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Jefferson County Illinois |
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Jefferson County Illinois |
The Prairie Historian September 1972 Volume 2 Number 3 Submitted By: Abby Newell 5newells@teltech.net |
CAVALRY On this continent, the war between the States was the hey day of the Cavalry mount. The Federal Cavalry was poorly equiped and most recruits had never been on a horse. Green horses and greener recruits could lead to nothing more than a rattling, jingling, and scrambling mess. Grinning rebels, born to the saddle, with their breeding farms and magnificent strings of horses of noble blood, were resourceful scouts, and daring, dashing raiders. He could fire at a break-neck cross country gallop; in short, he was at home on a horse. Generals and other high ranking officers skimmed the cream of the plantation's stock of breeding farms, and splendid chargers entered the horses hall of fame. Lee's Traveler, Grant's Cincinnati, Sheridan's Winchester, Hampton's Butler, and Jeb Stewart's string of big hunters. During eight months in 1864, the Union horse losses reacherd 500 a day. After a raid the roads were lined with dying horses, and soon the air was burdened with the stench of dead horses, Federal and Confederate. Raids into enemy territory brought in some mounts, but that was a game both sides could play. The trooper was to groom and rub down his mount, clean wounds and saddle sores, clean his hoofs, water and feed it. If no feed was provided, he was to forage for it, before he thought of his own hunger. If the horse could speak, he would have said, "In this war, like any other, I will do my best, without hope of war cross, content to serve my country and you, and if need be I will die, calm and dignified on the battle-field." Selected from "Clash of Cavalry" by Downey. THE SEPTEMBER MEETING WILL BE AT MILLIE'S CAFE AT 7:30 PM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1972. Mr. Raymond Crocker will make a short talk about the Old Soldiers he knew as a boy. Each one present will then be encouraged to share their own Civil War history, so bring your relics and stories. Long Prairie will be featured in the December Prairie Historian, so send any Long Prairie history you may have to the editors. We wish to thank the Business Education Department of Waltonville High School for re- producing this issue of the Prairie Historian. Tid-bits of history, like nuggets of fine gold, are where you find them it seems. Note the following item taken from a little booklet called "A Treasure Guide Including 101 Treasure Sites," that came with a small treasure finder Buddy Dare (the young son of Herbert and Barbara Dare of McClellan Township) got for his birthday. On page 45 was the following paragraph: "Robbers Loot Illinois Towns: Rob Post Office, Residences, Stores, and Escape with Rich Booty. These were the headlines appearing throughout the country on December 18, 1906, which originated from Mt. Vernon, Illinois. It continued: The village of Waltonville was raided by burglars last night. They robbed the Post Office, several stores, and several residences. Mail, stamps, hard- ware, provisions, cash and jewelery were carried away. A Deputy Sheriff and possee are after the outlaws with dogs." CONTENTS Page 1. Contents 2. How Sam Fairchild came home from the War 3. Copperheads and Patriots 4. The 49th Infantry 5. Company K 6. The Itinerary of a Civil War Soldier 7-8-9-10-11-12-12-14 Roster of Veterans Steve Place Post of G.A.R. 15. The Gathering of The Old Soldiers 16. Picture of Veterans at Josiah Willis' 74th Birthday Celebration HOW SAMUEL FAIRCHILD CAME HOME FROM THE WAR Samuel A., son of Amos and Hannah Fairchild, was a blacksmith by trade, but he often bought up cattle and drove them to St. Louis, buying trade goods with the proceeds and bringing it back to Knob Prairie