and revenge the insult to the flag. Captain Butts,
after consulting with the members of his company, promptly
telegraphed a message to the Governor of the State, offering
its services to aid in the work of conquering the rebellion.
When in a few days, the first call of the President for 75,000
troops was sent out, and Illinois was granted the privilege of
furnishing 6,000 of the number, Captain Butts was answered
that the services of this company, now full in numbers, were
accepted ; that they should perfect themselves in drill, and
await further orders.
But the further orders did not come. Other companies
poured into the rendezvous without waiting for orders, and
were accepted : the DeKalb company, in spite of all their
efforts, were at last excluded.
 THE FORTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 319

Foreseeing that their services would yet be required, they

retained their organization, and calmly awaited their time.
That time came at length and the 1st day of August, 1861,
;

saw the boys of DeKalb in camp for instruction at Chicago

a component part of the 42d Regiment of Illinois Infantry,
and ranking as Company K.
The Colonel was William A, Webb Lieutenant-Colonel, ;

David Stuart Major, George W. Roberts.

; Its company
officers were Jesse D. Butts, Captain Joseph W. Foster,
: ;

1st Lieutenant Gilbert L. Barnes, 2d Lieutenant.

;

On the 17th of September, the regiment, numbering 1051

men, was mustered into service, and, immediately thereafter,
left for St. Louis, and there remained in a camp of instruction

for seventeen days, when it received orders to proceed to Tip-

ton, Missouri, to join General Fremont in his great expedition
against the rebel General Price.
The emergencies of the situation seemed to call for the
greatest possible haste ; and the regiment was forced through
at a rate of speed that almost destroyed it. They were nearly
destitute of wagons for the transportation of supplies, without
baggage, except what they carried on their backs, no rations,
except a small supply of hard-tack and a few cattle driven
along and killed each night, and often eaten raw by the fam-
ished and exhausted soldiers ;
yet they marched from twenty-
five to forty miles each day, for about ten days, and reached
Springfield on the 4th of November, stacking their arms, then
one hundred muskets, the remainder of the regiment having
fallen out exhausted.
These simple words :
" they marched from twenty-five to
forty miles per day," look common-place enough upon paper;
but they convey no adequate idea of the toil, the suffering,
the exhaustion which such a march requires. Any person
who chooses may determine by personal experience that to
walk two and a half miles an hour is rapid movement four :

miles an hour is a run. To move at such a rate for ten hours

a day, loaded down with muskets, accoutrements and rations,
is more fatal to an army than the severest battles.
 320 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The men may start out in the morning fresh and strong
they go for weary miles with the rapid step required. Soon
the weaker ones begin to slacken their pace, and straggle in
the rear. The rules require imperatively that there shall be
no straggling ;and the ofEcers now run back and urge them
on. Stimulated by threats, importunities, and sometimes by
blows, they struggle on a while longer ; but soon exhausted
nature can hold out no longer : they fall in the rear and sit
down exhausted, the picture of despair. The regiment moves
on ; and, before night, a small company only reaches its camp-
ing-ground, and, utterly exhausted, sink to the earth for a
moment's repose. Then they proceed to prepare something
to satisfy the cravings ofhunger and very slight indeed are
;

these preparations. The food is devoured almost raw and ;

they then sleep as only those can whose power of endurance

had reached its limit. The stragglers now begin to come in ;

and, before dawn, perhaps half of them have reached their

companies, when the unwelcome drum-beat of the reveille
rouses them again to the march, and they commence again the
weary onward movement.
Many fields of sorghum had been planted upon this route

and the men sustained nature by the stimulating pieces of its

stalks which they chewed as they moved along. Two hundred
men by this terri-
of this regiment were permanently disabled
ble march, and multitudes more acquired chronic diseases
from which they never fully recovered.
Lieutenant Gilbert L. Barnes and nine privates of Company
K died on the march.
The sufferings of the regiment upon this march were not
recompensed by the consideration that they had proved of
much value to the cause. Arrived at Springfield, Fremont
was superceded by General Hunter, the plan of the campaign
was changed. Price retired to his mountain fastnesses, at a
short distance and when the regiment had remained a few
;

weeks encamped at Springfield, it marched back again to Tip-

ton, Price's army following ours back to Springfield, and then
l^ LllUT.LA,rilTGH!^aP

Cliioaso Lillioampimia fofhirae

 THE FORTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 321

to Osceola, where it wintered within thirty miles of our own.

The regiment went into winter-quarters at Smithton, an
outpost of Otterville, where was located the headquarters of
General Pope's army. Our company, on the 15th of De-
cember, occupied for winter quarters an old and roomy ware-
house, colder than any ordinary barn and amid more than
;

the usual discomforts of army life in winter, it passed the time

in guard duty.
On the 3d of February, 1862, we moved to St. Charles,
Missouri, north of St. Louis — a very exhausting march of
seven days —
where we took steamers, and, on the 20th, arrived
atFort Holt in Kentucky, whence we moved by steamers to
Columbus, Kentucky.
On the 4th of March it occupied Columbus, Ky, and on the
15th moved down to Island Number Ten — a march of forty-
five miles,during which we were constantly in conflict with
the enemy. In the reduction and capture of that important
post the 42d bore no unimportant part.
On the night of April 1st, Colonel Roberts, its commander,
with fifty men of the regiment, spiked a battery of six guns
of the rebels that had hitherto done a good deal of injury to
our troops.
On the 11th of April this formidable fortress surrendered
to the Union arms, and on the 14th our regiment, under Gen-
eral Pope, moved to Fort Pillow and thence to Shiloh, arriving
too late for the great battle.
The regiment was engaged in the famous siege of Corinth,
and shared the glory of the capture of that important point
and it led the advance of the Union forces in pursuit of Beau-
regard's flying host, as far as Booneville, Miss.
During this siege Captain Butts, who had been in charge
of the Surgeon since the 1st of March, was forced to resign
his command, and Robert Raney, a Lieutenant of Company
D, was chosen Captain in his stead.
In the battle of Farmington, on the 9th of May, the regi-
ment lost two men killed, twelve wounded and three missing.
41
 322 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The 42d occupied Courtland, Alabama, from July 25th to

September 3d, 1862, when it left for Nashville, Tenn., by way
of Decatur, Alabama. It had a battle at Columbia, Tenn.,
September 9th, 1862, and lost one man killed. The regiment
arrived at Nashville September 13th.
It remained in Nashville during the siege. On December
10th it marched out six miles on the Nolensville pike. On
December 26th it engaged in the Murfreesboro campaign.
It skirmished with the enemy December 30th, and was en-
gaged in the battle of Stone River, December 31st, with a
loss of 22 killed, 116 wounded, and 85 prisoners.
On the 5th of March, 1863, the 42d engaged in the pursuit
of VanDorn to Columbia, returning to camp at Murfreesboro
on the 14th. On June 24th it entered upon the Tullahoma
campaign, camped, July 31st, at Bridgeport, Alabama, and on
September 2d engaged in the Chattanooga campaign. It then
marched to Alpine, Georgia, thence to Trenton, and crossed
Lookout Mountain. It engaged, September 19th and 20th,
in the battle in the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, losing 28
killed, 128 wounded, and 28 prisoners, and retreated to Chat-

anooga.
On the 28th of November the regiment was engaged in the
battle of Mission Ridge, losing five killed and forty wounded,
the 42d being on the skirmish-line during the whole engage-
ment. It pursued the enemy to Chickamauga creek and re-

turned. It then entered the East Tennessee campaign, and

on the 27th of December camped at Stone's Mill.
On the 1st of January, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as a
veteran volunteer organization, and on the 15th it moved to

Dandridge. It started for Chattanooga on the 21st, arriving

on the 2d of February, whence it moved by rail to Chicago on
the 21st. On the 2d of March the men received thirty day
furloughs, and, on their return, arrived at Chattanooga April
27tli.

The regiment entered the Atlanta campaign on the 3d of

May, and was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairs-
 THE FORTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 323

ville, New Hope Churcli, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain,

Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy Station,
encamping at Atlanta, September 8th. The total loss on the
campaign was twenty killed, eighty-nine wounded, and seven
prisoners. On the 25th it moved to Bridgeport, Alabama, by
rail, and, October 19th, to Chattanooga, whence they marched

to Alpine, Georgia. On the 30th of October, it moved by

rail to Athens, Alabama, and marched thence to Pulaski,
Tennessee, arrivingNovember 5th.
Itcommenced its retreat for Nashville on the 22d, engaging
with the enemy at Spring Hill and Franklin, and losing twen-
ty-four killed, ninety-five wounded, and thirty prisoners. It

was engaged in the battle of Nashville on the 15th and 16th

of December, losing two killed and eleven wounded, and pur-
sued the enemy eighty-two miles, camping at Lexington, Ala.,
December 31st, whence it marched to Decatur, Ala., arriving
January 6th, 1865.
The 42d remained at Decatur till April 1st, when it pro-
ceeded by rail to Bull's Gap, Tenn., and thence marched to
Blue Springs, where it remained two weeks, and then proceed-
ed by rail to Nashville.

On it moved by rail to Johnsonville, Tenn.,

the 15th of June
and thence by water to New Orleans, and camped at Chal-
mette, June 23d. On the 18th of July it proceeded to Port
Lavaca, Texas, whence it went to Camp Irwin, where it re-
mained a month, and then returned to Lavaca and went on
post duty.
The regiment was mustered out on the 16th of December,
left Indianola on the 20th and New Orleans on the 24th, ar-
riving at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, January 3d, 1866.
On the 10th it received its final pay and discharge.
Men of DeKalb County in tlie 42d Illinois Inf.

COMPANY K.
CAPTAINS.
Jesse D. Butts, DeKalb, resigned April 8, 1862.
Joseph VV. Foster, DeKalb, honorably discharged May 15, 1865.

FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Joseph W. Foster, DeKalb, promoted.
James N. McClellan, South Grove, term expired Feb. 20. 1865.
Jeremiah G. Beard, Somonauk, mustered out as Sergeant Dec. 16, 1865.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Gilbert S. Barnes, Kingston, died Oct. 24, 1861.
James N. McClellan, South Grove, promoted.
SERGEANTS.
James N. McClellan, South Grove, promoted 2d Lieutenant.
Shuin W. King, DeKalb, killed at Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863.
James H. Dupee, Sycamore, re-enlisted as vetei'an.
Perry Rowan, Franklin, killed at Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
CORPORALS.
Moses L. Benies, DeKalb, mustered out September 16, 1864, as private.
Charles H. Stuart, Kingston, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Robert Lenox, DeKalb, discharged Nov. 15, 1863, for disability.
John Lundall, DeKalb, trans, to Veteran Reserve Corps, March 15. 1865.
Lyman H. Needham, DeKalb, died in Andersonville prison, Sept. 1, 1864.
Orlando M. Benson, killed at Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.
Henry B. Gurle, DeKalb, discharged Nov. 14, 1862, for disability.
Stephen Olney, Kingston, discharged Feb. 14, 1863, for disability.
MUSICIANS.
Ethan Allen, Sycamore, dischai-ged March 26, 1862, for disability.
Ephraim II. Hornbeck, Mayfield, deserted Nov. 7, 1861.
PRIVATES.
Austin Amasa C, DeKalb, discharged Jan 5, 1862.
Arst Frank, Kingston, died at Chattanooga, March 13, 1863.
Alba George, Pampas, deserted July 3, 1862.
Aurner William R., Kingston, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Brainard Anson, Kingston, died at St. Louis Dec. 11, 1861.
Bates Stephen H., Kingston, discharged May 12, 1862, for disability.
 THE FOUTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 325

Barber Daniel, DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 18G4.

Benies Aaron B., DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Brown James AV., DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 18, 1864.
Brigham Artiraus. Somonauk. re-enlisted as veteran.
Brigham Jeremiah G., Somonauk, re-enlisted as veteran.
Collier John, Kingston, died at Evansville, Ind., June 11, 1862.
Connaughton Thomas, Kingston, deserted June 11, 1862.
Connaughton Roger, Kingston, deserted June 11, 1862.
Conner Allanson. Malta, discharged Jan. 19, 1863, for disability.
Campbell David, Milan, missing after the battle of Chickamauga.
Decker AVilliam H., Kingston, died at Farmington May 29, 1862.
Dairs William, Kingston, died at Tipton, Mo , Dec. 4, 1861.
DeLaTour George W., Milan, transferred to Company B.
Edmonds John D., Milan, killed at Chickamauga Sept. 20, 1863.
Edmunds Edward B., Milan, re-enlisted as veteran.
Fish Mortimer A., Sandwich, mustered out Sept. 16. 1864.
Fish Enos, DeKalb, died at Smithton, Mo., Jan. 11, 1862.
Fish Chester, DeKalb, transferred to 55t,h 111. Inf. Sept. 5, 1861.
Frost George R., Clinton, trans, to Sappers and Miners, August 29, 1861.
Fowler Jay, DeKalb, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Feb. 22, 1864.
Garlock Wm. E., DeKalb, discharged April 26, 1864, as Sergeant, wounded.
Green Israel J., Sandwich, trans, to Veteran Reserve Corps, Feb. 10, 1864.
Gorham Edward, South Grove, re-enlisted as veteran.
Hanson Peter, South Grove, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Hendrickson Oscar, DeKalb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Hannegar Nathaniel, DeKalb, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Hodges John H., mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Kimball Lorenzo, DeKalb, disch. Nov. 25, 1862, to enlist in 4th U. S. Cav.
Kennady Melvin, Squaw Grove, missing after the battle of Chickamauga.
Lemley Peter, Kingston, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Martin Daniel G., Afton, discharged Jan. 16, 1862.
McGlin Edward, Afton, deserted June 11, 1862.
McCann John F., Cortland, mustered out May 12, 1865.
Miller August, Afton, transferred to Sappers and Miners, August 29, 1861
Mott William, Sycamore, discharged July 5, 1864, for disability.
Perry Henry, Sycamore, discharged July 8, 1862, for 1862, for disability.
Perry William N., Sycamore, died at St. Louis, Mo., May 23, 1862.
Perry Hale, Sycamore, died at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 10, 1862.
Peterson John, DeKalb, died at Smithton, Mo., Jan. 6, 1862.
Patterson John W., DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Redding John, DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Roleson Lewis, Kingston, trans, to Sappers and Miners, August 29, 1861.
Russell Robert W., Genoa, discharged Dec. 26, 1862, to enlist in 16th U.S.
Rogers Richard S., South Grove, trans, to Vet. Reserve Corps, July 15, '64.
Rostrop J. Peters, DeKalb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Stroup Julius, DeKalb, disch. Nov. 25, 1862, to enlist in 4th U. S. Cavalry.
Stephenson Francis, DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Snell Benjamin, Mayfield, deserted August 23, 1861.
Sams Henry, Mayfield, re-enlisted as veteran.
Shannon Gilbert, South Grove, mustered cut Sept. 16, 1864.
Stout Aaron, DeKalb, discharged Jan. 13, 1862, for disability.
Tibbetts Aaron G., Kingston, discharged July 12, 1862, for disability.
Tyler William P.. DeKalb, died at Tipton, Mo., Dec. 31, 1861.
Taylor Joseph, Mayfield, re-enlisted as veteran.
V'dburgh Addison, Mayfield, discharged Feb. 11, 1862, for disability.
VanNess Oscar, Afton, discharged Jan. 26, 1862, to enlist in 16th U. S. A.
Wolrod Charles, Afton, discharged March 24, 1862, for disability.
326 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

Wright Benjamin, DcKalb, mustered out Sept. 28, 1864.

Wright George H., DeKalb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Witiemore Anson W., DeKalb, discharged March 26, 1862, for disability.
Wilson Charles S., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Wright William, DeKalb, mustered out Sept. 16, 1864.
Yarwood N. B., Kingston, discharged Dec. 26, 1862, to enlist in 16th U. S.

VETERANS.
Beard Jeremiah G., DeKalb, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Ist Sergeant.
Brigham Artemus, Victor, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Sergeant.
Depue James H., Spcamore, 1st Sergeant, died at home March 22, 1864.
Edmonds Edmond B.. DeKalb, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Corporal.
Nichols Charles, DeKalb, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Corporal, wounded.
Sams Henry, DeKalb, mustered aut Dec, 16, 1865.
Taylor Joseph, Mayfield, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, wounded.
Wright Geo. H., DeKalb, mustered out Dec. 16, 1865, as Sergeant, wounded.
Fifty-Second Illinois Infantry,
 Fifty-Second Illinois Infantry.

The o2d Illinois Infantry Regiment was organized at Ge-

neva, Kane County, Illinois, under the superintendence of
Colonel I. G. Wilson, and was mustered into the United States
service as an organization, November 19th, 1861, by Lieuten-
ant J. Christopher, U. S. A.
The regiment left Geneva with 945 men, under Colonel I.

G. Wilson, with orders to proceed to St. Louis, Mo,, via Chi-

cago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, November 28th, 1861.
They arrived at St. Louis November 29th, and went into
quarters at Benton Barracks. While at Benton Barracks,
Colonel Wilson's resignation was tendered and accepted. On
the 8th day of December, the regiment, under command of
Lieutenant-Colonel J. S! Wilcox, embarked on the cars for
St. Joseph, Mo., by way of Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad,
and arrived at St. Joseph December 10th, 1861.
The several companies of the regiment were stationed along
the road from St. Joseph to a point four miles east of Came-
ron,making a distance of thirty-five miles to be kept open by
our regiment. The regiment was thus employed until Janua-
ry 16th, 1862, the headquarters being at St. Joseph. The
duty performed was hard and tedious, owing to the intense
cold weather and the limited supply of camp and garrison
equipage.
 FIFTY-SECOXD ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 329

On January 16tb, 1862, we left St. Joseph, under command

of Lieutenant-Colonel Wilcox, with orders to proceed to Cairo-
We went by rail to Palmyra, Mo., and from there marched to
Quincy, on the railroad, covered with nine inches of snow, and
ice underneath. Many of the men came near perishing on
the way, and undoubtedly would, but for an engine being sent
back several miles to pick up the stragglers. We left Quincy
January 19th, and arrived at Cairo on the 20th. On the 24th
we were ordered to Smithland, Ky., where we arrived on the
26th, and went into camp.
On the Tth of February, Colonel T. W. Sweeney of the
regular army assumed command of the regiment, and on the
16th, in obedience to orders received, we embarked on boat
for Fort Donclson, Ky., where we arrived early on the morn-
ing of the 17th, just in time to be assigned to the unpleasant
duty of guarding rebel prisoners.
On the morning of the 18feh, the regiment, on several dif-
ferent boats, loaded with prisoners, started down the river for
St. Louis, where we arrived on the 20th, and were then order-
ed to proceed with the prisoners to Springfield and Chicago.
After delivering the prisoners at the above places, the regiment
rendezvoused at St. Louis, March Tth.
On the 13th of March, we left for the army of the Tennes-
see, via Cairo and Paducah, arrived at Pittsburg Landing,
March 18th, landed on the 20th and went into camp. The
regiment was here attached to the 3d Brigade, 2d Division,
Colonel Sweeney commanding the brigade and General Smith
the Division.
On the 6th and 7th of April, 1862, the regiment was en-
gaged in the bloody battle of Pittsburg Landing, or "Shiloh,"
Major Henry Stark commanding until 3J P. M. of the first
day, when Captain E. A. Bowen assumed command in obedi-
ence to orders from Colonel Sweeney, commanding brigade.
The regiment distinguished itself on several occasions during
this battle, It was in the hottest of the fight during a great
part of the first terrible day. While gallantly urging on his
42
330 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

his own safety, Captain E. M.

men, with an utter disregard of
Knapp of DeKalb Co. company was shot through the body
the
and mortally wounded. Our loss was 170 in killed, wounded
and missing, outof 500 who went into the fight.
At the siege of Corinth, the regiment took an active
part, Colonel Bowen remaining in command from April 7th
to May 8th, at which time Lieutenant-Colonel "Wilcox return-
ed from the north. About May 8th, we were transferred to
the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, commanded by Colonel Sweeney.
During the siege of Corinth, the regiment became very
much reduced by sickness, wounded, death, &c. could carry ;

no tents, and were consequently exposed to the heavy rain-

storms of that season.
May 30th, after the enemy had evacuated Corinth, the
division was ordered to Farmington to join General Pope.
The following day we started in pursuit of the enemy pro- ;

ceeded to Boonville, twenty-five miles south of Corinth ; re-

turned to Camp Montgomery, two miles south of Corinth,

June 13th, 1862 ; went into camp ; remained here until after
the battle of Corinth, October 3d and 4th, 1862.
The 2d and 6th divisions, constituting the garrison of Cor-
inth, August 11th, under command of Major E. A. Bowen,
proceeded to Pocahontas, Tenn., to disperse Colonel Faulk-
ner's rebel cavalry, and to seize and bring in all cotton found
in the country. They found no camp of the enemy, as re-
ported, but secured fifty-five bales of cotton, and returned to
Corinth on the 17th of August. The distance marched was
fifty miles, and, owing to the extreme hot weather and dusty
roads, it was very fatiguing.
September 17th, all the forces stationed at Corinth moved
out to attack the rebel force under General Price, at luka.
Miss. On the night of September 19th, we bivouacked in
line of battle three miles east of Burnsville. The next morn-
ing we advanced three miles, formed in line of battle, threw
out skirmishers, and found that the enemy had left our front
then marched without interruption to luka. General Kose-
 THE FIFTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 331

crans, advancing on another road, met the enemy before, and

defeated him, driving the rebels out of luka early in the
morning before our arrival. After a short rest at luka, the
entire command made a forced march back to Burnsville.
September 21st, fearing that Price might attempt to reach
Corinth before our return, we made another forced march to
The last
Corinth, arriving at four o'clock that afternoon.
day'smarch was very severe on the men the day was hot,:

and many became utterly exhausted. The total distance

marched was fifty-six miles. The regiment took an active
part in the battle of Corinth.
Early in the morning of October 3d, we left Camp Mont-
gomery, Colonel Sweeney commanding the regiment ; marched
through Corinth and formed in line of battle one and a half
miles from the town, where the combined forces of Price, Van
Dorn, Villipugue and Lovell attacked our forces. During the
first day's fight, four separate lines of battle were formed :

the enemy, by dint of superior numbers, forcing us to retire

until the fourth line was formed in front of Fort Robinett.
The was most desperate through the day the heat
fighting :

was intense, and many of our men were sun-struck. At one

time the whole command seemed nearly overpowered by the
extreme heat of the sun.
The most desperate engagement of the day took place at
the third line, in the afternoon, the rebel force being com-
pletely scattered by the galling fire poured into them. They
soon threw in fresh troops, however, and forced us from that
position.

During the engagement at the third line, Adjutant Brainard

was killed, also General Ilackleman, commanding the brigade.
Colonel Sweeney was then assigned to the command of the
brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wilcox assumed command of
the regiment. During the night of the 3d, we changed posi-
tions several times, thus preventing all possible chance of
obtaining the rest so much needed. Before daylight of the
4th, the enemy commenced shelling the town, and having
332 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

obtained the exact range, their shots were effective. In half

an hour, their guns were silenced by our batteries. At 10 A.
M., the enemy emerged from the woods in two columns, one
upon Fort Robinette and the other upon redoubt Richardson,
where the 52d was posted. Rapidly they came, in splendid
style, firing as they advanced, and taking advantage of the
ground to our front and right, succeeded in gaining possession
of the redoubt, causing the artillery horses with caissons to
stampede in great confusion. Finding the troops on the right
ot the redoubt had given away, the 52d was ordered back,
and soon after, the entire division followed its example. Re-
tiringsome two hundred yards, the 52d rallied while yet ex-
posed to the fire of the enemy, and immediately began to ad-
vance, followed by the entire brigade. The ground lost was
retaken, all the guns recaptured and turned upon the enemy,
and successfully worked by men of the 52d. The entire
command bivouacked on the ground that day and night. The
loss of the regiment during both days' fight, was seventy killed

and wounded.
On the morning of October 4th, we started in pursuit of
the enemy, proceeding as far as Ruckerville, and returned on
the 12th. The total distance marched was seventy-five miles.
On the 13th, the regiment was ordered to the hills of the
Hatchie river, to pick up tents, &c., abandoned by the enemy
in their flight. The regiment started, tired and foot-sore,
having been constantly on duty since the battle of Corinth.
It returned October 16th, having marched forty miles.
On December9th, 1862, the regiment, Major Bowen com-
manding, started with an expedition into northern Alabama,
to disperse a force of 2,000 cayalry and mounted infantry
under Roddy, Our whole force of infantry were in army
wagons, twelve men to a team. For ten miles after passing
Big Bear Creek occurred one of the most exciting running
fights ever witnessed. The enemy were driven from every
position, until they fell back upon their large reserve force of
artillery and infantry, stationed on the opposite bank of Little
 THE FIFTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 333

Bear Creek. The enemy burned the bridge, and retired from
our front. Having exhausted our ammunition, and deeming
further pursuit useless, we returned to Corinth, arriving on
the 14th of December, having traveled one hundred and twen-
ty miles in five days, fighting the enemy one day, and driving
him before us for fifteen miles.
On the 19th of December, the regiment, under command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Wilcox, left Corinth with an expedition,
under command of General I. M. Dodge, to intercept the rebel
General Forrest, supposed to be marching on Jackson, Tenn.
Of all the marches ever made by
the regiment, this was the
most trying and fatiguing. Over one hundred miles were
marched in four and a half days, the first forty of which were
made without sleep and but little rest. Nearly every man in
the regiment returned to Corinth foot-sore and ragged. The
expedition served to drive General Forrest northward ; and
Avhen returning, the Jackson forces intercepted him at Park-
er's Cross Roads, and defeated him.
On the 2nd of January, 1863, under command of Major
Bowen, we started, with an expedition of General Dodge, to
intercept Forrest in crossing the Tennessee river. Ascertain-
ing that General Forrest had eftected a crossing at Crump's
Landing, we returned January 3d, having marched twenty-
four miles, mostly in the rain.
January 2Gth, Captain Joseph T. Brown commanding, left

Corinth Avith an expedition commanded by Colonel E. W. Rice,

7th Iowa Volunteers, for Hamburg, Tenn., arriving that even-
ing. We took quarters on board of transports, the men being
crowded so close as to be unable to lie or sit down, and a cold
rain falling all night. It was very hard on the men. On
the 27th we started up the Tennessee river, but soon returned
on account of the incapacity of the boat to carry so large a
number of troops. We returned to Corinth on the 28th, hav-
ing marched thirty-five miles —
the object of the expedition
unknown.
February 14th, Major Bowen commanding, left with two
334 HISTORY OF DE ItALB COUNTY.

Other regiments, all under the command of the Lieutenant-

Colonel of the 39th Ohio Infantry, for a point four miles south
of Burnsville, Miss., with wagon train, to procure lumber.
We reached the mills in the afternoon of the 15th, but owing
to the heavy rains which had been falling for two or three
days, only two hundred feet of lumber could be hauled in
each wagon, and, even with this small load, it was almost im-
possible to get through the swamps, so that we were ten hours
in going four miles.

On the 16th we left Burnsville, Miss., for Corinth, on the

Farmington road, at four o'clock P. M.
About dark a steady
rain set in, and continued during the night. The commanding
officer continued the march during that day and until ten

o'clock at night, halting at Farmington. At times the dark-

ness was intense, the men constantly falling down, being un-
able to select good stepping-places. We reached Corinth on
February 17th, dirty, tired and hungry, having marched for-
ty-six miles.
February 25th, 1863, the regiment under command of Ma-
jorBowen, started with an expedition, under Colonel T. W.
Sweeney, for Jacinto, Miss., and beyond if necessary, to assist
Colonel Cornyn and the 10th Missouri Cavalry in bringing in
prisoners, stock, &c., captured by them. We started during

a terrible rain-storm. All the gulches were full of water, and

the small streams flooded. Soon after leaving Corinth, we
were obliged to wade in water waist-deep.
We reached Jacinto on the 27th of February, after turning
several times from impassable streams and taking new roads.
The rain fell in torrents all the time. The roads were in such
a condition that we could proceed no further than Jacinto,
nor could we return until the storm should abate. We took
up quarters in unoccupied houses, and remained until March
4th, when Colonel Cornyn and command came up, and we
returned to Corinth, marching sixteen miles in five hours.
The total distance marched was sixty-four miles, including
twenty-five miles foraging from Jacinto.
 THE FIFTY-SEdOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 335

The 52d Illinois left Corinth April 15th, 1863, under com-
mand of Lieutenant-Colonel John S. Wilcox, with an expedi-
tion composed of four brigades of infantry, one brigade of
cavalry and fourteen pieces of artillery, all under the com-
mand of Brigadier-General G. M. Dodge — destination north-
ern Alabama. We marched to Burnsville on the 15th, and
on the 16th passed through luka and camped within two miles
of Big Bear Creek. April 17th, we were all day crossing the
creek : had some skirmishing in the morning to gain posses-
sion of the ford.
During the afternoon of the 17th, the cavalry, under Colonel
Cornyn, had several engagements with the enemy, and at one
time came near being defeated, losing one gun and seventy
prisoners. The 52d, with the 1st Brigade, was ordered to

the support of the cavalry. We arrived at their camp at

twelve o'clock on the night of the 17th, and on the morning
of the 18th advanced cautiously, but found no enemy. At
noon we started back to rejoin the main force at Big Bear
Creek, arriving in the evening, nearly worn out. During the
afternoon of the 20th, while on Oats Hill, Colonel Sweeney
received his commission as Brigadier-General of Volunteers.
On the 28d the whole force advanced, the 1st Brigade lead-
ing and the 52d deployed as skirmishers. We drove the en-
emy steadily as we moved on, the artillery keeping up a ter-

rific fire over our heads. We bivouacked that night in line

of battle near Little Bear Creek, Ala.

April 24th, we resumed the march at daylight, arriving in
Tuscumbia at half-past one P. M. We went into camp just
east of the town, and remained until the 27th. The cavalry,
during this time, w^as skirmishing with the enemy in the front.
April 27th, the entire command moved forward in the

direction of Courtland and Decatur. We came upon the en-

emy upon the opposite side of Town Creek,' having
in force
his force augmented by the arrival of General Forrest with
one thousand men. After a half-hour's skirmishing, we biv-
ouacked for the night, April 28th. Heavy skirmishing and
336 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUXTY.

artillery firing continued without interruption from daylight

until noon. Gaining possession of the railroad bridge, Ave

effected a crossing, and advanced in line of battle for three

miles, driving theenemy. We then returned, re-crossed the

bridges,and bivouacked in the same place as the night before.
April 29th, we moved back en route for Corinth. At
Burnsville we obtained rations, Avhich were fully appreciated
by the men, having been for several days subsisting on limited
rations. We arrived in Corinth May 2nd, 1863, fully pre-
pared to enjoy good quarters and rest, having marched one
hundred and sixty miles.
July 7th, 1863, the regiment, under command of Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Wilcox, was ordered to Burnsville, Miss., to sup-
port our cavalry, then engaging Roddy, near luka. Miss- The
enemy fell back before Ave came up. We returned to camp
the next day.
August 18th, 1863, Colonel Wilcox commanding, we moved
to GermantoAvn, Timn., by the Memphis and Charleston Rail-
road. Our headquarters and nine companies were stationed
at Germantown, (fifteen miles from Memphis,) and Company
B at White Station, five miles Avest on the same railroad.
October 29th, Colonel Wilcox commanding, Ave left Ger-
mantown via Memphis and Charleston Railroad, for luka,
Miss. October 31st, avc bivouacked three and a half miles
east of luka, and remained until November 6th, 1863. At
this date the Avhole left Aving, 16 th Army Corps, under com-
mand of General Dodge, moved eastward to folloAv General
Sherman to Stevenson, Ala., as Ave then supposed.
We arrived at Eastport at noon of the 6th, and crossed the
Tennessee river in transports. That night, November 7th, we
marched only eight miles. November 8th, we resumed the
march at daylight, and continued until eleven o'clock at night,
making but slow progress in crossing numerous streams and
sAvamps. We marched only fifteen miles that day. We ar-
rived in Pulaski, Tenn., forty-five miles west of Decatur, Ala.,
on the 11th of November, 1863. On the 12th of November,
 THE FIFTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 337

we were informed that we should stay here some time ; and

Colonel Wilcox was appointed post commander. The regi-
ment was assigned to provost duty, Lieutenant-Colonel Bowen
commanding. The total distance marched from luka, Miss.,
to Pulaski, Tenn., was eighty miles.

January 9th, 1864, three-fourths of the regiment having

re-enlisted as veteran volunteers and mustered as such, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel E. A. BoAven, with three hundred and four
veterans and twenty-seven officers, left Pulaski for Nashville,
Tenn., en route to Illinois for furlough and re-organization.
We arrived in Chicago at noon of the 17th, and, after partak-
ing of a splendid repast prepared by the ladies of the Soldiers'
House, the regiment proceeded to Geneva, Kane County, Illi-

nois. Here, on the 20th, the men received furloughs for

thirty days ; and many of the officers were placed on recruit-
ing service.
The 52d rendezvoused at Elgin, February 19th, 1864, the
day on which the men's furloughs expired. February 23d,
Captain Pomeroy mustered into service the recruits, and paid
them each one month's advance pay and sixty dollars ad-
vance bounty. While the men were on furlough. Colonel
Wilcox superintended their recruiting for the regiment, with
headquarters at Elgin.
February 24th, Colonel J. S. Wilcox, having tendered his
resignation, issued an order placing Lieutenant-Color el E. A.
Bowen in command of the regiment, then under marching
orders to proceed immediately to Nashville, en route for the
army. It left Elgin on the 24th of February, aud arrived in
Chicago at one o'clock P. M. Transportation not being in
readiness, the command marched to the Soldiers' Rest, where
it remained until the next morning.
The regiment proceeded to Pulaski, Tenn., via Louisville
and Nashville, arriving on the 29th, and there took its former
position in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, left wing of the 16th
Army Corps.
It returned to the field with one hundred and seventy-three
338 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

fresh recruits, who increased its strength to six hundred and

seventy-three men.
From November 19th, 1861, to March 1st, 1864, it had
traveled 5575 miles, in the following manner on transports :

bj river, 994 miles; by railroad, 3500 miles; on foot, 1081

miles.
On May 4th, 1864, the veteranized regiment proceeded to
Chattanooga by and commenced the campaign which re-
rail,

sulted in the capture of Atlanta. It marched through

Gordon's Mills below and Snake Creek Gap to Resaca,

where it came under fire of the enemy.
On the 14th and 15th it was engaged in skirmishing, with
slight loss and with tedious and laborious night-marching,
;

reached Kingston on the 23d, Dallas on the 26th, and, on the

27th, lost three men of Company F on the skirmish-line. At
night they constructed earth-works which protected them in
the battle of the subsequent day.
On the 30th they moved forward to the front line of works,

where they spent two days constantly exposed to fire. In

three subsequent days, they constructed eight hundred yards
of formidable breastworks.
The history of the regiment from this time till, on the 7th
of September, the rebels evacuated Atlanta, is a story of con-
stant toil, frequent skirmishes, severe marches, constant labor
in the construction of earthworks by night, in which they were
partially sheltered from the enemy's fire by day. Happy
were they when a good ditch could be their shelter from the
missiles of the foe. In this time they had marched 442 miles,
constructed 2285 yards of breastsworks, and expended 46,500
rounds of ammunition in contests with the enemy they had ;

lost six killed and thirty-two wounded they had captured;

thirty-eight prisoners and one hundred and seventy-five stand

of arms.
After the close of the siege of Atlanta, Colonel Bowen,
whose term of service had expired, was mustered out, and
Lieutenant-Colonel J. D. Davis, who had fought his way up
from the ranks, became its Colonel.
 THE FIFTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY, 339

A recapitulation of the history of the regiment at this time

showed that the regiment had taken an honorable part in
twenty pitched battles and sharp skirmishes had lost sixty-
;

one by death and from wounds had had two hun-

in battle ;

dred and six wounded, and had constructed over four thou-
sand yards of breastworks.
After the capture of Atlanta, the regiment moved back to
Rome, and then, with Sherman's grand army, struck out
across the country for Savannah. Savannah was captured
on the 20th of December, and, on the 5th of February, the
regiment, again on the march, crossed into South Carolina
with yells of triumph as they landed on the soil of the mother
of the rebellion. They moved on through Columbia, its capi-
tal, on the ITth, and saw with satisfaction the fine city burned
that night to the ground.
With arduous marching and severe labor, but abundant
provisions and excellent health, the regiment moved on to
Camden, Fayetteville and Raleigh, and there, when Johnston's
army had surrendered and the military power of the rebellion
had been finally destroyed, they commenced their march
through Petersburg, Richmond and Fredericksburg to Wash-
ington, which they reached in time to participate in the grand
review. This homeward march is described as the most severe
and exhausting of any that they had made during their four
years of service.
After ten days of rest in camp at Georgetown, the regiment
was transported to Louisville, where it lay in camp nearly a
month, and was then moved to Chicago, where it was paid oif

on the 11th of July, and, after four years of arduous and hon-
orable service, its members were mustered out, and joyfully
became private citizens once more.
Men of DeKalb County in the 52d Illinois Inf.

COMPANY C.

OFFICERS.
CAPTAINS.
.Toha S. Brown, South Grove, resigned Feb. 18, 18G2.
E. M. Knapp, Sycamore, killed at Shiloh.
FIEST LIEUTENANTS.
Edward M. Knapp, Sycamore, promoted.
Erskin M. Hoyt, Sycamore, resigned July 15, 1862.
Oscar \V. Phelps, Sycamore, resigned Jan. 12, 1863.
Albert C. Perry, Sycamore, promoted Major.
Alexander B. Ross, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Erskin M. Hoyt, Sycamore, promoted.
Oscar W. Phelps, Sycamore, promoted.
Albert C. Perry, Sycamore, promoted.
John Purcell, South Grove, mustered out as Se'-geant, July 6, 1865.

ENLISTED MEN.
SERGEANTS.
Lewis A. Jones, Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Alonzo J. Foster, DeKalb.
Ralph Vanhouten, DeKalb.
Jerry C. Marvin, Sycamore.
Alonzo E. Carr, Genoa.
CORPORALS.
William H. Simmons, Sycamore.
Michael Courser, Sycamore.
Frederick J. Craft, Sycamore, re-enlisted as a veteran.
Leonard J. Stults, DeKalb.
Albert C. Perry, Sycamore, promoted Sergeant and 2d Lieutenant.
Alexander B. Ross, Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
William Fountain, DeKalb, discharged Nov. 19, 1864; term expired.
Charles White, Sycamore, discharged Nov. 19, 1864.
MUSICIANS.
Goram B. Smith, DeKalb county (Co. H.)
 THE FIFTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 341

PRIVATES.
Ames Therman, South Grove.
Arnold .James, Soutb Grove, re-enlisted as veteran.
Aburn Robert S., Sycamore, deserted Dec. 12, 1863; deranged.
Brown .John J., DeKalb.
Black Alva M., South Grove.
Brisbin Philander, South Grove, re-enlisted as veteran.
Burns Michael, Sycamore, discharged Nov. 19, 1864 term expired.
;

Bermander Charles, Sycamore.

Boylen Thomas, South Grove, re-enlisted as veteran.
Bowman Edward, South Grove, re-enlisted as veteran.
Bowley William, Huntley.
Chien John, South Grove, de.serted Dec. 10, 1861.
Campbell Henry, Sycamore. •

Cheasbro Joseph M., Sycamore, re-enlisied as veteran.

Clemmense Eli, Sytramore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Clemmense James, Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Carver Henry, Sycaniore,
Dickson Sheriden, Sycamore, re-eulisled as veteran.
Deyoe William P., South Grove.
Deane David, South Grove.
Davenport William, DeK.alb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Garey James, DeKalb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Gibbins George, Sycamore.
Goold Luther C, Sycamore.
Gage Hiram, Sycamore.
Gamage Alden B., Malta, re-enlisted as veteran.
Gieger George, South Grove, re enlisted as veteran.
Grout Henry P., Sycamore.
Halwick Sidney W., Malta, re- enlisted as veteran.
Hall Reuben G., Sycamore.
Hall William A., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Hoaglen Michael, South Grove, discharged Nov. 19, 1864 ; term expired.
ICittle James, Sycamore.
Maranville Irving, DeKalb.
Morehouse Charles, Malta.
McCarty Allen, South Grove, discharged Nov. 19, 1864 term expired.
;

Mullen Martin, South Grove, transferi-ed to Company E, Jan. 1, 1862.

Milen Patrick, South Grove, discharged at Geneva, 111.
Percell John, South Grove, re-enlisted as veteran.
Pierce Charles J., Genoa, discharged Nov. 19, 1864 term expired.
;

Petrie Joseph, Sycamore.

Petrie James, Sycamore.
Penney Frederick, South Grove.
Phelps Oscar W., Sycamore, promoted Sergeant, then 2d Lieutenant.
Rogers Albert, Sycamore, discharged Nov. 19, 1864 term expired.
;

Rhoades Henry, DeKalb, re enlisted as veteran.

Stanley Charles M., Sycamore, re-enlisted as veteran.
Scally James, South Grove, transferred to Company E, Jan. 1, 1862.
Smith John, South Grove, discharged Dec. 16, 1861.
Thomas Leroy E., South Grove, discharged No. 19, 1864 term expired.
;

Taylor William, DeKalb,

Taylor Daniel, DeKalb, re-enlisted as veteran.
Taylor Philander, DeKalb.
Vanhonten Bradley, DeKalb.
Vanhonten Bradford, DeKalb.
Walker George, Sycamore.
 42 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

VETERAN S.
Arnold Jaiues, S^cauioie. mustered out July 6, 18GG.
Brisbin Philander, Sycamore, mustered out July fi, 1866.
Boylen Thomas, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865, as Corporal.
Bowman Edward, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, I860.
Cheasbro Joseph M., Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1866, as Sergeant.
Clemmens Eli, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
—
Clemmens James, Syoamore, mustered out July 6. 1865 absent w. leave.
Dickson Sheriden, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1866.
Davenport William, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1866.
Gamage Alden B., Sycamore, m. out July 6, 1865, as Sergeant abs, w. leave.
;

Geiger George, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1866, as Corporal.

Gary James, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Hall William, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Hatch Daniel P., Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Hill John, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865 ; was prisoner.
Halwick Sidney W., Sycamore, killed on skirmish line, August l!0, 1864.
Jones Lewis A., Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865, as Corporal.
Lawless Charles, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865, as Corporal.
Purcell John, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865, as 1st Sergeant.
Ross Alexander B., Sycamore, promoted Sergeant and 1st Lieutenant.
Rhoads Henry, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Stanley Charles M., Sycamore, mustered out July 15, 1865 ; was prisoner.
Taylor Daniel, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Whitehead Malvin B., Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
RECRUITS.
Black David T., Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Congdon William, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Cunningham Michael, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Campbell Andrew J., Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Hall Reuben G., Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Hampton Benjamin M., Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Morgan John R., Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
Nagle William, Sycamore, mustered out July 6, 1865.
 The 132d Illinois Infantry.

