"DAVIDSON'S SWEET POTATO RAID"--SOUTHERN ALABAMA--DESTRUCTION OF
RAILROADS--OYSTER FISHING--MOBILE EXPEDITION--BARANCAS--NEWS OF LEE'S
SURRENDER--ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN--FORT BLAKELY--MOBILE--EXPLOSION OF
MAGAZINE--RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS--EXPERIENCE OF DANIEL SHAW IN A TEXAS
PRISON--SHREVEPORT--"SALT-HORSE" VS. SUMPTUOUSNESS--CANTANKEROUS
CANS--MARCH INTO TEXAS--SAN ANTONIO--MUSTERED OUT--JUBILATION--WAR'S
AFTERMATH.
"Closed is the bitter but glorious fight:
And the day like a conqueror bursts on the night."
--_Schiller._
Shortly after the Liberty raid, General Davidson, who was given command
of the cavalry at Baton Rouge, organized an expedition for the purpose
of destroying railroads in the territory northeast of Baton Rouge and
extending in a circuit to Pascagoula Bay, Alabama, about fifty miles
south-west from Mobile, in aid of Sherman's movement towards Atlanta.
The command comprised the Fourth Wisconsin, Twelfth Illinois,
Eighteenth New York, "Scott's Nine Hundred," and the Second Illinois
Cavalry. Its course lay through a barren, sparsely settled country more
or less covered with scrub and pitch-pine and interspersed with swamps.
The streams were swollen and almost impassable and the roads were so
bad that the expedition was compelled to abandon a number of its wagons
which were burned. Forage was scarce and the men were soon reduced to
quarter rations. Owing to the fact that about the only food to be found
was sweet-potatoes, the expedition came to be known as "Davidson's
sweet-potato raid." There were not more than a dozen shots fired upon
the whole trip.
Upon our arrival at Pearl River we camped for the night and during that
time ten men succeeded in swimming across with ropes with a view of
bridging the stream. A few went beyond to stand guard while pontoons
were laid and in an hour the cavalry was crossing. This was followed by
the artillery, consisting of Nimm's Massachusetts Battery and a small
train. The pontoon bridge was soon removed when our march was resumed
towards Pascagoula Bay, where we arrived hungry and worn, with scarcely
any food for ourselves or horses. A double-handful of corn was all that
could be spared for each horse during twenty-four hours. There was no
grazing and no fodder--nothing but water, sand and pine-needles. In
this condition we waited for five days until a consignment of grain and
rations was received by boat from Lake Port Louisiana.
In the meantime, some oyster-boats and tongs were discovered in a small
bayou near the bay, which indicated the presence of oyster-beds. We
improved the opportunity. There was always a rush in the early morning
for an outfit. The lucky ones were soon able, however, to fill a few
gunny-sacks and then give the others a chance. Those who came late
would stick poles in the mud at low tide in about seven or eight feet
of water and then, holding onto the poles, would go to the bottom and
grope around until they found a cluster of shells which would be
brought to the surface and handed to another to take to shore. Bunches
were sometimes found as large as a bushel-basket. To hungry men,
oysters without sauce was a most delightful substitute for nothing; but
we longed for the trimmings, especially pepper. A raid upon the country
soon furnished us with many strings of home-grown red-peppers. They
were hot, but they served the purpose, and after three weeks of short
rations we welcomed the combination; but no stretch of a Northern man's
imagination was capable of bringing it up to the standard of a Northern
Christmas or New Year's dinner--for both of which it had to serve.
About the last of January we embarked for Lake Port Louisiana, from
whence we returned to Baton Rouge, where we remained until March, 1865.
We then took boat for New Orleans and camped in Carlton until the
latter part of March. From New Orleans we went upon the Mobile
Expedition by way of Barancas, Florida. I did not go directly with the
regiment, having been detailed to the Quartermaster's Department which
went upon a later boat. When I arrived at Barancas I found that my
company had gone to Fort Blakely. It was considered unsafe for us to
follow without an escort, and we were ordered to remain at the former
place. While there, we received the news of Lee's surrender. Everybody
was elated and appeared to be walking upon air. The guns at the
navy-yard belched forth national salutes and these in turn were
answered by the battle-ships. All were drunk with joy. About ten
o'clock the next day, in the midst of our rejoicing, an officer rode
into camp and stopped to speak to the men. A large and joyous group at
once gathered to hear more of the good news. The officer spoke in a low
tone. The men looked eager but there were no cheers. A hush fell over
the crowd. Then words--almost whispered--passed from man to man:
"_Lincoln has been assassinated!_" It was a staggering, benumbing,
crushing blow. The men were dazed; they could not talk. Tears were
everywhere--tears and silence. The grief of the men was indescribable.
But the silence was of short duration. A fool in Company B, apparently
in a spirit of bravado, said that he was "glad of it." Instantly the
pent up wrath of the men burst out. There was a rush to quarters for
arms. An officer, seeing the situation, placed an armed guard around
the man. The guard was soon doubled and the offender rushed to a boat
at the water front followed by about fifty men with drawn revolvers.
The man was taken to Fort McCrea for safety, where he was
court-martialed and sent to the Dry Tortugas to be discharged in
disgrace. This was only one of numberless instances of a similar nature
which occurred at the time.
In a short time we marched across the country to Fort Blakely, from
whence we were transported by boat to Mobile and went into camp near
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad about four miles east of the town, where
we remained for some days. Our regiment was at Columbus, Mississippi.
Orders had been sent from there to Colonel Bush to forward the
regimental mail and two hundred outfits of clothing. I was acting as
clerk to the Regimental Quartermaster and was detailed by the Colonel
to take the mail and stores to the regiment. My orders were to report
to the Quartermaster in Mobile at three o'clock P.M., for a pass and
instructions. In order to provide for the care of my horse, I left camp
about ten o'clock and was in the eastern part of the city. My attention
was attracted for a moment to an officer who was making his rounds and
was being saluted by a guard near by, when a blinding flash occurred
which caused my horse to rear so that I stood upon my toes in the
stirrups. For an instant my strength seemed to leave me and I almost
fell from the horse as he came down. Looking up, I saw an immense blaze
which seemed to be a mile high, followed by great rolling cotton-like
masses of clouds which flaked off into sheets. Debris of all
descriptions, mingled with some human bodies, soon began to drop back
to the earth. The Confederate magazine with five hundred tons of
ammunition had exploded. It was a wonderful and appalling sight. The
depot was blown to pieces, cotton sheds were destroyed and all of the
glass in the city was broken. The Battle House, the largest hotel in
the city, was wrecked and every dish in it broken. Great fissures and
rents were everywhere seen in the streets and walls.
The stores, which I was to have taken away that evening, had been
loaded and stood upon the street, but the wagon was overturned and all
of the cases crushed.
As I rode along the street I met Captain Fred Pike of the Forty-Sixth
Illinois. One of his legs had been cut by falling slate from a roof and
he was hopping along by the side of a building. I dismounted and gave
him my horse to go to camp.