where he sold or bartered it to the settlers who were in dire need of such items as needles, knives, axes, hoes, kettles, powder, lead, and a multitute of other articles which they themselves could not produce. Family legend says that in the winter of 1843, while trying to drive a herd of cattle across the Mississippi River on the ice, his horse slipped and fell on him breaking his leg. He was taken to a nearby farmstead. The home of a family named Bothic. A maiden neice, Mary Jane Bothic, lived with them. Her father had once been a properous farmer in the St. Louis area, but the rapidly growing city overran his farm and he had to move away. He had not lived very long afterwards and Mary Jane had gone to live with her uncle and aunt on the Illinois side of the river. To Mary Jane fell the job of taking care of Sam, and they evidently fell deeply in love, for he made two or three more trips back over there to see her after he got up and around, and the day after Christmas in 1844, they were married by a Justice of the Peace named W. W. O'Melvaney and Sam brought his city bred bride back to the little back woods community of Knob Prairie to live. The marriage is recorded in the court house in Waterloo, county seat Monroe County, Illinois. And there they lived happily ever after, that is until the Civil War came along, and during that time they were blessed with six children; Luticia born 1849, Sarah born 1851, Lucy born 1854, Annalee born 1856, Lee born 1858, and William born 1861. In August 1861, while living in Mill Town, Sam enlisted in Company D of 110th Illinois Infantry Regiment, then being made up of Jefferson, Wayne, Hamilton, Saline, Franklin, Perry, and Williamson County men. It was mustered in at Anna on September 11, 1862 and Sam began his term of active duty. Although terribly understaffed, the Regiment saw service at Louisville, Perry- ville, Central Kentucky, Stone River, and Woodbury. In May 1863, it was consolidated into one battalion and Sam was transferred to Company A. As a special batallion connected to the 21st Corp it saw action at Chicamauga, Missoionary Ridge, Atlanta, and Sherman's march to the sea. It was mustered out as a unit June 15, 1865. Mary Jane kept the home fire burning while Sam was off serving his country until one day in January 1864 when she saddled a horse and rode from Mill Town to Ashley to pick up the mail. There she found a message telling that Sam lay severly wounded in a Military hospital in Nash- ville, Tenn. Determined to go to him as quickley as possible she sent word home for someone to take care of the children, borrowed some garments from the Postmaster's wife, so she could wash one and wear one, and lit out for Nashville. When she got there, she found that she had to walk two miles through the severe winter weather in order to get to the hospital. Even then they would not let her in. While arguing with the attendants she came within earshot of Sam and he put up such a howl that she was admitted to his bedside. With a lot of pleading she finally persuaded those in charge to allow her to stay and nurse him. The rest of the story is contained in the following letter from the Surgeon in Charge of the 19th General Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. There is one error, however, as he lists the date as 1863. War records and a letter from the Captain of A. Company shows it as 1864, so the busy Surgeon probably hadn't gotten used to writing the new year yet. General Hospital Number 19 Nashville, Tenn. Feb. 19, 1863 Commanding Officer 110th Ill. Sir: It is my painful duty to inform you of the death of Samuel A. Fairchild of your regiment. His Company is not known, which accounts for my not imforming his Captain direct. He died of the debility - Sig: Gun shot would in right thigh - flesh and a very bad case of typhoid fever. His wife was with him to the last, and she is taking his death so hard, the physicians of the hospital contributed enough money to send his body home. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, John Shrady, Surgeon, 2nd East Tennessee Infantry in charge of No. 19. Note: In 1971, Mrs. Myrtle Webb, 88 years old, had a monument placed at her grandmother, Mary Jane Fairchild's unmarked grave. Myrtle died shortly therafter. COPPERHEADS AND PATRIOTS During the early part of the Civil War, Jefferson County was a den of copperheads, (people who lacked the courage to go and fight for the Confederacy, but instead tried to disrupt the orderliness of society from the safety of their own homes, sometimes even harassing the wives of the men in service.) For many months, it is said, they wouldn't allow the Union flag to be flown over the courthouse. One day, Aunt Emily (Place) Hirons rode haughtily around the square holding the Union flag aloft, then mounted the courthouse steps, disdainful of the treasonous loafers gathered there, (some say she was alone, others say more women from Knob Prairie were with her) and ran Old Glory to the top of the mast and it stayed there. In spite of the number of people who were disloyal to the union, a very impressive number of soldiers from this area went to serve the union. And after the war even more came here until there were more veterans in the Williamsburg, Winfield area than any other rural area of com- parable size in southern Illinois. One day several years ago Raymond Crocker and the late John W. Allen of Legend and Lore fame were discussing the ceremonies put on by the Grand Army Of The Republic when they were boys and got into a friendly dispute about the number of veterans in different places. Raymond con- tending that more were in southwestern part of Jefferson County, while Mr. Allen proclaimed that an area around Dale, Illinois was the most populous. Finally, after a lot of reminiscing, count- ing, and figuring, Mr. Allen conceded that Raymond was right, so there is a little doubt that the area of the Prairie Historians had more Civil War veterans per square mile than any other rural area its size for many miles around. A great many soldiers from this area were in the 49th Infantry Regiment of Illinois Volunteers and Perrin's History has this to say about it. THE FORTY-NINTH INFANTRY Company K was from this county and its commissioned officers wer as follows: Benjamin F. Wood, Captain; Joseph Laur, First Lieutenant, and James G. Gilbert, Second Lt. Captain Wood resigned June 10, 1862; Lt. Laur was promoted to Capt. in his stead, and mustered out with the Regiment Sept. 9, 1865. Upon the promotion of Lt. Laur, Second Lt. James Lemmon became first Lt. HIs term expired January 9, 1865, and Lt. Jonathan Foster was promoted in his stead. Lt. Gilbert resigned March 5, 1862, and James Lemmon was promoted to the vacancy, and afterward to First Lt. Edward Barbee became the second Lt. upon the promotion of Lt. Lemmon, he resigned July 5, 1865, and Jonathan Foster was promoted to fill the vacancy. Foster was promoted to First Lt., when John S. Brooks became Second Lt., and as such was mustered out with the Regiment. The 49th Infantry, Col. William R. Morrison commanding was organized at Camp Butler Dec. 31, 1861, and mustered into the United States Service. On the 3rd of February, 1862, it was ordered to Cairo, Ilinois and on the 8th it moved to Fort Henry where it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade of McClerands Division. It moved to Fort Donelson on the 11th, and participated in that battle. Losing 14 men killed and 37 wounded. Amoung the wounded was Col. Morrison, who commanded the brigade to which the 49th belonged. The Regiment remained at Fort Donelson until the 4th of March, when the army was put in motion, and on the 6th the 49th, with other troops embarked for Pittsburgh Landing. It bore an active