The 132d Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organ-

ized at Camp Fry, Chicago, Illinois, by Colonel Thomas J.

Pickett, and was mustered in for one hundred days from June
1st, 1864.
On the 6th of June it started for Columbus, Kentucky, and
arrived on the 8th, reporting to Brigadier-General Henry
Prince. On the 15th of June, it moved to Paducah, Ken-
tucky, and reported to Colonel S. G. Hicks.
The regiment remained on duty at Paducah until the expi-
ration ofits service, when it moved to Chicago, and was mus-

tered out October 17th, 1864.

The commissioned officers of Company F were : Captain,
Isaac S. Bunnel ; 1st Lieutenant, Jonathan Dow ; 2nd Lieu-
tenant, Albert A. Sanborn.
COMPANY F.
SEKGEANTS.
William Raymond, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864. |

Jackson Denyo, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 18G4.

Eli H. Burdicjv, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
William H. Beavers, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Mark G. Collson, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
CORPORALS.
Charles L. Flower, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Ethan P. Allen, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
John Young, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Fervis Potter, Paw Paw, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
James H. Connell, Chicago, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Eugene H. Jarvis, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Charles W. Bellis, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17. 1864.
Walter Olmstead, Genoa, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
344 THE 132d ILLINOIS INFANTRY.

MUSICIANS.
William H. Deily, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
William H. Willmarth, DeKalb county, mustered out Oct. 17, 18()4.
PRIVATES.
Burgess Lewis, (wagoner) Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Atwood Morris, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1863.
Allen Benjamin, South Grove, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Artlepp Homer, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Anderson Frank, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Brown Depue, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Brown Herbert E., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Beeson William H., Sycamore, rejected.
Crosby William, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Cobb Henry, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Davis Orviile, Sycamore, mustered ont Oct. 17, 1864.
Dayton Lewis, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Fields Delancey, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Flood Matthew, Lodi, musteced out Oct. 17, 1864.
Granger Eugene, Sycamore, mustered out Oct, 17, 1864.
Gilbert Leonard, South Grove, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Gieenfield I. Squire, DeKalb, mustered out Oct. 17, 18G4.
Hibbard Alfred, Sycamore, mustered cut Oct. 17, 1864.
Holcomb Orator, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864. •

Hampton William S., Paw Paw, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Haish Christian, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Haish Henry W., Cortlnnd, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Hathaway William C, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Johnston James B., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Kellogg Homer W., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Lester Almiraem, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Lott Frank W., Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Lindsay William, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Lluderman Levi, Sycamore, mustered out Oct, 17, 1864.
Lloyd Louis, Malta, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Marshall Lucius W., Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Mason Seth M., South Grove, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Partridge Zelotes B., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Perry Ambrose S., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Piichmond Merwin, Lodi, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Reef John, Cortland, mustered out Oct. 17. 1864.
Spring Herbert, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Smith Charles, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Smith Enoch, DeKalb, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Stephenson Charles Sycamore, mustered out Oct, 17, 1864.
Snyder William, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Stone Almond D., South Grove, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Stanton Oliver J., Paw Paw, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Tewkesbury Charles, South Grove, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Tewkesbury Warren F., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864. ^

Talbot William, Sycamore, mustered out Oct, 17, 1864.

Williams Theodore, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17. 1864.
Warren Daniel F., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1804.
Warren George M., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Willis Henry B., Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Wilkins Joseph, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
Wright George, Sycamore, mustered out Oct. 17, 1864.
 The 156th Illinois Infantry.

Company II of this regiment was raised principally by

Hon. William Patten of Sandwich, who was made its Captain.
It was one of several hundred regiments called out for one
year's service, and to which was assigned the duty of guarding
the communications of the great armies at the front, and,
while they swept on the foe, preventing the ravages of rebel
guerrillas in their rear.
It was mustered into service March 9th, 1865 and the
;

rebellion having been crushed about three months after, it

was discharged from service on September 20th of the same
year.

The commissioned officers of Company II were : Captain,

William Patten ; and Eugene
1st Lieutenants, William Jobs
M. Fuller ; 2nd Lieutenants, Caleb Walker and John W.
Libley, — all of Somonauk.
SERGEANTS.
Eugene Fuller, Somonauk, promoted 1st Lieutenant.
Edmund B. Newton, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, I860, as private.
James C. Darnell, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 186-5.
Henry Wright, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 1865.
CORI'ORALS.
Vl^arren Walker, Somonauk, mustered out May 16, 1865.
Homer A. Wagner, Somonauk, mustered out May 20, 1865.
George A. Smith, Somonauk, mustered out July 29, 1865, as private.
William T. Shiland, Somonauk, mustered out Aug. 18, 1865.
David 0. Cole, Somonauk, absent sick at muster out of regiment.
Henry C. Medebach, Somonauk, mustered out Aug. 1, 1865.
MUSICIANS.
William Corke, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 1865.
James M. Skinner, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 1865.
44
346 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

PRIVATES.
Adams Marcellus D., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 1865, as Sergeant.
Armstrong John J., Somonauk, mustered o"t Sept. 20, 1865, as Corporal.
Bishop Orin S., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 1865.
Burk Robert £.. Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 1365.
Covell Simeon L., riomonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 1865.
Campin Sylvester, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 1865.
Deem Henry E., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, 1865.
Daniels Harmon, Somonauk, died at Memphis, Aug. 27, 1865.
Dennewitz Henry, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Hough Martin L., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Hamlin Benjamin, Somonauk, mus'ered out Sept. 20, '65.
Hartshorn Manly W., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Hough Calvin, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Harrison William H., Somonauk. mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Jacobs John, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Leavitt Levi, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Manning Henry, Somonauk, absent sick at mustering out of regiment.
Manning John C, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Miller Henry, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Owen William R., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Rogers Daniel H., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Smith Albert, Somonauk, promoted principal musician.
Smith Clark A., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Seaton Nelson J., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Tripp John M., Somonauk, mustered out August 1, '65.
VanFleet "Victor D., Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65, as Corporal.
VanDerveer Ferdinand, Somonauk, died at Louisville, Ky., March 30, '65.
Wilder Alexander, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Wagner George, Somonauk, died at Nashville, Tenn., May 4, '65.
Weisbeck Heinrich, Somonauk, mustered out Sept. 20, '65.
Th,e remainder of the company were from other counties.
 PART SECOND.

ANNALS OF DEKALB COUNTY.

 ANNALS OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Although the annals of DeKalb County might more properly

commence with the organization of the County which occurred
in the year 1837, yet many events of interest and importance
occurred before that time, which ought properly to be recorded.
As the territory from which this County was subsequently
formed was remote from all water communication, and from
the customary routes of the earliest travellers, it is probable
that no white man had ever made even a temporary sojourn
within its borders, until in the year
1832,
a little army of United States troops under command of
General Winfield Scott, passing from their head-quarters at
Fort Dearborn, or Chicago, in pursuit of Black Hawk's
marauding bands, crossed the Fox River near the present site
of the village of. St Charles, and encamped on the banks of
the Kishwaukee in the present town of Kingston. Their
camp was made near the outlet of Deer Creek, on lands now
belonging to the estate of George L. Wood. The trail which
the army made, was broad and plainly marked, and three
years later, when the first settlers moved in, coming with
but vague ideas of what direction they had best pursue, many
followed Scott's trail for want of something better to follow,
and, finding upon the banks of the Kishwaukee, or Sycamore
river, as fertile and beautiful a region of country as they
could desire, they made their homes there.
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-THREE AND FOUR. 349

The battle of Stillman's Run, in which an advanced and

too ambitious portion of our army organized to drive out
Black Hawk's forces, were defeated and driven back, occurred
in this summer, as elsewhere related, near the north-western
portion of this County, and the entire army of volunteers
returning for re-organization to Ottawa, passed through
Pawpaw Grove and, encamped there.

1833.
In the autumn of this year, some hunters from Ottawa or
that region which w^as one of the earliest settled points of the
country, report having penetrated into the southern portion
of the County in pursuit of game. They found the Indians
still sore over their defeat, and still sufficiently numerous and
irritable to cause their yarty to make a speedy evacuation
of the country.

1834.
In the spring and summer of this year, we have accounts
of exploring expeditions into this section of the country, by
three or four individuals. Among them was Frederic Love,
who subsequently became a leading citizen, and a Mr. Hol-
lenback, from near Ottawa. Love soon returned to his
temporary home upon the Fox River, and did not move to this
place until a year or two later. Hollenback, who had been
driven from his home near Newark during the Indian war,
came north through Newark, Somonauk, and Lost Grove, as
far as the " Big Woods " in Sycamore, and on his return,
made a claim in settlers' fashion, to a portion of the fine grove
since known as Squaw Grove, and to which he gave that name,
because of the large numbers of Squaws that were encamped
there, the male Indians being oif on a hunting expedition.
A mail route from Chicago to John Dixon's residence on the
Rock River was this year established, which crossed the
southern end of the County ; and during the summer, a log
hut was built for a station house on this line at the crossing

of Somonauk Creek. This was probably the first habitation

350 HISTOEY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

of a white man, erected in the County, Whoever it was that

first inhabited it, he abandoned it in the autumn, for when
Mr. William Sebree, who had been eluirmed by the description
that Hollenback had given of the attractions of this section of
country moved in from the South and settled at Squaw Grove
in the fall, this cabin stood vacant. A short time after, it

was occupied by a Mr. Robinson, who occupied it a few

months, then sold to Mr- Reuben Root who kept a tavern in

it, during the following year. It subsequently became, and

still remains the property of the Beveridge family.
Mr. Sebree seems to have been the first settler Avho been nit-
a permanent resident of the County. He was a Virginian,
brought a large family with him, and a considerable drove of
stock. Tie lived for a few days in a deserted Indian wigwam,
then, with crotches for a frame, and the bark of which a
number of wigwams were composed for a covering, he
tliese

built a shelter, slightlymore convenient, in which he lived a

few weeks then, as Avinter came on, put up a solid, substaii-
;

tial double-log cabin, Avhich remained the home of a numerous

family, and a stopping place for travellers for nearly twenty

years.
1835.
It was in the spring of this year when the treaty with the
Indians which followed the Black Hawk war had bound them
to leave this country for the wilderness beyond the great
Father of Waters, that the first considerable body of white
settlers came into the County. So soon in the early spring-
time as the groves began to put out their leaves, and the
emerald grass of the beautiful prairies afforded food for the
travellers' teams, the gleam of the white-topped wagon of the
early settler might have been seen moving over the prairie
to hesitate, stop, and encamp near some grove, spring
finally
or stream, that seemed to afford the requisites and advantages
of a good claim. The wagon was generally propelled by
three or four yoke of oxen, and canopied with white cotton.
It contained the family clothing, bedding, and provisions. It
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-FIVE, 351

was garnished on its exterior, with pots, pans, pails, and other
cooking utensils ;
generally, also, by a coop of chickens and
a diminutive pig or two and it was usually followed by a
:

small drove of colts, cows, sheep, calves, and other young

stock. Early settlers say that it was not uncommon in those
days for the careful mistress of the wagon to milk the cows
in the morning, place the milk where the motion of the wagon
would churn it during the day, and thus keep up a supply of
fresh butter ; while the poultry in the coops did not refuse to
contribute a supply of eggs, which with other substantial from
the wagon, enabled the emigrant's wife to " scare up " a
pretty good meal at short notice. Each night they camped,
made a fire, partook of the evening meal and then retired into
the recesses of the wagon to sleep the sle<;p of health, of hope
and innocence.
Hundreds of such wagons passed intoDeKalb county in
the early months of this year, and many went beyond its
boundaries, to the Rock River country, Avhich was first set-

tled during this year. An.ong the occupants of one of

these was Ambrose Spencer, Esq., who, after thirty
years of eventful life in various sections of the country, has
now returned to take up his residence on the identical spot
in the thriving village of DeKalb, where thirty-three years
ago he pitched his tent, in what was then a complete solitude.
The first work of the new comer, after having selected a

spot of land that suited him, was to stake out, or with a plow
to furrow around, as much of the prairie as he wanted, and
to "blaze" the trees in a line surrounding a sufiicient quan-
tity of timbered lands. These processes gave him what was
called a squatters claim to the land that he thus enclosed, and
his claim, if not too unreasonably extensive, was regarded as
sacred by all who came after him. His next work was usually
to construct a dwelling of some kind. Some commenced at

once to build good solid substantial dwellings of logs, notched

at the ends and laid up thoroughly and durably ; finished

with a roof of shakes or split staves, and made convenient

 352 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-FIVE.

with a window and door. But to many of the new comers,

hurried with the imperatively necessary duties of breaking
up the land and planting a crop for future subsistence, this
was thought to involve too much labor ; such houses were a
little extravagant. Many of the homes in which settlers,
now wealthy, spent the first months of their residence here
were built entirely of shakes and saplings.
A tall straight oak was felled, cut into four or five foot
lengths, then split in broad thin sections, and when a cord or
two of these was prepared and a few crotches and poles were
cut, the material was all ready. Four crotc.hes were set in
the ground, poles laid across, shakes laid up perpendicularly
against these poles and fastened with withes, enclosing a space
about eight by twelve feet. Then a roof of these shakes was
laid on and made secure by the weight of heavy poles or
boulders from the prairie. One end was of tenleft open for
an entrance, and the shanty, although without floor, door or
window, was complete. A person could stand erect in the
middle but not at the sides. It furnished little more
space than was necessary for the bed and family valuables
the cooking was done out of doors.
The new comers were generally young ardent and hopeful.
Most of them had been accustomed to the comforts, and in-
deed, to the luxuries of life. The founders of a new settle-

ment, they looked forward with eagerness to the time, when

their fertile acres should be transformed into finished and
well stocked farms, their wretched shanties and log stables,
into elegant dwellings and spacious barns. They regarded
their present comfortless habitations, with that peculiar pleas-
ure which every person feels for work that his own hands
have made, and hopeful for the future, they looked upon their
present discomforts with that cheerful indifference that robs
trouble of its sting, and wards off the annoyances of the
present with a panoply of confident hopes for the future.
It was in the summer of this year, that the new settlers,
now become comparatively numerous, felt the Avant of some
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-FIVE. 353

kind of courts and civil officers. It is true that as a general

rule, the best of good feeling prevailed among them. Every-

body regarded everybody else with a friendliness, and each
treated the other with a degree of kindness and good fellow-
ship that old settlers now recall with warmest satisfaction. The
troubles of one were shared by all his neighbors, and every
mans necessities were supplied with a generosity and unsel-
fishness that is now remembered almost with tears of gratitude.
But there Avere some black sheep in the flock. It was plain
that they could not always live in this style of xVrcadian sim-
plicity.

This section of country was then known as the KishAvaukec

country, and was a part of the great county of LaSalle,
which extended from the Illinois river on the south, to the

line of Wisconsin territory on the north, and on the east to

Cook county. A commission was procured from Ottawa,

then as now, its county seat, for the election of two Justices
of the peace, and in June of this year an election was held.
Stephen Mowry and Joseph Collier were chosen Justices,
the first public officers ever elected in this section of country.
It is well remembered that the terrors of the law to be admin-
istered by these formidable courts induced a very prompt and
satisfactory settlement of many little debts that had been in-
curred by some of the new comers. There were not many
suits commenced, but there was a general liquidation of ac-

counts, and that instanter.

But the most troublesome and weighty controversies that
vexed the souls of the Squatters upon these new lands, were
the disputes about the boundaries of claims and the rights of
claimants. How much land might a man claim ? Might he
make a claim for himself; another for his brother ; a third for
his maiden aunt, and so through his family ? Might he sell

his claim ? Must he reside upon it in order to hold it ?

These and like questions, threatened to make serious

trouble, and to avert threatened conflict upon these questions,

a meeting of settlers was held on the 5th of September, at
45
354 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

the shanty of Harmon Miller upon the cast bank of the Kish-
waukee or Sycamore river, at which a Claim Association was
organized to decide such disputed questions as should arise,

and a constitution was drawn up and signed by most of the

settlers, in which all agreed to abide by the decision of the five

Commissioners then selected, and to aid in enforcing their

decisions.
Another means of keeping peace and promoting tranquil-
itywas the establishment of religious services. In the autumn
of this year almost before the new comers had got a roof
over their heads ; before the Indians had removed ; before
the first semblance of civil government had been established ;

the devoted missionaries of the Methodist Church made their

way into the country, gathered together little audiences of
eight or ten, wherever in grove, hut or shanty, they could be
found, preached, prayed, sang hymns, and exhorted the new
comers to found a community of christian people, and amid
the pressing cares of this, not to forget to prepare for another
— an immortal life. Rev. Leander Walker, now an eminent
clergyman of the Methodist denomination, was probably the
pioneer preacher of DeKalb county.
As winter approached and the discomforts new
of their
houses became less endurable, large numbers of the new
comers seeing no especial necessity for remaining, moved
back to more comfortable residences on the Fox river, to

Joliet or whatever places might have been their former

homes.
Of those who remained and spent this winter at the north
part of the county, were Dr. Norbo, a Norwegian, after whom
Norwegian Grove was named, and who made some pretense
of being a physician, Mr. Charters, a Frenchman, who gave
name to Charters Grove, Dr. Lee, who first claimed the farm
since occupied by Ephraim Hall; Rufus Colton, Lyman Judd,
Eli Barns, Phineas Stevens, Alpheus Jenks, Shubael Jenks,
James Root, Levi C. Barber, James Peaslee, Norman C.
Moore, Stephen Sherwood, W. A. Miller, Henry Madden,
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-FIVE. 355

Peter Lamois, Lysander Darling, Robert Robb, Isaiah Fair-

clo, Harmon Miller, James Green, Nathan Billings, Lewis
Griggs, Benj. Schoonover, John, Frail and Morris, Erasmus
and George Walrod, At Squaw Grove were William Sebree
and sons, Samuel Miller, Jacob Lee, John Esterbrooks and
David Leggett, At Somonauk were David and William Sly,
Reuben Root and Dr. Arnold.
Late in the autumn of this year Mr. Edwin Town and his
brother David Town, established themselves at Shabbonas
Grove, lived for a few weeks in the deserted wigwams of the
Indians, and on the first day of January 1836, raised the first

log cabin and became the first white settlers of Shabbona's

Grove. Peter Lamois, who, with Jesse C. Kellogg and
Lysander Darling were among the first settlers of what is
now the town of Sycamore, remained to spend the winter in
Kellogg's cabin. Peter was a shrewd, speculating, half-yan-
keefied Frenchman, and had with him, as companion and
help, a half-civilized Indian lad called Shaw-ne-neese. It

occurred to him, that with the help of the boy, who had re-

lations living near what is now Aurora, and of course spoke

the language of the Indians around, a good trade could be
established with the straggling Indians who still remained in
the sale of whisky. So off goes Peter with his oxen and
wagon, and soon returned with a barrel of whisky, which was
duly broached and advertised among the Indians in all the
country round. Little money had the poor Indians, but they
had ponies and blankets, and trinkets to sell, so that a
flourishing trade was speedily established ; the Indians
promising to deliver ponies when they had received the
equivalent in whisky. The whisky went off rapidly, yet so
convenient was the spring to Peter's shanty, that the quantity
in the barrel was not seriously diminished he filled water at
;

the bung as freely as he drew good ne tosh from the spigot.

Soon Peter's best customers had each become indebted to him
in the sum of a pony or two, and he began to hint that it was
time to settle. Peter unfortunately, broached the subject
35G HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

at a timewhen a party of them were present, all well warmed

up with good ne tosh. The Indians held an indignation
meeting, at once and on the spot. They put in a plea of
failure of consideration — the good ne that Peter had
tosh sold
them was no good —he had cheated them —had bad sold liquor.
Peter attempted to explain, but the thing could not be
explained. They grew madder and madder. Shaw-ne-neese
and Peter each fell under their indignation. Soon an old
Indian snatched up Shaw-ne-neese upon the pony behind him
and galloped off. Then a real old fashioned Indian war-whoop
burst from the drunken group, and drawing their knives, they
rushed upon the first original liquor-dealer of DeK alb County,
like so many fiends from the pit.
Peter had a good pair of legs, and he used them. He made
tracks for the brush, and was fortunate enough to hide from
their search, until tiring of the chase, they went back to the
shanty, absorbed the remainder of the whisky, appropriated
Peter's little stock of clothing, provisions, and cooking utensils,
and than left the premises. When darkness came, the friendly
voice of Shaw-ne-neese, calling cautiously through the brush,
delighted the ears of the discomfitted Peter, and working
together, they got the oxen yoked, loaded up what little

remained of their wordly goods, and made tracks for Walker's

Grove, the settlement from which they came. So it happened
that the first white man's house in Sycamore was a whisky
shop, the first settler a rum-seller, and the first row a whisky
riot.

In September of this year the Indians were removed west of

the Mississippi, in accordance with the provisions of the treaty
made at Prairie du Chien 1832, at the close of the Black
Hawk war.They were gathered together at Pawpaw Grove,
by a government contractor named Rogers. They there re-
ceived a large payment from the government, then sorrowfully
loaded their property upon their ponies and left for their new
homes farther toward the setting sun.
Some white men of Sycamore who went to the rendezvous
 EIGHTEEN TIIIRTY-SlX. 357

at Pawpaw Grove to get by gambling, the glittering coin paid

the Intlians, were successful in that object but were set upon
by those whom they had cheated and narrowly escaped with
their lives. Straggling bands of Indians travel through the
country even to this day, but this was the end of Indian
occupation of the country.
183G.
For many reasons the year 183G could hardly be reckoned
as a bright one in the annals of this section of country.
Comparatively few. settlers came in ; the timbered lands of
the county had nearly all been claimed during the previous
year, and those who were not
able or willing to pay the prices
demanded by claimants were forced to go further to the west.
Although the changes of ownership were many, yet the ad-
ditions to the number of the population were few as compar-

ed with the previous twelve months. Provisions also grew

more scarce. The supplies of flour, sugar, salt and other
articles, now reckoned as the necessaries of life, which the
new comers had brought with them, had been consumed.
Hurried by the arduous and constant labors incident to

making comfortable homes and planting their first crops,

they found no time to go to distant markets to renew their
supplies, and, indeed, most of the new comers had exhausted
their stock of ready money, and had as yet raised nothing
with which to exchange for, or purchase these commodities.
They had little or no wheat. The corn raised the previous
year alone furnished them with bread, and as Green's mills,
near Ottawa, fifty miles distant furnished the nearest oppor-
tunity for grinding, many of the settlers pounded their corn
with pestle and mortar, rather than go so far to convert it

into meal.
'
Their clothing was also in a most dilapidated condition
but worse than was a year of sickness.
all, it Most of the
';
settlers had builtupon or near the banks of the streams, and
ll
in the shelter of the groves. The decaying sod of the newly

n broken prairie, which surrounded their dwellings, filled the

358 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

air with malaria. From the streams, whose sluggishness was

a main characteristic of this level country, there also arose a
constant and palpable effluvium that was a fruitful source of
disease. The ague, that curse of new lands in the fertile
west, this year became the prevalent complaint.
Poverty, rags, a scanty diet and the shakes were the fashion
of the times.
At a general election held in August of this year, Henry
Madden, a well known citizen of intelligence, education and
shrewdness, who resided in what Brush Point
is called the
settlement in the present town of Mayfield, was elected as
Representative to the State Legislature. His district was
immense in extent if not in population. Most of the popu-
lation of the State at this time was in its southern portion.
Excepting the old French settlements at Ottawa, LaSalle?
Joliet, and the mining town at Galena, there were no large
towns in northern Illinois. Chicago then consisting only of a

few log houses, clustered around Fort Dearborn upon the

banks of the sluggish Chicago river, was indeed now making
some boastful promises of future commercial importance, but
they were ridiculed by the incoming settlers who hurried ;

through the wretched little hamlet of mud and misery to take

up lands more pleasant to look upon, on the banks of the Rock,
the Fox, or the Kishwaukee rivers, Avhile they might have
obtained at the same low rate, those portions of Chicago which
tens of millions could not now purchase.
When Benjamin Worden came through the place during
autumn, and Mark Beaubien, the French trader who kept the
hotel then, offered to trade him his own claim to eighty acres
of land near the present Court House, for a pair of French
ponies that Worden had just before purchased while coming
through Michigan, for $130, uncle Ben laughed at the idea,
and told him that he wouldn't take the whole town as a gift

if he should be required to live in it.

The whole of northern Illinois was still very thinly settled,

and Mr. Madden's district extended from what is now Iroquois

 EIGHTEEN TIIIRTY-SlX. 359

County on the south, to the AVisconsin line upon the north,

embracing land enough to make a half dozen respectable
States —land which was fertile and productive, enough to
support a population of millions. The County of Kane had
been created during the previous session of the Legislature.
It was thirty-six miles square, embracing the present County
of DeKalb, and part of Kendall. But the people of this
western portion of Kane (Jounty, found that Geneva, then as
now, the County-seat, was too far from their settlement. The
difficulties of travelling were much greater than at present.

The country was much more wet, the streams and sloughs
the great obstructions to prairie travel, were more full of

tvater than now. It was a long day's journey to Geneva, and

to go that distance to try suits, record deeds, and examine
titles, was too severe a tax upon their resources, of time and
money. But the more powerful inducement for the erection

of a new County in this district was, that several embryo

villages about this region, were ambitious of acquiring the
added glories of being made the seat of justice for the new
County, and the people of each, confident that it Avould be
selected, worked zealously to secure as a necessary preliminary,
although a matter of secondary importance to them, the
erection of a new County. Having within their borders the

home of the Representative for this district, they felt that this
was the time to strike for independence.
The creation of new Counties was then a principal item of
business of the State Legislature, and so soon as Mr. Madden,
after a weary horse-back ride of two hundred and fifty miles

across the country, reached Vandalia, then the Capital of the

State, he speedily set himself to introduce and secure the
passage of, a bill for the creation of a ncAV County, and the
location of a County-seat. He was stimulated to zeal in
this work, by the fact that his own farm at Brush Point, now
in the township of Mayfield, Avas rather favorably and cen-
trally situated in the proposed new County, and he hoped,
360 HISTOKY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

planned, and expected, to secure upon it the location of the

seat of justice.
1837.
On day of March, 1837, the act for the creation of
the -Ith
the County of DeKalb was passed, and in the same bill the
Counties of Stephenson, Winnebago, and Boone Avere created
if this should be sanctioned by the whole body of voters in

the respective Counties from which they were detached. The

whole act, although containing some irrelevant matter, is

here given :

"an act to create certain counties therein named.

" Sec. 1. Be it enactzd^ hy the i^eople of the State of
Illinois represented in the General Assembly, That all that
tract of country within the following boundaries, to wit : com-
mencing on the northern boundary of the state where the
section line between sections three and four, in town twenty-
nine north, range five east of the fourth principal meridian,
strikes said line, thence east on the northern boundary of the
State, to the range line between ranges nine and ten east,
thence south on said range line to the northern boundary of
Ogle County, thence west on the northern boundary of Ogle
County to and passing the north-west corner of the county to
the line between sections thirty-three and thirty-four in town-
ship twenty-six north, range five east, thence north to the
place of beginning, shall form a County to be called Stephen-

son, as a tribute of respect to the late Colonel Benjamin

Stephenson.
" Sec. 2. That the boundaries of Winnebago County shall
be as follows, to wit commencing on the state liae at the
:

north-east corner of the County of Stephenson, thence east on

the state line to the section line between sections five and six,
in township forty-six north, range three east of the third
prmcipal meridian, thence south on said section line to the
south boundary of township forty-three north, range three
cast, thence west on said township line, to the third principrl

meridian, thence north on said meridian to the south-east

HJONI. GEORGE H HILlL
OF
NGSTON
Kl

COUNTY JUDGE.
iLllli.i^raphinsiro.Chi
 EIGIITEEX TIIIllTY-SEVEX. 361

corner of township twenty-six north, range eleven east of

fourth principal meridian, thence west on said line to the
range line between ranges nine and ten cast, thence north to
the place of beginning.
" Sec. 3. And that all that tract of country beginning at
the north east corner of township forty-six north, range four
east, thence south with the line dividing range four and five

east, to the sonth-west corner of township forty-three north,

thence west on said line to the south-east corner of Winnebago
County, thence north to the place of beginning on the north
boundary of the State, shall form a County to be called
Boone, in memory of Colonel Daniel Boone, the first settler

of the State of Kentucky.

" Sec. 4. That all that tract of country beginning at the
south-east corner of township thirty-seven north, range two
east of the principal meridian, thence north to the north-east
corner of township forty-two north, range two, east of the
third principal meridian, and thence along the northern
boundary of township forty-two in ranges three, four, and
five, east of the third principal meridian, thence sauth on the

south-east corner of township thirty-seven north, range five

east, thence west on said township line, to the place of begin-
ning, shall form a County to be called DeKalb.
" Sec. 5. The Counties of Stephenson, Boone, and DeKalb
hereby created shall be organized in the following manner,
to wit : for the purpose of fixing the permanent seat of jus-
tice of Stephenson county, the following persons are appoint-
ed commissioners, viz Vance L. Davidson and Isaac Cham-
:

bers, ofJo Daviess county, and Minor York of Ogle county,

who, or a majority of them, being duly sworn before some
justice of the peace of this State, faithfully to take into view
the convenience of the people, the situation of the settlements,
with an eye to future population and eligibility of the place
shall meet at the house of William Baker in said county, on
the first Monday in May next, or as soon thereafter as may
be, and proceed to examine and determine on a place for the
46
362 HISTORY or dekalb couxty.

permanent seat of justice for said county, and designate the

same Provided, that said county seat shall be located on
:

lands belonging to the United States, not occupied by the

citizens of said county, if a site for said county seat on such
lands can be found equally eligible, or upon lands claimed by
citizens of said county ; but if said location shall be made
upon land claimed by any individual in said county, or any
individual having pre-emption right or title tO' the same, the
claimant or proprietor upon whose lands, claim or pre-emp-
tion right the said seat of justice may be located, shall make
a deed in fee simple to any number of acres of said tract,
not less than twenty to the said county ; or in lieu thereof
such claimant or owner or owners of such pre-emption right
shall donate to the said county at least three thousand dollars
to be applied to building county buildings, within one year
after the locating of said county seat, and the proceeds of
such quarter section, if the county seat shall be located upon
government lands as aforesaid, or the proceeds of such twenty
acres of land if it be located on lands claimed or owned by
an individual or individuals ; or the said three thousand dol-
lars in case such claimant, or owner or owners shall elect to

pay that sum in lieu of the said twenty acres, shall be appro-
priated to the erection of a sufficient court house and jail ; and
until public buildings are erected for the purposes, the courts
shall be held at such place as the county commissioners shall
direct.
" Sec. 6. An election shall be held at the house of William
Baker in said county, on the first Monday of May next, for
one sheriff, one coroner, one recorder, one county surveyor,
three county commissioners, and one clerk of the county
commissioners' court, who shall hold their offices until the
next succeeding general elections, and until their successors
are elected and qualified which said election shall be con-
;

ducted in all respects agreeably to the provisions of the law

regulating elections : Provided that the qualified voters

present may elect from among their own number three quali-
 JEIGHTEEN THIRTY-SEVEN. 363

fied voters to act as judges of said election, who shall appoint

wo qualified- voters to act as clerks.

Sec.7. For the purpose of fixing the permanent county

seat of Boone county, the following named persons are hereby

appointed commissioners, viz John M. Wilson of Will county,
:

James Day of LaSalle county, and James H. Woodworth of

Cook county, who or a majority of them being first duly sworn
before some justice of the peace of this State, as required in
the fifth section of this act, shall meet at the house of Simon
P. Doty, in said county, on the fourth Monday in April next,

or as soon thereafter, as may be, and shall proceed as is

required in the fifth section of this act, to locate the county

seat of said Boone County.
Sec. 8. For the purpose of fixing the permanent seat of
justice for the county of DeKalb, Benjamin Thruston of
LaSalle county, James Walker of Cook county, and German-
icus Kent
Winnebago county, are hereby appointed com-
of
missioners, who or a majority being first duly sworn before
some justice of the peace of this State, as is required by the
fifth section of this act, shall meet at the house of Frederick
Love in said county, on the first Monday in June next, or as
soon thereafter as may be, and shall proceed in all respects
as is required in the fifth section of this act, Provided, That
the qualified voters of Kane county shall meet at the usual
places of holding elections in said county, on the first Monday
in May next, and vote for or against the county of DeKalb,
and if a majority of said voters shall be in favor of making
the said county, then the county of DeKalb shall be created,
but if it shall appear that there is a majority against the
division, then the said county shall remain as it now is.

Sec. 9. The county and circuit courts of said Boone and

DeKalb counties, shall be held at such place as the county
commissioners' courts shall respectively appoint, until the
county buildings are erected, and the times of holding the
circuit courts in the counties hereby created, shall be fixed by
364 HISTORY OF DE KALE COUNTY.

the circuit Judges in Avhose circuits the counties respectively

are situated.
" Sec. 10. And Boone and
elections shall be held in said
DeKalb counties, for county manner
oflficers in the following
viz In the county of Boone, at the house of Simon P. Doty,
:

on the first Monday in May next, and in the county of

DeKalb at the house of Frederick Love, on the first Monday
in July next, and shall be required and conducted in the same
manner as is prescribed in the sixth section of this act, when
the same is applicable.
" Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the clerks of the county
commissioners courts of the counties hereby organized, to give
notice at least ten days previous to the elections to be held as
is above provided in said counties, and in case there shall be
no clerk in said counties, it shall be the duty of the clerk of
the commissioners' court of Winnebago county, to give notice

of the elections to be held in the counties of Stephenson und

Boone, and for the election to be held in the county of DeKalb
notice shall be given in like manner, by the clerks of the com-
missioners' court of Kane county.
Sec 12. The citizens of the counties hereby created, are
entitled in all respects to the same rights and privileges as
are allowed in general to other counties in this State.
" Sec. 13. The counties of Stephenson and Boone shall
continue to form a part of the county of Jo Daviess, until
organized, and when organized according to this act, shall

continue attached to the county of Jo Davies in all general

elections, until otherwise provided by law. The county of
DeKalb shall continue to form a part of the county of Kane,
until it shall be organized, and shall vote with the county of
LaSalle in all general elections, until otherwise provided by
law.
" Sec. 14. The commissioners appointed to locate said
county seats, shall receive the sum of two dollars per day for
each day necessarily spent by them in discharging the duties
imposed on them by this act, to be allowed by the county
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-SEVEX. 3G5

commissioners, and to be paid out of the county treasuries

respectively.
" Sec. 15. The judges of elections shall deliver to each

officer elected, a certificate of his election. The poll books

shall be retained by them until the clerk of the county com-
missioners' court shall be qualified, and then deliver the said
poll books to such clerk, who shall make and transmit to the
Secretary of State an abstract of the votes given at such
election, in the same time, manner, and form as is required of
clerks of county commissioners courts in elections in other
counties in this State.
" Sec. 16. After the election of county officers as herein

provided, the persons elected county commissioners, are here-

by authorized to administer the oaths of office to each other,
and they are severally authorized to administer the oaths of
office to all other county officers. And said commissioners
shall within ten days after their election, meet together as a
court, and lay off their county into justices districts, and order
elections to be held for justices of the peace and constables at
a time to be fixed by them ; and justices of the peace and
constables elected and qualified, shall hold their offices until
others are elected and qualified under the law providing for
the election of Justice of the Peace. The clerks of the county
commissioners' courts shall deliver to each person elected
justice of the peace and constable, certificates of such elections ;

and each person elected justice of the peace is hereby author-

ized, upon executing bonds as required by law to enter upon

the duties of his office, and to exercise and perform all the
duties of justice of the peace as fully as though such person
had received a commission from the governor. This act shall
be in force from and after its passage.
Approved 4th March, 1837."
This year, 1837, was noted as the first in the series of the

regular Septennial wet seasons that have recurred every seven

years since that time. From the first breaking up of winter,
the rain poured down daily, with very few days exception,
366 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

until late in the autumn. The windows of heaven were

opened, the rain descended, and the floods came. The country
was inundated the roads would have been impassable if there
:

had been any roads the crops were poor and sickly, for want
:

of sufficient sunshine. Shabbona, the sagacious old Indian,

had predicted the wet season. He had asserted that as far
back as Indian tradition reached, every seventh year had been
similarly visited with a superabundance of rain — with almost
constant storms and flood, and swollen streams. Seven years
before, the soldiers at Fort Dearborn, then the only white
inhabitants of the country, had made record of a similar year
of constant storms and endless floods ; and it is certain that
on every succeeding seventh year, such seasons have recurred.
All of those who have resided in the county during the suc-
ceeding four septentriades, will testify that 1844, 1851, 1858
and 1865, were each seasons of extraordinary moisture, and
noted as wet summers. Whether there may or may not be
anything mystical or magical in the number seven, whether
this recurrence may have anything to do with the Scriptural
seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, with the
seven days of the week, the seven ages of man, the seven vials
of wrath, the seven seals, seven trumpets, seven witches, or
seven Pleiades, certain it is, that most of the old residents
admit the regular return of this seventh year of floods and
storms, and plan their farming operations with reference to it.

It worthy of remark, however, that the last of these wet

is

seasons, which occurred in 1865, was but a comparatively

moderate specimen of the kind. The floods began in July,
and would have attracted no very marked attention, but for
the general looking for and expectation of it.

A wet season in those early times, was different from what

it is at present. It caused far greater inconvenience. Then,

the country had no artificial drains, no broken and open soil

to drink up the showers ; it was all covered by the thick,

tough sod of the native prairie, into which the rain penetrated
with difficulty. It flowed off" into the lowlands or sloughs,
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-SEVEN. 367

and being undrained, remained there, 'till evaporated by the

summer's sun, making them almost impassable for teams. The
country, ever since its first settleir.ent, has been growing more
and more dry. Lands that ten, or even five years ago, could
not bear a team at any season of the year, now are constantly
passable : and that is remarked, even in places where there is

no artificial drainage or cultivation of soil in the vicinity to

account for it. This year is also memorable in the annals of
the country, as the occasion of one of those commercial crises,
when speculation and extravagance having reached its culmi-
tion, there comes a financial revulsion which sweeps fortunes
away like autumn leaves before the whirlwind. Thousands of
embryo cities had been laid out all over this western country,
and lots were sold in them at enormous prices. Chicago,
which during this and the previous year, had been rapidly
settled and built up to a city of several thousand inhabitants,
had excited the amazement of the country by stories of the
immense fortunes so suddenly made by the advance in her
ands. What had occurred there, it was argued, would soon
occur in all the young cities farther west. The legislature of
the previous winter had chartered thousands of miles of rail-
road which it was expected would stimulate an almost magical
growth of cities and towns. Chicago became a market for
the sale of towns. They were sold there at auction. Eastern
people caught the mania, and town plats were sent to them
for a market, and were greedily purchased. But now came
the crash. Multitudes of men, ambitious of making a speedy
fortune, had gone into debt for the purchase of these inchoate
cities. They were unable to meet their obligations, and una-
ble to dispose of the lands. Confidence was now gone, and
with it, the beautiful castles they had built in the air vanished
like the mists of the morning ; the brilliant-hued bubbles
burst and disappeared. The nation was whelmed in general
bankruptcy. But the spirit of speculation had not yet reached
the section of country embraced in this County. The storms
of the commercial world swept harmlessly by the little commu-
 368 HISTORY OF DE KALE COUNTY.

nity of quiet farmers gathered here to make their living by

the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. There were indeed some
embryo towns laid out, and their proprietors were contending
for the location of a county seat, but lots were cheap as yet.
Any man could have one or more if he would build upon it
and become a resident. A village palt was staked out on the
north side of the Kishwaukee —
then called the Sycamore
river — and another about the residence of Rufus Colton at
Coltonville. The Kishwaukee river then, like all of the
streams of the country, much larger, more rapid in its flow
than now, was supposed capable of furnishing good Avater
power. A tract of two miles square, enclosing the present
village of Sycamore, had been claimed by an association un-
der the name of C. Sharer & Co. It was composed of Chris-
tian Sharer, a wealthy capitalist of N. Y., Clark Wright, E.
Wherry and Mark Daniels. They built a dam and a large
mill race, whose channel is yet to be seen, and upon it Robt.
Crawford had commenced to build a factory, designed to
manufacture chairs and other articles of furniture. Eli G.
Jewell had a blacksmith and wagon shop in the borders of the
grove, near the present residence of Roswell Dow, and had,
also a small collection of goods for sale in his little log house.
It was regarded as one of the smart rising* to vy'us of the county,
and as a possible county seat. ' At Coltonville also, the
proprietor had a little store, and his spacious log house was
a Avell known point for travellers. Colton and the few settlers
who lived in the vicinity, were confident that there would be
the future seat of justice for the County.
On the first Monday in May of this year, in accordance
with the provisions of the bill, an election was held in the
thirty-six square miles, composing Kane County, to determine
whether the new County of DeKalb should be set off. The
Geneva interest favored the division, as it made that town
more central in that County, and Avould make its continuance
as the county seat, more probable, but a part of the present
Kane County was opposed to the division. It was so contrived
 EKaiTEEN THIllTY-SEVEN. 369

however, that they had no opportunity to express their

opposition by The traveling this spring, was

their votes.
extremely bad. The mud was unfathomable, the rain
continuous. The Sheriff of Kane County was unwilling to
start out on the long and tedious journey necessary to post

the notices of this election, and readily accepted the offer of

Mr. Madden, who was going that way, to do it for him.

Report says that the shrewd Madden was careless about post-
ing notices of the election in precincts unfavorable to the
division of the county, Avhile all of those precincts in favor
of it, were fully notified. The result was a huge majority in

favor of division, no vote whatever being held in considerable

parts of that county. It having been decided that the
new County was duly set off, the Clerk of Kane County issued
a call for an election to be held at the residence of Frederic
Love, at which there should be chosen three County Commis-
sioners, one Sheriff, Recorder, and Coroner. It was held on
Monday, the 3d of July, 1837. The two parties which as is

well known, are indispensable to every well-arranged and

conducted election, went by the name of claim-jumpers and
anti-claim-jumpers, and divided on the question of sustaining
or abolishing the claim associations. The people came from
all parts of the County, and in large numbers. With their
wagons and horses distributed over a large space, they
presented the appearance of an animated camp-meeting. After
the usual amount of log-rolling, caucusing, and liquoring, the
polls were opened, the votes cast and counted, and a large
majority were found to be in favor of the Anti-Claim-Jumpers'
ticket. This was :

County Commis&ioners — Rufus Colton, Robert Sterrett,

Levi Lee.
Sheriff — Joseph C. Lander.
Recorder—Jesse C. Kellogg.
Surveyor—Eli Barnes.
Treasurer— Lysander Darling.
They were an excellent and able body of officers ;
probably
47
370 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

none more intelligent or better adapted to their work, have

since filled those offices.
Rufus Colton was an active, stirring, shrewd New Englander,
formerly editor of a Vermont paper— a warm friend — a fair,

uncompromising enemy. R. Sterrett ofSomonaukwas ofPenn.

origin,always a decided Democrat — an honest, true reliable,
man. Levi Lee of Kingston, was a shrewd, intelligent man,
active in the temperance cause. He filled many public offices,

and was of late, a member of the Legislature of Wisconsin.