On the following evening I started to Columbus with the supplies. The
regiment had broken camp before my arrival and I met the command at
Artesia, twelve miles from Columbus, where I delivered the mail but was
obliged to go on to Columbus to turn over the supplies. I then returned
to Mobile and there embarked for New Orleans where I was temporarily
stationed at regimental headquarters at Carlton, a short distance above
the city.
A day or two after my arrival, as I lay in my blankets under an orange
tree, I was aroused just before daylight and gradually realized that
somebody was shaking me. It proved to be Daniel Shaw, one of our
company from Mount Morris, Illinois, who had been captured upon the Red
River Expedition, about a year previous and confined in that horrible
corral at Tyler, Texas. He hugged me frantically and wept like an
hysterical child. It was a long time before he could speak; and then,
amid tears and sobs he told a most harrowing and revolting story of the
inconceivably brutal treatment to which he had been subjected. The
prisoners were confined in an open corral or field without any shelter
or protection whatever. Their food consisted of offal and discarded
portions from the cattle and sheep slaughtered by their captors, who
appropriated the edible parts for their own use. The most was eaten raw
or in the form of a stew. The story was too revolting for repetition.
The poor fellow was a mere skeleton and in a most wretched condition.
Had he not been one of the most hardy men in the regiment, he could not
have survived. His experience was but another proof that "War is Hell."
From New Orleans we took steamer for Vicksburg but before we arrived at
Baton Rouge, our boat took fire three times, which caused much delay.
We reached our destination, however, about the tenth of June, where we
joined our regiment and after a day or two, took passage on the
"Superior," General Logan's old headquarters boat, for Shreveport,
Louisiana. Under a general order, all companies having less than the
full quota of men were required to consolidate with others. In
compliance with this order our company was merged with Company E, while
another took the letter A. It was the fault of the Colonel, who could
have graded us fairly had he been so disposed. Although greatly
dissatisfied, we were obliged to accept the situation as well as to
endure other and more trying things. The men had received no pay since
March and were destitute and discouraged. Under these conditions we
were not in a mood to see others enjoy privileges which were denied to
us.
We spent the Fourth of July at Shreveport; our only food being
"salt-horse," "hard-tack" and coffee. Some of the officers failed to
appreciate the condition of the men and seemed to think that it
afforded no reason why they should not have a good time and good things
themselves. In harmony with this view, Colonel Mizner, of the Third
Michigan, who was in command of the Brigade, prepared to give a
sumptuous banquet in an old church which he occupied as headquarters
and which was also the office of the Brigade Quartermaster by whom I
was employed. Those who were compelled to confine their diet to
salt-horse and hard-tack were not in sympathy with the spread and not
averse to having it known. Through the concerted action of several
hundred apparently inanimate oyster-cans belonging to our regiment, the
Third Michigan and the Fourth Wisconsin, those innocent receptacles
seemed to become suddenly endowed with life, became mysteriously filled
with powder and succeeded in burying themselves in a kind of
under-ground cordon around that church. The first course had scarcely
been served and the banqueters were just enjoying their whiskey and
other appetizers, when the cans registered a protest. The opening of
the ground around that sanctuary was suggestive of the resurrection
morn. The officers rushed out of the room in the wildest confusion.
Persistent inquiry failed to develop the cause. After fruitless efforts
they went back to finish their collation and had barely begun to taste
the good things again, when the cans once more showed their
cantankerousness. Pandemonium broke loose with ten times more din than
ever. The banquet was called off and the officers ordered to their
respective companies to "preserve order." It had its effect. The men
were as demure as monks in a monastery. While perfect order was
preserved by them, an astonishing amount of disorder was still
"preserved" in the oyster-cans and the preserves--like all preserves
subjected to too much warmth--continued to "work." From that time on,
all through the night, the mysterious process went on. The hint was
effectual. There were no more officer's banquets in the presence of the
ill-fed and dissatisfied men.
On the ninth of July, 1865, we left Shreveport and took up our long and
tiresome march of six hundred miles to San Antonio, Texas. Through
Louisiana it was not especially trying; but when we reached Texas and
were obliged to travel over barren wastes, frequently as far as sixty
miles without finding a drop of water, it seemed unendurable. A
tropical mid-summer sun burned its way through the sky and onto the
dusty, treeless plains until the heat-waves quivered upon the horizon
like a blast from a furnace. Horses and men suffered intensely. One
stretch of about one hundred miles east of Austin was especially
trying. It was a continuous test of endurance from the time we left
Shreveport until we arrived at San Antonio, thirty days later. During
the march, small towns were sometimes passed where Confederate
companies turned over their arms to our command.
Upon our arrival at San Antonio, there appeared to be nothing to do but
to wait. Aside from inspection and drills, the men idled in camp until
they became so discontented and homesick that many deserted. Most of
these were fine men and good soldiers but poor loafers. Nobody blamed
them. All realized that the war was over and were looking for
discharge. Instead of that we had been sent hundreds of miles over a
barren waste to the frontier under most trying and discouraging
conditions. Why was all this senseless wandering? We did not know. We
were not aware that secret history was being made and that we were
instrumental, as a result of these apparently meaningless acts, in
saving the nation a second time. We did not know that our country was
upon the verge of a foreign war, and that Napoleon the Third, anxious
to regain the Louisiana Territory, which the First Emperor in his dire
need had sold to us for a song, had been making elaborate preparations
for war; and, believing our people to be exhausted, as they appeared to
be, by one of the greatest conflicts of history and torn by internal
strife, would be unable to make more than a feeble defence, had chosen
this moment to strike. We did not know that our government was then
undergoing one of the most trying ordeals of its existence. Later
developments showed that the sudden mobilization on the frontier of an
army of tried veterans, ready if necessary, to fight another war, made
the foreigners gasp. France and Austria and Maximillian quietly
subsided and the map of the United States required no revision.
About the tenth of November, 1865, the order came to muster out the
Second and Tenth Illinois and the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry. It was the
signal for a jubilation. The yells of ten thousand Indians would have
been "audible silence" compared to the noise made by those four
regiments. The Tenth Illinois sutler rolled out four barrels of whiskey
and broke in the heads. Tin cups, camp-kettles, canteens and every
liquid holding thing was used for its distribution. How many were drunk
I know not. Men indulged who never tasted the stuff before; and,
strange to say, the whole thing took the form of a good natured frolic.
Horse-play, clownish tricks, songs, practical jokes--all were taken as
a part of the fun. Had we realized what we had been there for, we might
have been heard in France.
Instead of sleeping in tents, the men had previously procured raw
cow-hides which they made into hammocks and stretched in the trees.
Each cow-hide served as a hammock for two and some trees would have
five or six in a tier. As the boys became tired of celebrating they
would slip off to bed; but they could not escape the watchfulness of
the others who would wait until they could get a tree full, when some
sly rascal would climb the tree, cut the thongs and the whole
combination would come down in a heap; the victims apparently enjoying
the joke as much as the jokers. I have never seen drunken men retain
their good nature as they did on that occasion.