part in the Battle of Shiloh April 6 & 7, and lost in the 2 engagements 17 killed and 99 wounded. Amoung the wounded in the engagement were Lt. Col. Pease, commanding the Regiment, and Major Bishop. It was engaged in the seige of Corinth, and on the 4th of June it moved to Bethel, where it was assigned to the division of Gen. John A. Lagan, district of Jackson, Maj. Gen. McClernand commanding. On the ?th of March, 1863, the regiment moved from Bethel to Grand Junction and from thence to Germantown, and on the 12th to White Station, where it was assigned to the 4th Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, Col. Sandord commanding the Brigade, Gen. Smith the division, and Gen. Hurlbut the corps. It was ordered to Helena, Ark., August 21 to join Gen. Steels expedition against Little Rock. September 2, it joined the army at Brownsville, Ark., and on the 10th participated in the capture of Little Rock. From here it pro- ceeded to Duvals Bluff, and from thence it returned to Memphis, where it arrived on the 21st of November. On the 15th of January 1864, about 3/4 of the regiment reenlisted, and were mustered as veterans, and were assigned to the 3rd Brigade, Col. Wolf commanding, Third Division, Gen. Smith, and the 16th Army Corps. It remained on active duty, was with Gen. Sherman on the Meridian campaign, was assigned to the Red River expedition and served in Louisiana until June 24, when it was ordered home on veteran furlough. The non-veterans remained in the field, commanded by Capt. Lagan, and participated in the battle of tupelo July 14 and 15 while their comrades were at home enjoying themselves. At the expiration of their furlough, the veterans redezvoused at Centralia, and proceeded to Cairo, and from there to Memphis and Holly Springs, where they joined the command. August 12 they participated in the Oxford expedition, and on the 30th of September embarked for Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and proceeded to Franklin. They drove the enemy from that place, and with the main army went in pursuit of Gen. Price, after which the 49th returned to St. Louis on the 18th of November. From St. Louis they were ordered to Nashville, Tenn. where they arrived December 1, and took part in that bloody battle on the 15th & 16th. It was ordered to Paducah, Ky., on the 24th of December where they remained on garrison duty until Sept. 9, 1865 when they were paid off and discharged. COMPANY "K" FORTY-NINTH INFANTRY ILL. VOLS. Information furnished by Mrs. Audrey (Roberts) Merriman. Copied from "Report of The Adjutant General Vol. 3 Page 517" Fort Donelson, Tenn. NAME & RANK RESIDENCE DATE OF DATE OF REMARKS ENLISTMENT MUSTER James Lemmon 1st Sgt. Jeff. Co. 10-19-61 12-30-61 Promoted to 2nd Lt Jonathan Foster Sgt. " " " Re-en as Vet. Luther Place Sgt. " " " Disch. 9-28-62 Thomas B. Philp Sgt. " " " Disch. 8-26-62 Wm. H. Williamson Cpl. " " " Disch. 11-24-62 Henry Risley Cpl. " " " Re-en as Vet. James Casady Cpl. " " " Killed at Fort Donelson 2-15-62 Daniel Barber Cpl. " " " Killed at Fort Donelson 2-15-62 James M. Phillips Cpl. Frank Co. " " Died Shiloh 4/7/62 George W. Brooks, Music Jeff. Co. " " Disch. 7/22/62 George Melton, Music " " " Disch. 1/8/65 Charles Grazier, Wagoner " " " Died Germantown Tenn. 7/10/63 John Adams, Pvt. " " " Disch. 12/6/63 Wm. M. Boswell, Pvt. " " " Re-en. as Vet. Henry Benefield, Pvt. " " " Disch. 11/21/62 Wm. H. Brooks, Pvt. " " " Died 5/9/62 Thomas Barbee, Pvt. " " " Disch. 5/30/62 Robert M. Brooks, Pvt. " " " Disch. 7/22/62 Thomas Buffington, Pvt. " " " Died 5/7/62 Wm. P. Blake, Pvt. " " " Re-en. as Vet. Lloyd W. Buffington, Pvt. " " " " " " Jasper Brady, Pvt. " " " " " " Clarkton James, Pvt. " " " Died 3/10/62 Martin D. Campbell, Pvt. " " " " " Harvey J. Davis, Pvt. " " " Re-en as Vet. Geo. E. Dillingham, Pvt. " " " Hosp. Setward Mattison Dobbs, Pvt. " " " Re-en. as Vet. Jacob Dodson, Pvt. " " " " " Wm. Fowler, Pvt. " " " Died 5/6/62 Louisv Wm. H. Fry, Pvt. " " " Disch. 