Jesse C. Kellogg, the Recorder, was of Vermont puritan stock,
has been for thirty three years, and still is one of the worthiest
citizens of DeKalb County, active in every good work, the
uncompromising foe of all wrong and oppression. Captain
Barnes, for over thirty years a venerated citizen of this County,
died in 1867, leaving a large family of descendants here.
Sherifi" Lander, an honest, pleasant old Indianian, had
all of the peculiarities of speech and dialect of the Hoosicr
race. Lysander Darling was a pleasant, kind-hearted, honest
popular citizen, said to be the first settler in Sycamore.

On Tuesday, the 11th of July, 1837, the first regular

session of the County Commissioners' Court for DeKalb
County was held at the house of Rufus Colton. The selection
of a place of holding Courts before the county seat was fixed
and buildings erected, was left to the decision of the County
Commissioners and they concluded that no more convenient
;

place could be found than the spacious and comfortable log

house belonging to the head of the Board of Commissioners.
It was a substantial structure, eighteen feet by twenty-four,
made of hewn logs, furnished with doors and a window,
chinked up with none of your common mud, but with good
lime mortar. Altogether, it was a spacious and superior
building for those times. But liberal as were the accommo-
dations, they were yet rather too limited for the convenient
transaction of public business, in addition to the ordinary

routine of the housekeeper's duties. So as the day was fair

and warm, a table was placed out of doors on the shady side
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-SEVEN. 371

of the house, at which the Commissioners being seated, the

Sheriff made proclamation in good Hoosier style, of the opening
of the Court,and they proceeded to business. This Commis-
sioners' Court was not intended for the trial of suits. Its
duties embraced those which are now accomplished by the
Board of Supervisors, The County had been ransacked to
find a suitable book Record, but at last Mr. Clerk had
for
procured an old merchant's ledger, a little used, and in it the
first recorded transactions were minuted. The first formal
action of the Board was to select and appoint Jesse C. Kellogg
as Clerk of their Court, and the next was the important
business of laying out five election precincts, and justices'
districts. They were
First, Kingston district and precinct, commencing at the
northwest corner of the County running south twelve miles,
thence northeast crossing the Sycamore river so as to include
Benjamin Stephens' land, and then north to the Cotinty line.
It was ordered that elections be held in this precinct at the
residence of Levi Lee. George John Whitney
II. Hill,
and Jonas Hait were appointed its judges.
The second was Sycamore precinct, including the northeast
corner of the County, and extending as far south as Charter
Grove, but not including the present village of Sycamore.
The elections were to be held at a school house near Lysander
Darling's, and William A. Miller, James A. Armstrong and
Samuel Cory were made its judges.
The third was named Orange district, and comprised the
territory south of the Sycamore district as far as Lost Grove,
in the present town of Cortland. Elections for this district
were ordered at Rufus Colton's house, and Frederic Love,
James Root, and Eli Barnes were made its judges.
The fourth was named Somonauk district, and comprised
the territory south of Orange district, ten miles in width, and
about twenty in length to the south line of the County.
Elections were ordered to be held at the house of Woodruff
and Lane; William Davis, Frederic A. Witherspoon, and
Simon Price were made judges.
8?2 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The was called Paw Paw, and comprised the

fifth district

southwest portion of the County. No recorded provision was

made for elections in this district, and it was subsequently
abolished, but afterwards upon the indignant protest of some
of its people, was re-established.
In October, the Commissioners appointed by the Legislature
to fix the County seat, met at the house of Mr. Frederic Love
as directed by the law of organization. They were received
by the citizens representing the three competing points with
all of that cordiality that was to be expected toward men upon
whose decision important interests depended. Escorted by a
large number of residents of the County, and men who were
interested in the decision of the question, they spent most of
three days in riding about the region, viewing the country and
comparing the advantages of the rival locations. There seemed
to be little to choose between them. One of the Commission-
ers,Mr. Walker of Plainfield had been a member of the Leg-
Mr. Madden. He was also an intimate friend
islature with
of Mr. Harvey Maxfield, who had recently visited this section
of country and came back with a glowing account of its

and of the advantages of the present location for

attractions,
a county seat. He had also reported to Walker a remark
said to have been made by Madden to the effect that he had
secured Walker's appointment as Commissioner, and expected
to control him so far as to induce him to locate the County
seat upon his own claim at Brush Point. This naturally
aroused opposition in the mind of Mr. Walker.
Much to Madden's chagrin, he found his friend prejudiced
against his own point, and unable to see its advantages. The
inhabitants of the little collection of log houses on the bank

of the Kishwaukee north of the present County seat where

the village had been laid out, had become convinced that their
village was upon ground too low to secure its location as the
seat of justice, and they combined to assure the Commission-
ers that the place where they intended the village should be,
was on the higher ground upon the other side of the stream.
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-SEVEN. 373

This being agreed upon, on the third day of their travels and
explorations, the Commissioners determined upon placing it

where the Court House now stands, and in the presence pf

quite a crowd of interested observers, they set a long pole
upon the green prairie, placed on it a streaming flag, and
declared it to be the location for the County seat of the new
County of DeKalb. Captain Eli Barnes now advanced, and
christened the new town by the name of Orange. No objection
was raised to this, and for some years thereafter, the point
was called by that name. Some objectionhad been made to
the exact spot selected, by parties who thought the land a
half mile south more favorable. This was admitted, but it

was decided that this spot was as far out on the broad prairie
as the center of the town ought to be placed, and here it was put.
It did indeed seem to be, in the phrase of the country,
"clear out of sight of land," a lonely, windy, grassy, deso-
late spot. The inhabitants of the rival locations, disappointed
at the result, ridiculed and denounced the selection, chiefly

for this reason. It was argued, however, that the great

State Road from Vandalia, the Capital of the State, north to
Lake Superior, passed through this place, that the State Eoad
from Chicago to Galena would cross here, and that it would
consequently be more accessible than the Coltonville and
Brush Point settlements, which were further to the West. It
was also held that there was a great deal more timber on the

eastern side of the county than on the western side ; and as

of course the settlements must always be near the timbered
lands, the center of population would be rather at the east
than at the west. The location was made north of the center
of the county, partly because it was thought that the south-
ern end, divided from the north b}^ a broad stretch of bare

prairie, would ultimately be set o^ into some other county, to

be formed at the south of it.

1838.
The county machinery was now fairly set in order, but, to
complete the dignity of the new county, it was necessary
374 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

that a term of the Circuit Court should be held, for the trial
of civil and criminal suits ; and at the February term of the
Commissioners' Court, it was ordered, that, as no court-house
«"as yet provided, the first term of the Circuit Court should be
held at Rufus Colton's residence, and the next term of the
County Commissioners' Court, should be held at the residence
of Riley Hall inSycamore precinct.
As Jurors for the first term of the Circuit Court, the follow-
ing list was selected.
GRAND JURORS.
George H. Nathan Billings, William A. Miller, Ly-
Hill,
sander Darling, John Whitney, John Esterbrooks, William
Miles, Henry Madden, Eli Barnes, Phineas Stevens, Alpheus
Jenks, Russell D. Crossett, John Maxfield, William Davis,
Maltby B. Cleveland, D. S. Bullard, Zachariah Wood, Ralph
Wyman, Benjamin Stephens, Joseph A, Armstrong, Henry
B. Barber, Reuben Nichols, Justin Crafts.
PETIT JURORS.
C. W. Branch, E. F. White, Abner Jackson, Peter Lamoise,
Clark Wright, John Elliot, Clark L. Barber, Jos. A.
McCollum, Russell Huntly, Ora A. Walker, John Corkins,
Solomon Wells, H. N, Perkins, Jacob Cox, Lyman Judd,
Henry Durham, F. A. Witherspoon, John Sebree, Marshall
Stark, Jeremiah Burleigh, John Riddle, William Russell,
Watson Y. Pomeroy, Ezra Hanson.
As the coming Circuit Court was expected to cause an
unusual demand for stationery, the Clerk of the County Com-
missioners' Court was authorized to purchase two dollars'
worth, and in addition was voted the sum of ten dollars to pay
for a book of record.
Three tavern licenses were granted this year — one to
Russell Huntly, at what now the village of DeKalb, one to
is

John Esterbrooks at Squaw Grove, and one to H. N. Perkins

at the present village of Genoa, and to guard against extortion
the Board enacted " that the rates for the government of
tavern-keepers for the ensuing year be as follows viz : For
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY- EIGHT. 375

each meal of victuals, thirty-one cents, for lodging each person

twelve-and-a-half cents ; for each horse to hay over night,
twelve-and-a-half cents ; for each bushel of oats, seventy-five
cents." These were great prices in those days, and were more
than were usually charged. Two years later, the price of a
good dinner at a first-class hotel inDeKalb County, was
twelve-and-a-half cents, and a man was boarded for a week,
for one dollar.

The total County tax levied on the first year of its existence
as a County, was $216,50, but Mr. James Phillips, the deputy
Sheriif who was also Collector, reported that after a hard
winter's work in collecting, he had been able to get together
and pay into the Treasury only $84,37.
There was a new election of County Commissioners in
August, and by a change in the law, three ncAV Commission-
ers were elected, instead of one as had hitherto been provided.
E. G. Jewell, Burrage Hough, and Henry Hicks w^cre elected.
They were warmly in favor of the County scat then located,
and issued an order that the October term of the Circuit
Court be held at a house now being erected by Eli Barnes,
at or near the seat of Justice of this County. But it was not
held there. The house as yet, existed only in imagination.
There was no sign of civilization, except a fence enclosing a
field nearly two miles long and sixty rods wide, built this year
by C. Sharer A: Co., the New York Company, who claimed
this location. Mr. Colton who had been appointed Clerk of
the Circuit Court, had made all processes returnable at his
own residence. He hoped that before any suitable County
buildings should be erected at this point he would obtain a
vote to change its location to his own place. In addition to
the other attractions of his own village, a lawyer, one John
M. Crothers, had taken up his abode there, and opened an
office in a corner of one of the three or four houses that con-

stituted the village called Coltonville. With a store, a tavern,

a blacksmith's shop, a doctor, a lawyer, and a distillery in

 376 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

expectation, Coltonville was indeed a prominent and promising

village.

Another meeting of the Commissioners was held in Septem-

ber, at which they proceeded to consider the expediency of
erecting a Court House and Jail at the seat of justice, but no
definite plan was devised.
They were engaged in negotiating with Captain Eli Barnes
for the erection of buildings, but it was evident that no
provision could be made for the coming term of Court, and it
was accordingly by general consent, held at Coltonville.
About this time, a new disturbing element had been intro-
duced into the affairs of the new County.

Madden and Colton both being sorely vexed at being over-

ruled in their choice of a County seat, had put their heads to-
gether to procure a removalby combining against Orange the two
who favored Brush Point and Coltonville and they
parties :

managed it in this wise. Mr. Madden, who was still a mem-

ber of the Legislature, had during the last winter's session,
procured the passage of an act providing that a vote should
be taken first for or against the removal of the County seat
from Orange. It was presumed that the two parties favoring
Brush Point and Coltonville would combine and could carry
this measure, for removal, m that case a second vote was
to be taken upon Coltonville or Brush Point, and the place
receiving the highest number of votes was to be the County
Seat.
Madden and made no public mention of the
returned,
passage of this act, but it was strongly suspected by the
Orange men, that something of this kind had been done, and
was to be "put through on the sly." It was finally discov-
ered in this way. A certain bachelor of Genoa, Gleason by
name, who was attached to the Orange party, invaded the
Brush Point settlement one Sunday night, in search of a wife.
From his fair Dulcinea, he learned to his surprise, that on
the next Monday week, an election was to be held in that
settlement to remove the County seat. Gleason informed his
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-EIGHT. 377

friends ofwhat be had learned, and it was agreed that the

Orange men should meet them at the polls and vote the
removal project down. J. C. Kellogg and E. G. Jewell were
dispatched South in the night, to rouse their friends in Som-
onauk.
In due time the polls were opened, and to the surprise of
the Brush Pointers, w^ere opened in those precincts opposed
to the change, as well as those which favored it. The unfair-
ness of the secret conspiracy was so apparent that in Somon-
auk precinct, which then included six townships, forty-five of
the forty-seven votes cast were against removal. The project
was voted down by seventeen majority, in the whole County.
Coltonville had grown since the summer before when the
first term of the County Commissioners Court was held there.
There were four or five houses there now, but how the crowd
of people that assembled on this memorable occasion was pro-
vided for must ever be a mystery to future generations. The
first term of the Court was held in a small framed house one
story and a half in height, which, a few years after, was
moved down to Sycamore, and is now the residence of Dr.
W. W. Bryant and standing nearly opposite the Universalist
Church. Hon.' John Pearson, the Judge, resided in Danville,
Vermillion County, and the extent of his circuit may be
judged from this fact. He Avas subsequently removed for
incompetency. Rufus Colton was the clerk, and Amasa
Huntington States Attorney. There were but twenty suits
upon the docket, none of them sharply contested cases. The
first suit was one in which Erasmus D. Walrod was plaintiff

and Stephen Harwood was defendant, but before the trial

commenced it was settled by agreement of parties — a good,

first example which has not since been followed so closely as
would have been to the advantage of the County.
The duty of the twenty-four Grand Jurors and the States
Attorney, were ended when they had found an indictment
against one William Taylor for passing counterfeit money.
Taylor was supposed to be one of an organized gang that
48
378 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

even at this early day was infesting the country, and swind-
ling the honest citizens. Not being ready for trial, he was
retained in charge of the County until the next term. After
being comfortably boarded for several weeks by the Barber
family the County Commissioners ordered him to the Will
County jail, at Joliet, which was then the nearest available
place of confinement ; and out of the scantily furnished
treasury of the County they paid $45 to a guard for convey-
ing him there. When he was next brought out for trial he
escaped from the guard and was seen no more in this section
of country ; and when in addition to this misfortune, the Will
County jailor sent in a bill for $25 for his board, it bank-
rupted the Treasury ; the commissioners indignantly refused
to allow it and demanded the items. After this dear experi-
ence in the capture of criminals became the policy to over-
it

look all crimes that were not too public and heinous, and
when an oifence had been committed that could not be over-
looked, the County officers sometimes contrived that a hint
should be given to the offender that he would probably be
arrested, and that it would be expedient for him to leave the
country before that event should occur. In this way they
rid themselves of the elephant. In December of this year, a

meeting of County Commissioners provided for ascertaining

upon what section of land the County seat had been placed.
The County had not yet been surveyed by the United States.
Nobody knew where the boundaries of the County were, nor
were any other lines definitely ascertained. It was necessary
that the County should first make its pre-emption claim to the
quarter-section that the law required it should own, as private
individuals made their claims, and then should survey and sell

the village lots : out of the proceeds of which sale the public
buildings were to be erected, guarantying of course to the

purchasers, that when the land came in market the County

would purchase and pay for it.
For this purpose the Commissioners duly authorized and
directed Mr. Eli G. Jewell to obtain the services of a surveyor
 EiaHTEEN THIRTY-EIGHT. 379

and bring a line or lines from some survey made under the
authority of the Government down to the County
General
seat, and there cause a number of town lots not exceeding
eighty, to be laid out, platted and recorded the expense of ;

which survey was prudently provided should be paid out of

it

the proceeds of the sale of the lots. At this term the rate of
compensation to jurors was fixed at seventy-five cents per day,
but as this rate was found to cause a heavy drain upon the
Treasury, it was subsequently reduced to fifty cents.
Frederick Love was appointed first School Commissioner
for the County, and was also granted a license to keep tavern.
Love's capacious cabin was as public a place as any in the
County. He called it Centerville, and hoped that at some
time it would become the County seat. Henry Durham of
Genoa, was granted a merchant's license at this term of the
Court. A few years later, the village at that point had become
the largest and most lively in the County. In September
1838, Shabbona, the old Indian, employed Mr. James S.
Waterman to survey the two sections of land which the Gov-
ernment had granted him in that section of country. During
this year a company under the name of Jenks & Co.,
representing considerable capital, constructed a mill upon the
Kishwaukee, in the present town of DeKalb on the land now
occupied by Mr. Albert Schryvers farm, and projected a
village which however, was never built up. The large barn
now standing upon that farm was one of the first framed
buildings in the County, and was used on several occasions
for the religious services of the quarterly-meetings of the
Methodists.
Since the departure of the Indians, game had rapidly
increased in this district of country. Deer became very
numerous. Mr. R. F. Watson, who was one of the first
inhabitants of the northern portion of the County, states that
during this winter he, hunting in company with Solomon
Wells and William Driscoll, killed more than one hundred
of these animals, and at times had counted one hundred and
S80 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

twenty-five in one drove. They ran them down with grey

hounds. The deer, fleet as they were, were no match for the
hounds, who would often catch them by the throat before they
had run a quarter of a mile. But the hounds frightened the
deer from the country, and for many years subsequently
they became very scarce.
1839.
The year 1839 was memorable as one of great suffering
among the new settlers, from sickness. During the spring
and autumn months, over most of the County, there were
hardly enough of the well to take proper care of the sick.

Ague and billions fevers were the prevailing diseases. They

resulted from the close proximity to the groves and streams
to which the new comers all built their houses, and were aided

by the insufficient and comfortless little dwellings also by ;

the bad surface water from the sloughs which they used in
the want of wells of proper depth to supply pure water. It

was difficult also, to secure medical attendance, and the phy-

sicians who practiced through the country, rarely had a
sufficient supply of medicine. A citizen relates his disap-
pointment when after having gone shaking with ague seven
miles on foot to a doctors for a dose of quinine, the doctor
toldhim solemnly, " No young man, I you have it
cant't let
you are young, and can wear out the I must save
disease.
my little supply for cases in which it is needed to save life,
for I don't know when I shall be able to obtain any more."
Deaths were numerous, and the few carpenters in the
country who were able to work, were at times busy night
and day in making coffins. It was noticed that one settle-
ment on the borders of the County, in Franklin, afterwards
known as the Pennsylvania Settlement, was quite free from
the prevalent diseases. The three or four houses that com-
posed were built by Dr. Hobart, Albert
this little village,

Fields, and William Ramsey, two miles from the timbered

lands and in the middle of the prairie. To this was due their
exemption from disease.
 EIQHTEEN THIRTT-NINB. 881

But County seat found

the citizens in the vicinity of the
time to buikl a new Court House.The survey lines ordered
by the County Commissioners, had been brought down from
the neighborhood of Rockford, where some Government
surveying had already been done, and the village of Sycamore
was staked out. The inhabitants of this place for all future
time, may thank Captain Eli Birnes and James S. Waterman
for the broad streets that now add so much to the beauty of
the village. To many of the people, they seemed at the time
unnecessarily wide, but the sensible plea that there was a
whole continent of prairie before them, and that Avhen Syca-
more became a city they would be needed to accommodate its
business, prevailed, and they were all laid out one hundred
feet wide.From the time the village was laid out, its original
name of Orange was dropped, and Sycamore adopted by
common consent.
During the previous winter. Captain Barnes had got
together materials for building a spacious tavern at the new
County and early in the spring it was erected the first
seat, —
building put up in this village. It is still standing, directly

east of the Public Square, and has ever since been occupied
as a Hotel. As an inducement for building it, it was agreed
that the block on which it stands should be given to the Cap-
tain, free of cost. The village having been laid out, the
Commissioners directed Mr. Jewell to proceed to sell lots

and with the proceeds

at public auction, to contract for build-
ing a Court House and Jail.
The auction was held, and the bidding was spirited. Some
fifteen or twenty lots were sold at prices ranging from twenty
to fifty dollars. Among the purchasers were Frederick Love,
J. C. Kellogg, James
Waterman, Harvey Maxfield, Daniel
S.
Bannister, Almon Robinson, Erastus Barnes, and Timothy
Wells.
The proceeds of the sale constituted a little fund out of
which, some of the materials for the Court House were pur-
chased. Those most interested in the matter, then took teams
382 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

and drove to all the saw-mills in the country round,

and begged or bought, or traded for the necessary lumber-
The labor upon the building was done by voluntary contribu-
tion. Every one could do something, and all worked with
a will.
By the time fixed for the June session of the Circuit Court,

a two-story building twenty feet by tLirty had been enclosed,

and the County Commissioners, who were hastily summoned
Judge
together, ordered their Clerk of the Court to notify the
of the Circuit Court that they had erected a Court House at
the County seat, and that it was ready for occupancy,and
requested that he direct the Circuit Clerk to keep his ofiice

there.
Captain Barnes served the order upon the Judge now sitting
in Court at Coltonville, and the crowd of attendants, augmented
by a large body of citizens assembled to see what action
would be taken upon this order, awaited with great interest
the argument upon the proposition to remove to Sycamore.
When the Judge decided that the Court must be removed
thence, a shout of triumph went up from the Sycamore party,
while the opponents of removal were correspondingly depressed.
Judge Ford took his record under his arm, States Attorney
Purple bundled up his papers, the Sheriff, the lawyers, juries
parties and witnesses followed suit, and led by Captain Barnes,
on that well-known spotted horse that he rode upon all public
occasions for more than twenty years later, all took up their
line of march through the thick woods and across the green
prairie, to the new seat of empire at Sycamore. The assem-
blage was entertained at a grand pubhc dinner at the new
tavern, where all the luxuries that the country afforded were
freely provided by the successful party.
When new Court House, it was
the Court repaired to the
found that the declaration of the Commissioners, that the
Court House was ready for occupancy, was rather more than
its condition warranted. It had a frame, a roof, and some
siding upon it, but there were no doors nor windows, and the
 EIGHTEEN THIRTY-NINE. 383

only floor was some loose boards covering one half of the
upper story. When the officers of the Court had clambered
up to the seat of justice in the second story, it found furniture
somewhat scarce. A tilting table was the Judges desk, and
a broad, rough board was provided for the Clerks and attor-
neys' tables et praeterea nihil. Itwas a rough and primitive
arrangement for the entertainment of the blind goddess, and
if she had had her eyes about here she would have fled from
the spot in alarm. A question arose whether process having
been made returnable at Coltonville, suits could be tried at
another locality, and except a few agreed cases, no litigation
was carried on. William Taylor, the only criminal, having
fortunately run away, and the arrest of all others being care-
fully avoided, there was no use for a Grand Jury, and it had
been at once dismissed, and the Court speedily adjourned.
The Commissioners' Court at the June session, divided the

County into three Assessment districts.

The districts of Franklin, Kingston, and Kishwaukee con-
stituted the first, and of this H. F. Page was chosen Assessor.
Sycamore, Orange, and Ohio districts made the second, and of
this, Austin Hayden was Assessor. Somonauk and Pawpaw
made the third, and of this Stephen Arnold was Assessor.
The three Assessors were each paid for three days' service in
assessing the entire property of the County.
At the August election, Mr. John R. Hamlin was chosen
Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court, and Lysander
Darling County Treasurer, in place of George H. Hill.
William M. Maxfield was chosen County Collector, Alpheus
Jenks, Recorder.
In this year, the land in the three Northern townships
which had previously been surveyed by the United States,
and put in market. It was a part of what was called the
Rockford or Polish survey.
The United States Government, in sympathy with the Poles
who had just been overwhelmed in their contest for their
independence by the power of Russia, had made a grant of a
384 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUXTY.

large tract of land on the banks of the E,ock River to such of

that nation as chose to settle upon it. It was accordingly
surveyed some years earlier than most of this part of the State.

Very few of that nation however, availed themselves of this

privilege. Claims had been made on the same land by other
and earlier settlers. These combined to drive away the new
claimants. Numerous little stockade forts were built with
loop holes for muskets, and a determintion was expressed to
drive the Polish emigrants out of the country, and they were
entirely successful. They never occupied their grant.
At Ooltonville, the large two-story house still standing there
was built this year for a tavern, and was opened with a grand
ball in the autumn. To make a sufficient party, the whole
country was summoned. Some twenty of the guests came
from Oregon, thirty miles west, and as many more from
St Charles, twenty miles to the east. It was a noted event.
In the summer of the previous year, a convention was held at
Ottawa to nominate candidates for the Legislature. Delegates

went from Orange, now called Sycamore, to see that men

favorable to their point as the County seat should be nominated,
and they selected William Stadden for Senator, and J. W.
Churchill for the Assembly. But they were disappointed in
their men. At the winter's session, another act was passed
authorizing a vote upon the removal of the County seat.
The Session Laws in these times, were not circulated 'till

six months after the sitting of the Legislature, and before

any opponents of removal were aware of the existence of such
an act, the time had arrived for a vote upon the question. A
poll-book was opened at Coltonville, a dozen votes or so were
cast for removal to that place, and the terms of the law were
considered to be complied with. The seat of justice technically
was removed.
But Kellogg, the County Commissioners' Clerk refused to
deliver the books. He was arrested and tried before Justice
Harvey Maxfield, and after a savage, wordy warfare, was
discharged.
131^ ILL. VOL. INFANTRY.
OF GORri.AND.

Cliicaiio Lillui4iajihll\g Co. Chicago.

 EIGHTEEX FOrxTY. 385

The total receipts and expenditures of the County this year

amounted to the sum of $452,15 a very moderate amount
considering that a Court House had been constructed, and
that, although built from another fund, it naturally increased
some of the County expenses.
1840.
The year 1840 found the County of DeKalb increasing in
population, if not in wealth. Around all of the groves whicli
dotted the prairies like oases in a desert, or like islands in tl e
blue ocean, little communities of farmers were gathered, full of
ambition and hope for a prosperous future for this new coun-
try, but grievously oppressed with poverty in the present.
They raised bountiful crops of the finest winter wheat and the
fresh virgin prairie soil produced of all kinds of grain such
crops as have never since been equalled; but nothing found a
market. They drew their wheat to Chicago over roads that
were passable only in a time of drought, and when drawn
there it was sold at from thirty to forty cents per bushel. He
was a lucky man Avho made from his load more than enough
to pay the expenses of the journey. There Avas little encour-

agement for energetic systematic labor.

Many of the settlers were from the Southern States, a
pleasant, hospitable generous people, but lacking the energy
and shrewdness of the New Englandcrs, and other citizens of
Northern origin. Mr. James H. Furman, now editor of the
Sandwich Gazette, who had just moved from the city of New
York, taught school in a settlement of Virginia and North
Carolina people at Squaw Grove during this winter. There
was one framed house in the settlement —Jack Sebrees. All
others lived in log cabins. One large double log house was a
favorite resort for all the neighborhood, and there he spent
most of his time. Huge roaring fires of logs upon the broad
open fire-places at each end, could hardly keep the winter
chill out of the ill-constructed dwellings. At night they slept
between two feather beds, as was the custom of the Southern
country. There was no furniture to speak of: most of them
49
386 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

sat upon the floor or on slab benches, and at meal time went
out doors from the sitting-room door to the kitchen, where
bountiful meals were provided, for provisions were abundant.
The women of this house spun and wove woolen garments for
the whole family beside doing the household duties and caring
for a large dairy. They only complained that their husbands
would not raise flax so that they could have some tow to spin

when they had nothing else to do. At Franklin, in the North

part of the County, at Somonauk at the South end, and at
Paw Paw, were similar settlements of Southern people, but
most of the new settlers were from New York and New
England.
The country was over-run with horse-thieves and counter-
feiters. There being no jails, the labor of confining the pris-
oners in Sheriff's' houses and such other places as could be
found for them was so burdensome that few arrests were made,
and when criminals were imprisoned the great effort was, to
get them to run away, so as to relieve the County of the
expense of their keeping.
The County Treasury was generally empty. County
orders were issued for all expenses, and they were at a great
discount, but as they were receivable for taxes, little else could
be collected and no money went into the Treasury.
At the County seat, a little village was being built up. It

now contained twelve houses. The Mansion House kept by

Captain Barnes, was the great center of population. It was
crowded with occupants. In one corner was the store kept
by John and Charles Waterman, who had moved their goods
from the place north of the river where the town had first been
started, and where in a little log cabin sixteen feet by eighteen
they had first established business. The house was over-
crowded with boarders, mostly young men who had come out
seeking their fortunes many of them have since become
; "

particularly well known, and prominent in the history of the

County. Among them were John, James, Robert and Charles
Waterman, Reuben EUwood, Dr. H. F. Page, Frank Spencer,
 ElGHTEEJf FORTY. 38T

Jesse Rose, John R. Hamlin, E. P. Young. They were a

gay set, as full of pranks and fun, and practical jokes, as
ever a dozen wild fellows could have been. For some reason
the hotel came Nunnery, and went by that
to be called the
name for many years. It was a most inappropriate title as
there was nothing more like a nun about it than the one hired
girl in the kitchen. Indeed, there were but three marriage-
able women and when dances and parties were
in the place,
made, the country for twenty miles around was scoured in
search of lady partners.
The school was kept in the Court House by Ur. Bill, and
it was well attended. The same building also furnished a
place for religious meetings, but when Dr. Whitney of Belvi-
dere came to deliver a great Whig speech, he gathered his
mass-meeting in Carlos Lattin's log cabin. At the time of
the election of Harrison and Tyler, there was a grand jollifi-

cation. The United States Surveyor, who was working

through the County, furrish free liquor to all the town and
country round.
A stage route was established during this year, running
from St. Timothy Wells and Charles
Charles to Oregon.
Waterman were the proprietors of the line. They had an
elegant four-horse coach, and carried a large number of pas-
sengers.
The Circuit Court which met in June, of this year, disposed
of one hundred cases in five days. Among the lawyers were
some names that have since become eminent. J. Y. Scammon
and N. B. Judd came from Chicago. Norman H. Pul-ple and
Judge Peters from Peoria, W. D, Barry and S. S. Jones from
St. Charles, Chapman and Allen from Ottawa, Nathan Allison

from Naperville, and Asa Dodge from Aurora.

The
first indictment for selling liquor without a license was

tried, —
and resulted in acquittal a precedent that has since
been most faithfully followed.
The County Commissioners' Court in this year, created
twenty-four road districts for the growing County, and raised
the license for grocery-keepers to twenty-five dollars.
S88 HTSTOHY OT DEl^ALB COTTlfTT.

School Trustees for the Northern townships seem to liave

been elected at some previous time, for it is recorded that
Frederick Watkins and Andrew Miles, former trustees of
Township forty-two, range three, resigned their offices, and
Daniel Cronkhite was appointed in their places. Trustees of
school lands were also appointed for Townships thirty-seven
thirty-eight, and forty-one, in range five. The place of voting
in Somonauk precinct was changed from the house of R.
Woodruff, to that of Burrage Hough.
The grand struggle for the establishment of the County
seat was finished at the August election of this year, by a
Waterloo defeat of the opponents of Sycamore.
The County seat seems to have been technically considered
to have been removed from Orange or Sycamore,
bv the vote of the dozen or so who had assembled
and voted that it should be removed to Coltonville, in an
election held in pursuance of the law, but kept secret from the
great mass of the people.
On January 3d, of this year, another act had been passed
by the Legislature " permanently to locate the seat of justice
for the County of DeKalb."
The following report was ordered by the County Commis-
sioners to be placed upon their records, and explains the
final result

State of Illinois, \ ^ *
"'
DeKalb Co. j

I, John R. Hamlin, Clerk of the

County Commissioners' Court of said County, and Frederic

Love Probate Justice of the Peace, and Harvey Maxfield,
Justice of the Peace in and for said County of DeKalb, do
hereby certify that at an election held in the several precincts
of said County, on the Third Monday in August, A. D. 1840,
in pursuance of an act entitled an act permanently to locate
the seat of Justice of the County of DeKalb approved January
3d, 1840, there were given two hundred and forty votes in

favor of the removal of the seat of Justice of DeKalb County

 EIGHTEEN FORTY. 889

from Coltonville. There were given one hundred and forty-

three votes against the removal of the seat of Justice from
Coltonville ; showing a majority in favor of the removal of
the seat of justice from Coltonville, of ninety-seven votes.
And there were also given at said election two hundred and
seven votes in favor of Sycamore to be the seat of justice of
DeKalb County. And there were given at said election one
hundred and thirty-seven votes in favor of Brush Point to be
the seat of Justice of DeKalb County. Showing a majority
of seventy votes in favor of Sycamore to be the seat of justice.
This was the last formal attempt to change the location of
the County seat, and as it is likely that a local contest of
this kind brought out all of the voters, it is probable that
three hundred and eighty-four was about the number of voters
then in the County. Morris Walrod was at this time, the
Sheriff of the County, and a ver}^ efficient officer he proved
to be. To induce him to take and keep open the hotel at the
County seat, he was promised this The
office of Sheriff.
horse-thieves and counterfeiters who infested the County
found in him a dangerous foe. It was during this spring that
he arrested one Winthrop Lovelace, who was supposed to be
one of that gang. He was bound over for trial, but it was sev-
eral weeks before his trial could be held. Walrod kept him
securely ironed, and by day chained to a bed-post in a little

back room of his tavern. At night he was secured by irons,

to constableAlvah Cartwright, who slept by his side. One
night Cartwright attended a grand ball at Coltonville, and
coming home fatigued, slept unusually soundly. When he
awoke his prisoner was gone, A well-known citizen, and a
suspected associate of the gang had supplied him with a file,

with which he had cut his bracelets and escaped. But as he

fled northward across the mill-dam, daylight had come and he
was discovered. A party was soon got out to surround and
search the Norwegian Grove, and the hunt was kept up all

day as was certain that he could not have escaped from it,
it

but the search was without success until toward evening a

390 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

place was discovered where the tall grass of the mill-pond had
been parted. The trail was followed, and the poor shivering
wretch finally discovered sitting nearly chilled to death, in the
cold shallow pond. It took some hours of smart rubbing to

save his life. When

was finally brought to trial, he
he
escaped from the Court House, probably amid a crowd of his
fellows of the banditti,and was seen no more in this County.
For many years, was the custom for the Sheriff to keep
it

his prisoners manacled, but to board them at the same table

with his other guests at the hotel. They came shuffling in at
the first table, usually took the head and did the honors to
travellers and other guests, in their best style. It sometimes
astonished strangers, but was considered all right by the
regular boarders.
John Riddle, one of the first settlers of Franklin, was this

year appointed Assessor of District No. 1, F. Love of District

No. 2, and Stephen Arnold of District No. 3. It took them
six days each to assess the County, and as the result, a tax of
three hundred and thirty-four dollars and seventy cents was
collected.
Amos Story was Collector for the County.
1841.
The first resident lawyer in the County was admitted to
practice during this year, the County Commissioners Court
certifying that he was a man of good moral character. His
name was Andrew J. Brown. He settled in Sycamore, but
the most of the practice at the bar at this time, was monopo-
lized by W. D. Barry, A. N. Dodge, B. F. Fridley, and
Crothers Champlain.
Sylvanus Holcomb was elected County Commissioner, the
other two members of that Board being Martin M. Mack and
David Merritt.
The great State Road from Ottawa to Beloit, was laid out
this summer. It was made eighty feet in width. It is de-
scribed as entering the County at Somonauk, passing Sebra's,
Esterbrooks, and Lost Grove, to the south-east corner of the
 EIGHTEEN FORTY-IWO. 391

Public Square, thence to H. Durham's, to Deer Creek, and

north to the County line.

The winter of 1841-42, was one of uncommon severity.

A heavy coating of snow fell on the 8th of November, and it
remained on the ground until April 14th, during all which
time, with the exception of the usual January thaw, the
sleighing was For a winter of such unusual length
excellent.
and severity, no had been made. Forage
sufficient provision

for the stock became very scarce, and hundreds died of starv-
ation. Hay sold at twenty dollars per ton. The snow be-
came crusted over, and the deer entrapped in it could be
slaughtered with axes and clubs. They would "yard"
together in large numbers in the woods, where they lived on
the bark of trees. If driven out into the crusted snow, they
could make no progress, and were easily killed. Five hun-
dred of these animals are said to have been killed this winter
in the northern part of this County, and in the woods of
Boone County.
1842.

The terrible winter ended in the middle of April, and the

spring bright, balmy and beautiful, opened at once. The
crops were all sown in good season, and produced abundantly.
In this year for the first time, the bright steel scouring
ploughs came into use, and proved one of the most important
improvements ever invented for the prairie farmer. Previous
had in the expressive phrase of the country,
to this, the soil
been "buggered over" with the old cast-iron plows, or some
strange-looking contrivances of iron rods with a plough-share
— tools that would not scour, that must be cleaned every few
rods,and that were quite ineffective for the work required of
them. Nothing but the extraordinary fertility of the fresh
prairie soil enabled the settlers to raise any crops with such
culture.

During this year we find E. L. Mayo was certified to be a

man of good moral character, and admitted to practice at law.
392 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

He has been ever since a leading lawyer, and has held many
public offices.

Under date of March 11th, 1842, is the following official

record :

" This day in pursuance of an act entitled an act perma-

nently to locate the seat of Justice of the County of DeKalb,
approved January 30th, 1840, the Commissioners of said
County have selected one hundred and sixty acres of land for
County purposes, bounded as follows to-wit From a point :

which bears N 54i° W. 10 E. 21 Links from the S.- W. cor-

ner of M. Walrod's dwelling house and S. 70° East 4 R. 22
Links from the S, E. corner of Carlos Lattin's house, running
thence N. 9° E. 80 R. thence S. 81° E. 160 R thence S. :

9° W. 160 R. thence N. 81° W. 160 R. thence K 9° E. 80

R. to the place of beginning, containing 160 acres.
J. S. Waterman, Surveyor.
Lysander Darling as Treasurer of DeKalb County, pre-
sented the following account which is interesting as showing
the amount of taxes then collected
Amount of taxes of 1839, |249,82.
" " 1840, 282,98.
" 1841, 328,3L
Fines delivered by Clerk, 53,16.
Docket fees delivered by Clerk, 61,50.
These amounts are small as compared with the present
revenues of the county, and smaller yet when it is remem-
bered that they were all collected in County orders and
Jurors certificates, which could hardly be sold for fifty cents
on the dollar.
This was the time of very deepest depression in the finan-
cial condition of the State as well as of the county. The
Bank, Avhich occurred in February, had
failure of the State
overwhelmed the people with destitution and ruin. When
Governor Ford entered upon the duties of his office during
this year, he stated formally that in his opinion there was
not enough good money in the hands of all the people in the
 EIGHTEEN FORTY-TAVO. 303

State to pay the interest which then came due upon the State
debt. The public officers found it difficult to get enough
money from the Treasury to pay their salaries and the postage
on their letters. The State failing to pay the interest on its

debt became the subject of most bitter aspersion and reproach

through all of this country, and even in England where some
of its bonds were held. It was taunted as a Repudiator, and
indeed a considerable party in favor of repudiation was grow-
ing up in the State. Its name became a hissing and a bye-
word in distant lands. Illinoisans travelling in eastern States
or foreign countries were ashamed to acknowledge the State
that they came from.
Mr. John R. Hamlin who held the offices of Clerk of the
County Commissioners' Court, Recorder, and Postmaster and
out of the whole of them managed to make only about enough
to pay his board —
cheap as boarding was at the June term —
of the County Commissioners' Court of this year, was granted
the privilege of advancing twelve dollars to purchase a Book
for Records, with the promise that it should be paid for out
of the first money received into the Treasury, Mr. Hamlin
always a gentleman of genial, kindly, temper, an universal
favorite, subsequently became a wealthy merchant of Chicago,
and still later removed again to this County where he became
an extensive land-owner, but it is reported that about this
time, he was accustomed to travel through the County to
collect deeds for record and urge upon those who had deeds
the necessity of having them placed upon record, and it is said
that for convenience and economy, he often went bare-footed.
But current rumors are not always true. Certain it is that
all of these offices at that time were not enough to give one
man a living. A dozen years later, the Recorders' office alone
constantly employed four or five men, and was reported to be
worth eight thousand dollars a year to the fortunate holder.
Such facts, better than any array of figures, give an idea of
the remarkable growth and increase in the population and
business of the County.
50
394 HISTORY OF DEKLB COUNTY.

The elections, at this period in the history of the County,

were generally held at the residence of some citizen centrally
located in the precinct, and right glad was he, after a year or
two of experience of the annoyance and trouble of such gath-
erings to procure the removal of the place of election to some
other location. The place of election in Orange precinct, was
at this term, changed from the residence of W. A. Fairbanks
to Calvin Colton's spacious and comfortable hotel and in ;

Franklin precinct it was changed from the mill of Henry

Hicks to the residence of Theophilus Watkins.
Martin M. Mack was re-elected County Commissioner at
the August election of this year, and D. W. Lamb was made
County Surveyor, an office which he held with occasional
intervals during the next twenty-two years.
The chief matters of record of the County Commissioners'
Court still continued to be the location of new roads ; but
about this time their breadth, which had hitherto been only
fifty feet, was enlarged to sixty-six, and in some cases to
eighty feet. The Oregon State Road Avas laid out one hun-
dred feet in width. The Circuit Court this year held but one
session, and that in September. It was presided over by John
D. Caton, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court. S. B.
Farwell was States' Attorney, J. C. Kellogg, Clerk, and
Morris Walrod Sheriff. Among the leading practitioners at
its bar were T. Lyle Dickey, E. L. Mayo, B. F. Fridley, W.
D. Barry, N. H. Peters, W. R. Crothers, and A. J. Brown.
1843.
The finances of the County were noAV in a situation of great
embarrassment. A report of a committee appointed to make
a careful examination of its affairs, reported that had issued
it

orders which were still outstanding, to the amount of nine

hundred and seventy-two dollars and thirty-seven cents, and
the taxes to be collected to pay them would only amount to
four hundred and eighty-three dollars, and twenty-nine cents,
leaving the County in debt to the amount of four hundred and
eighty-nine dollars and eight cents. Small as this amount
 EIGHTEEN FORTY-TWO. 395

seems now, it was a troublesome load for the young County

to carry, and M. M. Mack and Sylvan us Holcomb were au-
thorized to endeavor to effect a loan. For this purpose they
made several journeys, but to no avail. So large an amount
of capital could not be obtained. But the County was gen-
erous enough to allow them fifteen dollars each for their
expenses, and in place of putting them off with County orders
which were of little value, it allowed them to endorse the

amount upon their indebtedness to the County for the lots

that they had purchased on the town plot.
A tax of one-half of one per cent, was ordered for the ensuing
year, but the duties of Mr. John Waterman the County
Treasurer, must have been small and the danger of robbery
still less, for nearly all of the tax was collected in Jurors' cer-

tificates and County orders.

