......Such were the views of the citizens of Stephenson County, when the surrender of Ft. Sumter and the call for troops were promulgated. On the evening of Thursday, April 18, 1861, Plymouth Hall was crowded byan eager, anxious multitude, assembled in response to a call issued at noon of that day, appealing to the lovers of the stars and stripes to rally and; rally they did, in numbers overwhelming, made up of Republicans and Democrats, for all were Americans.

The Hon. F. W. S. Brawley presided, with J. R. Scroggs and C. K. Judson acting as Secretaries, and, on motion of J. W. Shaffer, T. Wilcoxon. J. M. Smith, W. P. Malburn, H. H. Taylor, Capt. Crane and Dr. Martin were appointed Vice Presidents.

During the absence of the Committee on Resolutions, composed of J. W. Shaffer, James Mitchell, C. K. Judson, J. R. Scroggs and A. 11. Stone, speeches were made by S. D. Atkins, C. Betts, C. S. Bagg and Mr. Wagner. editor of the Anzeiger the latter in German. Resolutions were adopted declaratory of the love for the Union felt by citizens of Freeport, and their determination to aid, so far as lay within their power, the General Government in its enforce­ment of the laws The meeting was then adjourned, but the spirit manifested became intensified as time progressed. The following day recruiting was began, and on Saturday, April 20, 1861, the first company enlisted in the county was filled and the oath administered to the following officers and privates: S. D. Atkins, Captain; M. E. Newcomer, First, and S. W. Field, Second Lieutenant; F. T. Goodrich, H. A. Sheetz, William Polk and R. W. Hulburt, Sergeants; C. T. Dunham, J. 0. Churchill, R. H. Rodearmel and W. W. Lott, Corporals; C. E. Cotton, drummer, and J. R. Harding, fifer; W. W. Allen. J. W. Brew­ster, Robert Brennan, W. N. Blakeman. A. S. Best, H. P. Parker. W. H. Brown, Frank Bellman, J. S. Chambers, J. M. Chown, Thomas Chattaway, A. Coppersmith, F. Dreener J. W. Duncan, J. P. Davis. M. Eshelman, Will­iam Eddy, J. Geiser, J. R. Hayes, E. J. Hurlburt, W. J. Hoover. L. Hall, T.J. Hathaway, J. E. Hershey, J. F. Harnish, F. M. DeArmit, W. W. Hunt., J. J. Irvin, S. H. Ingham, Nicholas Kassel, D. L. Farmer. 0. F. Lamb. J. H. Loveland, S. Lindeman, S. Lebkicker, J. H. McGee. U. B. McDowell. W. T. McLaughlin, F. Murphy, D. McCormick, J. M. Miller. F. R. McLaughlin. J. P. Owen. J. Pratt, A. Patterson, G. L. Piersol, N. Smith, L. Strong, J. S. Stout, D. F. Smith, M. Slough, C. Sched, J. S. Sills, C. G. Staffbrd. T. Wishart, W. P. Waggoner, M. S. Weaver, J. Walton. Stephens Waterbury. J. Walkey and J. Work.

The company left Freeport for Springfield on Wednesday morning, May 1, 1861, escorted to the depot by Capt. M. B. Mills’ company and the Union Cornet Band, and cheered by the presence of not less than 3,000 people, who were there to bid them good-bye, and implore God’s blessing upon the efforts inaugurated in behalf of their country. Upon arriving in camp, the boys were assigned to the Eleventh Regiment, making up the roster of Company A.

Contributed by Beverly Burnias from the History of Stephenson County Pg 309