3/1/62 Andrew Goddard, Pvt. " " " Re-en. as Vet Joseph Gerrard, Pvt. " " " Died 6/8/62 Monterrey, Tenn Isaac Hall, Pvt. " " " Re-en as Vet. John Hurst, Pvt. " " " Disch. 3/6/62 Isaih Johnson, Pvt. " " " Re-en. as Vet. Samuel Jones, Pvt. Frank Co. " " Died 6/8/62 Beth. T John Laird, Pvt. Jeff Co. " " Disch. 8/6/62 Wm. Lilly Pvt. " " " Disch. 1/17/62 Marcus Mitchell, Pvt. " " " Died 12/29/61 Camp Butler, IL Michael Malloy, Pvt. " " " Died 3/22/62 Mound City, IL Isaac Place, Pvt. " " " Re-en. as Vet. THE ITINERARY OF A CIVIL WAR SOLDIER Dryden, Illinois November 25, 1888 A. A. & N. C. Denton Reedes, Mo. This is a beautiful morning and I will try to write a little. This leaves all well as common. Hope you are enjoying life. You said you wanted my travels from 62 to 65. I will do the best I can. Enlisted March 21, 1862. Place, Barboursville, Knox County, Kentucky, Co. "H", 5th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry. First marched south into Tennessee and through Big Creek Gap, captured some of our neighbors. Northeast to Cumberland Gap July 4, 1862. August, back to Big Creek Gap. Sept. 2, to Camp Morgan, Va. Another little fight with Pete's Company. Captured a few more. Sept. 17, retreated to Ohio, up the river to Galipolis. December down the river to Louisville, Kentucky, thence to Nashville, Tenn; then three day after Wheeler. Got about 200 of his men. January 63, to Murfreesboro, soon put in small pox pest camp. April 2, started to Carthage. A sharp little battle at Snow Hill the 5th. Got to Carthage. Raided over that country until 5th of Sept. Started for Chattanooga on a force march. Crossed the river at Battle Creek. Marched all night. Early in the morning went into the battle of the 19th & 20th of September in 63. Two days hard fighting and not a bite to eat. Longstreet defeated us in two days. Then up the north side of the river to head off Wheller at Cottonport, then Knoxville. Some little spat at Campbell's Station. About 60 Johnnies gobbled. (This was January 64). Passed on to Strawberry Plains, then to Mossy Creek, and Buffalo,; a few more prisoners. Back to Louden April in 64, started south at Red Clay on the 9th, reorganized and struck Buzzard Roost, but whipped too quick, then through Tunnel Hill to Snake Gap, to Reseacca. Went into battle at 11:00 am and was releived at 4:00 pm. Each man that lived to get out got in 200 shots each. Our regiment lost 168 men in ten minutes in the charge. Another two days and no grub. Went back to eat a snack, before we were half done; ordered four miles on double quick. Got there in time to save the battle, but no rest, went right on and waded the river. As to the prisoners, I can't tell the number, for they passed back to the provost guard and we went on fighting every day up to July 12th. Will only name the places, Good Hope Church, swung around Maryetta through Vine Station east of the railroad 8 miles, crossed the river and went out in sight of Atlanta on the 12th of July. Was sent back to Maryetta to do duty. Stayed there until November 8, the day of Lincoln's last election. Left for Nashville, Tenn., then for Columbus. Fought there 3 days then fell back to Franklin. Oh My! The hardest battle for nothing to be said about it that was fought. (Franklin was on the 20th of November 1864) 3,800 Rebs killed in 20 minutes and we lost 300 the first time they charged on us, but our forces were too light and we fell back to Nashville. On the 15th of December 64 we marched out on them, and it was hot for 2 days, but Hood started south. We followed on the same road to Columbus, then the 4th Corps went to Florence, Ala. We went to Clifton on the Tennessee River. Jan. 16, 1865 boarded steamer for Paducah, then Cincinnati, Louisville and to Nashville on March 28, 1865. Mustered out and