The land in the central towns of the County came in market

during this year. This was an important era in the affairs of
the settlers. Many had for years previous been hoarding the
money that they had been able to save, in anticipation of this
important event. From the old stockings and secret recesses
of their log cabins, the glittering gold was drawn out and they
started in a strong company The
for the land sale in Chicago.
land was sold off at auction, and from each neighborhood one
trusty man was selected to bid off the property as it was
offered, while the remainder stood around, armed with clubs
and a most ferocious aspect, ready to knock down and execute
summary vengeance upon any who should dare to
speculator
bid for lands that had been claimed and occupied by any of
their party. Few were bold enough to attempt it. One
unlucky fellow, who committed this offense through mistake,
thinking that he was bidding upon another piece of land, was
seized in an instant by the crowd of excited squatter-sover-
eigns, hustled away and nearly torn in pieces, before he could
explain the occurrence and express his readiness to correct
the mistake.
But the settlers on this occasion suffered more by the dep-
396 HISTORY OV DEKALB COUNTY.

redations of pick-pockets than from anything else. Such a

crowd furnished a harvest-field for these gentry, and several
of our citizens who had come with pockets well lined with
gold, found them emptied when they wanted to pay for their
land and were obliged to go home moneyless and landless. It
was a severe loss. Years of labor would be required to re-
place and before that time they would lose their land and
it,

the improvements which they had spent years in effecting.

Simultaneously with the land sale, a number of new claim
associations were formed throughout the County, to prevent
persons who moved in, from purchasing of Government, lands
which those then living near, chose to claim by plowing around
them. They were no doubt useful in preventing many from
entering farms, to which the expense of improvement and long
occupation gave the squatter an equitable title, but they were
also in many cases a means of injustice. Men banded them-
selves together in such organizations, in order to keep by the
force of mob law, other settlers from occupying and holding
lands, while they themselves held tracts of enormous extent
and paid for none of it.

The County now found itself in a fresh quandary. The

one hundred and sixty acres, upon which the village at the
County seat had been built, now came in market and was
subject to entry. It had pre-empted the quarter-section,
but had never proved up its pre-emption right. It had sol-

emnly bound itself, in giving deeds of its lots, to acquire the

title so soon as the land should come m market, but now that
this time had come, it found itself destitute of money and
utterly unable to borrow. Any speculator was at liberty to
buy and take the best of titles to the town by paying to the
Government one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre for it.
Few of the citizens had money enough to enter their owr
claims, and none were willing to lend money to the County.
In this dilemma three of the neighboring inhabitants, Jesse
C. Kellogg, Carlos Lattin, and Curtis Smith who had an
interest in adjoining lands came forward and furnished the
 EIGHTEEN FORTY-TWO. 397

necessary funds, entered the lands in their own names and

promised to wait for re-payment until the time in which it was
supposed the County would be able to return the money.
This lifted the County out of this temporary embarrassment,
but it subsequently happened that the County failed to get
back the title from some of these parties, and finally lost a

part of the land.

The whole amount of tax collected this year was three

hundred and eighty-six dollars and fifteen cents, and of this
one hundred and seventy-eight dollars was paid in Jurors'
certificates and one hundred and forty-nine in County orders.
The County during this year, commenced a suit with Amos
Harman, whom it required to open the Ottawa State Road,
and was defeated. It was compelled by the Circuit Court,
to allow him thirty-five dollars for damages- This bankrupted
the Treasury, and nine patriotic citizens stepped forward and
contributed the amount, taking County orders in payment.
The Justices elected this year were George II. Hill, Isaac
Crampton, Abner Jackman, James Byers, Aaron Randall^
Kimball Dow, George Flinn, Russell Huntley, and Z. B.
Mayo.
Reuben Pritchard, J. R. Hamlin, and B. F. Hunt, Com-
missioners appointed-by the State, laid out the Chicago and
Grand-de-Tour State Road, past H. Dayton's, P. Holcomb's,
M. Walrod's, Phineas Stevens', Calvin Colton's and thence to

the west line of the County. Robert Sterrett built a mill

this year on Somonauk creek, and E. P. Gleason and W. A.
Miller built others at or near the present village of Genoa.
This village was at this time and for many years after, the lar-
gest and most lively in the County. There were several stores,
a line of stages running through from Chicago to Galena, and
H. N. Perkins this year built a fine large hotel which has
been a famous resort for balls and parties even to this day.

A handsome framed school-house also replaced the shabby old

log structure heretofore used for that purpose.
398 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

1844.
This was the second since the settlement of the County, of
the regular septennial wet seasons. The floods began early
in summer, but not early enough to ruin the splendid crops of
winter wheat which were everywhere abundant. Some farmers
report that they cut and bound their wheat while standing
ankle-deep in water, and then carried it out on the high knolls
to dry before stacking. When they went to Aurora to mill,

four yoke of cattle were required to draw a moderate grist.

A great many cattle and horses feeding upon the prairies
became mired inextricably, and the calls were numerous for
teams to attach long ropes or chains to them and draw them
out. Most of the crops were seriously damaged by the floods
and storms. All of the bridges that surrounded the County
seat were carried away by the flood, and the same was true of
the bridges all over the country. The
Mississippi was swollen
to four times its usual size, and steamboats moved freely
through the streets of St. Louis, Kaskaskia, and other cities

upon the rivers. Houses, fences, and stock of all kinds were
swept away, and when the water subsided, the soil of the
valleys was covered with sand so as to ruin the land for cul-
tivation. The grist mills were almost universally swept away,
and there was a great destitution of meal and flour. It was
a severe blow to the prosperity of the young, growing State.
One good growing out of this evil was that the war with the
Mormons which was then in active progress, was stopped
neither party being able to continue it through such endless
storms, and seas of unfathomable mire.
At the August election, Carlos Lattin was chosen County
Treasurer ; Marshall Stark, School Commissioner ; E. L.
Mayo, Recorder A. J. Brown, Probate Justice, and Morris
;

Walrod Collector for the County. E. P. Young resigned his

office of Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court, and W.

H. Beavers was appointed in his stead.

The land having now become the property of the occupants
was subjected to a tax, and the Assessor was paid for half his
 EIGHTEEN FORTY FIVE. 399

expenses by the State. But County indebtedness was still

purchaseable at a large discount. When one of our since

prominent citizens was fined ten dollars for assault and bat-
tery, he was glad to be allowed to pay it with a County order
of thirty dollars.
1845.
The settlement of DeKalb County at this period progressed
very slowly. Indeed, emigrants avoided the whole State of
Illinois, and passed west to Missouri, or north to Wisconsin.
Illinoishad a bad reputation. The State was overwhelmed
with a vast unwieldy debt. It was unable to pay even the
interest upon it. Taxes were high, money scarce. Repudiation
was talked of, and by many was thought to be inevitable.
DeKalb County furnished no especial attractions to the few
who came into the State. The beautiful valleys of
settlers

the Fox and Hock Rivers were far more alluring to the few
emigrants who at this period, made their homes in the debt-
ridden, heavily-taxed, much-abused State of Illinois. Many
of those who came to make their homes in this section, were
of a lawless class who were hardly fit for better settled and
better regulated communities.
Settlerswere also deterred by the acts of the claim associ-
ations who boldly banded together and threatened the lives of
any who should enter lands around which any of their gang
had ploughed the furrow which constituted the commonly
received marks of a claim. Some account of these contests
— these intestine wars, may be found in other portions of this
work.
There was little money in the country. Of the three hun-
dred and seventy-five dollars collected in taxes this year, one
hundred and forty-three dollars was in Jurors certificates, and
two hundred and nineteen dollars in County orders. Few
debts were prosecuted by law, for the policy of the laws
favored the debtor, and rendered it almost impossible to col-
lect a claim by legal process. More settlers were anxious to
leave the country than to move into it.
400 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

1846.
In May, 1846, the President called for four regiments of
volunteers, for the war with Mexico. Nine regiments speedily
offered their services. Most of them were of course disap-
pointed in their hope to serve their country thus and win
among those accepted, was a
glory upon the battle-field, but
company by Captain Shepard of Belvidere, from the
raised
Counties of Boone and Northern DeKalb. Early in June,
Captain Shepard marched his Company across the country
from Belvidere to Sycamore, paraded them through the streets
of the village during two or three days, and enlisted in the
ranks about twenty recruits. They were mostly from the
northern towns or precincts of the County.
From Shabbona, Somonauk, and Paw Paw districts, a num-
ber of recruits were enlisted in a regiment that rendezvoused
at Ottawa. Among them were Thomas S. Terry, and Horace
Austin, who subsequently raised and commanded Companies
in the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, during the war of

the Great Rebellion. Only a comparatively small number of

those who thus went out, ever returned. Some lost their
lives upon the Mexican battle-field, some died of the diseases

incident to camp life, and some, who had no especial ties to

bind them to this country, found other homes after their dis-

charge from the service.

At the March term of the County Court, the Paw Paw
district and was divided by the creation of a
election precinct
new precinct, called Shabbona, It comprised the territory
now contained in the four towns of Shabbona, Clinton, Milan,
and Afton. Elections were ordered to be held at the house
of William Marks,
A report on the County finances exhibited the discouraging
fact that there were outstanding twelve hundred and ninety-
nine dollars in County orders, and but one hundred and
twenty-six dollars of available means. Five hundred and
seventy dollars of tax was collected, all of it in Jurors' certi,-

ficates and County orders.

 EIGHTEliN FORTY-SEVEN. 40.1

Austin Ilaydcn,George H. Hill, and Joseph Newberry

were elected County Commissioners; James Harrington,
School Commissioner John A. Waterman, Treasurer E. L.
; ;

Mayo, Probate Justice. Jacob A. Simons and William Ford-

ham each served as County Clerk. The Justices of the Peace
elected, were George Flinn, Isaac Campton, Simon Young,
Aaron Rand, David Merritt, G. T. Sandborn, Wheeler
Hedges, Samuel Stevens, B. F. Johnson, Russell Huntley,
Joseph A. Bilks, Z. B. Mayo, John Byers, George H. Hill,
and William Marks. The first brick dwellings in the County
were built this year at Sycamore by the brothers Mayo, and
although they now look humble enough when compared with
many of the more spacious and elegant residences of the pres-
ent day, they were then decidedly the best houses in the
County, and attracted a great deal of attention and admiration.
1847.
The financial affairs of the County improved during this
year, and its indebtedness was reduced one half. This was
insympathy and accord with the general condition of the
State which was now rapidly improving. Four years before,
the State officers were sometimes troubled to get money to
pay even the postage on their letters ; the credit of the State
was gone, its Treasury warrants sold at fifty cents on the
dollar, it was a hissing and a bye-word both in America and
England. Now, it had paid or satisfactorily provided for,
about eight millions of its debt, and had been able to borrow
money enough to finish the Illinois Canal, whioh.was now in a
fair way to completion. Emigrants came into the County
more rapidly, but still the settlers were very poor. Good
wheat sold in Chicago at thirty cents per bushel, and many
drew it there from near the Mississippi river. Considerable
amounts were also drawn to OttaAva and Peru, upon the canal.
A very fair team of horses could be bought for eighty dollars.
* it was a matter to collect taxes.
difficult They were all paid
in specie,and to pay a tax of six or seven dollars, distressed
the payer more than one of forty times that amount would at
51
402 HISTORY OF DE KALE COUNTY.

the present time. The collector would have to call again and
again for it. The roads were alive with teams loaded with
grain, and the taverns were crowded every night. Fifty cents
Avas the regular charge for supper, lodging, breakfast and the
At the August election of this year, William
feed for a team.
Young was chosen County Commissioner, and William H.
Beavers, Clerk of that Court. Sheldon Oossett, School
Commissioner ; E. L. Mayo, Probate Justice ; William Ford-
ham, Recorder ; William Shcpardson, Treasurer ; E. P.
Young, County Collector.
The first recorded allowances for the care of paupers Avere
made during this year. Before that time there either were
no paupers or they were otherwise provided for.

1848.
A new Constitution for the State was formed during this
year.
The population demanded a division of the
increasing
County more election precincts and Justices' districts.
into
Squaw Grove precinct was formed out of the present town of
Squaw Grove, and the south half of Pierce.
Somonauk precinct was changed so as to include Somonauk
township and four tiers of sections off of Victor.
The name of Wooster precinct was changed to Genoa, which
had for twelve years been the name of the thriving village at
its center.
For County Commissioners this year, Messrs. William
Young, John S. BroAvn, and Arunah Hill were elected. The
old Court House, a shabby two-story building, now standing
nearly opposite the present one, was still almost the only
building in the little village for public use. The County eked
out its petty finances by letting it for various uses. The
(Congregational and Universalist Churches held alternate or
occasional services there. Mr. Roswell Doav occupied it on
week days for a select school, and the Sons of Temperance
held evening meetings, paying twenty-five cents rent each
evening.
 EIGHTEEN FORTY-NINE. 403

But itwas evident that the County demanded a better build-

ing. The subject was much canvassed and discussed all over
the County. A large portion of the people of the County
were unwilling to be taxed for the expense of a suitable
building. The population at the County seat were willing to
bear some share of the expense, but not the whole. After a
great deal of discussion at the March term of the County
Commissioners' Court in
1849,
The three Commissioners appointed Messrs, E. P. Young,
Kimball Dow, and J. C. Kellogg, to contract for building a
new Court House. It was to be placed in the center of the
public square, to be of brick, sixty feet long and forty feet
wide, and to cost not exceeding six thousand dollars. But
this was to be done only upon condition that individual citizens
should contribute fifteen hundred dollars of this amount. This
they were authorized to pay in notes ; two-thirds of which
should be paid November 1st, 1849, and one-third November
1st, 1850. And the order of the Commissioners further states,
that it is expressly agreed, that in case the County seat shall
ever be removed, the County shall pay back to said individu-
als, the amount of said notes with interest. It was ordered
that the notes be registered on the Court records,
and be
evidence of the liability of the County for the re-payment of
this advance.
At the same term another order was passed authorizino- the
erection of a jail by the same agents at a cost not exceedint^
fifteen hundred dollars. Nothing seems to have been done
under this order. An active canvass of all those who felt an
especial interest in the prosperity of the village now rapidly
growing at the seat of justice was now commenced and
more than the necessary fifteen hundred was subscribed as a
free gift toward the erection of the present handsome Court
House. The subscriptions of the principal donors were as
follows
Harvey G. Barns, $100 ; Amos Story $20 ; John Maxfield
404 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

$40; Thomas Woolsey $20 Kimball Dow $50 E.P.Young ; ;

$150; W. II. Beavers, $37; W. J. Hunt $50; Ellsworth

Rose $25 E. Hall $25 E. H. Barnes $25 Alonzo Brown
; ; ;

$20 0. P. White $25 Z. B. Mayo $50 E. L. Mayo $50

; ; ;

John Chatfield $20 J. S. & J. C. Waterman $150 M.

; ;

Stark $50 ; 0. Thomas II. Wood $25 E.

M. Bryan $30 ; ;

Wharry $20 E. G. Jewell $20 Darius Williams $25 R.

: ;

Wyman $20 William Connell $20 J. C. Kellogg $25 R.

; ; ;

Hopkins & W. P. Dutton $75 Decatur Esterbrook $25 A. ; ;

Jackman 20 Homer Roberts $20 Sylvanus Ilolcomb $25

; ; ;

W. Fordham $30 G. W. Kretsinger $20.

;

The agents for building were also authorized to sell the old
Court House, and all town lots owned by the County at auc-
tion,and that the proceeds were to be applied religiously to the
payment of the forty-five hundred dollars of County orders
issued for the erection of the new building. The lots were
however, apprized at prices varying from ten dollars to four
hundred.
It was during this year, that the wonderful stories told of
the discovery of the gold fields of California, began to make
a stir among the hardy pioneers of this section of country.
The people were still very poor. Money was scarce —a dollar

looked to them as large as a cart-wheel. Why should they

spend their lives in ekeing out a poor and insufficient support
in the shabby log dwellings and amid the inevitable hardships
of pioneer life in this new country, when an abundance of the
yellow, glittering metal that was the representative of all

wealth, lay open to any one who chose to gather it, upon the
pleasant shores of the Pacific. They were used to hardship ;

they were accustomed to pioneer life the settlement of a new ;

country had no terrors for them. Urged by these considera-

tions, large numbers of men, among the best of the citizens of

the County, formed themselves into companies, rigged out

their old pioneer wagons,and settling their affairs as best they
could, started on the long and weary march for the golden
shores of California. Many came back in a few years mate-
 EIGHTEEN FORTY NINE. 405

riallj enriched, and used their means to fit up their ohl farms
with fine buildings and comfortable surroundings. ^lany
died on the way, and some still remain in the Golden State,
and are among her best and most prosperous citizens.
At the election of this year Marshall Stark was chosen
Sheriff; W. II. Beavers, County Clerk; William Fordham,
Recorder ; Sheldon Crossett, School Commissioner and E. L.
Mayo, Probate Judge. But a new election was held Novem-
ber 6th, under the provisions of the new Constitution, at
which M. M, Mack was made Circuit Clerk and Recorder
U. B. Prescott, County Clerk ; Wm. Shepardson, County
Treasurer, and James 11. George II. Hill
Bevcridge and
County Justices of the Peace.
Seven Imndred and fifty votes were cast in favor of the
adoption of the Township Organization, and only one against
it. The County School Superintendent was paid twenty-eight
dollars for his year's services, and the County Judge received
seventy-five dollars for the performance of the duties of his
ofl^ce for six months.
The County Commissioners, at the December term, appoint-
ed Messrs. William A. Miller, William J. Hunt, and Robert
Sterritt, to divide the County into townships, in preparation
for a new organization, under the Township Organization
law. They visited the different sections of the County, heard
the statements of those citizens who met them, and divided off
the County into thirteen towns, named as folloAVS Genoa, :

Kingston, Franklin, Vernon, Liberty, Sycamore, Richland,

Orange, Shabbona, Clinton, Squaw Grove, Somonauk, and
PawPaw. Most of these names still adhere to the towns to
Avhich they were originally given, although most of these towns
have been diminished in extent by the creation of new town-
ships Of those names which have been abandoned, Vernon
belonged to the present town of South Grove Orange to ;

DeKalb and some adjoining territory ; Liberty to Mayfield ;

Richland to Cortland and Pierce. The County tax of 1849

amounted to two thousand eight hundred and eighty-threo
dollars.
406 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

1850.
The County was now divided into To9?nships, and organized
with Town governments. Each of the towns chose a Super-
visor as the head of its town government, and also as its rep-
resentative upon the County Board, which met for the trans-
action of the business which had hitherto devolved upon the
County Commissioners. It is a question, however, among the
thoughtful men of the County, whether its business under this
more expensive and more ambitious method of administration,
is any better managed than under the old Board of three

County Commissioners, and there are not a few, who still think
it would be wise to discard the Township organization and go

back to the old method.

The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held at
Sycamore, October 7th, 1850. The Board consisted of thir-
teen members, viz : Henry Durham, representing Genoa
John Sheely, Kingston Clark Bliss, Franklin John S.
; ;

Brown, Vernon Mulford Nickerson, Liberty James Har-

; ;

rington, Sycamore ; Thomas R.

D. F. Finley, Richland ;

Hopkins, Orange ; Reuben

William Marks, Shabbona ;

Pritchard, Clinton Abram L. Hemenway, Squaw Grove

;

Lyman Bacon, Somonauk Pierpont Edwards, Paw Paw. ;

James Harrington was chosen Chairman. Among the first

acts of the Board, was the passage of an order changing the
names of Orange to DeKalb ; of Richland to Pampas ; of
Liberty to Mayfield ; and of Vernon to South Grove.
Other towns in the State had already appropriated the first

chosen names, and to prevent confusion, the Board of Super-

visors were authorized and directed to select others. Having
accomplished this duty, the Board plunged at once into the
business of auditing bills, arraigning delinquent collectors,
appointing places for town meetings, and all of those multifa-
rious duties that have ever since engrossed the attention of
that body.
Work upon the new Court House had been in progress for
nearly two years and in the winter of 1850, it was completed,
 EIGHTEEN FIFTY-ONE. 407

and presented an appearance of which the people of the

County were justly proud.
1851.
Ever since the first settlement of the County, the custom
seems to have prevailed, of inaugurating all new public build-
ings with a public ball; exceptions only being made with the
churches ; so in accordanco with the custom, a grand ball was
given in the new Court House in February, 1857. It was a
notable occasion. The company Avas gathered from all over
the country, a considerable party coming even from Chicago,
fifty-five miles distant. The building was not yet however
entirely completed or partitioned below. That was done dur-
ing the summer, under direction of the Board of Supervisors.
The regular seven years flood and subsequent long Avet

summer, came again this year. There had been no snoAV

during the previous winter, but a great amount of rain. On
the first Sunday in April, one of the most furious snow-storms
everknoAvn in this country, set in and more than fifteen inches

fell in the course of the day. On

Sunday following, came
the
another similar storm of equal severity. About a month after
and before the soil had become sufficiently dry for farming
operations, a heavy rain set in and continued with but occa-
sional intervals, for more than two months. It is related that
at one time the sun did not shine through the clouds for ten
days. The plowed ground became covered Avith a green
mould. The Avheat crop Avas all scabbed. Little or none was
raised that Avas really fit for flouring, and in some cases it
sickened and apparently poisoned those Avho Avere compelled
by the prevalent destitution, to use it.
The roads became impassable and continued so during most
of the season. It became evident tnat something must be
done to secure means of communication Avitli the outside world
and transportation for the products of the country, to market.
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was noAv in
process of construction, and this promised relief to the south-
ern portion of the County.
408 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The Galena and Chicago Kailroacl was also being built, and
a branch of it was this year extended to St. Charles, which
was then a very flourishing little city, and the principal mar-
ket for all the northern part of the County. Jiut our people
were too poor to extend that road to this County, and the
main road was laid several miles to the north of the County
line. The project of building a plank-road to St. Charles was
started. Plank roads were then very popular in the eastern
States, and during the first year or two of use they furnished
the smoothest and most agreeable of highways. When more
worn, they were found to be more a source of danger and dis-

comfort than of advantage, and their use was abandoned.

A subscription was started for the construction of a plank
road from Sycamore to St. Charles. A large amount of
money was raised, the road was graded, the plank laid down
and For about one season the road
toll-gates established.

Avas a but soon the hard wood plank

decided convenience,
became warped by the sun the road was as rough as the
;

old-fashioned corduroy no one used it when they could avoid

;

it ; the neighboring inhabitants finally confiscated the plank

and the road was abandoned.
1852.
The Assessors' reports for this year valued the total personal
property of the County at three hundred and twenty-five
thousand three hundred and fifty-three doUirs, and the real
estate at seven hundred and sixty-seven thousand four hun-
dred and eighty-seven dollars. The prospect that the country
Avould soon be'^made market by railroads, had
accessible to
induced a great many speculators and settlers to purchase the
wild prairie land. We find that two hundred and ninety-one
thousand, five hundred and nine acres were assessed this year,
Avhich would indicate that only about twenty thousand acres
still remained in the hands of the government.
The elections of this year were very exciting. The County
was overwhelmingly Democratic in politics, but there was a
very strong and active Free-Soil party, and a' sturdy and
 COUNTY J UDGE.

CTuca^o Liihoiiraphin^ fn.(hir*go.

 EIGHTEEN FIFTY-THKEE. 400

enterprising minority of Whigs. The office of Circuit Clerk

and Recorder had with the increase of population, become the
most valuable office in the County. James H. Beveridgc, a
merchant at Freelaiid corners in the town of Somonauk, was
the nominee of the Free-Soil party for this office, and E. P.
Young, of the Democracy. By a combination of the Whig
and Free-Soil vote, Mr. Beveridge was elected, and he held
the office for the eight years succeeding. Joseph Sixbury
was chosen County Treasurer, Jacob R. Crossett, School
Commissioner, and Herman Furness Sheriif.
Bills tor the care ofpaupers were paid by the County to
the amount of hundred and thirteen dollars. It was dur-
six
ing this year that the Chicago, St. Charles and Mississippi
Air Line R. R. Avas first projected, to run through St. Cnarles,
Sycamore, South Grove and Oregon to the Mississippi river
at Savannah. Messrs. Waterman and Fordham, of Sycamore,
first proposed the matter, and began correspondence with
E. S. Litchfield, the manager of the Michigan Southern
Railroad. He warmly favored the project ; a large meeting
was held at Sycamore; about twenty thousand dollars in stock
was taken in the northern part of the county a company ;

was organized it seemed certain that a railroad would be

;

built.

During this year the first Agricultural Scciety of the County

was organized and held an exhibition in marked contrast with
the extensive collections of the present era. One old white
bull was chained to a stake in the center of a vacant open lot,

and two or three stallions with as many cows and colts, and a
few beets and pumpkins completed the amusing exhibition.
1853.
But the newly proposed railroad promised to be an active rival
to the Galena road ; and that Company was anxious to pre-
vent its construction. They procured a charter authorizing
them to build an air line road to the 'Mississippi, passing
through the central portion of the county to Dixon, and
thence to the Mississippi river at Fulton and Lyons. Agents
52
410 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

of this Company visited Sycamore and endeavored to induce

its people to take stock in it to a sufficient amount to ensure
its being built through that town. Had the citizens of Syc-
amore been able to foresee the future they would have con-
sented to this arrangement, in which event the now flourishing
villages of Cortland or DeKalb would never have had an
existence, and Sycamore would probably have become one of
the largest towns in northern Illinois. But Sycamore was
full of hope and interest in the rival road and scouted the idea
that any other would be built. This, the St. Charles Road
was now being graded, and during the summer the work was
completed for some forty miles. But now, trouble arose. The
contract had been let to Litchfield at the high rate of twenty-
four thousand, five hundred dollars per mile. The Board of
Directors had promised to raise three hundred thousand dollars
more stock upon the line of the road, payable at the rate of
five per cent per month, which payments Litchfield was to
receive on his contract. This Avas contrary to the advice of
Directors J. S. Waterman and H. A. Mix, who knew that in
this poor and thinly settled country, the amount could not be
raised. Their surmises proved to be correct. The stock was
never taken, the payments were not forthcoming, and the
contractor refused to proceed with the work. But in the
mean time the company had acquired a large amount of valu-
able real estate in Chicago for depot grounds.
At a sale of canal lands they had purchased all of those
lots which they needed to secure the right of way, and had
bought at a This had
very low rate sixty acres additional.
appreciated enormously in value —
more than enough to
far

pay for all of the work that had been done upon the Road.
E. S. Litchfield and Ira Minard of St. Charles, now bought
up all of the stock which they could purchase at a low rate,
obtained control of the Company, sold its real estate and

barter to the Galena Company,

and it was reported)
made a profit of over four hundred thousand dollars by the
transaction. The embankments on the line of the road, and
 EIGHTEEN FIFTY-THREE. 411

the piers of the bridges built but never used, only remain as
mementoes of this project whose failure nearly ruined the
business of several thriving towns and drained the country of
a large amount of money.
Meantime the construction of the Dixon Road was pushed
forward at a rate that had never before been equalled. The
charter required that it should be so completed that a train
could be run through to Dixon by January 1st, 1854, and it

is certain that before midnight of that day a train was run

over the road. For many miles of its
But such a road !

course, no grading whatever was done. The sleepers were

laid down upon the bare grassy prairie and leveled up with
stove wood. It had neither station-houses, freight-houses,

engine-houses, nor any other buildings. It was necessary

that every thing should be built over from the foundation.
But the road gave a powerful forward impulse to the country.
It brought a market for all the abundant produce of this
fertile country to the doors of its growers. It seems incredi-
ble now that speculators could not foresee the immense advance
in the intrinsic value of the lands that was caused by this
revolution in affairs, but yet large tracts of land which
could be purchased with land-warrants at seventy-five cents
per acre still lay open to entry.
The expense of supporting the paupersAvhich had now run
up hundred dollars per year, was considered to
to about six
be a heavy burden upon the County, and in the hope of les-
sening it somewhat, the Board of Supervisors resolved to pur-
chase a County poor fiirm upon which some of this class of
unfortunates could be made useful and contribute to their own
maintenance. Messrs. Tappan and Tindall Avere authorized
to contract for such a farm, which was to be located in one of
the two middle tier of townships, and Mr. Harrington who
was still Chairman of the Board advertised for a loan of three
thousand dollars with which to purchase it. In September,
the farm of A. 11, Cartright, on the road between Sycamore
and DeKalb, was purchased for this purpose, the County
412 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

borrowing the purchase money ^^t the rate of ten per cent
interest. Some applications for a license for the sale of liquors
were also made at this session of the Board, but were promptly
squelched by a resolution offered by H. S. Champlin, and
carried unanimously, that this Board would grant no license

for that purpose.

A little hamlet of houses had now sprung up at the present
location of DeKalb. Indeed there had been a couple of stores,
a tavern, and a blacksmith's shop for two or three years. The
village was called Buena Vista, and went by that name for
several years.
1854,
On the 31st of in Sycamore the first
May, 1864, appeared
number of the first newspaper ever printed in DeKalb county.
The first number of this paper which was ever printed, is
now in the possession of Jabez Gwinnup, of Cortland, who
prizes it It was called the Repuhlican
as a valuable relic.
Sentinel,and edited and published by H. A. Hough. The
editor announced that the politics of the paper would be
"Republican Democratic," which sounds oddly enough at
this day but before the year was over, he AVi^s publishing in
;

his columns the proceedings' of the Conventions of two parties,

the Republican and the Democratic. The Sentinel gave a

vigorous and enthusiastic support to the Prohibitory Liquor
Law presented to the people of the State that year for adop-
tion or rejection, and from its columns one would have inferr-
ed that the politics of the county, that season, hinged on the
question of prohibition. And indeed, the people of DeKalb
county went into this canvass with deep earnestness. On the
29th of June 1854, a Main Law Alliance was formed, and a
thorough canvass of the county commenced. It cannot be
stated with truth that there was an unusual amount of drunk-
ness in our county ; but they fought the dragon with Aveapons
of flaming fire, had depended upon the vote of De-
and if it

Kalb county, the vending of ardent spirits would have been

forever silenced in the State of Illinois. But two towns in
 EIGHTEEN EIFTY-EOUR. 413

the entire county — Kingston and Pierce —voted against pro-

hibition. The following is the vote by towns :

FOR. AGAINST.
Franklin, .....49 .53
Shabbona, 48 20
Paw Paw, 90 18
South Grove, 56 3
Somonauk, 135 19
Clinton, 59 9
Genoa, 64 42
Pampas, 136 10
Kingston, 55 70
Pierce, 28 32
Squaw Grove, 43 7
Mayfield, 67 14
Victor, 32 1
Sycamore, 207 38
DcKalb, 140 21

1189 357
Majority for Prohibition, 832.
During the year 1854 the land speculators seem to have
been fully aroused to the sense of the value of the prairie
lands of DeKalb county, and nearly all of them were entered.
Messrs. C. C. Shepard, II. A. Mix, J. M. Adsit, Mark How-
ard and a number of others entered with land warrants
which cost them about eighty cents per acre, immense tracts
of the richest land in the world, and which they are now
selling at twenty dollars per acre.
In glancing over the files of the Sentinel, we find the ac-
count of a trip made by the editor into the southern portion
of the county ; and in this article he made the prophecy
about one of our towns which the reader will perceive has
been more than realized. He said " We next visited New-
:

ark Station, three miles east of Somanauk Depot. This is

also a brisk little town and improving rapidly. It is in tbe

midst of a beautiful farming country, and does the railroad

business for Newark in Kendall county. It will be a formi-
dable competitor of Somonauk." When we consider that
414 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

" Newark Station" has become a town of twenty-five hun-

dred inhabitants Sandwich by name — and that instead of
being distinguished simply for "doing the railroad business
forNewark in Kendall county," she is the centre of a rich
and populous region, shipping annually hundreds of thous-
ands of dollars worth of her own manufactures, and re-

ceiving annually a million dollars worth of merchandise for

her own trade, we can form some conception of how DeKalb
county has increased in wealth and population within a few
years past.
On the 14th of September 1854, there was held at Syca-
more a political mass meeting of such a peculiar nature that
a part of the record of its preceedings are worth perpetuating.

It was the organization of a new party out of the three old

parties, and from this meeting may be dated the existence of
the Republican party in DeKalb county. At this meeting
delegates were appointed to attend a Republican Convention
called to meet at Aurora ; and these delegates were thus ap-
portioned among the three old parties represented. As most
of the names are prominent ones in our present politics, the
reader may be interested in seeing their former affinities.

—Horace W. Fay, G. A. Colton, Joseph Six-

Democrats.
bury, James Harrington and Royal Crossett,
Fi-ee — Pierpont Edwards, Stephen Townsend,
Soilers.
Thurston Carr, David West, James H. Beveridge, E. S.
Gregory.
Whigs. — Reuben Pritchard, W. J. Hunt, H. A. Joslyn,
William Byers, Dr. E. Rose, and John N. Braddock.
The Third Annual Agricultural Fair of DeKalb County
was held on the 11th and 12th days of October of this year.
It was a very tame and spiritless affair, only twenty-six pre-
miums being awarded in all, and these being divided among
eighteen persons. Those of our citizens who participated in
the demonstration were mortified at the poor display of the
industry of the country, and at the close of the Fair a meeting
of the County Agricultural Society was held, at which it was
 EIGHTEEN FIFTY-FOUR 415

resolved to put forth every eifort to enlist a deeper interest in

the Annual Fairs among the farmers of the County ; and from
the success which has attended subsequent Fairs, it is evident
that their resolution was carried out with energy.
At the County election this year, William Patten of Som-
onauk, was chosen Representative in the Legislature, William
Phelps, of Sycamore, Sheriff, and Lorenzo Whittemore, Cor-
oner — the latter office having been held by Mr. Whittemore
uninterruptedly up to the present time.
John Settle, the Treasurer of the County, an old and re-
spected citizen, died on the 22d of October of this year, in
the township of Pampas
and the vacancy in the office occa-
;

sioned by his death was filled by the County Court by the

appointment of Joseph Sixbury.
The assessment of personal property in the County for 1854,
was six hundred and forty-two thousand, five hundred and
thirty-four dollars ; the total taxable property was one million
nine hundred and fifty-two thonsand, eight hundred and two
dollars. The total tax levied was twenty-five thousand, three
hundred and seventeen dollars. The number of horses in the
County was four thousand and ninety the number of neat ;

cattle, fifteen thousand, seven hundred and forty ; sheep,

eight thousand, five hundred and eight.
An act of Congress passed in September, 1850, had dona-
ted to certain States the swamp and overflowed lands Avithin
their borders for educational purposes, and this State had
decided to transfer this property to the several Counties to be
expended at their discretion. The land had been surveyed
and a Commissioner of Drainage appointed as early as 1853.
A special session of the Board of Supervisors of this County,
was held in September of this year to take measures to dispose
of these lands. On motion of Supervisor William Patten it

was voted, that the net proceeds of the sale of these lands,
should be paid to the County School Commissioner, and by
him to the Township Treasurers, to be loaned out for the
benefit of the school fund, in the same manner as were the
416 HISTORY OF DE KALE COUNTY.

proceeds of the sale of the 16th. or school section in each town.

The price of the first-class land was fixed at six dollars ; of
the second class at three dollars and fifty cents, and of the
and twenty-five cents. But no small
third class at one dollar
amount of these lands had been purchased of Government, by
individuals, before the report of the Surveyor, designating
the lands selected as swamp lands had been received by the
United States authorities. It was provided that titles to these
lands should be confirmed to the original purchasers upon
their paying the County the purchase money or relinquishing
the warrant used in the entry, it being understood that the
United States would refund the purchase money to those who
had thus entered them. At this session a petition was received
for the organization of the town of Afton which was duly
accepted.
A smart enterprising village had grown up about the rail-

road station at Buena Vista or DeKalb, during the preceding

two or three years. It had grown up with wonderful rapidity,
and promised ere long to become the largest village in the
County. Being the most centrally located, its people looked
upon it as likely to become at an early date the seat of justice
for the county, and with good reason, as there was then no
railroad to Sycamore, and people were extremely impatient
of traveling to the county seat, through the almost unfathom-
able mire that always impeded the traveler at the time of
holding courts. A sharp contest over this question arose at
the September term of the ''
Supervisors' Court " as the records
then described that body, upon the proposition to build a jail

for the use of the County. There was a pressing necessity

for such a building however, and an order was passed to
appropriate thirty-five hundred dollars for that purpose if the
citizens of Sycamore would subscribe fifteen hundred
additional.
The County tax 1855 amounted to eight thousand two
for
hundred and fourteen and a committee of the Board
dollars,
reported that the County owned a poor farm valued at four
 EIGHTEEN FIFTY-SIX. 417

thousand four hundred and five dollars, and County town lot

valued at one thousand one hundred a^nd thirty-five dollars.

Roswell Dow was elected County Treasurer, and Jacob R.
Crossett School Commissioner.
In 1855, the relative population of the three principal
County was Sycamore
villages in the northern portion of the :

eight hundred and sixty-six, DeKalb five hundred and fifty-

seven, Cortland one hundred and eighty-six.
The census of 1855 sliowed the following population in the
several towns :

Genoa, 895, Kingston 874, Franklin 837, South Grove 400,

Mayfield 835, Sycamore 1646, Pampas 1182, DeKalb 1588,
Pierce 627, Squaw Grove 515, Clinton 867, Shabbona 966,
Paw Paw 944, Victor 899, Somonauk 1121—13,636.
The town of DeKalb at this time embraced within its bor-
ders the present town of Malta, and a part of Afton.
1856.
This year may be marked with a white stone in the annals
of our County. It was one of extraordinary prosperity and
remarkable increase of population. The new comers now
became fully satisfied that farms could be advantageously
occupied and worked upon the broad prairie at great distances
from timber. Proximity to a railroad and consequently to a

market for their produce, they concludedwas of greater im-

portance than proximity to their supply of fuel and fencing.
Many new settlers began farming without any timber at all.
They fenced their farms with Avire, and bought coal for fuel.
The Crimean war was in progress and created an extensive
demand in Europe for the wheat which those countries could
no longer procure from the ports of the Baltic. The spring
wheat, which old residents had been accustomed to sell at
thirty and fifty cents, now rose in price to one dollar and a
half per bushel. Lands rose in value but still the produce of
;

one acre in a single year would often pay the cost often acres of
land. The real intrinsic value of lands so productive, with an un-
unlimited naarket in the immediate vicinity, seemed enormously
53
418 HISTOKY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

above the price at which they were sold. E very farmer bought
more land. Men entirely without capital bought wild lands on
creditand commenced the expensive process of improving
them entirely with borrowed
money. In spite of the great
amount of money received for the sale of produce, the people
of the County were more deeply in debt at the end of this
year than ever before. The merchants, stimulated by the
flourishing condition of the people, gave credit to every one
andr sold enormous quantities of goods " on tick." When the
time of payment came in the autumn, but few were willing to
pay. They wanted to use their money in payments upon
their land or for other purposes, and the merchants generally
took notes for the indebtedness and extended the time of
payment. Everybody was " good," and everybody got credit
for all they wished to buy. The results of this unlimited
extension of the credit system will be found in the record of
the following years.
At the January term of the Board of Supervisors the
Committee appointed to solicit subscriptions from the citizens
of Sycamore for the erection of a County Jail reported no
success in their mission, and recommended that the County
proceed to build a jail without their aid. After a heated
discussion and considerable filibustering in opposition, the
Board appropriated five this purpose and
thousand dollars for
appointed J. S. James Harrington, and Alonzo
Brown,
Ellwood a building committee. Supervisors G. H. Hill of
Kingston, J. S. Brown of South Grove, William Patten of
Somonauk, I. W. Garvin of Genoa, W. T. Kirk of Franklin,
H. S. Champlin of Pampas, James Parker of Mayfield, C. M.
Humiston of Pierce, and James Harrington of Sycamore,
voted in favor of this action, and T. S. Terry of Shabbona,
and Alonzo Converse of DeKalb opposed it. The work was
at once begun and after twenty-one years passed without that

convenience, DeKalb County had its Jail.

William Fordham, Drainage Commissioner, reported that

he had sold lands to the value of twenty-three thousand seven
 EIGHTEEN FIFTY-SEVEN. 419

hundred and eighty-three dollars and seventy-six cents, and

received in cash fourteen thousand, five hundred and seventy-
five dollars and eighteen cents, and in notes nine thousand, two
hundred and sixteen dollars and fifty-eight cents. The Com-
mittee report that they are satisfied with the course of Ford-
ham in the matter.
The town of Malta was created at this meeting of the Su-
pervisors under the name of Milton, which was subsequently
changed to ^tna. The north half of the township at the
south of it, now called Milan, was made a part of this new
town.
The County tax for 1856 was $6,851.95. The assessed
value of real estate of the County was $2,245,614.00; town
lots, $174,983; personal property, $1,143,887; railroads,
$285,753.
The winter of 1855-56 was signalized by the most furious
snow-storm ever before known in the country. For three
weeks no trains ran through upon the railroads, and not a
mail was received in the County.
1857.
The year 1857 opened very auspiciously, and business of
all kinds was prospering. The credit of the people of the
County was good, the crops were bountiful and abundant, but
about the middle of the summer came a crash in the financial
aifairs of the country. Business of all kinds all over the
country had become expanded to an unusual extent, and it

was and easy times everywhere. With the sudden fail-

flush
ure of the Ohio Life and Trust Company, confidence in every
banking or commercial institution of the country became de-
stroyed, and they fell into bankruptcy by hundreds. The
hard times fell upon no part of the country with more sever-
ity than upon this new and enterprising County of De Kalb.
Nearly every merchant in the County was forced to suspend
payment. They urged the payment of their claims upon the
farming community, but grain had fallen in price. Good
420 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUKTY.

wheat, which had been worth $1.50 per bushel during the pre-
now
vious year, fell to forty and fifty cents, and the farmers,
who had based their calculations upon the large prices of
the previous year, now found themselves unable to meet their
engagements. Large numbers made assignments, oth(>rs
covered their property with mortgages to favored friends, so
as to keep their numerous creditors in the background, and
many others gathered together what they could convert into
money, and fled the country. The business of chasing down
run-away debtors was an important pursuit during the fall
and winter of that sad, disastrous year, 1857. One of the
prominent business men of Sycamore, an extensive manufac-
turer of carriages and wagons, a generous, high-spirited man,
harrassed by the necessities of a number of his workmen whom
he was unable to pay, and the importunities of other creditors
who were equally urgent, after a day spent in scouring the
country in the vain endeavor to collect money due him, and a
night of sleepless anxiety over his want of success, rose before
daylight, and plunged headlong into his own well, whence he
was dragged out a few hours after, a suicide's corpse. He
was a citizen who could ill be spared, a firm friend, an affec-

tionate husband and parent. The event deepened the general

gloom that hung over the town, and scarce a ray of light
pierced the dark clouds of adversity that obscured the pros-
pect.
The Board of Supervisors during this year devoted much
of their time and attention to an investigation of, and an
endeavor to arrange, the vexed and intricate matter of the
swamp-land fund, so as tomake it a source of some profit to
the County, but without much success. They, however, sold
the claims of the County to W. ^Y. ITeaton for eight thousand
five hundred dollars, but Heaton subsequently failed to pay
for it. A summary of their proceedings will be given at a
later date. Roswell Dow was re-elected County Treasurer,
and James Harrington School Commissioner, both gentlemen
of the highest character, whose long connection with its polit-
 EIGHTEEN FIFTY-EIGIIT 42.1

was always a benefit to the County, and who per-

ical affairs

formed their duties with scrupulous exactness and strict

integrity.
The township of Milan was organized during this year, which
completed the organization of the County into eighteen town-
ships, each six miles square.
The Republican Sentinel^ the only newspaper in the County,
Avas purchased, during this spring, by the political friends of
Senator Douglas, and under the editorial care of E. L. and
Z. B. Mayo, and Jacob A. Simons, began to teach the politi-
cal doctrines of the Douglas Democracy. Political feeling
was excited at this time, and the Republicans, under the lead
of C. M. Brown, James H. Beveridge, D. B. James, and
others, at once took measures to start a Republican paper.
Their efforts resulted in the establishment of the True Re-
publican^ which, for years, continued to be one of .the best
country weeklies in the State. Mr. C. W. Waite,
Its eilitor,
was a facile and fluent writer, with a good deal of literary
taste and talent, and a remarkable enthusiasm in politics.
•

1858.
This year tvas another in the regular course of those wet
seasons which have been noted as coming every seventh year.
The spring weather was tolerably fair, and promised well; but
before the season for planting corn arrived, floods of rain
drowned vegetation, enveloped the country in seas of mud, and
rendered it almost impossible to conduct farming operations
with any degree of profit.
The wheat crop had become well started and near harvest
time was promising an abundant yield when a series of moist
hot days blighted it and in a few days' time destroyed its

value. There was less than half a crop.