On the 24th of November, 1865, we were mustered out. I remained in
Texas to aid in settling up the Quartermaster's accounts but was
obliged to return North on account of a severe attack of ague and
arrived at Rochelle on the 21st of March, 1866.
In the meantime, there had been a general exodus of soldiers from the
South to their northern homes and the transportation lines,
particularly the river steamers, were crowded with them. The feeling
among those who represented the lost-cause, was intensely bitter and no
Union soldier was safe anywhere in the South. A secret organization
known as "The Knights of the Golden Circle," was charged as being
responsible for many assassinations and other outrages. It was
significant of conditions, that boiler explosions and other "accidents"
occurred to a number of river steamers--all upon homeward voyages and
all loaded with discharged Union soldiers. The most appalling of these
was probably that of the "Sultana" which was lost at a point about
fifty miles above Memphis on its passage up the Mississippi. While in
midstream the boiler exploded--caused, it was believed by an explosive
secretly placed in the fuel--and nearly all of the passengers,
numbering about fifteen hundred, mostly discharged soldiers, were
drowned.
Among the victims of the disaster was J. A. Butterfield of Company A,
whose home was in Oregon, Illinois. Butterfield had just been admitted
to practice at the Oregon Bar, when the war broke out. He enlisted at
the organization of the Company in Oregon, was present at the first
election of officers and served earnestly and faithfully during the
term of his three years enlistment, after which he was appointed as
chief citizen clerk for a Division Quartermaster at a considerable
salary. At the close of the war he resigned his position and started
home with the intention of announcing his candidacy for Sheriff of Ogle
County. His body was never recovered. It was known that he had a large
sum of money in his possession which would have been a great aid to the
dependent mother and sister whom he left behind. Butterfield was a
brave and manly soldier and a general favorite with the members of his
company.
Bitter as was the feeling against the Northern soldiers, it did not
approach in vindictiveness and malignant hatred, that which existed
against Southern men who fought upon the Union side. There were two
Southerners in our company: John S. Elder and James Neiley whose
experiences were typical of those of thousands throughout the South.
Elder was a native of Tennessee. About three years before the war he
migrated with his parents to Denton County, Texas. His father was a
staunch supporter of the Union and did not hesitate to announce his
principles. His attitude was well known in the community where he lived
and as partizan feeling increased, he became a marked man. At the
outbreak of hostilities, he was called to Austin and was never
afterwards seen by his friends. While there was no proof as to the
cause of his mysterious disappearance, circumstances pointed to but one
conclusion. To his family, no proof was necessary: they _knew_ what had
happened. Shortly after the father's loss, John, an only son, was
forced into the Confederate service. He was discreet and bided his
time. At the battle of Prairie Grove, he escaped, made his way into the
Union lines and succeeded in reaching St. Louis. This was shortly after
the battle at Holly Springs, at which a portion of the Second Illinois
Cavalry gained wide distinction by refusing to surrender to greatly
superior numbers. Elder was looking for a chance to fight by the side
of fighting men. Seeing in the St. Louis papers a graphic account of
the Holly Springs incident, he immediately embarked for Memphis in the
hope of finding the regiment. He was too late however and went on to
the vicinity of Vicksburg where he was informed that Company A was with
General Logan at Lake Providence. Arriving at the latter place, he
presented himself to Captain Hotaling with whom he had a long
conference. Hotaling was strongly impressed by Elder's bearing and
words and the conference resulted in his immediate enlistment. The new
recruit proved to be a valuable acquisition. He was a skillful
horseman, an unerring shot, always cheerful and courteous, ready to
perform the most arduous duty and, withal, fearless.
Shortly after his enlistment the company started upon the campaign in
the rear of Vicksburg. Elder was wounded at the Battle of Port Gibson
during the first day of the campaign but went on with the command and
participated in every hardship and engagement until the surrender of
Vicksburg. He was with the company in all of its campaigning in
Louisiana and was one of the twenty-two who re-enlisted at New Iberia.
Debarred from his home, he was adopted by the veterans of the company
as a "war orphan"; and, when veteran furloughs were granted,
accompanied his comrades to the North where he was the subject of
universal sympathy and generous hospitality.
Elder returned with his friends to the front and remained a valiant,
fearless fighter to the end. During the last fight in which the company
was engaged, which occurred at Fort Blakely, a charge was made upon the
Confederate works. The latter were protected by an abatis in which
torpedoes were placed and so connected by wires that an abnormal
tension upon a wire would cause an explosion. Elder was mounted upon a
fine horse which ran against one of these wires directly over a
torpedo. The explosion which followed tore the horse into shreds, but,
owing to the intervention of its body, did not kill but only served to
stun the rider who soon recovered from the shock.
When the regiment was mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, Elder wished
to go home and visit his mother; but upon the advice of friends and
some old citizens of San Antonio, he gave it up as involving too great
a risk and accompanied his comrades to Rochelle, where he remained
until the following spring when his anxiety to see his mother caused
him to return to Texas. It was a fatal step. As soon as his presence
became known, a party of ex-Confederates assembled at night, surrounded
the mother's house, captured the son, hanged him to a tree and riddled
the body with bullets.
James Neiley who was reared in western Louisiana had a similar
experience. He found his way into the Union lines during the Red River
Expedition, and upon the return of General Banks' Army, enlisted in
Company A. Neiley was quite young but proved himself an excellent and
faithful soldier, was liked and respected by all of his comrades, and
served with credit to the end of the war when he went to Rochelle with
the others. In the following year he returned with Elder and went to
his home near Alexandria, Louisiana, where he had been about a week
when he met with the same dreadful fate that had been meted out to his
friend.
And so perished two manly souls--victims to the terrible aftermath of
war. Can there be compensation for such unspeakable atrocities which
take the best and leave the worst? It may be; but this is a grist for
"the mills of the Gods" to grind.
And now--my tale is told. My sole excuse for telling it is that others,
who might have done it have not made the attempt, and but few are left.
I offer no apology for its crudities, imperfections or omissions. I am
confident that our Company engaged in not less than a hundred
skirmishes and encounters of which I have made no mention. The space
which should have been allotted to it in the Red River Expedition is
almost a blank. My silence as to many individual deeds of valor and
self-sacrifice has not been intentional. I would gladly have called the
roll and enumerated them one by one, for it would have been a roll of
honor of which all might be justly proud.
The worth of my story, if it has worth, lies in what it has preserved
to the world as worthy. If it be interesting at all, it is because it
has been done as a work of love in an attempt to do justice to, and to
preserve some faint memory of a handful of men who were typical of that
great host--some of whom gave all--and all of whom risked all, for a
cause which has struggled towards the light since the first man gazed
longingly and reverently at the stars.
In the outcome of the great struggle, both sides won an equal victory,
our friends, as the liberators of a race, our foes as the liberated
from a degrading curse; a success and a defeat which made victor and
vanquished alike the beneficiaries of a great inheritance; an
inheritance, sanctified by a higher hope and a broader love; an
inheritance founded in the conviction of the regal souls of the past
that that for which man has so long wrought amid travail and pain and
joy and woe and sighs and tears and blood, "shall not perish from the
earth," but that this nation shall be its sponsor and its incarnation
and may say to all the lands of the earth, "Right is eternal; it must
and shall reign; 'Your people shall be my people.'"