got transporation on 19th and 20th. Crossed the McMinn Bridge and viewed Meigs County, my home. Yours, R. J. D. W. Allen Muster Roll of Members of Steven Place Post No. 581, located at Laur, Department of Illinois Grant Army of the Republic. June 28, 1886 ENTRY INTO SERV. FINAL DISCHARGE LENGTH CAUSE OF NO. NAME AGE BIRTHPLACE RESIDENCE OCCP DATE RANK CO. REG. OR SHP DATE RANK CO. REG. OR SHP SERV. IN MO. DISCHARGE 1 James Lemmon 49 England Laur Farmer 10-61 1st LT K 49 Ill. 1-65 1st Lt. K. 49 Ill. 39 Exp. of Serv. 2 Joseph Hamlin 39 Illinois Laur Farmer 9-60 Pvt. F 32 Ill. 10-65 P 1st F 32 Ill. 12 End of War 3 J. C. Gilliland 53 Mo. Tamaroa Minister4-61 1st Pvt B 31 Ill. 2-62 Lt B 31 Ill. 10 Disability 4 Robt (T)(J) Wright 40 Ky Laur Farmer 8-61 P B 66 Ill. 1-66 P B 66 Ill. 51 End of War 5 Frank M. Boldwin 39 Ind. Laur Farmer 3-65 P C 6 Ill. Cav 11-65 P C 6 Ill. Cav. 8 End of War 6 Isaac W. Robinson 41 Ill. Laur Druggist3-64 P F 44 Ill. 9-65 P F 44 Ill. 18 End of War 7 Joseph Johnson Laur Farmer P 35 8 A. J. McConnaughey 54 Ohio Laur Farmer 10-64 P G 32 Ill. 6-65 P G 32 Ill. 9 End of War 9 Wm. H. Jumper 44 Ill. Laur Farmer 9-62 P D 101 Ill. 6-65 P D 101 Ill. 33 End of War 10 A. . Shurtz 52 N. J. Ashley Farmer 10-64 P G 32 Ill. 6-65 P G 32 Ill. 8 End of War 11 Samuel G. Gilbert 54 Ill Laur Farmer P G 49 Ill. 12 O. P. Norris 42 Ky Laur Dr. 10-64 P K 32 Ill. 9-65 P K 32 Ill. 12 End of War 13 H. C. Foreman Farmer 1 Lt. G 53 Ohio 8-65 1 Lt. G 53 Ohio End of War 14 Elias Loman 52 Ky. Elk Prairie Farmer 10-64 P B 31 Ill. 8-65 P B 31 Ill. 10 End of War 15 L. C. Mannen 38 Ill. Laur Farmer 10-64 P B 32 Ill. 9-65 P B 32 Ill. 12 End of War 16 William Hall 52 Ill. Laur Farmer 1-62 P B 60 Ill. 7-65 P B 60 Ill. 39 End of War 17 F. M. Hamlin P B 32 Ill. 18 James Robinson 45 Ill. Laur Farmer 1-62 P B 60 Ill. 7-65 P B 60 Ill. 39 End of War 19 D. F. Campbell P C 152 Ill. 20 John A. Dasher 54 Penn. Laur Farmer 2-65 P C 152 Ill. 8-65 P C 152 Ill. 7 End of War 21 William Nolen 52 Ill. Laur Farmer 8-62 P F 80 Ill. 1-63 P F 80 Ill. 5 Disability 22 Wm. M. Masters 56 Ill. Elk Prairie Farmer 7-61 P F 44 Ill. 9-65 P F 152 Ill. 12 End of War 23 H. A. Dennis P I 32 Ill. NOTE: In the issue I have, numbers 24 thru 47 are missing. It picks back up with number 48 If someone out there has the missing page, please submit it. 48 Jeremiah Harland 44 Ky Laur Farmer 9-61 P D 48 Ill. 9-65 P D 48 Ill. 48 End of War 49 Wiley A. Dees 42 Ill Laur Farmer 4-65 P B 49 Ill. 9-65 P B 49 Ill. 5 End of War 50 R. A. Loller 52 Ky Fitzgerrell Farmer 10-61 P C 5 Ky Cal 5-64 Sgt. C 5 Ky Cal. 31 Exp. of service 51 J. P. Isom 41 Tenn. Fitzgerrell Farmer 9-63 P H 3 Tenn. Cav. 8-65 P H 3 Tenn. Cav 23 End of War 52 J. R. Hendrix 45 Georgia Tamaroa Farmer 10-61 P E 66s. shoot. 7-65 P E 66s. shoot. End of War 53 James T. Rowe 38 Ind. Fitzgerrell Farmer 5-64 P D 136 Ill. 10-64 P D 136 Ill. 3 Exp. of Service 54 Levi Newell 44 Ill Laur Farmer 4-64 P G 65 Ill. 5-65 P G 65 Ill. 13 End of War 55 James W. Philp 53 Ky. Laur Farmer 10-64 P F 32 Ill. 5-65 P F 32 Ill. 8 Gen. Order 56 W. L. Strickland 52 S.C. Dryden Farmer 9-62 P A 110 Ill. 6-65 P A 110 Ill. 34 Gen. Order 57 Wm. Isom 49 Tenn. Dryden Farmer 3-62 P H 5 Tenn. 5-65 P H 5 Tenn. 38 End of War 58 Wm. Clayton 43 Ill. Fitzgerrell Farmer 2-62 P F 63 Ill. 12-63 P F 63 Ill. 22 Disability 59 David Ingram 50 N. Y. Fitzgerrell Farmer 10-64 P I 13 Iowa 7-65 P I 13 Iowa 10 End of War 60 Wm. M. Laird 40 Ill Laur Farmer 2-63 P H 13 Ill. Cav. 9-65 P H 13 Ill. Cav. 31 End of War 61 James Galbraith 57 Ill. Fitzgerrell Farmer 2-65 P C 152 Ill. 8-65 P C 152 Ill. 6 Gun Shot wound 62 Josiah Willis 63 Tenn. Fitzgerrell Blsmth 9-62 P A 110 Ill. 6-65 B.S. 110 Ill. 34 Gen. Order 63 F. M. Hamlin 50 Ill. Laur Farmer 10-64 P K 32 Ill. 6-65 P K 32 Ill. 8 End of War 64 J. C. Holloway 55 Alabama Elk Prairie Farmer 10-64 P B 29 Ill. 10-65 P B 29 Ill. 12 Exp. of Service 