This was a staggering blow to the farming community who
had depended upon the promising crop to tide them over and
out of the depths of depression to which the financial crisis of
the year before had consigned them. In June the village of
Sandwich which had grown up like Jonah's gourd, into one
422 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

of the largest villages in the County, was visited by a destruc-

tive fire which consumed a considerable portion of the business
buildings of the place, and caused a very serious loss to the
thrifty little town. But the recuperative energies of its citi-

zens proved equal to the emergency, and in a few months, that

part of the town was rebuilt, and the prosperity of the place
seemed greater than before. The citizens of Sycamore con-
vinced that they must secure a connection with the great
railroad system of the country in order to maintain the vitality
of the town and retain its position as the seat of justice for
the County, during this year commenced the construction of
a branch railrood to connect with the Galena Railroad at
Cortland. It was completed during the following year.
The first Teachers' Institute ever held in the County
assembled in October, and had a successful and profitable
session. It gave an impetus to the educational interests of
the County, and stimulated its teachers to improve their
systems of instruction.
The County Agricultural Society held a very flourishing
fair during this year, and at its regular meeting decided to
locate a Fair ground permanently upon the grounds adjoining
the Kishwaukee river directly north of the village of Sycamore.
William Patten of Somonauk, was re-elected Representative
to the Legislature from this this time was
County, which at
districted with the neighboring County of Kane. A. K.
Stiles was chosen County Clerk, and held the office for the
following eight years. Henry Safford was chosen Sheriff.
At the December session of the Supervisors, the name of
ths town of Etna was changed to Malta. A strong report
was presented in favor of erecting a fire-proof building for
Court Records, but the proposition was voted down.
During the year 1860, four weekly papers were published
inDeKalb County. There were the True Bepuhlican edited
by Daniel Dustin the Sycamore Sentinel edited by E. L.
;

Mayo, who had lately succeeded Charles M. Chase the ;

DeKalb Times edited by ,and the Prairie

 EiailTEEN FIFTY-EIGHT. 425

Home., which was published at Sandwich. The three first

named papers were edited with unusual ability. The Sentinel
and Times were Democratic in politics, the Prairie Home
was neutral, and the True Republican, as its name would
indicate, was devoted to the principles of the Republican party.
Some idea of the scarcity of money and the pressure of the
times may be inferred from the fact that the list of lands ad-
vertised as delinquent for taxes this spring comprised about
four thousand tracts. Upon petition of the Board of Super-
visors, our Representative procured the passage of an act
suspending the collection of taxes for two months.
A tornado swept through the Northern portion of the
County during the month of April, prostrating broad belts of
heavy timber like grass before the scythe of the mower. Many
lives were endangered, but none were lost.

A remarkable meteor during the succeeding winter excited

some attention. It appeared to have fallen to the ground a
mile or so north of the village of Sycamore, and a party went
to find it. Their explorations failed to bring to light any
portion of the expected terolite, but unwilling to be laughed
at for their pains they brought back some glassy fragments
from a brick kiln with which, they so far succeeded in imposing
upon public credulity, as to induce a visit from a scientific
gentleman connected with the Smithsonian Institute, who came
post haste from Washington to examine and report upon the
phenomenon.
The total tax raised in the County during this year was
sixty-nine thousand, nine hundred and five dollars, of which
about seventeen thousand was State tax, seven thousand
County tax, and the thirty-eight
school tax, eight thousand
thousand Town, Road, Bridge and other taxes. The total
valuation of the property of the County was three million,
five hundred and fifty-six thousand, nine hundred and forty-
one dollars.
1859.
The affairs of our County of DeKalb and its people moved
54
426 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

on quietly during this year 1859. Tlie country was con-

stantly improving and increasing in population in spite
of the hard times Avhich had continued since 1857 to
oppress the energies of the people. The crops of this yea^
were seriously injured by a prolonged drought which was so
severe that large numbers of cattle Avere reported to have
perished for want of water. The prices of produce were still

low, the people were still deeply in debt, and many who had
weathered the storm till this time noAV fled before it and ran
away from their accumulating debts.
The papers contained column after column of advertise-
ments of sales by the Sheriif, and foreclosures of mortgages.
Money was readily loaned on good security at twenty-five per
cent per annum. Indeed this had been a common rate for
many years before, and to this in a great measure was due
the present distress of the people.
The poor farm Avas filled with paupers Avhose support upon
that place had become more costly than before the farm had
been purchased. Twelve hundred dollars were appropriated
out of the Treasury for the support of paupers in addition to
Avhat had been raised upon the farm.
Iliram Ellwood "was chosen County Treasurer, N. S. Green-
wood School Commissioner, and J. W. Reid County Surveyor.
Mr. Roswell Dow ran as an independent candidate against
Mr. Ellwood and one of the most sharply contested elections
over known in the County was held. Ellwood received nine
hundred and eighty-five votes, and Dow nine hundred and
sixty-two.
1860.
This was a somewhat noted year in the history of our peo-
ple. One marked and pleasant incident in its record was, that
it gave to the hard-working and long-suffering farming com-
munity, the most bountiful crop of every kind of grain that
had ever been raised in the County. The severe drouth of
the previous year, drawing all the moisture of the sub-soil to
the surface from an unusual depth, and with it thfe fructifying
 EIGHTEEN SIXT7. 427

substances held there in solution, seemed to have covered the

whole country with a coating of manure, and stimulated the
yield of every crop to unusual productiveness. The aver-
age yield of wheat was estimated at thirty bushels to the acre,
and all other products of the soil were equally remarkable.
During a few weeks of the early autumn, prices ruled high :

money poured into the County in liberal quantities, and the

debt-ridden farmers began to feel that they had cast off the
heaviest of their burdens. But a new difficulty arose to com-
— one which during the following years
plicate their affairs five

engrossed almost the thoughts of the people.

entire was It
the year of the Presidential — the triumph of the
election first

Republican party in the election of a President. DeKalb

County gave to Abraham Lincoln three thousand and forty-
nine, out of her four thousand and fourteen votes, and the old
guard of the Anti-Slavery party were filled with rejoicing at
the final triumph of their principles. But in the midst of
these rejoicings came the assurance that the South was deter-
mined to secede from the Union. In December, South Car-
olina adopted an ordinance of secession, and Mississippi soon
followed, blockading the Mississippi river at Vicksburg, and
preventing the outflow of the immense crops of corn down the
river. The threatened war reduced the price of every species
-of produce. Corn sold in the markets of our County at ten
cents a bushel, and large quantities of the bountiful grain was
burned for fuel, it being considered cheaper than coal or
wood. Hard times speedily came back again upon the agri-
culturists of this County.
One notable event of the year was the gathering of a col-
lection estimated at thirty thousand persons at a great politi-
cal meeting at DeKalb, when Cassius M. Clay, of Kentucky,
Isaac N. Arnold, of Chicago, who was at this time elected to
Congress from this district, John F. Farnsworth, and
other eminent speakers addressed the vast gathering.
An ox was roasted whole at this meeting, and distributed free
to the attendants. The Wide Awakes, an uniformed political
428 HISTORY OF DE KALE COUNTY.

body, with torches and banners, attended in large numbers ;

nearly half the young men in the county being members of

this organization.

The contest for the nomination of the Republican party,

(now equivalent to election) to the office of Circuit Clerk and
Recorder, which had been well filled for by Mr.
eight years
J. H. Beveridge, was a very exciting one. The candidates
were Silas Tappan, Roswell Dow, J. H. Beveridge and C. M.
Brown. Mr. Brown was nominated and elected. Thos. S.
Terry, of Shabbona, was chosen Representative in the Leg-
islature, Baldwin Woodruff, Sheriff, and Lorenzo Whittemore,

Coroner. Four thousand and nine votes were given in favor

of a convention to form a new constitution.
1861.
The year 1861 will be ever remembered as the first year of
the great war with the Southern rebellion. The part per-
formed by the gallant soldiers of DeKalb County in the great
contest with the enemies of the Union, has been fully related
in another portion of this work.
No portion of the country gave a more prompt response to
the call to arms. In nine days after the fall of Fort Sumpter,
a company of troops from Sandwich under Captain Carr was
garrisoning the fortifications erected at Cairo, and on the 10th
of May, a company of which Z. B. Mayo was Captain and E.
F. Dutton and R. A. Smith were Lieutenants, left Sycamore
to join the famous Thirteenth Illinois, at Dixon. Patriotic
citizens raised subscriptions amounting to over thirty thousand
dollars, which they pledged themselves to pay if required, to
maintain the families of volunteers, while they were absent in
the service. The Board of Supervisors subsequently met and
passed liberal appropriations for this purpose. In October,
nine companies of DeKalb County men had gone into the
service. Two were in the Thirteenth Regiment under com-
mand of Captains Partridge and Dutton, one under Captain
Carr in the Tenth, one under Captain Stolbrand in the Second
Artillery, one under Captain Butts in the Forty-second, one
 EIGHTEEN SIXTY-ONE. 429

under Captain Fox, two in the Eighth Cavalry under Cap-

tains Dustin and Whitney, and one in the Fifty-second under
Captain Stark.
In the work of raising and equipping troops for the defence
of the country, men of both political parties united, and in

the selection of candidates for civil offices, no distinction of

party was made. A Union Convention was held, at which
the Republicans, although three times as numerous as the
Democrats, divided the County offices equally with them,
giving the County Judge to E. L. Mayo that of
office of ;

County Surveyor to Orange Potter that of School Commis-

;

sioner to Dwight Crossett all of them members of the Dem-

;

ocratic party, and awarding the office of County Treasurer to

Hiram Ellwood, of County Clerk to Aaron K. Stiles, and of
member of the Constitutional Convention to S. B. Stinson,
all of whom were of the dominant Republican party. They
were all elected without opposition.
The financial affairs of the people of the County were very
seriously deranged during this year by the general depreciation
and final failure of most of the banks of issue in the State.
The security for the issue of the bills which constituted the
principal currency of the people, had been the bonds of the
several States, deposited with the State Auditor. Many of
these were the bonds of Southern States which, when the
States seceded, sank immensely in value, and consequently
depreciated the value of their bills. The decline began in the
winter of 1860, and culminated in the following autumn, dur-
ing which time the people had money, varying daily in value
and which no one dared to keep on hand lest it should next
day become worthless, Finally the entire currency in common
use became useless as money, and gold became again the only
money in circulation.
The census taken during this year by Mr. Z. B. Mayo, for
the use of the United States Government, showed a population
of nineteen thousand, four hundred and eleven, distributed as
follows
430 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

Genoa, 1000; Kingston, 1060; Franklin, 943; South

Grove, 787 ; Mayfield, 1040 ; Sycamore, 2280 ; Pampas,
1310 ; Malta, 620 ; Milan, 263 ; Afton, 545 ; Pierce, 950 ;

Squaw Grove, 800 ; Clinton, 997 ; Shabbona, 963 ; Pawpaw

1107 ; Victor, 766 ; Somonauk, 2240.
1862
Was a year of general gloom. In place of the speedy and
certain success of our armies which our people had confidently
anticipated, we met defeat and disaster. The hideous
monster of Rebellion confronted our forces at every point with
unexpected strength and resisted our efforts with a vigor
which we had not foreseen. None of our vast armies attained
any marked success, while the victories of the rebels were
numerous and disheartening. The bodies of the slain came
back, and troops of the sick, the maimed, and the wounded
victims of the Rebellion were to be seen about our streets.
Still the Government asked for more troops to fill up the de-

pleted ranks of our defeated armies, and most nobly did the
gallant boys of DeKalb County respond to the call. In the
midst of the busy labors of the harvest-field, a new call came
and in a few days eight hundred of the best men of the County
enrolled themselves in the ranks of those who were ready to
endure toil and hardship, to sacrifice life itself if need be, for
the defence of their country.In October, one thousand one
hundred and thirty-three men had enlisted from this County
and an enrollment made at this time with reference to a pos
showed that only three thousand three hundred
sible draft

remained who were able to do military service. The enlist-

ments were distributed as follows :

No. enrolled. No. in Service.

Genoa, 146 90
Shabbona, 257 123
Pawpaw, 282 114
Somonauk, 624 234
Clinton, 250 93
Squaw Grove, 253 97
Sycamore, 574 179
 EIGHTEEN SIXTY-TWO. 431

Franklin 208 64
Malta 219 64
Milan, 96 27
Mayfield, 203 58
South Grove, 213 58
Kingston, 258 73
DeKalb, 429 107
Pampas, 383, 88
Victor, 201 43
Pierce, 221 41
Afton, 120 16
In every portion of the County the ladies united to form
Soldiers' Aid Societies, and labored with zeal and energy in
the work of providing those comforts and luxuries that army
regulations did not supply. The total number of bounty or-
ders paid from the County Treasury at the close of this year
was 3466.
The assessment made this year placed the total value of the
property of the County at $2,712,534, of which $1,975,881
was in farms, $190,009 in town property, and $546,664 in
personal property. The actual value of the last class was
probably ten times, and of the former classes about five times,

the amount at which they were assessed. The returns showed

that rhere were 10,734 horses, 24,884 cattle, 16,020 hogs,
5092 sheep, and 138 mules, owned in the County.
At the November elections party lines seem to have again
been drawn, and none but Republicans were elected to office.

W. W. Sedgwick was chosen a member of the Legislature,

Henry Safford was made Sheriff, and Jacob R. Crossett Cor-
oner.
At the autumn session of the Board of Supervisors the
claim of the County against the United States, under the
swamp-land grant, was offered at auction. W. T. Kirk offered
$1500, A. K. Stiles offered $1925, Reuben EUwood offered
$2020, W. J. Hunt offered $2045, and Benjamin Page $2050,
all upon credit. R. Ellwood then amended his bid to $2020
cash, and it was struck off to him.
Five Supervisors voted against the proposition to sell, and
•i32 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

their written protest against it was recorded. They were

Messrs. C. Winne, R. M. Pritchard, T. J. Vandevere, G. W.
Culver, and S. Denton. Soon after it was reported that in-

justicehad been done to the County by this sale, and the

Board was called together for an investigation. A committee
of the Board presented an elaborate report, giving the full
history of the swamp-land matter, which was to the following
effect

They report that in 1852 John L. Beveridge had been ap-

pointed Drainage Commissioner, with authority to drain and
sell by
the swamp-lands, but that he was soon after succeeded
William Fordham. By Mr. Lamb, the County
April, 1853,
Surveyor, had selected as swamp-lands 31,153 acres, but none
of these lands had been conveyed to the County until 1858,
when only 5741 acres were conveyed, the remainder, about
25,000 acres, having meanwhile been sold by the United States
to individuals. The policy of the United States in regard to
lands selected as swamp-lands, but which it had thus sold,

was to return to the County the money paid in cases in which

money had been used in paying for these lands, and to give land
warrants in cases in which the lands had been paid for in
warrants. The United States had accordingly paid into the
State Treasury for the benefit of this County $6786 in money,
and a claim for about 20,000 acres in land warrants.
Mr. EUwood had gone to Springfield immediately after the
sale by the County, and had drawn $6543.19 in money. The
land warrants he had not yet received. Messrs. Kirk ant'

Stiles testified before the committee that they did not kno*
that the money was at Springfield at the time of the sale
Mr. Ellwood testified that he did not know that it was, but
supposed it was, or would be soon. He supposed, however,
that was a smaller amount. He offered to re-convey all
it

the land warrants to the County if it would pay the expenses

of the trip he had made to Washington to procure them.
For the land sold by Fordham nothing had been paid into
the Treasury. He had removed from the County in 1855,
 EIUHTEEN SIXTY-THREE. 433

but reported that he had received fi-om the sale of these lands
$14,578.18; that he charged for his services $3443; and had
paid for ditching $6000, leaving $5000 in his hands. The
committee thought that very little of this ditching was ever
done. He had sold for the County 8731 acres, a large por-

tion of which was land subsequently sold by the United States

to individuals. Upon such sales the County had been com-
pelled to refund to those who purchased from it, and had
already raised by taxation and paid over $6000 for this pur-
pose. The County had commenced suit against Fordham's
bondsmen, but had settled it for $1300.
Thus this rich heritage intended for the benefit of the
County, and which, had it been retained and wisely managed,
would now have been worth more than half a million dollars,
had really cost the County several thonsands of dollars more
than it had received from it.
1863.
The year 1863 was, pecuniarily, a prosperous season for
De Kalb County. Although it had been drained of a large
portion of its laboring population by the demands of the mili-
tary service, and although many rich farms lay Avaste and
untilled for want of men to work them, yet the country began
to feel the stimulus of the inflation of the currency, caused
by the necessities of the war the productions of the farm
;

commanded higher prices than heretofore; farmers began to

pay ofi" their old debts; the goods in the hands of the mer-
chants began to rise in value ; all parties felt richer than
heretofore.
The Board of Supervisors voted an appropriation of $4500
for the construction of an extensive fire-proof addition to the
Court House. Following the example set by the village of
De Kalb, whose beautiful school-building was then the most
costly and elegant owned in the State by any village of equal
size, the village of Sycamore completed one this year equally
tasteful and admirable in its plans. Many other places since
that time have followed the example set by these two riva
55
434 HISTORY OF DE KALE COUNTY.

towns of our County, and have erected similar or more ex-

pensive structures for common educational purposes; but at
this time these buildings, in their style, elegance, and perfect
adaptation to the wants of the scholars, were unique. No
other places, except the larger had ventured upon such
cities,

an expenditure for the purpose of common-school education.

During this year 600,000 more troops were called out by
the President, for various terms of service, and although it
seemed impossible that so many could still be raised by vol-
untary effort in this County as were required to fill its quota,
yet the quota was filled, and the County and the State were
still free from the terrors of the draft.
The Board of Supervisors in December offered a bounty of
$100 to each recruit from this County, and appropriated $25
for each family of absent soldiers requiring aid.
At the Republican Union Convention of this year there
was a sharp contest for the nomination for County Treasurer.
Mr. William C. Tappan, of Squaw Grove, was chosen upon
the sixth ballot, but one of his defeated competitors, Captain
R. A. Smith, came out as an independent candidate, and was
elected by the people, receiving 1571 votes to 662 given to
the regular nominee. Captain Smith had lost an arm, and
been otherwise severely wounded while in command of his
company in the loth regiment, in its assault upon Vicksburg,
and this sacrifice appealed strongly to the sympathies of the
people. He has been twice re-elected to the same office. Mr.
Hiram C. Beard, of Victor, was chosen School Commissioner,
and D. W. Lamb Surveyor.
The amount of the County indebtedness at this time was
$43,827, mostly arising from the payment of bounties to vol-
unteers. Its debt for other purposes was $5825. The County
tax levied this year was $26,340.
The jurisdiction of the County Court, which had previously
extended only to probate matters, was this year enlarged so
as to give it authority to try civil suits as in the Circuit Court.
In place of the per diem allowance hitherto paid tojthe Judge,
 EIGHTEEN sixty-four: 435

he was now remunerated with a salary which was fixed at

$1000 per annum.
The high prices for sugars and syrups had at this time
greatly stimulated the culture of the sorghum plant, then a
new discovery, and large steam factories for manufacturing
this syrup were established at Sycamore and Sandwich.
Smaller establishments were in operation in various portions
of the County. Isaac Crisman, an indefatigable worker and
pioneer in this branch of manufacture, had several mills in
operation.
1864.
The year 18G4 came in with a storm, more terrible in its
fury than the "oldest inhabitant" had ever before known.
Heavy, lowering, black clouds seemed to descend in a mass to
the earth in prodigious drifts of snow, which were driven with
great force by a powerful southwest wind. The country was
buried beneath these drifts,and the mercury sunk to thirty-
two degrees below zero. This severity of cold was intensified
by a fierce gale, which blew for three days with extraordinary
fury. Many persons were frozen to death, and cattle per-
ished in great numbers. More than one-half of the fowls in
this County were frozen; the railroads were blocked up, and
multitudes of passengers were compelled to remain in the
cars for several days. Thousands of animals, in course of
transportation upon stock trains, perished, and were brought
to market a stiff, stark, frozen mass. None who lived through
that fearful storm can ever forget its terrors.

The arrival of the re-enlisted veterans of Farnsworth's

Cavalry, upon the usual veterans' furlough, was an event of
interest to their friends. They came back in February, upon
a furlough of thirty days, and were most hospitably welcomed.
Horace W. Fay, an early settler of Squaw Grove, died in
April, at Vicksburg. He had been elected in 1848 a Repre-
sentative of this County in the Legislature, had been County
Surveyor, and held other public offices. Although old and
grey, he early enlisted in the war for the Union, and after
43G '^Y OF
HISfOIlY DEKALB COUNTY.

some years of service was made Chaplain of a colored regi-

ment, in which service he lost his life.

William Young, of Sycamore, a former County Commis-

sioner, after a prolonged suffering from hypochondria, com-
mitted suicide by morphine.
Another extensive fire at Sandwich destroyed several ware-
houses, with heavy loss.
A favorite shade-tree in this County had always been the
rapidly-growing locust, and thousands 0/ acres of them had
been planted for the purposes of timber and as screens from
the fierce winds of the prairie. During this year they were
entirely destroyed by a species of borer, which left hardly
one tree alive in the country.
The rapid rise in the value of gold, caused by the immense
issues of bills required by the necessities of the government
during this year, caused an equally rapid appreciation in the
value of all kinds of property. Money was plenty, trade
—
was lively, every person seemed to be growing wealthy.
Gold rose during the year to $2.40, wheat sold at $2.00, corn
at $1.20, and barley at $1.90 per bushel. Those in trade
rapidly made money by the inevitable rise in value of every-
thing that they purchased, and large numbers, attracted by
the profits of trade,moved into the villages, and filled every
department of business. The wheat crop of this season was,
however, a failure; it was destroyed by the ravages of the
chinch bug.
In February the President made a call for 200,000 troops
for three years, or during the war, and came a de-
in April

mand for 300,000 more, for one hundred days. The Super-
visors met, and extended the bounty of $100 to all who should
enlist upon the first call, and offered $35 to those who went

upon the second. Two or three companies were raised for

the latter term of service, and were soon garrisoning the
fortsand guarding the communications in the rear of our
great armies of veterans, now marching under Grant and
Sherman upon Richmond and Atlanta.
 EiailTEEN SIXTY-FOUR. 4

But the repeated calls for volunteers had exhausted the

supply. In the autumn the long-threatened draft came upon
some of the towns of the County. An enrollment was made,
and the following official statement gives its result:
TOWNS. QUOTA. CREDITS. DEFICIT.

Pampas 118 101 17

Shabbona 122 93 29
Milan 37 31 6
Malta 86 72 14
South Grove 94 76 18
Franklin 90 75 15
Kingston 100 70 30
Mayfield 93 76 17
DeKalb 196 192 4
Afton 81 G() 15
Clinton 102 84 18
Victor 87 79 8
Somonauk 265 248 17
Squaw Grove... 86 64 19
Pierce i)2 75 17
PawPaw 124 110 14
Sycamore 250 291
Genoa 100 85 15

2123 1888 273

The people of Sycamore found to their surprise that their

town was credited with forty-one more men than their quota
required. This was probally due to the fact that early in
the war men from other towns, who joined companies formed
at Sycamore, recorded their names as coming from that town,
thus unwittingly defrauding their own towns of the proper
credit. This created a great deal of complaint, and a con-
vention of the County was held at Cortland, to endeavor to
devise some means of remedying the wrong; but nothing of
any avail could be done. In some of the towns, meetings
were called by the town officers, at which large sums of money
were voted as a tax on the property of the town, it being un-
derstood that the next Legislature would legalize these irregu-
lar taxes. Money was advanced by citizens upon these
438 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

promises, and by offering large bounties recruits were procured,

and the draft averted; but in others the conscription came,
and fell with great severity upon many citizens. It singled
out many men whose absence would leave their families desti-
tuteand dependent, and who, in some cases, were obliged to
pay $1000 to secure substitutes. But most of the drafted
men went willingly, and served their time most faithfully.
At the election this autumn General F. W. Partridge, of
Somonauk, was elected Circuit Clerk and Recorder, I. V.
Randall, of De Kalb, Representative to the Legislature, and
H. A. Joslyn, of Sycamore, Sheriff. James H. Beveridge
was elected State Treasurer, —the first person ever elected
from the County to any public ofiice whose duties were not
exercised entirely in the County. The County gave 2985
votes for the re-election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency,
and 741 for General George B. McClellan.
The Union League, a secret semi-political organization,
established lodges in most of the towns of the County, and
held frequent meetings.
A great deal of excited feeling against the railroad com-
panies grew up this year, because of the high prices of freight,
and a vicious system of warehousing and grain inspection.
A County Convention was held at De Kalb upon the subject,
and a committee was sent to confer with the companies. Some
unimportant concessions were made to the demands of the
public.
Captain J. M. Hood, of Sycamore, was appointed United
States Consul to Siam —the first foreign appointment received
by a citizen of this County.
1865.
During the winter of 1864-65 a bill for the removal of the
(Jounty Seat from Sycamore to De Kalb was introduced into
the State Legislature by Mr. Randall, of De Kalb. A com-
mittee of the citizens of Sycamore immediately repaired to
Springfield, to endeavor to defeat its passage. The number
of names upon the petitions for its passage, and the remon-
 EltillTEEN SIXTZ-FIVE. 439

strance against it, was greater than the number of voters in

the County, and many of the names were those of persons
who had been dead for several years.
After an exciting discussion before the committee to whom
the bill was referred, they reported against its passage, and
the opponents of the measure returned home. The bill was
subsequently, however, taken up by the House and passed to
a third reading, but it was finally defeated in the House.
The quotas of soldiers demanded of the several towns, to
answer the requisition of the call of December previous, were
reported in February, as follows
Afton, 15; Clinton, 20; De Kalb, 27; Franklin, IG;
Genoa, 16; Kingston, 14; Mayfield, 13; Milan, 3; Malta, 7;
Pampas, 23; Paw Paw, 26; Pierce, 17; Sycamore, 1; South
Grove, 16; Squaw Grove, 10; Somonauk, 46; Shabbona, oo.
Victor, 17. Total, 323.
Most of the towns, since the call was made, had partially
filled their numbers by enlistments of citizens and raising

funds by taxation to procure substitutes in the cities and

elsewhere. Sycamore had raised money, and put into the
service twelve men, Avhich was eleven more than its quota.
From $400 to $600 was usually paid to each recruit. In
several towns, however, a draft became necessary, and some
of the drafted men paid nearly $1000 for substitutes.
To meet the expense caused by the taxation for procuring
these men, the taxes levied this year were enormous. The
percentage levied by the several towns of the County for all
purposes was as follows
Paw Paw, 10 per cent. Shabbona, 7 Milan, 6| Malta,
; ; ;

4i; South Grove, 6h; Franklin, 5^; Victor, 6i; Clinton,

101; Afton, 6; De Kalb, 7^; Mayfield, 6; Kingston, 6;
Somonauk, 7; Squaw Grove, 6i; Pierce, 7; Cortland, 6J;
Sycamore, 8^; Genoa, 6.
But all now felt that the great war was nearly ended. The
confederacy had been again bisected by the march of Sher-
man's grand army to the sea, at Savannah; Hood's army
440 HISTOllY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

had been destroyed by the gallant boys under General Thomas

Grant was holding Lee in his death-like grasp at Richmond
and at last, early in April, came the glad news that Richmond
had fallen, and the rebel army was flying in dismay. This
Avas soon followed by the still more joyous intelligence that
peace, — the bright-winged, beautiful dove of peace, — so long
wooed, was at last won. How every how every heart rejoiced,
eye brightened, how every household was gladdened, by the
delightful assurance that the most terrible of all wars had
ended ! and gloriously ended ! that the last loyal son of De
Kalb had fallen by rebel bullets that the husband, the father,
!

the son, would soon be home again on a long, a perpetual —

furlough ! that the cankering fear of the lonely watchers at
home, lest he come shattered with wounds, or a mangled,
loathsome corpse, had passed away forever ! None can forget
the glad rejoicings of that joyous occasion. Hundreds of the
brave boys were soon among us again, and were received with
that glad welcome which their sacrifices and sufferings deserved.
About three thousand men had been furnished by the
County for the great war now gloriously ended. The official
records of the State credit them to the various towns in the
following numbers, probably reducing the number by estimat-
ing and averaging them as if furnished for three years' service:
Paw Paw, 136 Shabbona, 137 Milan, 38 Malta, 94
; ; ;

South Grove, 103 ; Franklin, 99 ; Kingston, 98 ; Mayfield,

103; DeKalb, 223; Afton, 89; Clinton, 111; Victor, 103;
Somonauk, 311 Squaw Grove, 93 Pierce, 100 ; Pampas,
; ;

134 Sycamore, 307 Genoa, 109. Total, 2388.

; ;

With the close of the rebellion came a prodigious fall in

the value of gold, and a consequent fall in prices of farm

products. Wheat fell to seventy cents per bushel, and this
was a criterion of the value of other property. The crops
were very poor. This was the occasion of the return of the
regular Septennial wet season. There was a drouth in the
summer, but at harvest time the floods poured down, destroy-
ing a large portion of the ripened grain, and covering the-
 •j:.^**if"
/W^^P^jgsi
life
 EIGHTEEN SIXTY-SIX. 441

country Avith a coating of slimy nmd, so deep that the reapers

would not operate upon it (when this was attempted in the

intervals of the showers). The wet season continued during

the fall.

At the autumn elections there was no opposition to the

election of the following County officers: General Daniel
Dustin,' as Clerk; Captain R. A. Smith, as Treasurer; M.
V. Allen, as Superintendent of Schools, and D. W. Lamb, as
Surveyor. Colonel D. B. James was chosen County Judge
by a small majority over Hon. E. L. Mayo.
The census, taken during this summer by Mr. Timothy
Wells, gave the following population
Sycamore, 2587 ; Genoa, 1027 ; Kingston, 1181 ; Frank-
lin, 951; South Grove, 789; Mayfield, 1029; Cortland, 1324;
De Kalb, 1976 ; Malta, 849 ; Pierce, 975 ; Afton, 672
Milan, 524; Squaw Grove, 679; Clinton, 1016; Yictor,
835; Shabbona, 1165 : Paw Paw, 954; Somonauk, 2636.
Total, 21,168.
1866.
The war ended, the return of the soldiers ^to their homes
increased the population, and gave new life to all branches of
business. Many of the newly returned veterans crowded
into the villages and cities, and filled to repletion every branch
of trade. It was really .a year of pros-perity. In
anticipation of a decrease of prices, the people had pru-
dently kept out of debt, paid cash for their purchases, and,
foreseeing and preparing for a financial storm, all danger
from its effects was averted.
Many elegant churches were erected throughout the
County, pre-eminent among them the fine Gothic structure of
the Methodist Episcopal Society at Sycamore, the finest tem-
ple of worship in the County. It was dedicated in May,
1866, and over $5000 was raised at the dedication to clear
off the debt incurred in its construction.
About two hundred Sweedish emigrants came from the land
of their birth, and settled in and about the village of De Kalb
56
442 HISTORY OF DE KALE COUNTY.

during this summer. They were a sober, industrious, peace-

ful, frugal race, and constitute a valuable addition to the
population.
On the 8th of August a most desolating hail-storm swept
through a belt of the northern and central portions of the
County, beating every species of vegetation into the earth,
as would the tramp of an army. Farmers had just commenced
harvesting their wheat and oats, and with the exception of
that which stood in the shock every acre of it was rendered

utterly worthless. Thousands of acres of corn were beaten

to bare stalks. Hail-stones, measuring six and seven inches
in circumference, fell by millions. Children were knocked
senseless ;
pigs, fowls and birds were killed by hundreds.
The loss, which was principally in the destruction of vast
was estimated at a quarter of a million of dol-
fields of grain,

lars. In most portions of the County this storm was a

drenching rain, which continued for several days, and threat-
ened the destruction of the ripened grain.
The cholera prevailed to an alarming extent in the cities
during this summer, and there were a few cases in this County.

The failure of the Sycamore Bank, on the 2d of November,

was the cause of a great deal of embarrassment to the people
of northern De Kalb Hon. James H. Beveridge,
County.
its President, and William J. Hunt, its Vice-President, with

E. T. Hunt, its Cashier, were the only stockholders. The

people had confidence in the honesty, skill and integrity of
the two former, and all classes dealt freely with the Bank.
But upon the failure it was discovered that these men owned
but eight shares in the institution, while the remainder was
in the hands of E. T. Hunt, an amiable young man of pleas-
ant manners, with whom people liked to do business, but
whose expensive habits and reckless management, together
with a number of unfortunate speculations, had sunk the cap-
ital of the concern, and brought it down in ruin. Mr. Bev-
eridge had for three years been absent at Springfield, in the
performance of the duties of his office as State Treasurey.
 EIGHTEEN SIXTY-SIX. 443

A public meeting of the depositors appointed a committee to

examine its aifairs, and they made a full report. They re-
ported its debts at $95,000, and assets at less than $10,000.
During the following year a settlement was made with its de-
by which they received fifty per cent, of their claims.
positors,
At the November election, William Patten, of Somonauk,
was chosen State Senator, Robert Hampton, of PawPaw,
Representative, Morris Holcomb, of Sycamore, Sheriff, Lo-
renzo Whittemore, of Sycamore, Coroner, and V. D. Miller,
of De Kalb, Surveyor. The total vote cast was 3049, the —
smallest for many years.
The Assessor's report for this year valued the taxable per-
sonal property of the County at $754,771, and the total
value of real and personal property at $3,068,322. The
totalCounty tax levied was $76,733.05, and the entire tax of
the County was $208,030.74. The towns, which were most
of them paying ten per cent, interest upon the indebtedness
incurred for payment of bounties to soldiers, showed a com-
mendable degree of determination to clear themselves of their
debts. Their total taxes during this year were as follows
Paw Paw, $10,524,81 ; Shabbona, $8,207.62 Milan,;

$7,024.90 ; Malta, $7,790.38 ; South Grove, $10,982.25 ;

Franklin, $10,793.42; Victor, $10,378.29; Clinton, $6,628.99;

Afton, $7,252.12 ; De Kalb, $14,995.15 ; Mayfield, $11,-
780.06; Kingston, $10,102.26; Somonauk, $21,410.76;
Squaw Grove, $11,274.52; Pierce, $8,720.70; Cortland,
$14,490.12; Sycamore, $20,557.54; Genoa, $7,462.29.
Total, $200,376.45.
It may be added that this tax, burdensome though it was,
Avas more would have been a tax of one-
easily borne than
hundredth of that amount twenty years before.
The indebtedness of the County, reported in February at
one hundred and eighty thousand one hundred and fifty-one
dollars, of which one hundred and sixty thousand seven hun-
dred and fifty-three dollars was bearing interest, had been
increased in December to one hundred and ninety-two thous-
444 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

and seven hundred and sixty-two dollars, of Avliich one hun-

dred and fifty-five thousand six hundred and seventy-nine
dollars was bearing interest.
A great many cases of destruction of sheep by wolves were
reported, and the Supervisors increased the bounty to twenty
dollarsupon each animal killed, with the prudent proviso
some had been detected in the profitable business of
that, as

keeping tame wolves, and raising them for the bounty, no

claims thus originated should be paid.
186T.
The business interests of De Kalb County have always
been to such an extent agricultural in their character that
upon the abundance of crops and enlargement of prices all
of its pecuniary prosperity has directly depended, and no
record of its history for 1867 would be complete without
mention that this was the third and the most fortunate of
years of great prosperity among the farmers, and consequently
with all classes of the population. With the opening of spring
grain commanded the highest prices ever known in the County.
Spring wheat readily suld at two dollars and seventy-five
cents per bushel, which a few years before has been a drug
at fifty and sixty cents. Corn, which six years before was
burned for fuel, was now worth one dollar and twenty cents

per bushel. Cattle and other farm productions were equally

high in price. Beef, which five years before was retailed at
five cents per pound, now brought twenty cents. The farm-
ers, who had since the war been expecting a great decline in
prices, and had consequently been very cautious in their deal-

ings, now began to place a higher value upon their lands.

During the war no considerable rise in the value of real estate
had been accomplished, but now there was a material advance.
The beautiful prairies about Malta and Milan were fully
doubled in value, and sold readily at twice the price of three
or four years before. All over the County there was a simi-
lar advance, stimulated by a promising prospect for a very
large crop of grain.
 EIGHTEEN SIXTY-SEVEX. 445

During this spring a new method of solving the vexed

question of the location of the County Seat was invented.
Upon the petition of citizens of Sandwich, which had now
become the largest village in the County, Senator Patten,
who was a citizen of that place, had during the previous win-
ter introduced a bill into the Legislature, known as the Half-
Shire bill. It provided for a re-location of the County Seat
at Sycamore and Sandwich. The latter place was to be the
seat of justice for the six southern towns of the County, and
the former for the twelve northern towns. It was argued in
its favor that the business of the County, dividing in the
thinly settled country in the central portion of the County,
naturally flowed to the railroad towns at the northern and
southern ends, and that neither De Kalb nor Sycamore af-

forded a convenient place for the transaction of the public

business of the southern portion of the County.
One of the most exciting elections ever held in the County
followed. To oppose this measure the citizens of De Kalb
and its vicinity formed a stock company, and contributed
nearly five thousand dollars to establish a newspaper ofiice in

that town. In March the De Kalb County jSfews was issued.

It was edited by Aaron K. Stiles, the former County Clerk
a man of remarkable tact, shrewdness and energy. For a
week or two preceding the election the paper was issued daily,
and denounced, ridiculed and caricatured the measure without
stint. The people and the papers at Sandwich and Sycamore
supported it. Excited meetings were held in every portion
of the County. But it turned out that a majority of the
people in the six southern towns, who were supposed to be
benefitted by the change, were opposed to it, and a final

quietus was given to the measure by the efforts of a delega-

tion from that composed of Messrs. Beard, Woodruff,
section,
Pritchard, McEwen, and Ball, men who commanded the per-
fect confidence of the people, who traveled through the
northern portion of the County, undeterred by storms which
enveloped the country in seas of unfathomable mud, and ad-
446 HISTORY OF DE EALB COUNTY.

dressed meetings in every town, beseeching the people not to

impose this measure upon them. It was defeated by a large
majority, only the three towns of Sycamore, Somonauk and
May field giving a majority in its favor.
During this season the attention of the citizens of the vil-

lages of the County was turned to the subject of the estab-

lishment of manufactories, as necessary to increase the busi-
ness of the towns. The people of Sandwich established a
stock company, with a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars,
which on the following year was increased to one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, for the manufacture of agricultural
machinery. A flax factory, foundry and cheese factory were
started at Sycamore, a planing mill and manufactory of sash,
doors and blinds, at De Kalb, and a large flouring mill at the
rapidly growing village of Malta. A beautiful public school
building was erected at Cortland.
The subject of hedges for the prairie farms began to attract

a great deal of attention, and over two hundred miles of osage

orange hedge were set out during this spring.

Among the meteorological phenomena of the year were

unusually heavy falls of snow in January, a prodigious flood
in February, extraordinary and long-continued storms in
March, and a very destructive hail-storm in July.
Captain R. A. Smith was re-elected County Treasurer, and
Y. D. Miller Surveyor, without opposition.
Since the close of the war an unusual number of burglars
had infested the country, and our County was not exempt
from their ravages. Sandwich, Cortland and De Kalb suf-
fered most from their depredations.
The County Agricultural Society, which held its fairs at

Sycamore, was revived and held a flourishing exhi-

this year,

bition. A Farmers' Club was also established, which held

weekly meetings of decided interest and value to the agricul-
tural portion of the community.
The total tax of the County was $191,301, of which
$63,173 was for County purposes, $51,664 for schools, and
$17,128 for payment of bounties.
 EIGHTEEN SIXTY-EIGHT. 447

1868.
No notable events have yet occurred in the history of our
County of De Kalb during this year. Perfect peace, general
prosperity, and extraordinary quietude have been the charac-
teristics of the year. The crops were excellent, their prices
fair, the people industrious, and well repaid for their labor.

