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He enlisted from here to take part in the late war, and he is a fine type of the noble citizen-soldiers who fought in defense of the Stars and Stripes, and his family may well be proud of his fine military record. He enlisted as a private in Company F, 17th Illinois Cavalry, and was in the service two years, leaving home Dec. 28, 1863, and returning Dec. 28, 1865, with the rank of Second-Lieutenant. His company was first ordered to Jefferson Barracks, and from there to Alton, ill., to guard prisoners for a time. He engaged in the battle of Allen Station with the bushwhackers; and fought Bill Anderson near Rockport, where the rebel leader had three men to one of our subject's command, but the latter routed them. Mr. Ball took part in a skirmish near Raleigh and near Jefferson City his regiment was attacked by Price's whole force, but fell back and fortified itself in the city, and the men subsequently followed Price in his noted retreat, engaging in many bloody skirmishes on the way, and routing the enemy on each occasion. October 25, on the march, they overtook the force of rebels, and captured Gens. Marmaduke and Cable, with their commands, arms, ammunition, etc., our subject's regiment leading the charge that made the capture. October 27, at Drywood, Price made another stand, and the division in which our gallant Lieutenant belonged captured or killed 400 Confederates.
On the 28th of October, Price made another stand, and lost 400 dead and wounded, and 1,000 of his men were taken prisoners. After that our subject returned with his force to Raliegh (sic), having been in the saddle fifty-nine days, riding over 1,200 miles. January 28, 1865, our subject and the men of his command were ordered to Patterson, Mo., where they assisted in building a block-house, and then started to meet the rebel Gen. Thompson, who surrendered to them May 5, 1865, at Chalk Bluff, Ark., 9,000 men laying down their arms, together with six cannon and all the munitions of war. May 11, Lieut. Ball started for Pappenville, MO, arriving there June 1, and thence proceeded to Ft. Leavenworth, KS, reaching that point June 14. In September he was sent with his regiment out on the plains to meet the Indians, and they made their headquarters at Ft. Larnard. After their return from that expedition our subject was honorably discharged at Ft. Leavenworth, Dec. 18, 1865, receiving his final discharge-papers in Springfield, Ill., where he was paid off. During his whole term of service, although he was often in the heat of battle, he was never wounded, and his gallantry in action and efficiency as a soldier received merited commendation from his superiors, and due recognition in the form of promotion from the ranks. Biography
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BALL, Joel G.
Portrait from Ron Deavy
Portrait from Ron Deavy