"Here shall a realm rise
Mighty in manhood."
It has not fully arisen yet and many watchers are losing faith in view
of the subtle and dangerous perils which now beset it. Those causing
them may triumph for a time but they are sowers of dragon's teeth which
will rise up as armed men to their defeat. The universe is not a
blunder; there is a power in it which makes for right; and the finger
wielded by that power, has always pointed and still points--to the
Morning Star.
"Truth forever on the scaffold,--Wrong forever on the throne,--
Yet that scaffold sways the future,--and beyond the dim Unknown
Standeth God within the shadow,--keeping watch upon His own."
COLONEL SILAS NOBLE.
Colonel Silas Noble was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on
February 19th, 1808. But little is known of his early history, further
than that he read law, and at the age of twenty-six, was admitted to
practice in his native town. In the following year he moved to Towanda,
Pennsylvania, where he continued the practice of his profession until
1841, when he emigrated to Dixon, Illinois, then a frontier town known
as Dixon's Ferry. In 1846 he was elected State Senator and served one
term. In 1853 he established a private bank in Dixon known as "S. Noble
& Co." In connection with this business he continued the practice of
law until the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861. When the second
call for troops was made by President Lincoln Mr. Noble offered his
services to Governor Yates, by whom he was appointed Colonel of the
Second Illinois Cavalry, and on July 21st, 1861, was mustered into
service.
Colonel Noble was a warm personal friend of President Lincoln, who
often visited him at his home and with whom he practiced his
profession. At the time of Lincoln's inauguration the Colonel
accompanied him on his trip from Springfield to Washington.
Colonel Noble remained with the main body of the Regiment, which made
an expedition with General C. F. Smith towards Fort Henry; and it was
upon the information thus obtained that the campaign was decided upon
which ultimately led to the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson.
The regiment was engaged in many scouting expeditions and other
movements under the leadership of its first commander, but took part in
no important battles. On one occasion, with 350 men, Colonel Noble took
the advance of a recognizance in force from Bolivar to La Grange,
Tennessee, and obtained much valuable information. He was mustered out
of the service on February 16th, 1863, shortly after which he met with
a severe accident from which he never fully recovered. Four years
later, on February 3rd, 1867, he died at his home in Dixon, Illinois,
from an acute attack of pneumonia. Colonel Noble had a wide
acquaintance and was highly honored in his home community and by all
who knew him.
[Illustration: LIEUTENANT COLONEL HARVEY HOGG]
LIEUTENANT COLONEL HARVEY HOGG.
Harvey Hogg was a native of Tennessee, having been born at Carthage,
Smith County, in that state on September 14th, 1833. His parents were
of Scotch descent. The mother died when he was about three years of
age. Afterwards, the father remarried. He lived but a short time,
however, and died in 1840, leaving Harvey and a half-brother, Grant A.
Hogg, in charge of the widow. The boy was carefully reared by his
step-mother and given the best schooling available, preparatory to a
college course. He took the lead in his class at Emory and Henry
College, Virginia, where he won a prize-medal for oratory and was
afterwards graduated at the law-school at Lebanon as valedictorian of
his class.
He was married at Clarksville, Tennessee, in 1855, and in a short time
removed to Bloomington, Illinois, where he was admitted to the Bar and
soon obtained a recognized standing as a young lawyer of ability and
promise. For several years he held the position of City Attorney and
was, later, elected Prosecuting Attorney for that judicial district,
which position he filled with honor, ability and dignity.
As a native of Tennessee, Colonel Hogg inherited slaves, but was
opposed to the institution. As a student in one of the Virginia
colleges, he chose as the subject of a thesis, "The Evils of Slavery."
This aroused the indignation and opposition of the faculty; but the
young man insisted that he should "speak his honest convictions or not
at all," and he did. Upon leaving Tennessee, he freed his last slave.
From the time of his advent in Illinois, he took a warm interest in the
slavery question, aided in the formation of the Republican party, and
in 1856, canvassed McLean County for "Freemont and Freedom." In the
senatorial contest of 1858, he supported Lincoln as against Douglas and
used his utmost efforts for the election of the latter as President.
Colonel Hogg was a popular anti-slavery speaker. His intimate
familiarity with slavery, his love for and understanding of the
Southern people and his appreciation of their entanglement with that
blighting institution, enabled him to present his side of the case with
great fairness, force and conviction. Governor Yates was so strongly
impressed with his ability that, upon the organization of the Second
Illinois Cavalry, he tendered him the position of Lieutenant Colonel.
It was at once accepted, and on July 24th, 1861, he was mustered into
the service.
While his regiment was stationed in Tennessee, Mrs. Hogg went there to
be near him, but died soon after her arrival. This was a severe blow to
her husband who was devotedly attached to her.
During the winter of 1861-2, the regiment was stationed at Paducah,
Kentucky, where much scouting was done. On the night of March 2nd,
1862, Lieutenant Colonel Hogg with two hundred men, started out in an
attempt to reconnoiter Columbus, Kentucky. Upon the following day they
learned that the place was being evacuated. Reaching it about sundown,
they dashed into the town with drawn sabers and ran up the stars and
stripes. Several large guns and a considerable quantity of military
stores were secured. Upon the following day, General Sherman, with a
fleet of gunboats and transports and three regiments of infantry,
steamed carefully down the river and was surprised to find the place in
possession of the Union forces.
On March 31st, 1862, Colonel Hogg, with two companies of his regiment,
took part in an expedition under General Quimby in the neighborhood of
Union City, Tennessee, in which they dispersed a Confederate brigade,
destroyed its camp-equipage and captured fourteen prisoners and a
considerable quantity of stores.
On July 4th, 1862, at Trenton, Tennessee, Colonel Hogg delivered an
address to the citizens of that place and vicinity which produced a
marked effect upon those who were in doubt and did much to aid the
Union cause.
This valiant soldier met his death at the battle of Bolivar, Tennessee,
on August 30th, 1862. Colonel M. D. Leggett, of the 78th Ohio, being at
that place, was attacked by a large force of Confederates, including
the Second Missouri Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Robert McCullough and
the First Mississippi Cavalry, of which Colonel Hogg's half brother,
Dr. Grant A. Hogg, was surgeon. The following report of the battle is
given by Colonel Leggett:
"The infantry reinforcements had not arrived. The balance of the
Seventy-eighth Ohio was reported close by, but not near enough to
support the artillery, hence it could not be used. At this point,
Lieut. Col. Harvey Hogg, of the Second Illinois Cavalry, came up
with orders from you to report to me upon the field with four
companies of his command. I immediately assigned him a position
upon the right of the road, but discovering that the enemy would
probably make a cavalry charge upon us before Colonel Force could
reach me from Van Buren Road, I asked Colonel Hogg if he could hold
a position on the left of the road and a little to the front of
where he then was, against a charge from the rebel cavalry. He
promptly said he could and besought me to give him the position,
which was done.