The County debt has been reduced to $85,350. The taxable

property has been increased to $3,308,330. The assessors
report that there are owned in the County 14,019 horses,
27,792 cattle, 375 mules, 33,849 sheep, and 20,823 hogs.
The number of acres of wheat grown was 46,949, of corn
49,344, and of other field products 38,826.
De Kalb County, at theCongressional convention of the Re-
publican party this year, gave her vote for the first time for
one of her own Hon. Reuben Ellwood, of Sycamore.
citizens,

At the election General E. F. Dutton was chosen Circuit

Clerk and Recorder ; C. W. Marsh, Representative to the-
Legislature ; Captain Edward Safford, Sheriff; Lorenzo
Whittemore, Coroner; Charles Kellum, States- Attorney, and
W. M. Simmons, member of the State Board of Equalization.
The largest vote ever cast in the County was given at this
Presidential election. Its total was 4331, of which '3441 were
given to General Grant and 890 to Horatio Seymour.
The publication of this History of the County may be an
evont not unworthy of mention in the annals of our County,
and with it this record is completed. It is a picture of
growth, progress, and prosperity, not unprecedented in this
growing West, but yet sufficiently remarkable to fill the minds
of its first settlers with surprise In the thirty years of
its existence as a County, its population has increased from a
few hundreds to nearly thirty thousand. Its progress in
wealth has bee;i yet more remarkable. To the early settlers
it seems but yesterday that the County was dependent on
charity for the $200 necessary to procure the title to the
lands on which its County Seat was located. Now it pays
an annual tax of $200,000 without embarrassment.
448 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The log cabins of its first settlers have been replaced by

farm dwellings as elegant as any section of the country can
boast. The broad, open prairies have all been converted into
handsome farms, and peopled with a dense and prosperous
population. Its numerous villages are the centres of refine-
ment and wealth. Over the smooth, iron railway its people
now travel farther in an hour than they could then go in a
day, and the telegraph places them in instant communication
with the whole civilized world. Their energy and enterprise
have converted the desolate waste of thirty years ago into
the abode of refinement and luxury, and surrounded them
with the numberless advantages of old and highly cultured
communities.
May the future of this people be as glorious as its past has
been prosperous, and its present is auspicious.
PART FOURTH

TOWN HISTOEIES.

57
 TOWN HISTORIES.

GENOA.
Few townships in this County of ours have more natural
attractions than Genoa. The rolling prairie land which occu-
pies the greater portion of the township is diversified by more
than the average extent of natural groves, and is watered by
several fine streams. The Kishwaukee flows through a por-
tion of the town, giving a tolerable water-power, —not so

powerful as at an earlier day, when, as everywhere, the streams

—
were larger and their flow more constant, but capable of
being put to use, and contributing to the growth of the town
and convenience of the people. Wood and water are the two
great wants of this land of the prairies, and these Genoa
possesses, if not in abundance, yet in much more liberal
quantities than most parts of the County.
The first white inhabitant of the town was Thomas Madison*
who came to the place in 1836, and built a spacious log cabin
on the spot where, for thirty yearsafter, a hotel was kept by

H. N. Perkins and Luke Nichols. Mr. Perkins moved to

the place in the autumn of 1837, and he, with Samuel Corey,
Thomas Munnahan, and Henry Durham, bought the claim of
Madison, who moved off to Texas. It was said to embrace
two sections of land, and they paid $2800 for it.

In the spring of 1837 Mr. Henry Durham had moved into

Madison's cabin, and opened a small stock of goods for sale

to the few settlers who were now rapidly filling up the country.
He was a sharp, shrewd, energetic citizen, lived in the place
for nearly thirty years, and died there, having ^accumulated
 TOWN OF GENOA. 451

a considerable fortune by trade, by hotel-keeping, and by well

managed speculation in lands. He, with Samuel Corey,
Henry Preston, and Daniel T. Whittemore, were among the
first comers.
Whittemore had the reputation of being a leading member
of the gang of horse-thieves, counterfeiters and burglars who
infested the country at this early day. Genoa was always
one of the headquarters of the gang.
In the spring of 1838, Mr. Perkins' house was entered by
a party of them,who robbed him of $300. He had good
evidence that was taken by the Brodies, of Brodies' Grove,
it

who were understood to be confederated with Whittemore and

others at Genoa, but no prosecution was made, nor was any
of the money recovered.
During the year 1838 many new settlers came in, and Genoa
became quite a lively little village. Dr. H. F. Page com-
menced the practice of medicine there, James S. Waterman
opened a stock of goods, and one E. P. Gleason, who after-
wards figured extensively as a leader of the banditti, came in,
and bought the claim of Whittemore and Corey. He had
the reputation of being a man of wealth, and began to talk
about building flouring mills, starting stores, and otherwise
contributing to the growth and enlargement of the business of
the place. During the spring of 1838 he set out that fine
row of maples that now constitute a conspicuous ornament of
the village.
On the 4th of July, 1888, a great celebration was held at
Genoa, at which George H. Hill delivered an oration to an
audience of over a thousand people, gathered from Rockford,
Aurora, St. Charles, and all the country round. Genoa was
then as large and as promising a town as any of these places.
Belvidere contained only two houses, and Avas by no means so
important a place.
Gleason, in his subsequent career, acquired an unenviable
notoriety. Not long after his arrival, while he was boardintr
at Perkins' log tavern, a carpet-sack well filled with counter-
452 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

feit money was found in his possession, and, the fact becoming
notorious, his wealth was easily accounted for. He was a
man of fine appearance, agreeable manners, fair in his dealing
with his neighbors, and generally liked. He never passed
bad money in his ordinary business transactions, but had it

manufactured, and wholesaled it to his confederates. In 1839

one of his gang, a traveling pedlar, was arrested in Chicago,
and during his confinement confessed his guilt, and implicated
Gleason as one of the chiefs of his gang. Gleason was ar-
rested, but, although the testimony of this witness had been
promised, when the trial came on he could not be procured,
and Gleason was set at liberty.

Not long after, a message was again sent from Chicago,

saying that if our ofiicers would again arrest Gleason, the
evidence against him should be forthcoming. Three or four
deputies were now duly commissioned to go to Genoa, and
effect his arrest. They reached his place at midnight, and
after watching till dawn, had the satisfaction of seeing him
come to the door of his dwelling, when they approached and
captured him. But Gleason hospitably insisted that his cap-
tors should stop and get breakfast before they started away,
and they consented. Meantime, he took them out into his
garden to show them his fine crop of corn, of which he was
justly proud. In an instant he had disappeared in the tall

corn, and for several years after was not seen in this country.

Some months after, when the evidence against him had

again become unattainable, Gleason came back, and started
business again. He had a store, and a saw-mill, and a fine

farm, all in full operation. He had married a respectable

young woman of the neighborhood.
A few years after, he became ill, and a traveling doctor,
named Smitch, who had boarded in his family, and was re-
ported to be attached to his wife, attended him. He grew
worse without any evident cause. After eating one day of
some porridge, prepared by his wife and the doctor, he com-
plained that it did not taste quite right, but ate heartily, and
soon after died in convulsions and delirium.
 '

TOWN Ot' GENOA. 453

Not long after his burial, the doctor and Mrs. Gleason were
arrested on a charge of murdering him by poison. The body
was exhumed, and the contents of the stomach examined. A
specialterm was held for their trial, but the evidence of guilt
was insufficient, and they were discharged.
They were soon after married, and moved to La Salle
County, where the doctor died, under circumstances that led
to the suspicion that he too hf^ been poisoned. His wife
soon after died very suddenly.
Such was the miserable end of one who undoubtedly was a
leader in much of the crime that disturbed the early settlers
of this County. He escaped the punishment of his crimes
against the law, only to meet a more terrible fate.
Genoa was established as a post-office in 1836. It was
named by Madison, its first settler, who was also its first post-
master. He came from Genoa, in New York, and finding
here, as there, a Geneva and Batavia, he concluded to carry
out the parallel by giving it this name. For many years it
was decidedly the most flourishing village in the County.
In 1848 its trade supported four large dry goods stores,
each of them doing a larger trade than any other in the
County. They were kept by E. A. Durham, Robert Water-
man, W. H. Allen, John N. Maxfield and John Ball. There
were two large, well-built taverns, kept by Henry Durham
and H. N. Perkins, at which a line of stages from Elgin to
Galena made a stopping place.
Elgin was then the market for this section of country, and
to enable benighted travelers to keep that road on the broad,
unbroken prairie, they annually plowed up a series of parallel
furrows on each side of the track, and this was about all of
the road work that was done.
The population of Genoa in 1855 was 895 ; in 1860, 985
in 1865, 1027.
Genoa furnished the Union army with 109 men, and at the
time of the first enrollment for a draft had already sent out
sixty-eight per cent, of her arms-bearing population. Of
those who lost their lives in the war were
454 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

J. H. Chase, who died at Kansas City, Mo., June 11, 1865.

R. M. Gillett, Alexandria, Va., April 9, 1862.
Ellis Buck, Washington, D. C, April 28, 1864.
A. H. Burzell, who was lost off steamboat Olive, below St.
Louis, on the Mississippi, June 28, 1865.
Augustus Martin, at Genoa, February 13, 1863.
Sergeant J. H. Depue, at March 21, 1864.
J. S. Bailey, at Chicago, IlL, October 1, 1862.
J.H. Burroughs, at New Albany, Ind., December 24, 1862.
The Supervisors of the town have been For 1850, Henry:

Durham; 1851, G. F. King; 1852,1. W. Garvin; 1853-54,

A. M. Hollenbeck 1855, I. W. Garvin 1856, Jesse Doud
; ;

1857, Daniel Buck; 1858-59, John Heth 1860, J. L. ;

Brown; 1861-62, John Heth; 1863, J. L. Brown; 1864-65,

Daniel Buck; 1866-67-68, Henry K
Perkins.
The water-power near the village has been employed in
operating a flouring mill and a distillery, but neither are now
in operation.
 KINGSTON.
In the spring of 1835 the only human inhabitants of
Kingston were the Pottawattamie Indians, who occupied a
considerable village upon the farm since claimed by Lewis
Driggs, and who, upon the low-lands near the Kishwaukee
river, had two or three flourishing fields of corn, cultivated

by the squaws, and protected from the depredations of their

ponies by a shabby defence of stakes and poles.
But the report had gone abroad that the Indian occupancy
of this section of country must cease with the fall of this
year, and a number of white men, attracted by the story that
timbered land, not claimed, could be found upon the banks of
the Kishwaukee, made their way into this section, and speedily
claimed all of the timber in the town. Among these first

comers were: Thomas Robb, George H. Hill, Isaiah Fairclo,

Harmon Miller, Lewis Driggs, John Judd, Benjamin Schoon-
over, James Green, Nathan Billings, and John Freel. They
built for themselves rude shanties, somewhat like the Indian
wigwams, of poles and bark, and lived in them until the ap-
proach of winter compelled them to erect substantial, though
small, log cabins.
Mr. George H. Hill, who was always a favorite among the
people of the County, for his candor, intelligence, and integ-
rity, was stripped of his entire property this winter by the
destruction of his house by fire.

Kingston, in addition to- the benefits of the rich, olack,

fertile soil that is common to all the land in this County, has
more than one-third of its surface covered with excellent tim-
ber,and is remarkably well watered. These advantages early
456 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

attracted settlers, and it was among the first inhabited towns

in the County,
But poverty and destitution were the prevalent complaints
of the early inhabitants. They started in life without much
property, and for many years found it difficult to acquire it.

They raised small crops. In 1837 Mr. W. A. Miller raised

ten acres of corn, and he had then the largest crop in the
County. Mills were to be reached only by traveling long
journeys, and the people avoided this necessity by pounding
corn or buckwheat in a mortar, and living upon the rough
cakes made from this coarse provender. Fish was a great
resource. They were taken in great abundance, and, bar-
relled for future use, they constituted a permanent article of
diet. Gradually the new comers acquired the comforts of
life, but nearly a score of years elapsed before the real hard-
ships incident to the new settlement were ended.
An unusual proportion of the first settlers now remain
upon the lands which they first occupied, and enjoy that
wealth and comfort to which the hardships endured in the
early times have given them the best of titles.
The population of Kingston in 1855 was 871 ; in 1860,
1094; in 1865, 1181.
In April, 1860, a fearful tornado swept through the town.
It was first seen as a black cloud, in tunnel shape, sweeping
along at the rate of a mile a minute. Huge trees were taken
up and carried off like straws. A house belonging
in the air,
to Isaac McCoy was torn in fragments, and not a stick of it
was left near its former position. Even the stones of its cellar
were carried off. It was occupied by Mr. Weaver, but for-
tunately empty at the moment. The earth, in the course of
the tornado, was swept and hollowed out so that it resembled
the bed of a rapid river. Large stumps were torn out by
the roots. Mr. Luke Penwell, seeing it approach, ran to
avoid it; but being caught, seized a sapling, to which he clung
with the energy of despair, while the wind whipped his legs
around his head with great violence.
 TOWN OF KINGSTON. 457

A similar tornado, passing in the same direction, swept

through the town seven years before.
In April, 1862, Mr. George Magenety was killed by being
shot by Asa Baldwin, a Avealthy money-loaner of Belvidere,
while resisting Baldwin's attempt to take possession of some
property conveyed to him by a chattel mortgage. Baldwin
was arrested for murder, and lay in jail for many months ;

but obtained a change of venue to Belvidere, and was finally

acquitted.
Kingston, from a population of 1094, gave 105 soldiers to

the ranks of the defenders of the Union.

Among the dead of the war from this town were three sons
of John Russell. They were : Wesley Dickson Russell, of
Company F, in the Thirteenth Infantry, R. W. Russell, of
Company K, Forty-Second Illinois Infantry, who was wounded
at Stone River, remained seven days on the battle-field, was
then re-taken, and died of his wounds, and D-ivid F. Russell,
of the Ninety-Fifth Infantry, who died at Vicksburg. Rich-
ard W. Atwood, of Company C, in the One Hundred and
Fifth, lost an arm and leg at Dalton, Georgia, and after in-

tense suffering, died two weeks after. Ira G. Burzell, of

Company L, Eighth Cavalry, was drowned in the Mississippi.
Arba Lankton, of the Ninety-Fifth, died in hospital at Vicks-
burg.
John Swanson, at Atlanta, August 12, 1864.
David Bear, at Chattanooga, December 27, 1864.
Levi Sherman, at Bowling Green, December 3, 1862.
Gilbert Barnes, at Jefi'erson City, Mo., October 24, 1861.
Abner Westbrook, at Memphis, Tenn., October 22, 1864.
James Collier, at Evansville, Ind.
Frank Artz, at Chattanooga, October 15, 1863.
J. B. Blake, died at home, December 1, 1862.

Abner Dalby, at Vicksburg, November 2, 1866.

Anson Brainard, at St. Louis, December 12, 1861.
Henry Potter, at Natchez, Miss., July 29, 1863.
William H. Branch, at home, December 29, 1861.
58
458 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

E. H. Branch, Pontotoc, Miss., July 12, .1864.

William Davis, at Tipton, Mo., October 15, 1861.
Lewis Miller, at home, December 4, 1864.
William Middleton, at Milligan's Bend, February 5, 1863.
Andrew Baymond, at home, April 24, 1864.
George Ayres, at home, November 8, 1864.
Thomas Burchfield, at South Tunnell, Tenn., Jan. 3, 1863.
C. N. Brown, at Paducah, Ky., March 22, 1865.
Isaac Kepple, at Batesville, Ark., May 15, 1861.
George Palmer, at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.
Frank McMann, not known.
The names of a large portion of the enlisted men will be
found in the roster of those regiments to which they belonged.
Amoug the commissioned officers were Colonel Lorenzo H. :

Whitney and Lieutenant William Whitney, of the Eighth

Cavalry, Lieutenant William Hill, of the Ninety-Fifth In-
fantry, Lieutenant John Hickman, of the Ninety-Fifth, and
Captain J. W. Foster, of the Forty-Second Infantry, who
was desperately wounded and reported dead, but survived to
suffer the horrors of a rebel prison. The story of his suffer-
ings, escapes, re-captures, and final flight to the L^nion lines,

is of thrilling interest.
The Supervisors of Kingston have been For 1850, John :

Sheely 1851, C. W. Branch 1852, W. A. Miller 1853-

; ; ;

54-55-56-57, George H. Hill; 1858, George L. Wood;

1859-60, James McAllister; 1861-62, Phillip Heckman
1863, George H. Hill; 1864-65, C. W. Branch; 1867,
Phillip Heckman ; 1868, C. W. Branch.
A small hamlet, called Stewartville, consisting of a store,
post-office, wagon and blacksmith shop, and a handsome Ma-
sonic hall, is the only village in the town.
Among the many wealthy farmers of the town, Messrs.
N. Saum and John and James Russell have been long noted
for the encouragement they have given to the Agricultural
Societies, and for their noble herds of high-bred Devon cattle.

There are three good churches in Kingston, at which public

worship has for many years been regularly maintained by the
Methodist denomination.
 FRANKLIN.
This town, the northwesternmost of the County, contains
more running streams and a larger surface of timbered land
than any other town in the County. It has also some quarries

of stone, mostly a soft, inferior limestone, which is used for

building, and is also converted into very good lime.
Andrew and William Miles and Samuel Corey were proba-
bly the first settlers in the town They came in 1836, follow-
ing close upon the footsteps of the Indians, who had been
removed but a year before. Mr. Miles brought the first fruit
and the fine orchard on the Humphreys place was a part
trees,

of this first importation.

Other settlers who followed soon after were D. M. Gilchrist,
T. H. Humphreys, Theophilus Watkins, Elder Barrett, and
John M. Riddle.
Hicks' mills were built in 1837, by the Hicks brothers and
Gilchrist. They did both the sawing and grinding. The
water-power was pretty good, and the mills have been in use
till this day. In 1838 these mills were kept busy in sawing
lumber to build the new town of Kishwaukee, which was pro-
jected and designed to be an important place. It was located

at the mouth of the Kishwaukee river. Several buildings

Avere constructed, stores, shops, etc., started, but the town
never acquired any considerable now abandoned.
size, and is

The early settlers were all quite poor; indeed, many of

them were thriftless and improvident. Some, who are now
wealthy, subsisted for the most of the time, during their first

residence, principally upon suckers, which they caught in

immense numbers in the neighboring streams.
4G0 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

The builders of the mill were desperately poor, and when

their land came in market, they were unable to purchase the
title to their mills, and they became the property of Dr. Ho-
bart. He —
was a marked character, a man of much general
information, —and thoroughly educated, and enthusiastic in
his profession, of fine appearance, and possessing great ambi-
tion, he played a prominent part in the the town in
affairs of

its early history, and acquired a large amount of property

but, to the surprise of all who knew him, died of delirium-
tremens at last.

This township, with the other two which form the northern
tier of the County, was surveyed and put in market some five
years earlier than the twelve towns south of it. This accounts
for the fact that the survey lines do not coincide with those
of the towns below it.

Very little of the land, however, was entered at this early

date. It was held by means of claim associations, composed
of men who were banded together to lynch any one who should
enter lands held by claim title. In 1845 Dr. Hobart was
President of such an association. Its by-laws provided that
any person entering land claimed by any of its members
soould be compelled to deed it back to the claimant, on pay-
ment of the price ($1-25 per acre) paid for entry, or should
pay the claimant the same sum, in addition to what he had
already paid the government, and take the property. This
association, holding vast tracts in this manner, kept many
who otherwise would have become permanent residents from

settling there.
Many of the of the town were from the South-
first settlers

ern States. Among them

were William T. Kirk, one of the
most extensive and wealthiest of the farmers in the County,
and who has borne a prominent part in its political affairs
Spencer Myers, an energetic, wealthy farmer the Riddles, :

men distinguished for sound judgment and good sense and ;

the Rowins, extensive, spirited, and wealthy farmers,

D. B. Kingsbury, an intelligent and worthy citizen of this
 TOAVN OF FRANKLIN. 461

town, came from New Hampshire in 1844. He bought a fine

farm of one hundred and forty-four acres for one thousand
dollars, and has since added largely to its extent. At that
time most of the town was not settled, or entered. There
was but one house between Kingsbury's grove and the little

town of Belvidere.
Thomas J. Humphrey, a gentleman of education and cul-

ture, and a lawyer by profession, came in 1843. He died

soon after his arrival, leaving a large family of children.
The ftldest male member of this family was Thomas W.
Humphrey, who was then but eight years of age. Although
left thus early, struggling with the hardships of frontier life

in Illinois, he acquired a superior education for his circum-

stances, passed through the scientific course at Beloit college,
subsequently became deputy Circuit Clerk of De Kalb County,
married at twenty-one, and purchased the Humphrey home-
stead. He was always a bold, brave, ventursome youth,
whose intelligence, integrity, and manliness of character made
every one his friend. He crossed the plains to California in
1861, and on the expedition heroically rescued a wounded
emigrant and his family from a tribe of hostile Indians.
Returning in 1862, he raised a company of volunteers from
about the borders of De Kalb, Boone and McHenry Counties.
This company was made a part of the 95th Illinois Infantry,
of which he was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel. Devoting him-
self with characteristic ardor to his new profession, he was
from the first really its first ofiicer.

At the storming of Vicksburg, on the 19th and 22nd of

May, 1863, he was wounded on the first day, but, continuing
at the head of the regiment, was on the 22nd stunned by the
explosion of a shell, and reported killed, but crawled back
to camp in the night.
At the disastrous battle of Guntown he lost his life, and
with that loss the army lost one of its most distinguished and
most fearless ofiicers, and De Kalb County one of the most
heroic of her sons.
462 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

His body was returned to Franklin, and beneath the grand

old oaks of the family home the largest concourse ever as-
sembled in the town gathered to honor the memory of their
martyred hero, by one of the grandest of funeral ceremonies.
A younger brother of General Humphrey, Captain James
Humphrey, enlisted early in the war as private, in the Eighth
Cavalry, and fought his way up to a Captaincy.
Of the ninety-nine men enlisted from this town seven be-
came commissioned officers. They were, in addition to those
mentioned, Captain John B. Nash, Lieutenants Hiram Har-
rington,Samuel Williamson, John IVI. Schoonmaker, and
John W. Burst, all of the One Hundred and Fifth. Lieu-
tenant Burst first entered the Fifteenth Infantry, but lost
his sight while on duty in Missouri, by the poison of a scor-
pion. After nearly six months of blindness, he recovered;
and, full of ardor for the great cause, he re-enlisted in the
One Hundred and Fifth, and after two years faithful service
at the battle of New Hope church, he lost his leg, whic"
was three times amputated before it finally healed.

Of the martyred dead of the war from this town were:

Hiram S. Harrington, who died August 27, 1863.
W. Miles, at home, December 2, 1862.
Wesley Witter, at home, December 25, 1862.
John Stoker, in hospital, Bowling Green, Nov. 23, 1862,
Eustice Lusher, in hospital, Bowling Green, Nov. 21, 1862,
Henry Cline, at Gallatin, December 22, 1862.
Alonzo Randall, near Memphis, March 1, 1863.
J. H. Strawn, at Gallatin, July 20, 1864.
W. L. Foss, at Atlanta, August 16, 1864.
C. E. Foss, at home, April 20, 1865.
A. G. Foss, at Chattanooga, 1862.
S. L. Cronkhite, at home, August 24, 1865.
Isaac Weaver, at Alexandria, Ya., January 21, 1862.
P. C. Rowin, at Stone River, December 31, 1862.
Danford Goralum, December, 1863.
J. G. Griffin, in hospital, N. Y., May 25, 1865.
John Eckert, at Paducah, March 9, 1862.
 TOWN OF FRANKLIN. 463

A terrible tornado passed through the northern portion of

the town of Franklin on one Sunday in May, 1853. It

prostrated immense trees, fences, and everything

buildings,
that stood in its course. The first house struck was Mr. John
Youngs'. It was a large building, but in an instant it was
lifted up, shattered to splinters, and considerable parts of it

carried off so far that they were never found. Mrs. Young
was killed instantly. The residence of Mr. Ira Dean was
next struck. It was torn in pieces ; and a lady relative,
who chanced to be visiting there, had her back broken, and
died soon after. In a chamber were two boys, engaged in
playing cards. Both were blown out of the window, but not
seriously injured. Several other houses were unroofed, and
some barns destroyed.
In 1860 another tornado passed through the central por-
tion of the town, passing, like the former, from the southwest
to the northeast. It carried oif one house, of which the oc-
cupants were absent, and twisted off and carried away huge
trees, which could never after be found. Some electric force
seemed to be at work in this terrible gale. It tore the iron-
work from tools and machinery, and played numberless
strange pranks.
Upon Mr. Charles Buckman's place may be seen a curious
relic of the Indians. It is a stout stick of timber, about
eight inches square, hewn out so as to resemble an Indian
with four faces. It is reported to be an Indian idol.

The population of the town was 837 in 1855, 936 in 1860,

and 951 in 1865. The town was organized under the present
form of government in 1850,
The names of its Supervisors have been For 1850, Clark :

Bliss; 1851, John Eiddle; 1852-53-54, Jonas Iloight;

1855, William T. Kirk 1856, W. L. King 1857-58-59-
; ;

60-61, William T. Kirk 1862-63-64, J. W. Ellithorpe;

;

1865-66, D. B. Kingsbury: 1867-68, Stephen G. Rowin.

 MATFIELD.
This pleasant farming town, with its pretty name, so sug-
gestive of green fields, May-flowers, and all of the beauties
of spring-time, was first settled in 1835. The valuable tim-
bered lands upon the shore of the Kishwaukee, which courses
along its eastern border, early attracted settlers, and it was
claimed and occupied by adventurous white men even before
the departure of the Indians. A large Indian village then
occupied the present site of Coltonville.
John Tower, John Thom, Morris and Erasmus D. Walrod,
James and Samuel Gilbert, Ira Douglas, Robert Graham,
James McCollum, and Henry Madden, were among the first
to occupy this very attractive section of the County but ;

with them were a number of rough fellows, who made claims

of great extent for the purpose of selling them out, and who
defied the regulations of the claim association, and kept up a
war which drove emigrants away.
Stephen Mowry first settled the place afterwards purchased

by Rufus Colton, and which, a few years after, was known

as Coltonville. This, about 1838, became a smart little vil-
lage, at which the courts of the County were first held, and
which it was supposed would be the County Seat. Mr. Cox,
Mr. Peaslee, Spafi"ord and Curtis Smith, Phineas Stevens,
and Timothy Richardson, first settled this southern portion of
the town.
Dr. Henry Madden, an active and intelligent citizen at
Brush Point, was the first Representative to the Legislature
from this district, and labored hard to secure the location of
the County Seat at his place.
Before Sycamore had an existence there was a lively vil-
 3= .

3E.

o
So
O
 TOWN OF MAYFIELD. 465

lage of a dozen houses at Coltonville, with a lawyer and a

doctor, a store, a tavern, post-office, and shops.
A distillery was builtby Phineas Stevens and Rufus Col-
ton in 1840, but it never was a source of much profit. The
proprietors could n't prevent their fattening swine from get-
ting drunk and when Stevens finally barreled them up, took
;

them one hundred and fifty miles north to the pinery for a
market, and then obtained only two cents a pound for his
pork, the distillery was abandoned.
The little village at Coltonville gradually declined, its

buildings were removed, and now the entire town contains

no village, nor even a post-office, being better accommodated
for these purposes by the neighboring village of Sycamore.
Liberty was the name given to the town upon its organiza-
tion in 1850. It was selected by the Townsends, Nichols',
and Nickersons, — those earnest, active members of the Lib-
erty party of those times, who were neither ashamed nor
afraid to be known as station-agents on the underground
railroads, — but the name had probably been previously given
to other townships; for a few months after, it was changed
to Mayfield,

Deer, wolves, and massasaugers (or the prairie rattle-

snakes), were particularly numerous in the first years of its
settlement. In the autumn of 1837, Mr. Godfrey Carnes
killed twenty-five deer on his farm, and one new comer was
startled, on finishing up the center furrow on a ten-acre
"land" which he was breaking, to find twenty-five lively
massasaugers hissing and rattling their warnings at him.
The town was kept in a broil for many years by claim
jumpers; but when the claim wars were settled by the perfec-
tion of their titles through purchase from government, and
the claims of the rival points for the seat of justice had been
\lisposed of, the affairs of the town moved on the even tenor
)f their way. -with perfect quiet. The old settlers gradually
acquired the comforts of life, the outlying prairie became
settled, and the country increased in population and wealth.
59
466 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

In 1855 its population was 835, in 1860, 998, and in 1865,

1029.
Mayfield sent 103 men to fight the slaveholders' rebellion,
and scarcely any town in the County was more prompt in
responding to the calls of the government.
Those who gave their lives to the country in the war were:
J. P. Young, who died at Camp Nelson, March 5, 1864.
W. H. Decker, at Farmington, May 16, 1862.
G. G. Farewell, at Shiloh, Tenn., April 6, 1862.
J. Patterson, at Camp Sherman, Miss., August 25, 1863.
Turner Wing, at Mayfield, May, 1862.
Alonzo Houghton, in rebel prison, Cahaba, Ala., Septem-
ber, 1864.
Wm. Stevenson, at Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 27, 1864.
Joseph Piper, at Quincy, 111., April 23, 1862.
Samuel Piper, at Youngs' Point, La., April 1, 1863.
Edward Howe, August 15, 1864.
at Chattanooga, Tenn.,
Elias Goble, at Gallatin, Tenn., December 21, 1862.
Marvin Dennis, at Smithland, Mo., December 31, 1861.
William Kerr, on steamer City of Memphis, Jan. 5, 1863.
The assessment of 1868 shows that it is one of the most
wealthy of the towns of the County, in proportion to the
number of its inhabitants.
The first religious meetings in the County were held in
Mayfield, by the Methodists, and for a year or two they were
held regularly at Mr. Ira Douglas' house. They were sub-
sequently continued at the school houses and in 1860 a fine ;

church was built at Pleasant Hill, by that denomination, the

inhabitants contributing with unusual liberality for its con-
struction.
The town Supervisors have been : For the year 1850,
Mulford Nickerson ; 1851, Willis Lott ; 1852, James Siv-
right ; 1853-54, Agrippa Dow ; 1855, James Parker ; 1856,
Henry Madden ; 1857-58, W. A. Nickerson ; 1859-60, A.
B. Crippen ; 1861-62, James Sivright ; 1863-64, T. Wyn-
koop ; 1865-66-67-68, Curtis Smith,
 SOUTH GROVE.
This township, which was organized in 1850, was first

called Yernon. It had previously been known as DriscoU's

Grove ; but the name it now bears was, soon after its organ-
ization, agreed upon by the settlers.

It is considered one of the best farming towns in De Kalb

County. The land is very pleasantly undulating; the subsoil
seems peculiarly adapted for the drainage of the surface, and
vegetation is early and rapid. There is scarcely an acre of
waste land within its borders.
The highest point of land between Chicago and the Missis-,-
sippi river is in the southern portion of this town.
A pleasant little stream of water, called Owen's Creek,
following a meandering course, passes nearly through its
whole length, rising in the southeast portion, and flowing
towards the northwest, where, in the adjoining town of Frank-
lin, it empties into the Kishwaukee river. In its course the
stream widens several times, forming miniature lakes, which,
in the warm season of the year, with their wide borderings
of deep green, the many flocks of water-fowl, hovering hi^h
above them, or settling down into the clear waters where the
pickerel and a variety of smaller fry abound, form pictures,
not only very attractive to the lover of nature, but to the eye
of the sportsman and angler.
Uniting the two groves, and running away over the prairie
on the one hand to Brodie's Grove, and the other to the

Kishwaukee timber, the early settlers found the Indian trail

over which, it is said. Big Thunder sometimes led his braves,
more than once making the larger of the two groves a place
of temporary encampment. But the deer had well-nig^ '^is-
468 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

appeared before the bowstring of the dusky hunter had

snapped for the last time in these regions, though the howl
of the prairie wolf has, until within a few years, been almost
nightly heard.
On the borders of the creek are two bodies of fine timber,
one, called Orput's grove, containing about sixty acres, and
the other, South Grove, formerly called DriscoU's grove, of
three hundred, or more, acres.
The groves abound in a variety of wild fruits : the native
plum, sometimes very sweet and rich, the wild crab and thorn
apples, the mandrake, gooseberry, etc., and nuts of various
kinds.
In 1851 Ichabod liichmond, an erratic, though enterprising
genius, built a saw-mill and grist-mill on Owen's Creek, in

section twenty-six ; but a quantity of water sufficient to ope-

rate it was never found, except in the time of a freshet.
A similar experiment, and with like success, was made by
Mr. Barney Hatch, farther down the stream.
The first settlements in this town were on the east side of
the grove, and as late as in 1853, though portions of land,
scattered wide apart, had been pre-empted and purchased of
the government, the most of the inhabitants were still in the
neighborhood of the grove, and it was a question whether
these broad prairies, destitute of timber or surface water,
would ever be converted into farms.
In 1853, when it became certain that a railroad would be
built near, or through, the town, the land speculators became
purchasers of nine-tenths of what remained in government
hands, entering with land-warrants which were bought at
eighty cents, or less, per acre, —lands which are now worth,
with the improvements made upon them, thirty or forty dol-
lars per acre.
During the past five years nearly all of this land has been
purchased of these speculators, and made into farms, leaving
but very little unbroken prairie ; but no village has ever ex-
isted in this rich, long-settled, and flourishing town.
 TOWN OF SOUTH «ROVE. 469

The population of South Grove is made up of several na-

tionalities. The majority of the present inhabitants were
originally from the State of New York; a few came from
New England and the foreigners are Scotch, English, and
;

Irish there are, also, a few families of German descent.

;

In 1838 came the first settler, William Driscoll, from

Ohio, who built him a log cabin on the east side of the grove,
near the spot where is now situated the pleasant residence of
his estimable widow and her son. He was followed by his
father and brothers. The subsequent career of these men,
and their tragic fate, will be found, described at length, in a
foregoing chapter.
The second arrival was also from Ohio, Mr. Solomon —
Wells, —
who purchased of Driscoll the south end of the grove
— a hundred acres or more —
for sixty dollars. He was en-
titled, of course, to all the adjacent prairie he chose to claim.
In 1840, or the year previous, came the Orput family, who
settled near the smaller grove which has since been called by
their name.
The Beeman and Hatch families arrived during the same
year. A few members of the last named family still reside
in the town.
In 1841- -there were then six families of actual settlers
came Mr. James Byers, Mr. Tindall, and Mr. Benjamin
Worden; and in 1843, Mr. Jonathan Adee and Mr. Matthew
—
Thompson, the four families, Byers, Worden, Adee, and
Thompson, emigrating from the same neighborhood in "York
State" and they and Mr. Tindall still remain on the same
;

farms they first purchased. These early settlers, by their

industry, enterprise, and good management, have given tone
and character to the town. Their married sons and daughters
have, with few exceptions, settled not far from the old home-
steads.
In 1846 Mr. John S. Brown purchased the Beeman place,
on the northwest side of the grove, and settled there with
his family. He became a prominent actor in politics of
470 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

the town and County, and in 1862 assisted in the raising of

a company of soldiers for the Fifty-Second regiment. He
was made Captain, but soon resigned his commission.
In 1845 came the Safford family, and settled in the east
part of the town. Mr. Henry Safford, belonging to the
dominant party in politics, has been twice elected sheriff of
the County; and a nephew, —who, with a brother, came to
the town several years later, both enlisting in the One Hun-
dred and Fifth regiment, both afterwards created Captains,
and both dangerously wounded in battle, —was elected sheriff
of the County in 1868.
A little later came Mr. Deyo and Mr. W. H. Stebbins.
Their farms were two miles west of the grove.
After that the emigration was more rapid the Rickard ;

and Becker families in the west part of the town the McLel- ;

lan and Mason families in the north; E. Currier in the east;

and in the south several families from New England.
The first school in South Grove was taught by Mr. James
Byers, senior, who furnished a school house for his twenty-five
pupils, —the second room in his double log cabin, —
and boarded
himself, for ten dollars per month. A dollar was a dollar in
those days, for it would buy twenty pounds of coffee in Chi-
cago; but Mr. Byers' salary was paid in potatoes "and such."
The young men and women about the grove will never for-
get that school, —
how the kind, genial voice of the teacher,
softening down its rugged Scotch, cheered them over the
frightful Alps of "a, b, ab," and "two times one are two,"
how the eyes were always blind to any fun, and the laugh
was ever as long and loud as that of the merriest urchin.
No wonder that those boys and girls, a portion of them,
"played the mischief" with some of the teachers who suc-
ceeded this model one.
The first school house was erected in the grove. It was of
logs, but nicely built, and considered quite a capacious one;
though it was, after a time, pretty well filled with its sixty
scholars. It was twenty by twenty-two feet, and well lighted,
 TOWN OF south'grove. 471

having a window five or six panes in width and two in height

at each end of the building.

Mr. H. C. Beard and Mr. T. K. Waitc, of Sycamore, were
among the successful teachers in the log school house.
The second school house was built on a fine site donated to
the district by Mr. James Byers, senior, in 1854, and in 1868
another, — a very pleasant and commodious one, the former
having been destroyed by fire, —was erected in the same place.
There are now seven schools in the town, all furnished with
comfortable school houses. The number of pupils in the dis-
tricts in 1868 is 248 ; and the amount paid to teachers is

$834.31. Total expenditures for school purposes for the year

ending September 30, 1868, $1676.97.
During the time when a large portion of the land belonged
adopted a shrewd device for build-
to speculators, the people
ing their school houses with slight cost to the inhabitants.
They attached the sections thus owned, successively, to every
district which wished to build a school house, promising the
few scattered inhabitants that the taxes levied on them should
be refunded by contributions out of their own pockets. Then
levying the highest possible taxes on the speculators' lands,
they supplied themselves, cheaply, with school buildings, as-
tonishing the said speculators, who could not understand how
they were taxed, for several successive years, for the construc-
tion of those buildings, and yet have not one within miles of
their lands.
Churches are yet to be built, —the people, Sume of them at
least, evidently thinking, with Horace Greeley, that it is best
for a man to attend first to the business of the world he
lives in.

There are now two religious bodies in town. The Meth-

odist church was organized in 1855 by Rev. Mr. Jennings, a
man of good abilities, and evidently a very sincere and de-
voted Christian. This church and Sabbath-school holds its

religious services in No. 1 school house. The Advent church,

with which is also connected a Sabbath-school, was organized
472 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

in 1867. Their place of worship is school house No. 2.

In 1842 was organized a Freewill Baptist church, under

the care of Rev. Mr. Norton. This church did not keep up
its organization.

A great camp-meeting was held at the grove in 1860, at

which leading ministers from abroad addressed vast audiences,
and much religious interest was aroused. At a much earlier
day there Avere occasional religious revivals, which were re
markable for the great earnestness exhibited by the converts
among that primitive population; and, it may be added, by
extraordinary and exciting scenes in their meetings.
Among many anecdotes still related, with great gusto, is

the following : A very worthy, but previously profane, con-

vert, rising to his feet to urge his hearers to greater zeal and
earnestness in religious duty, fell, unconsciously, into his old
mode of expression, and exclaiqied:
''Brethren, I like to see a man, if he pretends to be a man,
to be a h-11 of a man ; and if he pretends to be a Christian,
!"
to be a h-11 of a Christian
The first post-office was established in 1841, called the
South Grove Post-office, the postmasters of which have been,
successively, Timothy Wells, James Byers, senior, H. SafFord,
E. Currier, Jonathan Adee, and Mrs. E. A. Palmer,
The second one was established in 1858, called Deerfield
Prairie Post-office ;
postmaster, P. Waterman, succeeded by
Mr. Wiltse ; and Dustin Post-office, established in 1868,
Henry Crisman, postmaster.
Hotels are things of the past, but they were "institutions"
in their day, when the St. Charles and Oregon State Road,
running through South Grove nearly at its centre, was the

great highway of the region, and traveled by teams heavily

loaded with grain, even from so far Avest as the Mississippi
river.

One of the hotels, that which stands on the farm of Mr.

Masterson, and occupied by him as a dwelling house, was
kept, for a while, by Mr. Beeman. It is still in a good state
 TOWN OF SOUTH GROVE. 473

of preservation, especially the hall, which was dedicated to

the goddess Terpsichore ; and many a resident of De Kalb
County will remember, as long as he lives, the pleasant gath-
erings at Beeman's, when what was wanting in elegance was
made up in merriment.
The other was kept by Mr. Adee, near the grove ; and it

is not to be woudered at that that gentleman is now so well

off in life, when it is remembered how exorbitant were his
charges, —forty or forty-five cents being required for only
supper, lodging, breakfast, and hay for a span of horses or a
yoke of oxen.
But while the hotels were so well patronized, it was a hard

time for the farmers. Again and again the teamsters who
had taken the loads of grain — the product of the whole sea-
son's hard toil — over that long, weary way to Chicago, would
not bring back money enough even to pay their trifling bills,
— a few groceries, a little bundle of cloth, perhaps a pair or
two of cheap shoes, besides food for their families, being all

the avails of a year's h^rd strugglings. But the men and

women of this region put their shoulders to the wheel, and
called upon the gods; and by-and-by Hercules came, in the
form of a railroad.
And then, very speedily, the prairie fires went out; for the
lands which they had swept over, in the autumn of so many
years, were being crossed here and there by "highways and
hedges"; and dwelling houses, not very imposing structures
many of them, but vastly superior to the log cabin, and built
with reference to the addition which would soon appear, in
the shape of a handsome front, with stables, and young or-
chards, and a variety of fruit-bearing shrubs and shade-trees,
were springing up in all directions.

The log cabins of the earlier settlers

had then mostly dis-
appeared, and the dwellings were being enlarged and improved;
new stables were being built, the old "Virginia rail-fence"
was fast disappearing, and the town was losing its uncomfort-
able look of newness.
60
474 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

At the present time South Grove has many well-enclosed

and highly cultivated farms; commodious, pleasant dwelling
houses, and large and convenient stables and granaries; fine,
bearing orchards, and handsome shade-trees. In 1868 about
one hundred miles of hedge were set in town, and hedging is

just commenced.
In 1857 it was estimated that more than 100,000 bushels
of wheat were raised in this town; and in the third year
after, the yield Avas supposed to be still greater; though it is

not thought, by the best informed farmers, that wheat-raising

is a remunerative business.
Since 1860 other cereals, with grass seed and flax, have
been more extensively grown, and stock-raising has consider-
ably increased, the farmers every year improving their breeds
by the introduction of fine, blooded animals.
There are in South Grove one carriage and two blacksmith
shops, but no village.
The population 1855 was 400; in 1860,
of South Grove in
662 ; in 1865, 789. It upon the records of the
is credited
State with 103 soldiers furnished for the great war. The .

town raised by taxation for war purposes $11,127.

Its first Supervisor was John S. Brown, who served in
1850. He was followed by W. M. Byers in 1851-52 by ;

Jesse Tindall in 1853-54 John S. Brown in 1855-56

; by ;

James Byers, Jr., in 1857-58 by John S. Brown in 1859

; ;

by W. T. Adee in 1860-61 by W. M. Byers in 1862-63

;

by George A. Gillis in 1864-65 by James Byers, Jr., in

;

1866-67; and by A. C. Thompson in 1868.