65 H. A. Dennis 54 La. Laur Farmer 10-64 P I 32 Ill. 7-65 P I 32 Ill. 10 End of War 66 W. T. Dare 41 Ill. Elk Prairie Farmer 5-64 P D 136 Ill. 8-64 P D 136 Ill. 3 Exp. of Service 67 R. B. Martin 50 Ky Elk Prairie Farmer 10-64 P B 29 Ill. 6-65 P B 29 Ill. 9 End of War 68 J. G. Pickett 42 Tenn. Elk Prairie Farmer 2-64 P I 5 Tenn. 8-65 P I 5 Tenn. 18 End of War 69 F. Smith 48 Tenn. Dryden Farmer 11-61 P G 2 Tenn. 11-64 P G 2 Tenn. 36 Exp. of Service 70 Willis Jones 52 Ill Fitzgerrell Farmer 10-64 P G 32 Ill. 6-65 P G 32 Ill. 9 End of War 71 G. Kirkpatrick 47 Ill Tamaroa Farmer 9-62 P A 110 Ill. 6-65 P A 110 Ill 33 End of War 72 R. J. D. W. Allen 60 Ind Dryden Farmer 3-62 P H 5 Tenn 5-65 P H 5 Tenn. 33 Exp. of Service 73 F. M. Kirkpatrick 47 Ill. Fitzgerrell Farmer 5-64 P I 136 Ill. 10-65 P I 136 Ill 16 Exp. of Service 74 Wm. H. Benthal 48 Ind Dryden Farmer 12-61 P F 60 Ind. 3-65 P F 60 Ind. 39 Exp. of Service 75 G. W. Marteeny 63 Ohio Elk Prairie Farmer 6-62 P E 70 Ill. 10-62 P E 70 Ill. 4 Exp. of Service 76 G. M. Henry 53 Germany Mt. Vernon Farmer 9-62 P D 110 Ill. 6-65 P D 110 Ill. 33 End of War This roster by no means represents a complete list of the Civil War veterans living in the southwest part of Jefferson County. It represents only those whose dues were paid up in the Steve Place Post of G A R on June 28, 1886. There were many more veterans, some of whose names are on the applications for membership in the Steve Place Post. Some day these may be made available to the Prairie Historians. To date only those familiar to the writer comes to mind such as, S. B. Gilbert, Joseph Franklin Ford, Bennett Morton Elliston. We wish to thank Neal Sulcer of Sesser for allowing us to use the roster of members shown above. For information about the activities of the various units to which the soldiers belonged see A History of Jefferson County Illinois by Wm. H. Perrin, 1883. It was reprinted in 1969 through the efforts of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Copies may be obtained at the B & B Hobby Shop on North 9th Street and The Bookstore on the south- side of West Broadway (past Casey Jr. High School) in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. THE GATHERING OF THE OLD SOLDIERS Near the end of the last century, the remaining veterans of the Civil War then living in the southwest part of Jefferson County and even some from as far away as Mt. Vernon gathered together on a comrade's birthday, to pay him honor and have a general happy visit. The Prairie Historians have pictures of two such gatherings. One at Frank Smith's house and the other one at the home of Josiah Willis, the picture and description of which makes up the last page of this issue of the Prairie Historian. Mr. Raymond Crocker says there were four such gatherings. One at Frank Smith's home. One at Isaac Hall's home. One at Josiah Willis' home and one other of which we have no record. Should we learn of the place of that meeting in time we will tell the readers on the information page of this issue. Those meetings were great events in the lives of the old veterans, and gave them food for conversation for weeks afterward. Following is a newspaper account of the meeting at Josiah Willis' home May, 18, 1897. We do not know the name of the newspaper, but it was doubtless a Mt. Vernon paper. "MAY 18TH, 1897" "74TH ANNIVERSARY OF JOSIAH WILLIS." "Mr. Josiah Willis, who lives in the southeast corner of Bald Hill Township, Jefferson County, Illinois, celebrated his 74th birthday Wednesday, May 18th. There were present 29 comrades of the G. A. R. besides 116 friends and neighbors. About 11 o'clock, Mr. Willis led the way to the dining room where everthing was ready to refresh the inner man, and everyone did justice to the feast of good things. After dinner Capt. S. T. Maxey, who belonged to the same company with Mr. Willis, offered prayer. The reason