"He had not completed his change of place before the enemy charged
down the line of the road in vast numbers, but meeting the deadly
fire of the four infantry companies under command of Captain
Chandler, they were compelled to retreat, leaving many of their men
and horses strewn upon the ground.
"They twice repeated their attempt to get possession of the road
and were both times repulsed by the companies under Captain
Chandler. Then they threw down the fences and entered the field
upon our left and opened fire upon Colonel Hogg's cavalry and the
two companies of the Twentieth Ohio attached to Captain Chandler's
command. The infantry and cavalry returned the fire briskly and
with terrible effect. I then discovered that a full regiment of
cavalry was forming in the rear of those firing upon us, with the
determination of charging upon our cavalry and that portion of the
infantry on the left of the road. I said to Colonel Hogg if he had
any doubt about holding his position he had better fall back and
not receive their charge. He promptly replied: 'Colonel Leggett,
for God's sake don't order me back.' I replied, 'Meet them with a
charge, Colonel, and may Heaven bless you.' He immediately ordered
his men to draw their sabers, and after giving them the order to
'Forward,' he exclaimed, 'Give them cold steel, boys,' and darting
ahead of his men, he fell, pierced by nine balls."
Dr. Grant A. Hogg, in a letter to William K. Baldwin, bearing date
March 19th, 1900, writes:
"* * * Gen. Bob. McCullough, now of Boonsville, Missouri, was in
command of the regiment that killed my brother. * * * He (Col.
Hogg) was trying hard to get to Col. McCullough to kill him with
his saber and if it had not been for three of McCullough's men who
shot him, he would have killed McCullough."
Colonel Hogg's charge resulted in driving the enemy from the field and
winning the battle at a time when the outlook seemed hopeless.
William M. Baldwin, who was a member of Company K, and knew the Colonel
well, has given the following estimate of his character:
"Colonel Hogg was the picture of manly strength and soldierly
bearing; about six feet in height, compactly built, erect, moving
with the easy step of an athlete as if he delighted in action, a
superb horseman, black hair, dark eyes and swarthy complexion;
loved by his men for his ever courteous conduct to them and trusted
by them for his bravery and courage, had he not been thus early cut
down in his military career he would no doubt have achieved high
military honors and placed himself beside the great cavalry leaders
of the war."
[Illustration: COL. JOHN J. MUDD]
COLONEL JOHN J. MUDD.
Colonel John J. Mudd was born on the ninth of January, 1820, in St.
Charles County, Missouri, where his parents had emigrated during the
previous year from Kentucky. When John was twelve years of age, his
father died from an attack of Asiatic cholera, and within a few months
thereafter the widow, with six children, moved to Pike County,
Illinois, and located near Pittsfield where they thereafter made their
home.
In 1850 Colonel Mudd made an over-land trip to California, returned by
sea, and during the following year made a second over-land trip. Many
of the emigrants were unprovided for the long and tedious journey and
would have faced starvation had not Colonel Mudd generously divided his
supplies with them until they were exhausted.
In 1854 Mr. Mudd moved to St. Louis, where he established an extensive
mercantile business as well as a reputation for integrity and public
spirit. In 1859, he moved with his family and business to Chicago,
where, shortly after the outbreak of the war, he enlisted as a member
of the Second Illinois Cavalry, and on September 23rd, 1861, received
his commission as Second Major.
Major Mudd was stationed for a time at Paducah, Kentucky, and
participated in the subsequent campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee and
Mississippi.
Immediately after the surrender of Fort Donelson, Major Mudd was
informed that a man had just left with important papers. Mudd followed
in the hope of overtaking the man, and in doing so, passed beyond the
Federal lines. He had gone but a short distance when he met a citizen
who asked for protection, which was granted. As the two were riding
towards Dover, they were joined by two others who also asked for
protection. While engaged in conversation with them the first one fell
in the rear, drew his revolver and fired at the Major. The bullet
struck near the spine but the wound was not fatal. The Major
immediately put spurs to his horse, when the man fired a second time
but without effect, and then fled.
Upon his way to our lines, the Major, while suffering intensely from
his wound and weak from the loss of blood, captured a rebel officer
and, being loath to risk further bullets in the back, compelled him to
ride into camp in advance.
Owing to the confusion following the surrender of the fort, the Major
had much difficulty in finding a surgeon to examine and dress his
wound. It was decided not to extract the bullet, and he carried it
until his death. The wound healed slowly and he never fully recovered
from its effects.
After a short leave of absence, the Major was ordered on detached
service upon the staff of General McClernand, where he remained until
that officer was relieved from his command at the surrender of
Vicksburg.
Major Mudd participated in the operations at the siege of Corinth; and
during the following winter was with his regiment in that neighborhood.
At the battle of Holly Springs, after the cowardly surrender of the
place by Colonel Murphy, he not only refused to surrender, but, with a
small detachment of his men, cut his way through the rebel lines by
which the post had been surrounded, and escaped. His conduct upon that
occasion won the respect and admiration of his men. His fighting spirit
was shown by capturing a considerable number of prisoners while his own
detachment was escaping from a large pursuing body.
On December 31st, 1862, Major Mudd was promoted to the position of
Lieutenant Colonel, to fill the vacancy formed by the resignation of
Lieutenant Quincy McNeil; and a few weeks later, when Colonel Noble was
mustered out of the service, he was promoted to fill the latter's
position.
Colonel Mudd was actively engaged in the Vicksburg campaign and
participated in every battle from Port Gibson to that of Black River
Bridge.
During the siege of Vicksburg, his command was engaged in guarding the
rear to prevent an attack by Johnson. Shortly before the surrender,
while reconnoitering in the Black River swamp, he was shot by one of
the enemy from a concealed position. One bullet struck below the left
eye and lodged near the ear, while another struck near the collar-bone
and passed nearly out through the shoulder. His aides supported him
upon his horse and enabled him to escape capture. He bled profusely and
suffered much but retained consciousness and sufficient strength to
permit his removal to a place of safety at the house of a widow who did
all in her power to render him comfortable until the arrival of a
surgeon. He was sent to his home, where he soon recovered and again
reported for duty at New Orleans, where his command was then stationed.
Colonel Mudd, as Acting Brigadier General, was given command of a
brigade of cavalry in the Bayou Teche campaign under General Banks.
There was much fighting and skirmishing of which the Colonel's men bore
the brunt. The health of their leader became so impaired from hardship
and exposure that he was forced to return to New Orleans. Upon his
arrival there he received an order to recruit his regiment, and
immediately went to Springfield, Illinois, where he opened a recruiting
office. Upon filling the ranks, he returned with his men to New
Orleans, from whence he was ordered to Baton Rouge. At the latter place
he received an order from General Banks to report without delay as
Chief of Staff to General McClernand at Alexandria, Louisiana. On the
first of May, 1864, he embarked upon the steamer "City-Belle," for
Alexandria. Three days after, at Dunne's Bayou, upon the Red River, a
band of guerrillas opened fire upon the steamer from a masked battery
at close range. There were but two guns but they were enough for the
purpose. The second shot broke the pilot-wheel and killed the pilot.