 SYCAMORE.
The annals of the County, whose incidents naturally group
themselves about the County Seat, have already given a pretty
full history of this town. It is a pleasant town, unusually
favored by nature with an abundance of timber and running
streams. Its soil is particularly rich, black and unctuous,
destitute of sand or gravel, and hardly as productive as that
of some other portions of the County. This may, however,
be due to its having been longer tilled; for when Erasmus
Walrod first came here, in 1835, he raised ninety bushels of
corn to the acre, on the upturned prairie sod.
The first settler of the town was probably Lysander Dar-
ling, who came in 1835. Dr. Norbo, a Norwegian, came the
same year, and claimed Norwegian grove, which thus received
its name. Also, Mr. Chartres, a Frenchman, who gave name
to Chartres' grove. J. C. Kellogg, E. F. White, Zechariah
Wood, and Peter Lamois, were also among those who made
their homes within the borders of what now constitutes this
township, in this first year of its settlement by the whites.
In 1836 the New York Company, composed of Christian
Sharer, a wealthy New Yorker, Evans Wherry, Clark Wright,
and Mark Daniels, under the firm name of C. Sharer & Co.,
claimed two square miles of land, running from Marshall
Starks' farm on the north to the south line of the town.
They laid out a village plot at the north of the creek, damned
the Kishwaukee river, built a mill, enclosed with a high,
heavy rail fence a tract sixty rods wide and two miles long
476 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

whose west line was on what is now Somonauk street, and

prepared to build up a town.
This was in the flush times, when wild-cat money in abund-
ance filled every ones pockets, and the speedy growth of great
cities in the west was confidently expected.
When these bubbles had burst, and hard times came on,
the company, although they had expended a large amount of
money, abandoned their claim, dissolved their co-partnership,
and never "entered" their land.
The old town of Sycamore, north of the creek, consisted of
two or three log cabins, in some of which Esquire Jewell kept
a blacksmith and wagon shop, and J. C. and Charles Water-
man kept a store. It was abandoned next year for the higher

land where the present village of Sycamore stands.

Captain Eli Barnes built the first house in this village,

the large tavern now the Sycamore Hotel. The construction

of so extensive a structure was considered a wild, extravagant
expenditure of his means; but it did much to establish the
town, and retain the County Seat, which it was then thought
would soon be removed. The Captain was full of zeal for
the welfare of this village, and for years labored, perhaps

more than any other man, to secure friends and votes to

counteract the numerous efforts to procure the removal of the
seat of justice.
A little framed house had before this been moved down
from the Hamlin farm, and was occupied by Dr. Barrett, the
first physician of the place. It stood, till 1855, where D. B.

James subsequently built a handsome residence, and was then

burned down, on suspicion that it had been used for the sale
of liquor.
The old Court House was built in 1839, nearly opposite
the present structure, and in 1840 the dreary little village

consisted of a dozen houses, scattered over considerable land,

but without fences, and with but one well.
 TOWN OF SYCAMORE. 477

SYCAMORE IN 1840.
Sylvamis Holcomb.

* D. Bannister.

Mansion House. * * J. C. Waterman.

11° "5

Court House ^^^

f4*

J. Sixbury.

The Mansion House, called the Nunnery, then kept by

Morris Walrod, contained a large part of the population of
the place.
A Congregational church was organized in 1840 with eleven
members, and, with Rev. David Perry for pastor, held services
in the Court House. Captain Barnes gave the church the
lot on which their handsome church edifice now stands, and
the building was erected in 1844, but not completed till two
478 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

years after. A Methodist church was built the same year,

on a lot The Episcopal church was
given by Carlos Lattin.
built in 1856, and the Baptists, Universalists, and Roman
Catholics, built churches two or three years after.
Marcus Walrod was the first boy born in the place, and
Mrs. W. R. Thomas the first girl.

Eli G. Jewell and Captain Barber did most of the law busi-
ness for many years; but in 1841 Andrew J. Brown opened
an office, —the first regular lawyer. He was succeeded by
Mr. Masters, and he, in 1842, by E. L. Mayo. W. J. Hunt
practiced law here in 1844. There were then eighteen houses
in Sycamore.
In 1848 the population of the village was 262 ; in 1849 it

was 320 ; in 1850, 390 ; and in 1851, 435.

Much of the land now included in the village was still

owned by government in 1848. During that year, Mr. J. S.

Waterman entered his fine farm, and W. J. Hunt took up a
half-section north and east of the village.

In 1855 there were in Sycamore six dry goods stores, two

hardware stores, two cabinet ware-rooms, one drug store, four
grocery and provision stores, two saloons, three taverns, one
banking and exchange office, two wagon shops, one livery
stable, two harness shops, two tin shops, one jeweler shop,
three shoe shops, four blacksmith shops, one shingle manufac-
tory, one tailor shop, one meat market, one cooper shop, seven
lawyers, four physicians, ten carpenters, four painters, three
and one steam saw-mill.
circulating libraries, three churches,
The population of the township at this time was 1646.
In 1858 Mr. D. B. James erected the fine brick block now
called George's block, which was dedicated with an old-set-
tlers' celebration and festival. During the same winter a
series of interesting lectures were delivered there by Horace
Greeley, Bayard Taylor, George Sumner, and other distin-
guished speakers.
In the following year the Sycamore and Cortland Railroad
Avas built, at a cost of about $75,000. Its cost was a heavy
 TOWN OF SYCAMORE, 479

expense to the citizens, for the times were hard and money
scarce; but it has proved a source of great advantage to the
business and growth of the town, which has steadily flourished
and increased from that time to the present. The receipts of
the road, which were only $4500 in 1860, have increased to
over $12,000 in 1867.
The village of Sycamore is one of the most attractive of
its size in the western country. It contains many fine resi-
dences, and a population wealthy, enterprising, and remark-
ably social.
Among its leading citizens are the brothers Waterman, five
of whom have, at times, resided here, and been among its
most active business men, since the first settlement of the
County. Mr. James S. Waterman, the first merchant in the
place, and the first banker in the County, has become its

wealthiest citizen, and his elegant mansion has ever been the
seat of an hospitality almost unlimited.
Of the EUwood family of six sturdy brothers, noted for
.

unbounded energy and enterprise, shrewdness and bonhomie.,

four have resided here, and two at De Kalb. Mr. Reuben
Ellwood was a citizen of the place in 1838, but subsequently
removed to New York, where he filled some important public
positions. He was presented as the candidate of this County
for Congress, in 1868.
Hon. E. L. Mayo, a lawyer of marked ability, moved to
this place from Vermont in 1842, has held many public ofiices,
and was a candidate for Congress in 1854.
Hon. D. B. James, formerly a lawyer in Lyndon, Vermont,
removed to this place from California in 1852. He built a
number of the best buildings in the place; has been an espec-
ially active member of the Republican party of the County

since its organization was appointed Aid-de-Camp to Gov-

;

ernor Oglesby, with the rank of Colonel, delegate to thi

National Convention of 1864, and was chosen Judge of tht
County Court in 1865.
General Daniel Dustin, formerly a physician of Lyndon,
480 HISTORY OP DEKALB COUNTY.

Vermont, removed to California in 1850; was a member of

the Legislature of that State; moved to Sycamore in 1856;
raised a company for Farnsworth's Cavalry in 1862; was
chosen Colonel of the One Hundred and Fifth Infantry in
1863; served two years as commander of a brigade, and made
one of the most faithful and popular officers in the service.
General Charles Waite, one of six worthy sons of Hon.
Daniel Waite, of Sycamore, enlisted, at twenty-three years
of age, as a private in the Twenty-Seventh Michigan In-
fantry, fought his way up to the Colonelcy of that rough,
ungovernable band of miners, whom he alone ever succeeded
in reducing to proper discipline, was severely wounded in

service in Virginia, and received the star of the Brigadier for

gallantry displayed in the battle of the Wilderness.
General Charles Stolbrand, a Colonel in the revolutionary
forces of Sweeden,and an eminently skilful military officer,
was engaged making an abstract of titles to the land of this
in
County when the war broke out. He raised a company of
artillery in this County, which, under command of Captain
John W. Lowell, did excellent service in the Second Illinois

Artillery. General Stolbrand was speedily promoted to

Chief of the Artillery in the Army of the Tennessee, and he,

with General Tom Humphrey, of this County, bore the repu-
tation of being the coolest, bravest officers in that army. He
is now a resident of Beaufort, South Carolina.
General E. F. Dutton enlisted, at twenty-two years of age,
in(Jompany F, of the Thirteenth Infantry, of which he was
made First Lieutenant. In 1863 he was chosen Major of
the One Hundred and Fifth, rose to the rank of Lieutenant-
Colonel, and served through the war with that regiment. He
was brevetted Brigadier for gallantry on the march to Atlanta,
and in the battle of Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Sycamore is credited on the State record with 307 men
furnished for the suppression of armed rebellion. Many gave
and many have returned maimed
their lives to their country,
and crippled; but the record of casualties is not now attain-
able.
M. E. Church at Sycamore.
 TOWN OF SYCAMORE. 481

Of the Supervisors of this town, Dr. James Harrington

served from its organization in 1850 until 1856, when E. L.
Mayo was elected. D. B. James succeeded him, serving in
1857-58 ; James Harrington followed in 1859-60-61 Ros- ;

Dow
wcll in 1862-63-64; Samuel Alden in 1865-66; Henry
Wood in 1867; and N. S. Cottrell in 1868.
In 1858 the village of Sycamore was incorporated, and in

accordance with the provisions of its charter, has been repre-

sented upon the Board of Supervisors by the President of its

Board of Trustees. For 1859, E. L.

These have been:
Mayo 1860, C. M. Brown 1861, Alonzo Ellwood 1862,
; ; ;

C. 0. Boynton 186-3, Alonzo Ellwood

; 1864-65, Charles ;

Kellum 1866, Luther Lowell 1867-68, C. 0. Boynton

; ;

61
 CORTLAND.
It was on one mild day in October, 1885, that a party of
emigrants, pushing rapidly northward from Ottawa, on the ^

line of an Indian trail, and traveling after darkness had set

in, suddenly, and to their surprise, found themselves in the
midst of an Indian village, situated on what is now Section
Three, in the town of Cortland. They halted for the night,
and in the morning, pleased with the appearance of the coun-
try, proceeded to make claims, and ultimately to build houses,
and surround themselves with some of the comforts of the
pioneers' home.
The party consisted of George W. and Isaac Gandy, John
and Perry Ellet, David Wood, and Henry Smith, with their
families, who thus became the first settlers of this township.
They lived for the Avinter in close and peaceful proximity to
the Indians, a few of whom remained in the grove, and in the
spring they were joined by a considerable number of new
settlers. These Avere the Springs, Crossetts, Hale Perry,
Norcutts, Alvin Dayton, Kites, Dowries, Osgoods, Ralph
Wyman, John Champlin, Peter Young, and Elias Ilartman.
They all settled as near as possible to the borders of the Ohio
Grove, which gained its name from the fact that most of the
new comers were from Ohio, and which borders the eastern
line of the township.

A small grove in the centre of the town, which had the

appearance of having strayed away from the main body of
timber, and which, for this reason, was named Lost Grove,
was claimed at an early date by James and Joseph Roberts,
two old bachelors, who for many years entertained travelers
 TOWN OP CORTLAND, 483

in their little log house, fourteen feet square; but most of the
remainder of the town remained unsettled and the property
of the government until about 1852, Avhen a number of dwell-
and the population of the
ings were built on the open prairie,
town was considerably increased. A Baptist church was
built near the grove during this year.
About this time a little village of a half-dozen houses, with
a tavern, a store, and the usual shops and dwellings, was
commenced at Luce's Corners, a half-mile south of the present
location of the village of Cortland; but most of the buildings
we)-e subsequentlymoved to the railroad station.
The railroad was built in 1853, and a smart little village
soon grew up around the station. But its prospects seem to
have been not considered brilliant, for in the following year
the railroad company bought the farm of Marcenus Hall, upon
which the eastern part of the village now stands, at ten dollars
per acre, and laid out a village upon it; and when, in the
terrible storm of the following winter, Mr. S. L. Porter, one
of their engineers, had his leg crushed, while endeavoring to
force his engine through a snow-bank in this vicinity, the
company made him a present of the village. The Hersha
farm, upon which Artlipp's and Croft's additions were laid
out, was sold about this time at twenty-five dollars per acre.
In 1850 a very lively village had been built up, inhabited
by a smart, enterprising population, among whom were a good
many young men, full of enterprise and full of fun.
But the hard times of 1857 checked its prosperity, and the
construction of the Sycamore and Cortland Railroad in 1858
cut oft" some of the grain trade from the north. Its increase
has not been rapid since that time.
The population of the township in 1855 was 1182; in 1860,
1298; and in 18G5, 1324. Only the three towns of Somo-
nauk, De
Kalb, and Sycamore, have a larger population, or
a larger amount of taxable property.
The first name given the town was Richland. This was
soon after changed to Pampfis, a name suggested by J. R.
 484 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTV.

Crossett, from the resemblance of its prairies to the pampas

or plains of South America. In 1864 this name was changed
by the Legislature to Cortland, the name of its village and
postal station.
The first school house in the town was a log hut, built in
Ohio Grove about 1838, and the first teacher Avas Rev. Castle
Churchill, who was succeeded by Miss Mary Ann Hamlin.
In 1866 the spacious and elegant edifice, a view of which
is here inserted, was built by the village of Cortland. Its
cost was $7000. It is a conspicuous ornament to the town,
and honors the enterprise and liberality of its people.
Cortland gave liberally, of the best blood of her township,
to the country, in the defence of the flag, when traitors assailed
it. One hundred and thirty-four of her sons enlisted in the
Union army, and the names of sixteen who lost their lives in
the service have been preserved. These are :

Ruthven and Alonzo Russell, Robert Close, W. Stark, and

Charles Plopper, the date and place of whose death is not
ascertained SpalFord Deford, who died at Savannah, Georgia,
;

January 20, 1865 John Young, at Camp Nelson, Kentucky,

;

March 5th,1864 Charles F. Bannister,

; at Alexandria, Vir-

ginia, April 11, 1863 Charles V. Peck,

; at Ringgold, Geor-

gia, March 27, 1864; Oliver Wilson, at Shiloh, July 6, 1862;

Emery Marshall, at Beardstown, Kentucky, December 6,

1862; George II. Gould, at Nashville, Tennessee, November

4, 1853 T. D. Packard,
; at Shiloh, April 6, 1862 ; ^V. 11.

Rose, at Kingston, Georgia, January 6, 1864; and Morris

R. Wilson, at Corinth, Tennessee, June 23, 1862. The last

mentioned was but a lad of fifteen, when a rebel bullet ended

his career.
Among her townsmen who served most honorably, and suf-
fered most severely, was Captain R. A. Smith.
When an apprenticed lad in Chenango County, N. Y., he
twice ran away to enlist in theMexican war, but his regiment
was not admitted to service. Removing to Cortland in 1856,
he engaged in the grain trade, and worked as a mason, until,

"5^
 TOWN OF CORTLAND. 485

at the first breaking out of the war, he raised a number of

recruits, and enlisted in Company F, of the Thirteenth In-
fantry. After two years of very hard service, during most
of which time he commanded that company, the regiment was
thrown into the terrible abyss of fire and death which met the
first assault on Vicksburg; and there he lost his right arm,
and was fearfully wounded in the thigh.
Returning home,, he was elected County Treasurer, wliicli

office he has filled by three successive re-elections, till the

present time.
The Supervisors of Cortland have been: For 1850-51- '>2,
David F. Finley 1853, Austin Hayden; 1854, -David F.
;

Finley; 1855-56-57-58, Horace S. Champlin; 1859-GO-Gl,

Alonzo L. Lovell; 1862, P. S. Coolidge; 1863-64-65, Jacob
R. Crossett; 1866, Edwin Gilson; 1867-68, John Wright.
The village of Cortland was incorporated in 1866, and T.
T, Peck in 1867, and John King in 1868, have, as President
of its Board of Trustees, been members of the Board of Su-
pervisors.
Cortland raised by taxation $12,103 for war purposes.
 DE KALB.
The town of De Kalb, located near the centre of the
County,is second to none other in the County in its natural

advantages, and in its prospects for future growth and wealth.

The surface of the town, like the remainder of the County,
is mostly occupied by handsome rolling prairie; but, unlike

some others, it is favored with a handsome stream, the head —

waters of one branch of the Kishwaukee, — and is liberally
supplied with timber from an extensive grove bordering this
stream, formerly known far and wide as Huntley's Grove.
The first settlers of this township were John B. Collins and
Norman C. Moore. Collins settled the farm now owned by
Captain Burpee, and Moore made a claim a mile or two north
of him. They came in the spring of 1835, and during that
summer all of the timbered land in the town was claimed.
McClellan claimed the south end of the grove afterward held
by Mr. Huntley. James Cox claimed a farm now owned by
C. W. Marsh, and James Paisley the place on which some of
his family now reside.
There was a large Indian village at Coltonville, on the
northern border of this township, but during this fall they
were removed beyond the Mississippi.
It was probably a company of United States mounted
troops, engaged in assembling these Indians at their rendez-
vous at PawPaw (irovc, preparatory to removal, that passed
along the east side of the grove during this fall, and camped
for the night on the site of the present village of De Kalb.
While here, one of number attempted to desert, and
their
he paid McClellan a sum of money to secrete him but being ;

threatened by the officer in command, McClellan gave him up

 TOWN OF DE KALB. 487

again,and he was tied to the rear of the army wagon, and

dragged on foot through the remainder of the route. The
neighbors, indignant at McClellan's treachery, threatened to
lynch him, and he was obliged to fly the country to secure
his safety.

In the autumn of 1835, Messrs. Jenks & Co. claimed the

land now occupied by Albert Schryver, damned the creek,
built a mill, and projected a town in the vicinity. The
streams were much larger then than now, and it was thought
that the water-power would be of permanent value ; but a dry
summer or two convinced them of their mistake, and they
never completed their proposed village.

In February, 1837, Mr. Kussell Huntley, representing a

company of capitalists, who designed to build mills and carry
on farming, moved to the south end of the grove, and bought
the claim of James Root, who had succeeded McClellan.
Wild-cat money was plenty then, and claims sold at higher
prices than they would bring ten years after. Mr. Huntley
bought all of the south part of the grove, paying $5300 to
the several claimants. His purchase embraced about five

hundred acres of woodland, and as much of the prairie as he

chose to call his own. As it seemed desirable, however, that
each should know where his line was, he made an agreement
with the Brodies, of Brodie's Grove, about ten miles west of
liim, that the division line between them should be half way
between the two groves: and he made a similar verbal ar-
rangement Avith the inhabitants of Shabbona Grove on the
south.

In the autumn of 1836 was the first election held in the

County. It was held in Captain EU Barnes' house, in this
town, and the voters came from all parts of the County. It
was an election for Justice of the Peace. Mr. Samuel Miller,

of Squaw Grove, relates that ten dollars was sent down to

him by one of the candidates to pay him for bringing up ten

voters, and that these ten voters carried this election. It was
488 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

probably the first ten dollars spent to carry an election in this

County, but not the by thousands.
last,

After the first settlers came in very rarely.

two years,
Hard times came on, money became very scarce, the people
grew poor; and in 1843, when the land, for the claims to
which they had paid such liberal prices, came in market, most
of them found great difficulty in raising the money to enter
it. As late as 1850, Mr. Huntley was offering half of the
land upon which De Kalb village now stands to any man who
would furnish $1,25 per acre to enter it.

For nearly twenty years he kept an excellent tavern at

this place^ and in the busy season it Avas constantly crowded

by teamsters from the west, as far as the Mississippi river,

who were on their way to Chicago with grain. The proceeds
of the load, oftentimes, did not pay the expenses of drawing
to market. For this reason, thousands of bushels of excellent
wheat raised in this town Avere fed to cattle without threshing.
This poverty among the people continued until the railroad
was built through, in 1853.
In 1850 the township was organized, with the name of
Orange, and Thomas M. Hopkins was chosen its first Super-
visor. In that year the first store in the place was opened
by J. M. Goodell, in one end of the dwelling now owned by
ilufus Hopkins. In 1852, J. S. Waterman and Alvah Cart-
wright started another, and they, with Goodell and Ruby's
store, Huntley's tavern, and a blacksmith's shop, constituted
the village in 1858, when the railroad was built, revolutioniz-
ing the business affairs of the country. After this, a large
and flourishing village was speedily built up at this place. Its
progress was remarkable. Houses sprang up as by magic.
The neighboring farmers who visited it one month would
hardly recognize the place when they visited it the next.
Mr. Huntley sold part of his land to three directors of the
railroad company, —
Holland, Robinson, and Van Nortwick,
and they together laid out the village, and speedily sold the
lots at good prices. Stores, shops, warehouses, hotels, and
 TOWN OF SYCAMORE. 489

dwellings, filled up the village plat, and the evidenees of taste

and refinement were to be seen in its streets and dwellings.
For several years it went by the name of Buena Yista.
In 1855 its population was 55T. It was confidently ex.
pectcd that, owing to its central location and its being upon

a railroad, it would soon be made the seat of justice for the

County.
The financial crash of 1857 impeded the progress of the
thriving little village. Money scarce, trade dull, credit gone,
prices low. Like all new totvns, it was settled by a population
full of enterprise, but of small capital, and the destruction
of confidence and depression of trade was a serious injury to
ts progress. But its people were full of enterprise, courage
and enthusiasm for the prosperity of their town. They taxed
themselves heavily for all needed improvements, and worked
with a will for the good of their town.
In 1860, a County Society for the promotion of agriculture
and the mechanical arts was established, beautiful grounds
selected and handsomely furnished, and flourishing annual
fairs have ever since been held.
In 1361, the elegant brick building was erected for a
—
Graded School, for many years the finest common-school
building in any town of its size in the State. It was designed

to cost $8000, but its total expense has been over $25,000.
The first school house in the town was a small structure built
of bass-wood logs, and roofed with shakes, which stood near
the grove, and near the line of the railroad, and for many
years served both as school house and church.
In 1854, churches were built by both the Baptist and
Methodist societies; in 1860 the Catholics constructed a spa-
and in 1864 the Sweedish population, a large
cious church,
number of whom had gathered around this place, built a
small church, in which worship is conducted in the Sweedish
form and language. A number of the most reputable citizens
have embraced the Mormon faith, and the services of that
sect have frequently been held in the place.
62
 490 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNY.

In 1858 a newspaper, under the name of the Western

World and De Kalb Heview, was published in De Kalb by
Mr. Andrews. This was succeeded in 1860 by the De Kalb
Leader, edited by E. B. Gilbert; and this, in 1861, by the
De Kalb Times, edited by G. D. R. Boyd. In 1867 the
De Kalb County News was started, and now publishes a su-
perior country journal.

The first lawyer in the place was Marcus White, who com-
menced practice in 1855. The first resident physician was
Dr. Hyslop. In 1859, Dr. Rufus Hopkins, of Sycamore,
who had always had a considerable practice in that town, re-
moved to the place, and as a physician, banker, and active
man of business, has been a prominent actor in the affairs of
the town. The first bank was established here in 1859, by
J. R. Hamlin and E. T. Hunt.
The four brothers Glidden, who first settled here in 1841,
have been among its most worthy and active citizens. E. B.
Gilbert, Esq., who came to Sycamore in 1847, and to De Kalb
in 1852, was elected Justice in 1853, and by successive re-

elections has ever since held that office. Harvey Thompson,

J. M. Glidden, and Jabez L. Cheesbrough, have long been
among the most popular and reliable grain dealers in the
County. The brothers Isaac L. and Hiram Ellwood have
been among its most active business men. R. K. Chandler
has long been a merchant in whom all have confidence. It is
such enterprising men as these, with the Vaughans, Smulls,
Roberts, Millers, and others that might be mentioned, that
have given tone and character to the town.

The Supervisors of De Kalb have been For 1850, Thomas :

M. Hopkins 1851, Joseph F. Glidden 1852, Thomas M.

: ;

Hopkins ; 1853, Alonzo Converse ; 1854, Luman Huntley

1855, Alonzo Converse ; 1856, Marcus White; 1857, E. P.
Young; 1858-59, Hiram Ellwood; 1860, Silas Tappan
1861-62,J. F. Glidden; 1863, Harvey Thompson; 1864-6.5,

Thomas M. Hopkins 1866, J. F. Glidden 1867, Harvey

; ;

Thompson 1868, W. C. Tappan,

;
 TOWN OF SYCAMORE. 491

The was incorporated under a general act in 1856,

village
and in1860 by a special charter, which made the President
of the Board of Trustees a member of the Board of Super-
visors. This position has been filled by W. H. Allen in
1861-62 Silas Tappan in 1863 Leonard Morse in 1864
; ;

S. 0. Vaughan in 1865 ; E. B. Gilbert in 1866 ; and W. H.

Allen in 1867-68.
De Kalb furnished 223 men for the war for the preservation
of our nation from the armed rebellion. The story of their
toils, their losses, their sufferings, and their triumphs, will be
found in the record of the part that De Kalb County took in
the war of the great rebellion.
The population of De Kalb in 1855 was 1588 ; in 1860,
1900; and in 1865, 1976.
 MALTA.
This town, situated far out upon the billowy prairie, remote
from groves, and streams, and other attractions to the early

settler, was one of the later-settled townships of the County.

Its first inhabitant was Mr, Ezekiel Whitehead, who com-
menced a farm in 1851. A large portion of the land was at
this time in the hands of the government ; but was entered,
during and the following year, by C. C. Shepard, II. A.
this

Mix, Mark Howard, and other speculators, who have since

gained great wealth by the rise in their value.

In 1854 the citizens of South Grove, which lies directly

north of this town, petitioned the Galena Railroad Companyj
which had built the Dixon branch through the town, to estab-
lish a station for their accommodation; and after some
months' delay, the company acceded to the request. The
station once established, settlers rapidly filled up the township.
It had been a part of the town of Be Kalb, but in 1855, a
sufficient number having moved in to give them a right to a
separate town organization, a petition was presented to the
Board of Supervisors, asking this privilege, which was granted;
and the new town, under the name of Milton, embracing this
township and one-half of that one south of it, was admitted
into the Union. The village at the station was named Malta,
and a thriving town rapidly grew up at this point.
The name of Etna was, soon after its organization, substi-
tuted in place of Milton, and this, a few years later, was
changed to Malta, the name of its village and post-office.
The financial storm of 1857, which prostrated the value of
every kind of property, and ruined the currency of the coun-
 TOWN OF MALTA. 493

try, reduced the vitality of this ambitious little village, and

gave it a blow from which it was many years in recovering.

Building was stopped; houses were vacant and valueless;

merchants and grain dealers failed; every body grew poor,
and multitudes left the country.
In 1857 a large steam mill was it was never a built, but
profitable property; was burned down,
and four years later it

under circumstances that led to the suspicion that it was ,

burned by the lessees. Suits growing out of this charge are

still pending before the courts.
In 1867, aided by a liberal subscription of the citizens of

the village, Mr. Abraham Peters erected another large and

substantial steam grist mill, which is now doing a good busi-
ness.

Toward the close of the great war, Malta again acquired a

fresh increase of groAvth and prosperity. The high prices of
grain attracted settlers, and gave increased value to her new^
prairie lands. Money became plenty, business increased, new
buildings were erected, real estate doubled in value, and sales,
which for many years were impossible, now became frequent.
Malta isnow on the high tide of prosperity. The village
is the natural center for a large extent of very rich country,
which, filled up with the substantial farming population which
now is rapidly centering there, will support a town of three
or four times its present population.
The first census of the town was taken in 1860, when it

was found to have 620 inhabitants. This number, in 1865,

had increased to 849, and is now probably over 1200.
Malta furnished 94 soldiers for the war of the rebellion.
Its Supervisors have been : For 1856, E. Whitehead
1857-58, T. C. Wetmore; 1859-60-61, Henry Madden;
1862-63-64-65, M. C. Dedrick 1866, G. W. Smiley; and ;

1867, D. F. Pease.
In 18 —
the Congregational church was organized, with
Rev. as pastor. In 1 867 the Baptist and
Congregational societies each built handsome churches.
 MILAN.
Milan, the yoangest of our sisterhood of towns, was born
into the family in 1857. Its parents were Malta and Shab-
bona, who each contributed three square miles to the endow-
ment and fitting out of their newly-born sister.
Mr. Lewis McEwen was the first inhabitant of Milan, and
although a bachelor then, and for many years after, he may
properly be called the father of the town. He came here in
1852. At this time not a foot of the land in the township
had been entered from government. He built a small house,
broke up his land, and for two or three years spent most of
the winters in hunting. In the winter of 1853-54, more than
one hundred deer were seen from his cabin door, and wolves
were extremely troublesome. The deer disappeared as soon
as the railroad was built.

Benjamin Banfield moved into the town in 1852, and

Reuben Dodd in the following winter.
Most of the land of the township was "entered" in 1853.

Before that time it was considered of no value, being so far

removed from timber that purchasers thought it doubtful if it

ever would be settled. But during the last five years its set-

tlement has been very rapid. Nearly every acre is now occu-
pied as a farm, and land sells at as high a price as in any part
of the County.
In 1853, Gurdon Hewitt entered nine sections in one day,
with warrants worth eighty cents per acre. This land was
purchased by settlers at from eight to thirteen dollars per
acre, and all of the land in the town has now passed into the
hands of actual residents.
The School Section Avas sold in 1865, and produced a
 TOWN OF MILAN. 495

township school fund of over $8000. The first school house

was built in the center of the town in 1855; hut before that
time schools had been kept in private houses.
In the summer of 186 8, a handsome two-story building
was erected at the center, the upper part of which belongs to
the township, and is used as a town hall and place of worship,
while the lower story is used as a district school.

A large colony from Norway own and occupy the south-

west portion of the township, and constitute a very honest,
industrious, frugal,and respectable population.
The monotony of the prairies, which occupy the entire
surface of this town, has of late been broken by miles of
hedges of the rapid growing willow, which tend to diversify
and beautify the landscape.
Mr. Lewis McEwen, who stood godfather to the town at its
first creation, has ever since been its Supervisor, except in
1861, when Mr. John Banfield was elected.
The population of Milan was 262 at the time its first census
was taken, in 1860, and five years after had increased to 524.
It now probably contains 800 souls. Its property is assessed
at $158,266. It furnished 38 soldiers for the Union army in
the late great war.
 AFTON.
Afton is yet a stripling in our family of towns. Its brief
existence has been so little chequered with incident that it can
hardly be said to have a history. It is one of those towns
that, being far removed from natural groves, and rich only in
a soil of unsurpassed fertility, were considered by the early
settlers undesirable for farming purposes, and consequently
remained unsettled.
The emigrants from the heavily wooded Eastern States,
accustomed to eight-rail Virginia fences, huge wood fires, and
an abundance of timber for building, could not at first believe
that farming could be carried on successfully without large
tracts of woodland in the immediate vicinity of their cultivated
fields ; but they have discovered their mistake. No farms in
the County are more profitable than those in Afton, and towns
of like character, ten, fifteen, or twenty miles removed from
woodland,
Afton is one unbroken prairie, very undulating ih its sur-
face, with an abundance of gravelly knolls, and with some
ledges of stone, which, however, have not yet been worked.
It has one handsome stream. The head waters of the Little
Rock Creek, a fine stream of pure water, burst from the
ground on Section Fourteen, and run southeastwardly through
Squaw Grove.
,
This stream suggested the pleasing name adopted for the
town. Mr. John A. Hayden, one of its first settlers, was a
great admirer of the song, "Flow gently, sweet Afton," and
while at work breaking up and preparing to cultivate his
farm, he was continually singing it. He insisted upon calling
s
m
 TOWN OF AFTON. 497

the streum "Sweet Aftori," and this suggested the inusical

name for the town.
Afton was organized in 1854, Previous to that time the
northern half had been attached to De Kalb, and the southern
half to Clinton. Mr. W. R. Campbell was probably the first
white resident of the place, and John A. Ilayden the next.
Other early settlers were Daniel Washburne, Timothy Pier-
son, John McGirr, Benjamin Muzzy, Charles Ward, Francis
Bemis, and Alex Folger.
In the autumn of 1854, Mr. Ezekiel Noble, who, with Silas
Tappan and Oscar Tyler, had just moved into the place,
erected temporary shanties, and commenced breaking their
land, canvassed the township with a petition for its organiza-
tion as a town, and obtained the signatures of twenty-three
male inhabitants. It was admitted by the Board of Super-
visors at their next session.
At the election next spring, Mr. Noble was chosen Super-
visor, and has ever since, by successive re-elections, held the
same office. Timothy Pierson and Orson Pearl were elected
Justices; Sanford A. Tyler, Town Clerk; Clark Glidden,
Assessor and Collector.
In 1855 the first school was held, in a private house be-
longing to Mr. Goodell. It was kept by Mr. Lord. Next
year the school section was town was divided into
sold, the

two school districts, and a good school house was built on the
northeast corner of Section Twenty-Four, in District One,
which comprised the east half of the town. In 1858 the
town was divided into nine school districts, to which one has
since been added.
A spacious and beautiful church was built in 1867, by the
sect called Second Adventists, — the only church in the place.
The first elections were held at Sanford A. Tyler's house,
on Section Fourteen. They have since then been held at the
Center School House.
Afton manfully did its part in the war of the rebellion.
Eighty-one men went from that thinly populated town, to fill

63
498 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

the ranks of the Union army. Its total population, by the

census of 1860, was but 516. Fifty-nine men had volunteered,
when, the necessities of the government calling for more men,
a tax was levied upon the town, and seven more were procured.
In the summer of 1864, an additional tax was voted upon the
town, amounting in all to $14,000, and fifteen more recruits
were enlisted.
Among those who gave their lives m the defence of their
country were Charles Elliot, Dempster Wheeler, Alexander
Campbell, Emerson T. Knight, and Lewis Olverson, who went
out in the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, and L. Deforest,
of the Eighth Cavalry.
Among the leading citizens of Afton are Mr. Ezekiel Noble,
a shrewd, intelligent New Yorker, who has always been active
and may be said to be the father of the
in its public affairs,
town, and Mr. C. W. Broughton, one of the wealthiest and
most extensive farmers of the County.
 CLINTON.
Clinton is now one of the populous and prosperous towns
of our County, but was not settled so early as those towns
which were more favored with timbered lands. One small
grove of about one hundred acres borders the Little Indian
Creek, which has its head in the town; the remainder is

handsome rolling prairie.

In 1835, when old Deacon Pritchard came through this
section of country, on footand alone, prospecting for a home
in the west, he found at this grove just the spot he desired,
and he resolved to possess it; but returning next year with
his family, after a journey of forty days by wagon from New
York, he was disappointed by finding it claimed and occupied
by Mr. 0. P. Johnson, who has given his name to the grove.
Pritchard moved on to Grand de Tour, on Rock River but ;

eight years after, returned and bought the property, and upon
it he and his sons, —among the worthiest and best citizens of
the County, —have ever since resided.
In 1843, nine families constituted the population of the
town. These were the families of W. B. Fields, Parker
Thomas, Alexander McNish, Silas Hines, John and James
Walker, Preston Curtiss, William Robertson, and C. B.
Whitford, most of whom still In 1845
reside in the place.
and 1846, came Shelburne J. and Tracy Scott, Felix and
Baldwin Woodruff, and Sylvester Hall; and in 1847 and
1848, when Shabbona's Grove (which is on the west line of
this town) was sold by the old chief, and divided into lots by

the wily speculator Gates, so that all could procure timber, a

dozen more settlers made claims on the prairie, and became
 500 HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNT.

permanent inhabitants of the township. Among these were

N. S. and Thomas J. Greenwood, Benjamin Matteson, William
Sherman, Sylvester and Elbert Hall, J. L. Bailey, J. L.
Mighell, Aruney Hill, and John Secor.
In 1850, when the township organization was adopted, the
boundaries of Clinton included one-half of Victor and of
Afton, as well as its present territory. In 1853 it was re-

duced to its present dimensions.

The commissioners appointed to organize and give names
to the towns found that the citizens of four of the original
thirteen had selected the name of Clinton, and it was awarded
to this town by lot. The Scotts and a uumber of other set-
tlers had migrated from the vicinity of Clinton, in New York,
and retained an attachment to the name.
In 1855 the population of Clinton had increased to 867
in 1860 to 1006; and in 1865 to 1016.
In 1847 the first school was opened in the township, and
was taught by Mr. H. C. Beard.
The Baptists and Presbyterians organized the first churches,
and for several years had regular services, which were well
attended. But the Methodists have since been in the ascend-
ancy, and in 1867 built an elegant Gothic church, near the
center of the town, — one of the finest church edifices in the
County.
Claim wars were not unfrequent in the early history of the
town, and the sacredness of the claimants' rights was rigidly
enforced by the people. As late as 1851, some of the settlers
had not yet paid for their lands, but held them by claim only.
In that year occurred the last of the claim wars. One Hugh
McKerg had deeded some land claimed by John Secor. The
people of the town rose in a body, and chose a committee to
demand of him a release of the land, threatening to destroy
his property if he refused. But Hugh's heart was hardened,
and he refused to let the land go, but watched his property
by day and by night. After several nights' watching, he
ventured to sleep; but woke to find his fences on fire, his well
 TOWN OF CLINTON. 501

filled up, and much of his moveable property carried off. He

found it politic to settle that claim without further delay. It

would hardly seem that land at that time was worth fighting
for. It kept the people, however hard they worked, yet mis-
erably poor. They raised fine crops ; uld settlers speak of
having raised forty-two bushels of choice winter wheat to the
acre, but it brought them little money. When they had car-
ried it sixty miles to market, over roads almost impassable, it

sometimes failed to bring enough to pay the teamsters' bills.

It is as easy to raise five hundred dollars now from a farm as

it was to raise fifty in years from 1840 to 1850.
About one person in nine of the total population of Clinton
Union army during the war of the rebellion.
enlisted in the
She sent 111 men, and raised by taxation and contribution
$13,746 for war purposes.
The names of those who lost their lives in that war were
Jonathan Morris, who died at Tunnel Hill, January 26, 1863.
Egbert Matteson, at Louisville, Ky., November 19, 1862.
M. C. Kirkpatrick, at home, April 10, 1863.
Seeley Simpson, at Atlanta, August 5, 1865.
Henry Kellogg, at Bowling Green, November, 1862.
James Low, at Gallatin, March 3, 1863.
Ashael Childs, at LaGrange, Tenn.
C. Rose, Jr., at Camp Butler, January 19, 1862.
Corydon Heath, at Milliken's Bend, July, 1862.
Alfred Hodgekin, at Meriden, Miss., August 7, 1864.
Charles Nears, in Virginia, June, 1864.
E. A. Pritchard, at home, July 29, 1865.
The latter, a Captain in Company H, of the Thirteenth
Infantry, was a bright example of the Christian soldier. A
native of Malone, N. Y., he moved with his father's family to

Clinton in 1845, pursued the study of law at Aurora and

Cincinnatti, and obtained a good law practice at Aurora; but
impelled by motives of purest patriotism, he left his young
family at the first outbreak of the war, served for three years
most honorably in the gallant old Thirteenth, fighting its
502 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

every battle; but lost his health in the service, and returned,
to fall a victim to consumption, just when the people of De
Kalb County were about to elect him to an honorable civil

office. He was. — in intelligence, in culture, in every manly

virtue, — one of the very foremost men of our County.
Reuben M. Pritchard, his brother, a gentleman of ability
and high integrity, has been for six years Supervisor of the
town, and one of the leading citizens of the County.
Charles Wesley and William Wallace Marsh, who settled
in Clinton in 1850, have gained both fame and fortune by the
invention of the famous Marsh Harvester. The first machine
was used and first patent obtained in 1858. The first made
for sale were used in 1861, when twenty-five were manufac-
tured. Five thousand will be built for the harvest of 1869,
and the admirable invention promises to supercede all other
modes of harvesting grain.
The Supervisors of Clinton have been: For 1850, Reuben
Pritchard; 1851, James R. Eastman; 1852, Arunah Hill;
1853, C.B. Whitford; 1851, Arunah Hill; 1855, Reuben
Pritchard; 1856, Reuben M. Pritchard; 1857, 0. A. Tubbs;
1858-59, N. S. Greenwood; 1860-61-62, R. M. Pritchard,
1863-64, W. C.Macey; 1865, R. M. Pritchard; l'866,-J.
L. Mighell 1867-68, Robert Humphrey.
;
 PIERCE.
Pierce is a prairie town, remote from woodland. The head
waters of Big Rock Creek rise in the eastern part of the town,
bursting from the side of a natural elevation sixty feet above
the lowlands near
it. The spring is impregnated with sulphur.
The northern portion of the town is very undulating, the
southern portion very level. Its soil is particularly adapted
to wheat, and for the past eight years it has probably produced
more of this cereal than any other town in the County. The
towns of Pierce and South Grove have been the principal
wheat-growing towns of the County; and although it has been
the fashion to decry the raising of wheat as an unprofitable
business, yet the people of these towns have in ten years been
elevated, —principally by the production of this crop, — from
a condition of poverty and destitution to comparative inde-
pendence.
Three-fourths of the population of Pierce are natives of
Germany and Ireland. A considerable portion of the Ger-
mans are, however, from Pennsylvania, but speak theGerman
language, and preserve the German customs. The only
church in the town is a Lutheran church, in which, for ten or
twelve years, a German minister has been maintained, and
religious services conducted in the German language. The
Germans occupy the level plain in the southeastern portion of
the town, while the Irish are principally in the rougher land
of the north. They are generally an industrious and econom-
ical population, who came here twelve or fifteen years ago
with nothing, but have now grown independent, if not wealthy.
They are fast buying out the farms of the adjoining American
504 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY,

settlers, and promise soon to monopolize the whole township.

They are a prolific race, and raise more babies to the acre
than any other town in the County !