for the coming together was then stated by the commander of Post 581, who in behalf of his comrades, presented a rocking chair to Mr. Willis. The time was then enjoyed by singing and short talks, until all the old boys were ordered in line to be photographed, after which the whole crowd was taken, then the family connection was photographed in a group; after which the assembly dispersed to their homes, having enjoyed a rare treat on this beautiful day, May 18, 1897." Editor's Note: Mr. Willis then lived in the house where Kenneth Hamilton lives now. About 1/3 of a mile east and a half mile south of Emmerson crossing. It is said that Josiahs family lived in the north part while he was in service in the Civil War. He built the south part after returning home. The veterans present that day were: J. C. Gilliland, G. Kirkpatrick, J. H. Johnson, Wm. Benthal, R. T. Wright, H. C. Foreman, J. Gilbraith, Tom Dare, B. M. Laur, J. Lemmon, I. Hall, C. Mezo, F. M. Kirkpatrick, J. P. Isom, W. L. Junkins, R. F. Smith, G. W. Blazier, C. T. Laur, D. Bell, W. H, Jackson, H. Isom, James Rowe, W. Isom, S. T. Maxey, Davis Sneed, T. B. Ford, T. B. Cline, Josiah Willis, I. W. Robinson, Cyrus Gilbert, and William Cunningham. SOME SIDELINES OF THE CIVIL WAR Two Union Soldiers by Maeryta Poole Minard One early pioneer family named Daniel moved from Bowling Green, Ky. and settled in Jefferson County, Illinois. The family homestead is located on route 37 in the area of the State Motel, two miles south from the public square. Two sons, John Green Daniel and H. Payton (Pate) Daniel, were of military age when the Civil War broke out. Both men were offered high officialships in the Confederate Army, but declined and joined the northern army instead. John Green Daniel was soon to marry Lou Cresis of Bowling Green, Ky. About this time, Lou wrote to John that she was molding bullets to kill Yankee Soldiers. Neither ever married. Years later when Lou Cresia was fast declining in health, she sent word she wanted to see John. He went to her. The death scene seemed tragic, for as the panorama unfolded she died in her sweethearts arms. H. Payton (Pate) Daniel had married (Polly) Mary Gilbert. Their family home was close to Williamsburg and later in Waltonville, Illinois. The first house north of Andy Steven's Store was that home. This Daniel family had one daughter, Grace Daniel Poole Winn. TWO REFUGEES by Beatrice Tuttle After the Civil War ended refugees from the South came into the border State of Illinois to live. Two boys, cousins, who had lost all their relatives were amoung those who came into the southwest part of Jefferson County. The Hanna boys, Louis and Henry (called Paddy) came to Tamaroa. They were taken into the home of William Clampet for a while, and lOuis Later married one of William Clampets daughters. Louis Hanna, who was too young to join the army, served John A. Logan as caretaker for his horse. Years later when Mr. Hanna was taken, by a neighbor, to see General Logan when he was being honored at Murphysboro, his former home, the General saw Louis and called out, "My boy! My Boy! and they were quickley in each other's arms, weeping. The neighbor, who always shied at tears, remarked that, he wouldn't have brought Hanna, if he had known he would act like this. The cousin, Henry (Paddy) Hanna, was a cripple and used a cane. He had suffered from White Swelling in the ankle as a child. White Swelling was tuberculosis of the bone, due to an injury, or fom drinking milk from a cow infected with the tuberculosis. Paddy could hoe, work in the yard or garden, or cut sprouts, etc. He always had work and moved about amoung the farmers of Bald Hill and Blissville townships. A group of neighbors in the southwest part of Bald Hill township cared for Paddy during his last illness and gave him a decent burial.
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