Another caused an explosion of one of the boilers and the boat became
unmanageable. This had barely occurred, when Colonel Speigle, of the
120th Ohio Infantry, senior officer in command, was killed. Colonel
Mudd then assumed command and ordered the engineer to run the boat
ashore to permit a dash upon the enemy. All efforts to accomplish this
failed. After the fifth shot, the enemy fired grape and canister and
the execution was appalling. In the hope of pulling the vessel to land,
Colonel Mudd put a life-preserver upon one of the men who swam ashore
with the line. At this juncture Colonel Mudd was instantly killed by a
shot in the forehead as he stood upon the boat giving orders.
Could the vessel have been landed, the guerrillas, who were greatly
inferior in numbers, might easily have been driven off or captured.
There was no alternative, however, and the vessel was surrendered. Of
the six hundred soldiers on board, all but about one hundred and sixty
were either killed or captured. The others escaped; Daniel Bates, who
carried the line ashore, and the Colonel's orderly being among the
number, and made their way to Alexandria. The guerrillas burned the
boat and robbed both living and dead. All of the latter, except one,
being stripped of their clothing. And here occurred one of those
inexplicable things, of which examples may be found all through
history, indicating how closely the highest and most admirable
characteristics of men are intertwined with the most shockingly brutal
ones. Colonel Mudd, whose commission as Acting Brigadier General was in
his pocket, was buried in his uniform and his name marked upon the
grave.
Upon the retreat of our army, the grave was discovered and the body
disinterred and removed to New Orleans in care of Lieutenant J. S.
McHenry of Company A, Second Illinois Cavalry, where it was embalmed
and taken to the General's home at Pittsfield, Illinois, for burial.
At a meeting of the Second Illinois Cavalry, held at Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, on May 22nd, 1864, to render respect to the memory of its
former commander, the highest tribute was paid to him both as a soldier
and a man.
General Mudd was kind, genial, fair-minded, manly, loyal and true and
possessed a moral courage not always associated with physical bravery.
This characteristic is well illustrated by an incident which occurred
shortly before the outbreak of the war. In December, 1860, he was at
the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans. Feeling among the slave-holders
was at high tension. It became known that Mr. Mudd, who was then a
Chicago merchant, had voted for Lincoln, and those present insisted
that he should express his views. He did so, frankly, fairly and
fearlessly; closing with the statement: "The loyal North, with the
loyal people of the South, will preserve the Union and sustain Mr.
Lincoln as President at any cost."
A citizen, Mr. Anthony Coyle, who heard him, said: "This was the most
loyal act performed by any man in the city while I was there"; adding,
"Colonel Mudd expressed his views with the best of judgment and
intelligence and made a lasting impression upon the minds of friend and
foe." It was not enough, however, to be fair. Sectional hatred had
passed all bounds and Mr. Mudd was driven from the hotel and from the
city.
There were a few loyal men in New Orleans at the time who had aided in
protecting Northern men and in helping them to leave the place. These,
of whom Mr. Coyle was one, helped Mr. Mudd to escape in safety, but not
until he had had the satisfaction of saying to those who drove him out
and threatened his life, "I shall come again when I can publicly
express my sentiments and announce for whom I have voted without fear
of being murdered by a mob of traitors." Nothing could have been more
gratifying to him than the subsequent realization that his prophecy had
been fulfilled.
By a strange coincidence, about one year after this occurrence, Mr.
Coyle enlisted in Colonel Mudd's regiment.
Colonel Mudd was survived by a widow and daughter. The latter, Ella
Webb Mudd, who attended a reunion held at Pittsfield, Illinois, in
1893, was adopted as "Daughter of the Regiment." In reply to the vote
of adoption, she said:
"Gentlemen, Comrades of my father: I wonder if you all know how
unprepared I am for this call to come before you; to be sure, I was
told a day or so ago that this would probably be done tonight but I
did not know until this afternoon that I was expected to appear in
it.
"However, a soldier's daughter should have some courage and
certainly I may try, without apology, to tell you how thoroughly I
appreciate the honor you have just given me--the highest in your
power. And yet more highly I value the motive which prompted your
action, for right well do I know that it is not for myself, but
springs from your love and devotion to my father, and by it you
give additional proof that his memory is still fresh in your
hearts.
"As I have met one and another of you, and read the many letters to
my mother and myself from Comrades we have never seen, I have
realized more and more how you loved him and what he was to you--as
one so beautifully expressed it--'Not only our commander, but
friend and brother as well.' So is it any wonder that I am glad to
see you?
"Let me once more thank you for what you have done--thank you in
the name of my father--for all who knew him, either in the army or
otherwise, know how well he would have enjoyed these occasions, and
how this would have gratified him;--so, for him, my mother and
myself, I thank you, and believe me, I shall ever proudly bear the
title of 'Daughter of the Regiment' to which he belonged."
The record of General Mudd is his epitaph. This can never be taken
away, and to attempt to add to it by words would lessen its soldierly
dignity.
[Illustration: COL. BENJAMIN F. MARSH]
COLONEL BENJAMIN F. MARSH.
Benjamin F. Marsh was a native of the State which he served as a
soldier. He was born in Warsaw County, Illinois, on November 19th,
1835. Reared upon a farm, he received the rudiments of an education in
the public schools and subsequently spent four years at Jubilee
College, but did not complete the course. Mr. Marsh was admitted to the
Bar in 1860 and commenced practice in his native county; but the
rebellion soon served to change his occupation.
Early in the beginning of the war Mr. Marsh organized a cavalry company
and tendered his services with that of the company to Governor Yates.
The latter was unable to accept the offer owing to the fact that
cavalry was not included in President Lincoln's call; whereupon Mr.
Marsh at once enlisted as a private in the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry,
in which regiment he was chosen as Quarter-Master. The regiment was
sent to Missouri: and shortly after its arrival, Quarter-Master Marsh
was recalled by a telegram from Governor Yates, offering to accept his
company of cavalry. He immediately returned to his home at Warsaw and
recruited the company afterwards known as Company G of the Second
Illinois Cavalry, of which he was elected Captain.
The brave, dashing, manly and noble qualities of Captain Marsh caused
him to be popular with his superior officers as well as with his men,
and he received rapid advancement. He was promoted to the position of
Major on December 31st, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel, on May 3rd, 1864, and
Colonel, on August 29th, 1865.
Colonel Marsh was engaged in active service in the first and second
Vicksburg campaigns and did much towards saving his command and others
in the unfortunate and humiliating Red River Expedition. At Holly
Springs he refused to be surrendered by the officer in command, and
after cutting his way with a small detachment through the line by which
they were surrounded, charged through another body and made a juncture
with Major Bush, whereupon the two detachments charged back through the
rebel lines, released their comrades who had been captured, and again
cut their way out. During this engagement he received three severe
wounds but kept on fighting.