The first settler of Pierce was Elder Nathan Wilcox, who

made a farm in the northern part of the town in 1848. In
1850, Harrison and Horace S. Champlin bought 1100 acres
in this and the adjoining town of Afton, and running thirteen
breaking teams, they broke up over 600 acres during that
summer. Their friends called them crazy for settling so far
from woodland, and predicted that they would not see that
section of the County settled for thirty years, if ever. There
was then not a house between them and the Somonauk tim-
ber, ten miles south. Levi and Moses Hill at that time re-
sided in this town, and during the same season came Thomas
Halloran, P. Home, P. Dunn, L. Hennegan, John Ferrick,
the Butlers, and the Dillons.
In the eastern part of the town the German settlement
was started by Christian Myers, Henry Ramer, Josiah Jacob,
and George Eberly. Most of the land was "entered" in
1852, and the remainder was bought up in the following year.
The School Section was sold in 1857 at $1.25 per acre
but the purchasers were an improvident population, who failed
to pay even the interest upon their purchases, and the land
reverted back to the school fund, and was again sold in 1858
for from $5 to $6 per acre. All predicted that the latter
purchasers would fail to pay, as their predecessors had done.
No man, they argued, could afford to pay so large a price.
It was as hardto raise $100 then as to raise $1000 now.
But that land is now worth $40 per acre, and the purchasers
have grown rich upon it.
For many years the interest upon the fund created by this
sale paid all the expenses of the schools. The first school
was kept in the German settlement, and was opened in 1853.
This section of country was at first included in Somonauk
precinct, subsequently in Orange precinct, and before the
township organization was adopted, was incorporated with
 TOWN OF PIERCE. 505

Cortland (or Pampas) in liichland precinct. Until 1853 the

north half was attached to Pampas, and the south half to

Squaw Grove. In that year it was organized into a township,

and named Pierce, in honor of the President. The name was
selected by Mr. Champlin and that jolly eccentric, George
W. Kretsinger.
The majority of the population of this town were not en-
thusiastic in favor of the war; but when a draft was made,
they promptly raised nearly $11,000, and filled their quota;
|4500 of sum being contributed by subscriptions of the
this

citizens, and $6000 borrowed upon a note signed by twenty

of the wealthy towns-people. This sum was subsequently
paid by a tax upon the town. To the two last men procured
as substitutes $1400 was paid by the town, in addition to
$600 of County bounty and the same by the United States
government; and both of these substitutes deserted as soon
as they reached Chicago. The total number of men furnished
was 100.
The population of the town in 1855 was 667 ; in 1860,
945; in 1865, 975.
The first Supervisor of Pierce was 11, S. Champlin, who
served in 1853-54. He Avas succeeded by C. M, Humistor,
who served till 1860, when B. Milnemow Avas elected. S.
Denton filled the office in 1861; Thomas Gormley in 1862-63;
N. S. Cottrell in 1864 G. W. Slater in 1865-66 and C.
; ;

M. Humiston in 1867-68.

H
 SQUAW GROVE.
Squaw Grove was probably the first township settled in-
De Kalb County. In the summer of 1834 one HoUenbeck,
who lived near Ottawa, made a journey into this tcrr'ci incog-
nita as far as the present town of Sycamore, and on his return
made a claim to the fine grove in this town. This ho called
Squaw Grove, because he found here, alone, a large number
of squaws, whose dusky partners had gone on a hunting ex-
pedition. He made his claim at the north side of the grove
where Mr. Oscar Tanner now resides, and this was probs,'-jiy

the first land claimed in the County,

He did not remain on his new claim, but, returning to
Newark, in La Salle County, told such a flattering tale of
the charms of this newly discovered country, that William
Sebree, an old AHrginian with a large family, who w^as looking
for a place to settle, started at once to possess it.

In September, 1834, he reached the spot, and, camping

down in the midst of the Indians, he built a temporary shel-
ter of crotches and poles, which he covered with bark taken
from their forsaken wigwams; and there housed his family

until he could construct a small log house for the winter,

which was now rapidly approaching.
It was a very cold winter. When he went on Christmas
day to cut the slough grass for his famishing cattle, he had
his ears and nose frozen. The family lived principally upon
deer and prairie fowl for the first six months. The latter

game were not so numerous as they were in after years, when

grain fields were more plenty; but wolves abounded, and
were very troublesome, snatching up everything eatable that
chanced to be left out of doors.
 TOWN OF SQUAW GROAE. 507

A mail iiamel Kobson lived tliis fall in a log cabin at the

crossing of Somonauk Creek, a few miles south, but aban-
doned the place at the approach of winter, and left Sebree
the only Avhite inhabitant of this section of country.
In the following spring a hoosier, named Leggett, claimed
and settled upon the farm long afterward occupied by the
Wards; and in October, 1835, Mr. Samuel Miller, a Ken-

tuckian,moved to the grove, and commenced a farm. Jacob

Lee and John Easterbrooks came in January, 1836, and
William Ward in the autumn folloAving,
The new comers lived in the most primitive manner. Most
of them had cattle, horses, sheep, and swine, and Sebree re-
joiced in the possession of a pair of hand mill-stones, with
which the settlement ground the corn that they raised.
all

They made clothing from the wool of their sheep. For three
years the only plow in the place was one owned by Sebree,'
and made with a wooden mould board. They broke up the
prairie, sowed oats, and planted sod corn; and in the fall of

1836, Miller went with four yoke of cattle carrying thirty

bushels of oats to Chicago. Th.esc he sold for fifty cents a
bushel, returning with salt and boots for the settlement.
Their nearest neighbors at the north were upon the banks
of the Kishwaukee, twenty miles distant, and in 1835 they
went, as a neighborly act, to raise the first log house in that
country, on William A. Miller's claim in Kingston.
Many of the first settlers still remain upon their land, and
have grown rich with the rise in the value of lands, and from
the results of their industry.

Mr. Miller, who paid his first tax in 1837, to B. F. Fridley,

and paid sixty-two and-a-half cents, now has the doubtful
pleasure of pcaying yearly over $200 in taxes; and his prop-
erty, then worth $600 or $800, would now sell for $20,000.
The Sebrees, AVards, Lees, and other families, have been
equally fortunate. They have lived through times of great
destitution, but have been rewarded with the possession of
abundance.
508 HISTORY OF DEKALtS COUNTY.

The first child born in the town was John Miller. The
first death was that of the energetic and industrious old Mrs.
Sebrec.
The first school was taught in Mr. Lee's house, by a lady
and in the winter Mr. Cleveland, a farmer of the town, taught
in the same place. In 1838, a log school house was built
in the grove, in which Mr. James H. Furman kept an excel-
lent school. There are now nine school districts, in each of
which are handsome and convenient school houses. There is

lio church edifice in the town. A store, a tavern, a black-

smith's and a shoemaker's shop, constitute the little village.

The town is now all settled, mostly by farmers of wealth,

whose handsome farm houses and barns indicate the possession
of taste, as well as wealth, and excite the admiration of the
traveler. The assessed valuation of the property of the town
in 1868 w^jis $242,290, which is a larger amount, in propor-
tion to its population, than any other town in the County.
The population 1865 was 515; in 1860, 795; in 1865,
in

679. Ninety-three men were furnished by this town for the

war of the great rebellion.
The Supervisors of the town have been: For 1850-51-52,
A. L. Heminway for 1853-54-55-56, W. C. Tappan for
; ;

1857-58, Philo Slater for 1859, W. (J. Tappan for 1860-

; ;

61, Philo Slater; for 1862-63, W. C. Tappan; for 1864, D.

C. Winslow; for 1865-66-67-68, C. H. Taylor.
 PAWPAW.
PawPaw is the southwest corner town of De Kalb County.
Most of its surface is occupied by rolling prairie, — some por-
tions of it rather flat, yet none so much so as to render it

unfit for the plow. There is no waste land in the township,

and its deep, black soil, resting over a subsoil of clay, is

extremely productive. The Big Indian Creek and its tribu-

taries, which run through the township in various directions,
furnish a good supply of pure, running water. Ross Grove,
Coon Grove, and a portion of PawPaw Grove, lie in this
town, and supply its inhabitants with a considerable portion
of their fencing and fuel. These, and other natural advan-
tages, attracted those seeking homes in the West at a very
early date.
The township arrived in the autumn of
first settlers in this

1834. David A. Town came first, and was soon after joined
by Edward Butterfield and Benjamin Harris. In the family
of Mr. Harris was his aged father, Benoni Harris, a Method-
ist clergyman, who immediately began to preach the doctrines

of the Cross to the few scattered settlers, Avho gathered to-

gether from great distances, coming on foot, on horseback,
and with ox teams, to hear the word.
A plain marble slab, erected on the east side of PawPaw
Grove, and bearing Masonic emblems, marks the last resting
place of this pioneer minister in De Kalb County. He died
at the age of eighty-four. His wife, Thankful, whose remains
repose beside him, was the first white person buried in this
town.
In the summer of 1835, several additional families moved
510 IIISTOEY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
into the township,among them David A. Town, Mr. Baldwin,
and Mr. Ross, who first settled and gave name to Ross Grove.
PawPaw Grove took its name from the abundance of pawpaw
apples found there, and which grow there to this day a fruit —
small, juicy, and luscious, found nowhere else in this vicinity.
At this grove the celebrated Shabbona, chief of the Pota-
wattamies, with his tribe, was accustomed to make long stays.
The old inhabitants say he about divided his time between
this and Shabbona's Grove. Here was their burying ground
for common Indians, and the place where, between two half
logs, dug out in the center, they stood up their noted dead in
the crotches of trees. Here, too, lived the chief Wal^onsie,
concerning whom but few of the oldest citizens knew anything,
and they but little, as he soon disappeared.
For some services in the Indian war, the government gave
a reservation at this grove to one Le Clair, a half-breed
Frenchman. Most of this is in Lee County.
Game was found quite plentiful at that early date. Deer,
prairie wolves, wild cats, and an occasional bear, with wild
turkeys, geese, ducks, and prairie chickens, were the principal
species.
The first white child born was Caroline, daughter of Rus-
sell and Roxana Town, in the spring of 1836, now the wife of
James Kern.
PawPaw Grove has the reputation of having been, during
early times, one of the principal rendezvous of the horse-
thieving and counterfeiting fraternity. Wyram, or "Bogus,"
Gates, John Bryant, Bill Rogers, and one Webber, with
others, who resided at a small grove west of PawPaw, gained,
by means of the suspicious circumstances which surrounded
them, the reputation of belonging to that gang, and of pro-
curing by these means those large amounts of money which
their neighbors saw them to possess, and knew no other way
to account for their possessing.
A citizen relates that, coming on horseback from the north,
he endeavored to relieve his lonely way by overtaking two
horsemen in advance. But the faster he rode, still faster
 TOWN OF PAW PAW. 511

rode they, till the pursuit became a chase, and they hid in the
woods. The horses Avere next day found in Gates' barn, the
men arrested, tried, and sent to the penitentiary, from whence
they soon escaped.
Bill Rogers was a marked character. He was bold as a
lion, tall, and straight as an Indian. He sometimes acted as
detective of criminals, and sometimes, it is said, in the char-

acter of principal. An exciting story is told of his arrest of

a huge, powerful negro, who had hitherto defied all efforts to

capture him. Rogers met him on the prairie, when both were
unarmed, and after a fight, lasting over an hour, succeeded in
pinioning his arms, handing him over to the oflficers, and secur-
ing the large rcAvard offered for his capture.
Rogers was the contractor to remove the Indians from this

country to their new homes west of the Mississippi. Five or

six years ago, an early citizen of this County, crossing the
plains to California, Avas astonished to meet him far beyond
civilization, dressed in Indian costume, and mounted on a wild
mustang with long hair and beard as Avhite as snow, still hale
and hearty, and still a pioneer.
All of this class of population moved from the grove, far-
ther to the west, upon the approach of the refining influences
of civilization.

Ten or twelve years after, two of the new settlers discovered

on the prairie a buried deposit of some eight hundred dollars
which it was surmised had been hidden there
in silver coin,

by one who had been many years imprisoned in the peniten-

tiary.

In 1850 the township organization was adopted, and the

firsttown meeting was held at the residence of Shadrac Bas-
ley. Sixty votes Avere cast, and Pierpont Edwards was elected
Supervisor; George V. Miners, ToAvn Clerk; Stanley Rug-
gles, Assessor; W. J. Merritt, Collector; William Shepardson
and Daniel Rexford, Justices of the Peace. The Supervisors
subsequently chosen were : Pierpont Edwards in 1851 ; Wil-
liam Shepardson in 1852 ; Pierpont Edwards in 1853 ; Wil-
512 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

liam Shepardson in 1854 Robert Hampton in 1855-56-57-

;

58-59; Alonzo Dole 1860-61; Robert Hampton in 1862-

in
63-64-65-66-67; and N. H. Powers in 1868.
Hon. William Shepardson and Hon. Robert Hampton have
represented the district in the State Legislature.
As the population increased, and the poverty usually ac-
companying new settlements began to disappear, and after the
broad prairies had, to a considerable extent, been converted
into farms, the people began to turn their attention to their
educational interests. Accordingly, in the summer of 1854,
a building was erected at South PawPaw, standing on the line,
one-half in De Kalb and one-half in Lee County, for a semi-
nary.

A kind of rivalry sprang up at East PawPaw, so that,

during the same summer, a similar building was also erected
there. Soon after, the same spirit erected a third building at
West PawPaw, in Lee County. So there were three semina-
ries, occupying the three angles of a nearly equilateral trian-
gle, the sides of which were about two miles. Of course, they
destroyed each other, by dividing the patronage that should
have been received by one ; and all ultimately became common
schools.
Later, in the summer of 1866, a second seminary was built
at East PawPaw, which is now (1868) in operation as such.

The first church was built at Ross Grove, by the United

Presbyterian church, in 1861. There are at present three in

the town, — a second one near Ross Grove, and the third at
East PawPaw.
The population of PawPaw in 1855 was 944 ; in 1860,
1007 ; in 1865, 954.
PawPaw
sent 136 men to crush out the slaveholders' rebel-
lion. Most of them went into Captain Terry's Company, of
the One Hundred and Fifth Infantry, into the Fourth and
Seventeenth Cavalry, the Fifty-Second, Thirty-Fourth, Sev-
enty-Fifth, Eighty-Eighth, and the One Hundred and Second
Infantry regiments. They were men who did the hard fight-
 TOWN OF TAW PAW. 513

ing, and but a single pair of slioulder-straps was awarded to

the soldiers of the town.

Of the fifteen citizens of PawPaw who went out in Com-
pany I, of the Fourth (Colonel Dickey's) Cavalry, five, who
Avere of the best men of the place, gave their lives to their
countr3^ Three of these were of the highly respected family
of Hydes, and each left a wife and tvro children.
Lycurgus Hyde was killed on a reconnoissance in Tennes-
see ; Elliot L. Hyde was killed at Coflfeeville, Mississippi,
December 5th, 1862; Edwin Thomas, brother-in-law of the
two former, died at Pittsburg Landing, two weeks before that
great battle. Other members of that regiment, who died
martyrs were Henry Doty and Henry Jones.
to the cause,

John Densmore Dole, of the Thirty-Fourth Infantry, fell

at the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862, a rebel
bullet piercing his brain. He was a youth of fine promise,
who left his preparation for college at the call to arms, and
after doing gallant service as a brave soldier, gave his life to

his countr3^ His body was recovered, through the entreaties

of his mother to General Eosecranz, and was buried by Spar-
tan Lodge of Odd Fellows, at PawPaw, February 10, 1863.
 VICTOR.
The town of Victor was organized in 1853. For many
years previous it had been, with Clinton and half of Afton,
in one town organization, which held its town meetings in
Deacon Pritchard's large barn until the school house was
built, near by, when they were convened at that place.

It was one of the prairie towns, remote from woodland, and

consequently was not occupied by settlers until those sections
of the country which were better favored by timber had passed
out of the hands of the United States, and could not be pur-
chased at "government price." In 1847 and 1848 some of
the lands were first entered, and during the next five years it

was all taken up.

Among the first settlers were: Jeremiah Mulford, — first

post-master at Van Buren, and who named the post-office

after his favorite President, —
W. H. Keene, Aruna Beckwith,
James Grreen, Newton Stearns, Peleg Sweet, Jerome Baxter,
George N. Stratton, Simon Snydam, II. C. Beard, and W.
R. Prescott.
When the railroad was built, in 1851, there Avas a large
influx of new settlers. Many Irish and Germans purchased
lands, and a considerable colony of Norwegians soon moved
in. These are now among the most thriving and prosperous
of its townspeople. There is now no land in the town that is

not occupied by actual residents.

Ross Grove and Shabbona Grove furnish some of its people
with timber, but most of them own no woodland. They pur-
chase coal from Kewanee for fuel, and lumber from Michigan
for fencing and building. The Little Indian Creek waters
the township.
 TOWN OF VICTOR. 515

There is no village in the town, Leland, a thriving railroad

village in La Salle County, about one mile and a-half south
of the south line of the town, is the principal center for the
trade of its people, and for those conveniences and accommo-
dations which villages furnish.
The first school house in the place was built in 1850, by
Mr. Newton Stearns, on Section Eight, The school section
was sold in 1855.
In 1855 the population of Victor was 399; in 1860, 746 ;

in 1865, 835.
This town gave 103 soldiers to the w^ar of the rebellion, and
taxed itself $10,858 for war purposes.
Those who lost their lives in the service were : Ferdinand
Van Derveer, who died at Louisville, Kentucky, March 30,
1865; E. T. Pierce, at Alexandria, Virginia, April 23, 1861;
C. T. Bond, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1865;
C. 11. Snydam, at Alexandria, Virginia, January 26, 1862.

The Supervisors of Victor were For 1853, Benjamin

:

Darland 1854-55-50, Samuel Lord

; 1857, George N. ;

Stratton 1858-59-60, H. C. Beard 1861-62-63-64, J. S.

; ;

Van Derveer; 1865-66, 11. C. Beard; 1867-68, W. R.

Prescott.
 SOMONAUK.
The town of Somonauk for fen years past has contained a
larger population, and a larger amount of taxable wealth,
.than any other in the County. It occupies the southeastern

portion of the County. Its surface is rather level; it has a

good supply of timber, and is well Avatered by Somonauk
Creek, a handsome stream, which turns two mills.
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad runs diago-
tlie town, and upon it,
nally through the southern portion' of
four miles apart, but within the township, are the thriving
villages of Sandwich and Somonauk.
In this town the first white man's habitation built in the
County was erected. It was a small log house, built in the

spring of 1834, on the bank of Somonauk Creek, and was

used as a station house on the mail route between Chicago
and Galena, by way of John Dixon's ferry, which route was
started during this year.
first The house was abandoned in
the autumn, was used during the winter by one Robinson,
and next year was kept as a tavern by James Root. It was
afterwards occupied by John Easterbrooks, and subsequently
became the property of the Beveridge family.
In 1835, a number of families moved into the town, and
claimed the fine timber land upon the borders of the stream.
Among them were Dr. Arnold, Joseph Sly, Thomas Brookes,
and Simon Price.
In 1839, there were about thirty houses in the township.
Among them were two taverns, one kept by John and Henry
Lane, the other by Mr. Hummell. Robert Sterrett had a
mill erected this year; Mr. Easterbrooks kept the post-office

upon the Beveridge place; and among the householders upon

 TOWN OF SOMONAUK. AIT

the east of the creek Avere: Burrage Hough, Frank Dale,

Joseph Sly, Frederick Wilherspoon, Ilubbaril, Joseph, anJ
Thomas Latham, Harvey Joles, George S. Kerson, Captain
William Davis, Alvin Hyatt, David Merritt, and Francis
Divine. On the west of the creek were: Mr. Burchim, Owen
and Simon Price, Dr. Thomas Brooks, William Poplin, Con-
way B. Rhodes, Amos Harmon, and Messrs. Frisby, Dobbins,
Bliss, and Townsend.
The settlers were all poor. Their dwellings were nearly
all of logs, covered with shakes, and floored with puncheons.
Many of them Avere ill constructed, cold and comfortless.
This was a sickly season, and in many of the little cabins the
puncheon floor was at times covered with the beds of those
suffering from various illnesses, leaving hardly enough of well
persons to take proper care of the sick. The Avealthicst

among them hardly had a sufficiency of comfortable clothing.

Every body was shaking with ague, and the new comers, most
of whom were accustomed to the comforts and luxuries of life
in their eastern homes, felt that the hardships of frontier life

in the new settlements were severe indeed. Nothing that

they produced was saleable, except winter wheat, and although
they got fine crops of this cereal, it hardly paid the heavy
expense of drawing it to the Chicago markets, over sixty
miles of almost trackless prairie, and through the unbridged
streams.
The land sale in 1843, when this section of country came
in market, and when their farms must be paid for or lost,
. drained the township of nearly every dollar remaining, and
left the people poor indeed. Many a fine claim of timbered
land was given away to friends who were
able to "enter" it,
and most of the prairie land remained the property of the
government till about the year 1850. But the settlers main-
tained the kindliest feelings among each other, and aided one
another with a generosity that is now most gratefully remem-
bered.
They met for worship at the school houses, and their spirit-
518 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

ual necessities were ministered to by Father Abram Woolston,

a Methodist preacher, a good surveyor, and a shrewd man of
business, who boasted, as not the least of his many accom-
plishments, that he could kill and dress a four hundred pound
hog in fifty-seven minutes.
Father Lumrey, an Episcopal Methodist, was another favor-
ite preacher, and Joseph Sly's comfortable cabin was always
hospitably open to as many preachers as could make it con-
venient to stop with him.
David Merritt, the post-master at Freeland Corner, came
regularly to the meetings, bringing his mail in his hat; and
much shrewd financiering was often required to raise the
twenty-five cents in postage that was required to obtain the
letter from his custody.
In 1851 the railroad, — that great life-giving stimulant to
the impoverished West, — was built through the township, and
with the thunder of the iron horse came the advantages of a
market for produce at the doors of the producers, free access
for the population of the world to its fertile acres, and
the conversion of the rich waste into fertile and profitable
farms.
In a few months, every acre of land in the township was
taken up by settlers or speculators, and the population rapidly
increased. A railroad station Avas at once established at
Somonauk village, and for a year or more it was the only
station in the town.
THE VILLAGE OF SANDWICH.
In the fall of 1852, William Patten, Washington Walker,
and Lindsay Carr, farmers in the neighborhood of the present
thriving village of Sandwich, called a mass meeting of the
citizens of Newark, then a lively village six miles south, upon
which occasion a committee was chosen to petition the railroad
company to establish a station for their accommodation. At
this time, H. Furman made a census of the citizens
Mr. J.

who would probably use this station, and reported one hundred
and fifty at the south and fifty at the north of the railroad.
The company consented to stop trains when flagged. The
 TOWN OF SOMONAUK. 519

neighbors contrived to have every one who could raise the

necessary funds take a trip as frequently as possible; they
ran a carriage to Newark daily ; and, in a few months, they
succeeded in inducing a belief that it was a good point for
travel, and it was made a regular stopping place, with the
name of Newark Station.
Mr. Almon Gage, the first proprietor of the land upon
which the station was built, offered lots to all who would build
upon them; and A. R. Patten, James Clark and Myrlin Car-
penter availed themselves of the offer, and became the first
inhabitants of the village. James Clark built the first house,
—a large, rambling one-story structure, known as the Done-
gana House.
Numerous additions to the village were made in the follow-

ing year, and in 1855 a great impetus was given to the place
by the establishment of a manufactory of agricultural machin-
ery by Hon. Augustus Adams, Senator for this district. It
has since grown more rapidly in trade and population than
any other village in the County. In 1860 its population was
052, and it is now estimated at 1800. It has been several
times ravaged by destructive conflagrations, but has speedily
been rebuilt more substantially than before.
In 18G5, 300,000 bushels of wheat were shipped from this
station, and one grain dealer paid $450,000 for grain pur-
chased. The manufacture of agricultural machinery has
constantly increased, and in 1867 the original company was
merged into a stock association, with a capital of $75,000,
which has since been enlarged to $125,000. It employs
eighty men, and has proved very remunerative to the stock-
holders.
In 1856 a bank was established by Mr. M. B. Castle, which
is still and from an exchange business of fifty
in existence;

now grown into a large and flourish-

dollars the first year, has
ing institution. Mr. J. II. Carr opened the first store in the
place; Mr. G. W. Culver and Robert Patten the first lumber
yard.
520 IIISTOrtY OF DEKALB COUNTY.

In 1857, William L. Dempster started a weekly newspaper,

— The People s Press, —
which was discontinued six months
after. The Prairie Home, published in 1859, soon met the
same fate. The Sandwich News was subsequently issued
bi-monthly by James Iligbee, and afterwards made a weekly,
with J. II. Sedgwick as editor. He was succeeded by Mr.
James II. Furman, one of the first settlers and mo^t substan-
tial name of The Crazctte,
farmers of that town; and, under the
it is now the largest paper in the County.
The first church in the township was that of the United
Presbyterians, or Seceders, which was orgmizcd in 1844,
with nineteen members, and with Rev. R. W. French as pas-
tor. It now has two hundred and thirty-five communicants.
Their place of worship is at Freeland Corners. The first

church built at Sandwich was that of the Baptists, in 1853;

the second, the Methodist, in 1854; the third, the Presbyte-
rian, in 1855; the fourth, the Congregationalists, in 1864,
(they had previously worshipped in a small chapel) ; the fifth
and sixth, the German Lutheran and the German Methodist.
There are now fourteen church edifices in the township, in all
of which regular worship is maintained.
THE VILLAGE OF SOMONAUK.
The first proprietor of the land on which Somonauk village
is built Avas William Mitchell. He sold it in 1844 to Alvarus
Gage, who may be called the father of the villngc It was
the first railroad station established in the County, and,
although there had previously been a small collection of
houses there, the people flocked in so rapidly that many were
obliged to live in tents for the first few months of their stay.
Mr. Franklin Dale built the first store and the first grain
warehouse in the place. Mv. Hess built the next one.
It is now one of the most flourishing villages in the County,
and has had a rapid groAvth during the past few years. It

has nine large brick stores, in which are four dry goods estab-
lishments, two groceries, one hardware store, one drug store,
and one furniture warehouse. It also has a steam grist mill.
H;ONl ROBERT HAMPTON
OF PAWPAW.

.^'
 TOWN OF SOxMONAUK. 521

a broom factory, a brewery, a livery stable, three grain ware-

houses, a large agricultural warehouse, a hay pressing estab-
lishment, and two lumber yards.
It has seven churches. The Protestant Methodists built

the first church edifice, the Baptists the next; and to these

have been added the churches of the Presbyterians, German

Baptists, German Lutherans, the Catholics, and the Episcopal
Methodists.
The education of the children of the village is conducted in

a fine large edifice, divided into four departments, upon the

"graded" system.
The village has twice sufi"ered severely by fires, Avhich des-
troyed a large part of its business buildings ; but the energy
of its people triumphed over their misfortunes, and it was
never in a finer or more flourishing condition than at present.
The township of Somonauk contributed 311 men to the war
of the rebellion, and raised $27,843 by tax, to meet necessary
Avar expenses.

Ten days after the fall of Sumter, a company of Somonauk

soldiers, under Captain L. H. Carr, was guarding the import-
ant strategic point of Cairo. It was the first company raised
in the State, and probably the first in the Union, under the
first It was subsequently incorporated
cal^of the President.
in theTenth regiment. The gallant and honored Captain
Carr met his death from the bullet of a sharp-shooter, while
at the siege of Island No. Ten.
Frederick W. Partridge, a native of Vermont, a lawyer,
and in 1860 post-master of the place, was chosen Captain of
the next company raised in the town. It was made a part of
the Thirteenth Infantry, and with it he fought most gallantly
through its three years' term of service. He was an accom-
plished soldier, and a thorough disciplinarian. He Avas twice
wounded, rose to the command of the regiment, and was bre-
vetted Brigadier General; and upon his return, was elected
to the ofiice of Circuit Cl^rk and Recorder, — the best ofiice in

the gift of the Countv,

66
522 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

Hon. William Patten, a native of New York, has been one

of the leading men of Somonauk. He has served three terms
as member of the State Legislature, and is now Senator of
this district. He raised and commanded a company in the
One Hundred and Fifty-Sixth Infantry, during the great
war, and has ever been promintnt in every good word and
work. Hons. AV. W. Sedgwick, Augustus Adams, S. B.
Stinson, W. L. Simmons, M. B. Castle, and the Culver bro-
thers, should also be mentioned as prominent among those
numerous high toned and honorable men whose intelligence
and well-directed energies have contributed to the prosperity
of the place, and of whom it may be said that the town has
honored itself by placing them forward as its representative
men.
Colonel Isaac and Captain Karl Rutishauser, of Somonauk,
soldiers in their native Poland, did gallant service also in the
war for the preservation of the Union.
One of the most respected families of Somonauk is that of
Mr. George Beveridge, who moved to the place from Wash-
ington County, New York, in 1844. The family are of
Scotch descent, — sturdy Presbyterians in religious, and
strongly anti-slavery in political faith.

In 1852, a gentlemanly stranger begged shelter^'l^r the

night at this house.Something led the family to suspect
that he was a detective, searching for evidence of their con-
nection with the crime of aiding slaves to their freedom.
Finally, seeking an opportunity of privacy, he asked directly
of the venerable mother if she had not at times secreted fugi-
tive negroes. "Y^es," said she; "and in spite of your op-
pressive laws, I will do it again whenever I have an oppor-
tunity." Instead of immediately arresting her, as she had
expected, the stranger laughed. He was an eminent physi-
cian of Quincy, engaged in establishing stations on the under-
ground railroad; and during many subsequent years, there
was a frequent stoppage of trains at this station, and much
time and money was spent in forwarding the flying negroes
 TOWN OF SOMONAUK. 523

on to the Stewards, at Piano, and to other places of refuge.

Three sons of the family have attained distinction. General
John L. Beveridge, a lawyer of Sycamore, and subsequently
of Chicago, served as Major of the Eighth Cavalry and
Colonel of the Seventeenth, and as Brigadier General in
command in Missouri. He is now sheriff of Cook County.
Hon. James H. Beveridge, a merchant at Freeland, was
elected in 1852 to the office of Circuit Clerk and Recorder,
which he filled most acceptably for eight years and in 1864 ;

he was made State Treasurer. Andrew M. Beveridge has

attained distinction as an eloquent divine.
The Supervisors of Somonauk have been: For 1850-51-
52-53, Lyman Bacon 1854-55, William Patten 185G-57,
; ;

J. n. Furman; 1858, William Patten; 1859, Hubbard La-

tham 1860, William Patten 1861, C. Winne 1862, J. H.

; ; ;

Furman; 1863, E. W. Lewis; 1864, William Patten; 1865,

W. W. Sedgwick ; 1866-67-68, W. L. Simmons.
The village of Sandwich was incorporated in 1859, and as
Presidents of the Board of Trustees the following men have
represented its interests upon the Board of Supervisors: In
1860, Washington Walker ; 1861, George W. Culver 1862, ;

Washington Walker 1863, Perley Stone 1864, W. L. Sim-

; ;

mons :i^65, J. H. Carr; 1866, George W. Culver; 1867-

;

68, W. W. Sedgwick.
The Somonauk was incorporated in 1866. Wil-
village of
liam Brown and William Heun have represented it upon the
Board of Supervisors.
The assessed valuation of the property of the township is

$604,588.
 SHABBONA.
Shabbona's Grove, twenty-five years ago, was one of the
finest bodies of timber in the State, containing about fifteen
hundred heavy Avhite, burr and black
acres, well covered with
oaks, and black walnut. It is situated on the Big Indian
Creek, and is named after an old Pottawattamie chief,
Shabbona, —who at that time, with his tribe, lived at the
north end of the grove, where his headquarters, a large, long
lof^ house, now stand in a good state of preservation. It was
surrounded by an immense tract of high, rolling prairie, well

watered and well drained,— towards the east and south by the
Somonauk, Little Indian and Big Indian Creeks, into Fox
River, and towards the north by its tributaries into the Kish-

waukee. All this country, — now comprised in the towns of

Shabbona and Clinton, — was then called Shabbona's Grove.

On account of the excellence of the land, its dry and healthy

location, and the quality of the timber in thegrove, it was
very attractive to the early emigrants; and the settlement
increased and flourished, outstripping other localities more
conveniently situated.
After the railroads were built, — which, preferring on ac-
count of speculation the wide, unsettled prairies, were located
on either side of our dividing ridge, —
emigration tended
towards either line of road, emigrants preferring convenience
to market, and cheaper lands to this naturally more desirable
location.
Eio-hteen years ago, almost every resident of Chicago could
tell you where Shabbona's Grove was, and all about it; now,
scarcely a citizen knows that there is such a place on the face
of the earth.
 HISTORY OF bEKALB COUNTY. 525

In another chapter will be found a brief history of the

honest and kindly old chief who has given name to this grove

and this town,and whose manly and generous treatment of

the whites entitles him to lasting remembrance; and also of
his band of Indians, who, within the memory of men yet
young, were living here in patriarchal style, — these groves
their towns, and these vast prairies their fields; the one fur-
nishing them shelter and fuel, the other food from the chase.
In the treaty made at Prairie DuChien, in 1829, — by which
the Pottawattomies ceded this section of country to the United
States, — two sections of land at this grove were made a reser-
vation to Shabeney. In another treaty, made at Tippecanoe,
Indiana, in October, 1832, these lands were again reserved
to Shabonier, — a French method of spelling the same name.
In a third treaty, made in September, 1833, it is provided
that these lands reserved shall be grants in fee simple, which
might be sold and conveyed by the recipient, — a privilege
which he had not before possessed; but in the following year
this provision of the treaty was rejected by the Senate, leaving
them, as before, simple reservations.
This fact becomes important, as explaining the difficulty in
the titles to these lands, which has caused a vast deal of per-
plexity and loss to those of the white settlers whose title to

the grove came through the old chief.

In 1845 Old Shabbona, ignorant of the repeal of that pro-
vision of the treaty which gave him a right to sell his land,

sold to Azell A. Grates and Orrin Gates his entire reservation.

This was speedily divided into tracts, and re-sold by the Gates
to the inhabitants of the adjoining prairies.
But three years later, these purchasers were astonished at
finding that these lands were oifered for sale by the United
States government, as were the adjoining prairies. An in-

vestigation, made through Hon. John Wentworth, then

member of Congress for this district, disclosed the fact that
the deed of Shabbona to the Gates was void ; and that the
government held that, as Shabbona, by transferring and giv-
526 TOWN OF SHABBOIJA.

ing up possession, had forfeited the use of the reservation, it

was competent for the government to sell it as other public
lands in this department were sold.
Nothing remained for the purchasers to do but to purchase
the lands again of government. But they were now worth
twenty, — perhaps forty, times the government entry price,
and was supposed that upon their being offered at auction
it

the price would be raised by speculators to rates which they

could not afford to pay. To provide for this emergency, the

purchasers met in council, selected William Marks and Reu-

ben Allen, two of their most respected fellow-townsmen, to
bid in the land at the minimum rate of $1.25 an acre, and,
arming themselves with clubs and pistols, they went, an army
of one hundred and fifty determined men, fully resolved to

prevent (by force if necessary) all others from bidding upon

the lands.
Arrived at Dixon, they found a number of men prepared
to purchase their lands, and they arranged to seize any such
bidder, and drown him in Rock River. Their resolute aspect
overawed all opposition, and they secured their lands at the
minimum rate.
They had almost forgotten their difficulties with their titles

when, in 1864, they were again alarmed by notice from a

lawyer of Chicago that he was about to proceed to secure the
title to the lands for the heirs of Shabbona, upon the ground
that the government had wrongfully dispossessed him, that
he had not forfeited his use of the reservation, that his heirs
still held title to the property, and that it was made a grant
in fee simple, by an act of Congress passed as late as March
9th, 1848.
The owners of these lands now placed the matter in charge
of Mr. C. W. Marsh, who visited Washington, and made a
thorough examination of the question of title; and from his
elaborate report, made to a meeting of settlers upon his re-
turn, the foregoing facts are obtained.
Following this ventilation of the subject, the attempt of the
 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY. 527

Chicago lawyer to force the purchasers to pay a third time

for their lands was abandoned; but the question of the secur-
ity of the title is one upon which lawyers still disagree.

Shabbona and his twenty or thirty immediate descendants

occasionally returned, and lived at intervals upon his reserva-
tion, but did not make a permanent residence there till 1844.
New-Year's Day of 1836 was celebrated at Shabbona
Grove by the erection of the first white man's dwelling at
this place. Mr. Edmund Town and David Smith, the first
white inhabitants, who had lived for a few weeks in the wig-
wams which the Indians had abandoned for awhile, assisted
by Mr. Russell Town, the first resident of PawPaw Grove,
rolled up the logs, and speedily enclosed a dwelling, celebrat-
ing the event with some bottles of liquor, which the Indians
had left hidden in a tree near by.
In the following year came Messrs. "William, Lewis, and
Colman Olmstead, Darius Horton, William Lyman, and Jef-
ferson Sturtevant,who made extended claims and erected for
themselves comfortable log dwellings and stables. The In-
dians, when not abroad upon their rovirg excursions, lived
by their side in perfect peace and good fellowship. The
children of the white families were numerous, and in 1842
two school houses were built at the grove for their instruction.
In 1845, the population had been increased by the immi-
gration of the families of Mr. June Baxter, William Marks,
Peter Miller, and William White. They were an honest and
law-abiding population, and struggled courageously with the
poverty and many hardships which were common to all the
inhabitants at this early day. The deer in the neighboring
groves and prairies furnished them with a considerable supply
of venison, and from their skins they made durable garments.
Prairie fowls, which were then vastly more numerous than
now, together with sand-hill cranes, swans, ducks, and geese,
contributed liberally to the supply of their tables. The In-
dians living near them baked these fowls in the ashes, or
boiled them in their kettles, with entrails, claws and feathers;
528 TOWN OF SHABBONA.

then, tearing them in pieces, devoured them like beasts. The

sight of Sibiqua, Shabbona's pretty daughter, and the belle
of the settlement, engaged in this kind of a repast, destroyed
all the charms of her personal beauty, and it is not strange
that the current report, that Shabbona would give a bushel
of dollars to any good white man who would marry her, should
not overcome their repugnance to a bride with such personal
habits; but Jieaubien, a Frenchman near Chicago, married
one of the daughters, and to her home Shabbona made annual

journeys.
In 1847, Shabbona returned from a journey to Washington,
elegantly dressed, but sad and discouraged. He had sold
and lost his home, and the soil in which the bones of his fathers

were interred had become the property of strangers. Their

burial place may yet be seen where they hollowed out shallow
graves, covering the bodies with earth and poles, bound down
to prevent the ravages of the wolves. Shabbona Grove is
the natural center for the trade of a large extent of fertile
country, and would, undoubtedly, have been a prominent village
but that the railroads were built some fifteen miles north and
south of it, and drew population in that direction. But, the
railroads, — 1851 and 1853, gave value to the lands,
built in
and raised the people from the poverty which had hitherto
The prairie lands were all entered
repressed their energies.
and enclosed as farmsand there is now no section of the
;

County more handsomely improved, or betokening a more

substantial and comfortable condition of its farming popula-
tion than the township of Shabbona. There is a small vil-
lage at the south end of the grove with two churches, three
stores, two tavern, the usual shops, and a handsome Masonic
hall, which was built in 1862. The Lodge of Masons was
organized in 1862 with M. V. Allen as W. M. ; G. M. Alex-
ander, S. W. ; L. Marks, J. W. ; T. S. Terry, Secretary
W. Marks, Jr., S. D.; A. S. Jackson, J. D.; Isaac Morse,
Tyler. It has now fifty-four members.
Shabbona furnished one hundred and thirty-seven men for
 TOWN OF SHAEBONA. 529

the great war, and raised $12,291 for war expenses. A large
number of thefse went under the gallant Captain Gr. W. Kil-
and Captain Thomas S. Terry of the
lett in the }^'ifty-eighth,

One Hundred and Fifth. Captain Terry was for many years
a prominent citizen of the town. He was its Supervisor for
three years, and represented the County in the Legislature in

1860. He died in the service at Northville, February 15th,

1863. Captain Marvin V. Allen, who succeeded him, lost an
arm in the service. Upon his return he was elected to the
responsible office of County Superintendent of schools. Ser-
geant Thomas E. Taylor, of the same company, a native of
Scotland, lost his life in the service at the age of forty-one.
D. W. Jackson, of the same company, a native of Sche-
nectady, New York, gave his life to his country at Bowling
Green, Kentucky, at the age of twenty.
Sergeant J. M. Dobbin, of Company E, Thirteenth Infan-
try, a native of Washington County, New York, died of
wounds received at the assault on Vicksburg, December 28th,
1862, aged thirty-eight.
Sergeant George C. Harper served most honorably for
three years in the One Hundred and Fifth, and subsequently
lost his life at Fort Harper while in the Seventh Regulars;
aged twenty-three.
John McFarland, of Company E, One Hundred and Fifth
Infantry, a native ofCayuga County, New York, died at
Frankfort, Kentucky, October 26th, 1862, aged forty-three.
Henry Davis, of the Tenth Infantry, a native of Chataqua
County, New York, died at St. Louis, May 5th, 1862, at
twenty-one years of age. Oliver Pattee, of Company H,
Fifty-second Infantry, a native of Grafton, New Hampshire,
December 20th 1861. Lyman Kilbourn,
died at St. Joseph,
of Company E, One Hundred and Fifth, a native of Kane
County, Illinois, died at Resaca, Georgia, April 16th, 1862,
aged twenty-four.
Corporal Philip Howe, of Company E, One Hundred and
Fifth, died of wounds received at Resaca, Georgia, May 9th,
1864, aged twenty-seven.
530 HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.

Sergeant W. E. Grover, of Company E, One Hundred and

Fifth, a native of New Gloucester, Maine, was killed at Dal-
las, Georgia, while bearing off a wounded comrade from the
skirmishline. His age was forty years.
In 1855 the population of Shabbona was 966 ; in 1860,
963; in 1865, 1165.
Her Supervisors have been, for 1850, William Marks;
1851 and '52, Isaac T. Comstock ; 1853, '54, '55 and '56,
Thomas S. Terry ; 1857, Harvey E. Allen ; 1858, '59 and
60, D. D. Stevens ; 1861, David Norton ; 1862 and '63, P.
V. Quilhot; 1864, '65, '66, '67 and '68, Frederick Ball.

(The following was accidentally omitted from its place, for the body
of the work.)
From tlie history of the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry Volunteers.

ROSTER OF OFFICERS.
Colonels, John B. Wyman, Adam B. Goreas.
Lieutenant-Colonels, B. F. Parks, A. B. Gorgas. F. W. Partridge.
Majors, F. W. Partridge. D. R. Bushnell, J. M. IBeardsley.

COMPANY E, OF SAKDWICH.
Captains, F. W. Partridge, A. .1. Brinkerhoff, George H. Carpenter.
First Lieutenants, A. J. Brinkerhoff, George E. DevoU, G. H. Cirpenter,
William Wallace.
Second Lieutenants, George H. Devoll, H. T.Porter, George H. Carpen-
ter, William Wallace, B. F. Gifford.

COMPANY F, OF SYCAMORE.
Captains, Z. B. Mayo, E. F. Button, R. A. Smith, A. A. Buck.
First Lieutenants, E. F. Dutton, R. A. Smith, A. A. Buck, Theodore
Loring.
Second Lieutenants, R. A. Smith, A. A. Buck, Theodore Loring.
(The following sketch should have appeared in the Historj'' of Malta :)
Among those from Malta who gave their lives in defence of their
country, was Orderly Sergeant Edward Bridge, an intelligent, exem-
plary and patriotic young soldier of Company B, Fiftj^-fifth Illinois.
He was severely wounded at Shiloli, but recovered and lived to fight
the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Haines' Bluff, Cham-
pion Hills, Black River, Vicksburg and Jackson, winning the highest
commendation in his relation as a soldier and as a man, but he died of
pneumonia at Larkinsville, Alabama, January 11th, 1864. Aged 21.
a'"