Upon one occasion upon the Red River Expedition, a shell exploded
directly over his head and a fragment from it killed his horse. Of four
gun-shot wounds, he carried the lead of a part of them throughout his
life. With the exception of Virginia, and North and South Carolina, he
campaigned in every State of the Confederacy.
Colonel Marsh was mustered out of the service in January, 1866 and
returned to his home where he resumed the practice of law. In 1876 he
was elected to Congress as the representative of his District, which
position he held for three successive terms until 1883. After a period
of retirement, he was again elected for four successive terms.
During the Spanish American war, he was offered a commission by
President McKinley as Brigadier General, but refused it owing to the
slight prospect for active service.
Colonel Marsh was a large land-holder in his native County, and at the
time of his death, was the owner of the farm upon which he was born. He
died at his home in Warsaw on June 2nd, 1905, honored, respected and
loved for what he was and what he did.
[Illustration: MAJOR JOHN R. HOTALING]
MAJOR JOHN R. HOTALING.
John R. Hotaling (or Houghtaling, as originally spelled) was born in
Sharon, Schoharie County, New York, on March 3rd, 1824. His parents
were of the old "Knickerbocker" stock and he inherited the sturdy,
persistent and manly characteristics of his race. At the age of
fifteen, he was "bound out" for three years as an apprentice to a
printer; but after serving for eighteen months, he bought his "time"
and went to New York City where, after numerous disappointments, he
obtained employment in a printing office and worked at the trade for a
year. At the end of the year he went abroad with a Captain Hitchcock,
with whose family he had become acquainted, and during an absence of
five months, visited Antwerp, Rotterdam and other European cities.
Upon his return he was employed as the overseer of a wire-mill and soon
obtained a thorough knowledge of the business. His energy and ability
attracted the attention of an English Company that was about to start a
like enterprise and he was made foreman of their factory. A proof of
the estimation in which he was held is indicated by the fact that he
was the only one in the company's service who had not served an
apprenticeship of seven years. Mr. Hotaling remained with the English
company until the beginning of the Mexican War, when he enlisted in a
New York company of mounted dragoons. The company shipped to Vera Cruz
and from thence joined the main army which fought its way to the City
of Mexico. Hotaling was one of the first to enter, and one of the last
to leave that place. While there he had an encounter with guerrillas
and received a severe saber-cut which came near being fatal and would
have proven so but for the prompt assistance of a comrade.
Mr. Hotaling made his home in the Southern States for about three years
after the close of the Mexican war. Upon the discovery of gold in
California, he was among the first to join the tide of immigration to
that state. Going to New York he joined a company of sixty who
chartered a ship to take them to their destination by way of Cape Horn.
The voyage bore every promise of a most attractive outing. The
chartered vessel was a thing of beauty for its day, the cabin being
luxuriously furnished and all things betokened the most refined
comfort. Much to their surprise, however, when the time came for
sailing, there had been a complete transformation. The cabin had been
stripped of everything suggestive of comfort and in place of rare china
and the sumptuous service promised, they were introduced to tin cups
and plates and iron spoons. Aside from this, the vessel proved to be
unseaworthy and they were compelled to stop at Rio Janeiro for repairs,
where complaint was made to the American Consul. The ship was detained
at Rio Janeiro thirty-one days. During this time Mr. Hotaling became
acquainted with some influential citizens who were attracted to him and
by whom he was invited to attend a birthday reception given by the
Emperor, Dom. Pedro, at which he was presented to the Emperor and
Empress. Shortly afterwards he was entertained by the Emperor who
exhibited great interest in the United States, and particularly in its
public schools.
The ship put in at the port of Calao where it remained fifteen days.
During this time Mr. Hotaling visited Lima and other places of
interest. Again the ship weighed anchor and resumed its tiresome
course. At last, after a voyage of eight months and three days it
arrived in the port of San Francisco in the autumn of 1849. Mr.
Hotaling failed to find success in the land of gold, and in 1851
returned to New York. From there he emigrated to Illinois and located
at the present site of Rochelle, then known as Hickory Grove, where he
engaged in mercantile business and remained until the beginning of the
Civil War.
In the summer of 1861 he recruited a cavalry company, afterwards known
as Company A, of the Second Illinois Cavalry. Captain Hotaling soon
became dissatisfied with his superior officers and succeeded in having
Companies A and B detailed upon detached service. It was his opinion
that by so doing he could secure better results than could otherwise be
accomplished, and time justified his judgment.
Captain Hotaling was in the Fort Donelson campaign, and at the battle
of Shiloh was detailed upon General Grant's Staff to command the Tenth
Missouri Sharp-Shooters. His company acted as escort to General Ord and
later, to General Logan, remaining with the latter until after the
surrender of Vicksburg. After being with General Logan a short time,
Captain Hotaling was appointed Senior Aid upon the latter's staff, with
the title of Major, in which capacity he served until the close of the
war.
[Illustration: FIVE OF SIX HOTALING BROTHERS WHO FOUGHT IN THE WAR
DIGHTON JOHN R. CHARLES NICHOLAS STUBEN]
In the Atlanta campaign Major Hotaling performed an important service.
He was conspicuous in the battle of Atlanta and took general
supervision in General Logan's stead, of that part of the line
represented by the Fifteenth Corps. When the Confederate assault was
made, he was at the front with Smyth's Battery and narrowly escaped
capture. As a result, he lost his horse and personal equipment. Later,
he was instrumental in rallying the men of Jones' Brigade when they
were badly disordered, and led them in a brilliant charge up to the
guns of the enemy; thereby recapturing the rifle-pits and De Gress'
Battery.
Much of the credit for the victory at Atlanta was given to Major
Hotaling by General Logan, who said of him that, "as a brave, diligent
and faithful officer, he had no superior in the service."
General C. C. Walcott, of Columbus, Ohio, who was present at the
battle, is reported to have said that he "considered Major Hotaling as
one of the bravest officers in the field and that our forces owed their
success before Atlanta, more to him than to any other one man; that he
had wondered why he did not receive promotion immediately afterwards."
The Major's modest reply to this suggestion was characteristic. The
substance of it was that in the position he then occupied, having as he
did, the full confidence of General Logan and the control of fifteen
thousand men, he thought that he could be of more service to his
country than he could possibly have been by any promotion he might hope
to have gotten.
At the close of the war, Major Hotaling returned to his home in
Rochelle, Illinois, and in 1869 was appointed Post Master of that
place.
Some of his later experiences were the outgrowth of early California
history. For some years during the pioneer days of that State, Henry
Meigs, of San Francisco, was the leading banker upon the western coast.
His mining, lumbering and other interests grew so rapidly and required
such a large capital that he suddenly found himself unable to meet his
engagements. With bankruptcy before him, he collected as much gold as
possible, bought a bark and put to sea with his treasure. The vessel
was becalmed in a fog in the Golden Gate. Meigs' flight and the absence
of the bark were discovered the same evening and a steamer was sent in
pursuit. It passed so closely to the becalmed bark that its lights were
seen and conversation upon it heard upon the fugitive ship. Nobody on
board the bark, unless it may have been the captain, knew the identity
of Meigs or that they were being pursued. Before morning a breeze
enabled them to clear the harbor and they sailed for Otahitee. From
there they touched at various islands in the Pacific but apparently
without any definite destination in view.
Nicholas Hotaling, a brother of the Major, who was the Second officer
of the vessel, attracted the attention of Meigs, who seemed to take a
warm interest in him. Hotaling was disposed to reciprocate the feeling
but became suspicious, owing to the apparently aimless wandering of the
vessel. His room was next to that of Meigs. One night he heard a sound
in Meigs' room like the chinking of coin. Looking through a slight
crack in the partition, he saw Meigs upon the floor before an open
chest filled with gold coin and bullion, which convinced him that
something was wrong. After a cruise of several months, the ship entered
the harbor of Valparaiso, and Meigs was put on shore with his box. He
offered fine inducements to Hotaling to stay with him, but the latter
refused and neither saw the other for many years.
With the money at his disposal (which, as afterwards learned, amounted
to five hundred thousand dollars), coupled with his great business
sagacity, Meigs was soon at the head of large projects, all of which
were successful--the chief one being the Trans-Andean Railway. His
first thought, after his great success, was to retrieve his good name
which had stood as a synonym of honor in California before his default;
and to make recompense to those who had been ruined or injured by his
act. He had retained a list of the names of his creditors with the
amount due to each, and in due time paid every debt in full, together
with interest. Many indictments were pending against him in California,
but when he made restitution, a special act of the Legislature was
passed cancelling them all.
Upon hearing of Meigs' fame, Hotaling wrote to him. Meigs had not
forgotten his old friend. He immediately replied, offering him a
liberal inducement to go to Chili. The offer was accepted and was soon
followed by another to Major Hotaling of a position in Central America
in connection with a railroad project then undergoing development in
that country. Leaving the Post Office in charge of his wife, Major
Hotaling went to Central America in the fall of 1871. The climate
proved to be too trying and in a few months he was compelled to resign
and returned home.
In 1874 Major Hotaling was induced to visit the gold fields of South
America; but again the climate and other things equally trying,
compelled him to return.
In 1883 he went to Huron, South Dakota, and finding the climate
especially beneficial, resigned his position as Post Master, and in the
spring of 1884 moved with his family to that place where he died on
October 13th, 1886. His remains were interred in Lawnridge Cemetery,
Rochelle, Illinois.
Major Hotaling was one of six brothers who served during the war; three
of whom, Nicholas, Charles and Dighton, were in his company; the
others, Oscar and Steuben, were in Eastern regiments.
The character of Major Hotaling was an attractive one. He was quiet,
modest, sincere and dignified, but always pleasant and approachable. As
a soldier, he was earnest, loyal and brave to a degree, and the welfare
of his men was his first consideration. He never commanded a soldier to
go where he would not lead, and never hesitated to lead because Death
stood in the way. On one occasion at Vicksburg a shell fell in a trench
where he was standing with others. Without hesitation he grasped the
shell with its burning fuse and threw it over the ramparts almost at
the instant of its explosion. This act was characteristic of the man in
all emergencies, and was but one of many which went to make up his
career as a soldier.
THE END.
[Illustration: ILLINOIS STATE MONUMENT AT SHILOH
"Illinois erects this monument to commemorate her sons who here gave
their services to perpetuate the honor and glory of the United
States."]
ROSTER OF COMPANY A
Name and Rank. Residence. Date of rank Date of
or enlistment. muster.
Remarks.
CAPTAINS--
John R. Hotaling Lane Aug. 24, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Promoted Major
William B. Cummins Lane Nov. 19, 1863 Nov. 26, 1864
Discharged June 24, 1865
FIRST LIEUTS.--
Frank B. Bennett Lane Aug. 24, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Resigned June 3, 1862
William B. Cummins Lane June 3, 1862 July 17, 1862
Promoted
Edward C. Baker White Rock Nov. 19, 1863 Nov. 26, 1864
Mustered out
SECOND LIEUTS.--
Albert J. Jackson Morrison Aug. 24, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Resigned Mar. 19, 1862
William B. Cummins Lane Mar. 18, 1862 Nov. 16, 1862
Promoted
Shepherd G. Patrick Dixon June 3, 1862 Aug. 14, 1861
Resigned Sept. 13, 1862
James S. McHenry Lane Sept. 13, 1862 Aug. 14, 1861
Resigned Mar. 3, 1864
FIRST SERGEANT--
William B. Cummins Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Promoted 2d Lieutenant
Q. M. SERGEANT--
J. S. McHenry Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Promoted 2d Lieutenant
SERGEANTS--
J. Q. Bowers White Rock Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Aug. 11, 1864
Nicholas Hotaling Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Aug. 11, 1864
D. B. Dewey Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Apr. 22, 1862
Frank Hatch Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Prisoner of war since Feb. 12, 1862. Reported to have died in prison
CORPORALS--
Isaac Brown Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Aug. 11, 1864, as private
B. F. Berry Dixon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Died Mar. 27, 1862
Harvey R. James Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Aug. 11, 1864, as private
S. G. Patrick Dixon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Promoted 2d Lieutenant
J. A. B. Butterfield Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Aug. 11, 1864, as Serg't.
G. W. Hemstock Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Aug. 11, 1864, as Serg't.
BLACKSMITH--
Edmond Connor Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged July 8, 1862
BUGLER--
Frank Clendenin Morrison Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Trans. to 8th Ill. Cavalry
PRIVATES--
Antisdale, Simon L. Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Died, N. Orleans, Oct. 12, 1863
Allen, Charles Morrison Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Aug. 11, 1864
Boyce, Benjamin Pine Rock Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Aug. 11, 1864, as Corp.
Belles, Cornelius Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Aug. 11, 1864, as Corp.
Beck, Anton Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Aug. 11, 1864, as Corp.
Bechtol, Reuben Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Jan. 20, 1862
Baker, Edward C. White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Burghardt, Geo. H. White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
M. O., Sept. 3, 1864, as Serg't.
Crosby, William White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Killed near Vermillion, La., Nov. 11, 1863
Curry, Charles White Rock Sept. 2, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Mustered out Sept. 3, 1864
Dunlap, Joseph Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Jan. 20, 1863
Doud, George Dixon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Feb. 3, 1862, to join gunboat service
Dewey, L. F. White Rock Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Sept. 18, 1863
Denkler, S. F. Lane Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Mustered out Sept. 3, 1864
Edwards, H. R. Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Fletcher, S. H. Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Feland, Charles White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Gritz, John Franklin Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Aug. 11, 1864
Gillet, Asa W. White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Hill, Hiram Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Sept. 9, 1862
Hotaling, D. W. Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged July 11, 1862
Hotaling, Charles Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Dec. 20, 1861
Hodgsdon, Charles O. Dixon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Aug. 11, 1864, as Corp.
Hunisdon, Lewis Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged June 30, 1862
Hardcastle, George Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Aug. 18, 1864
Haslett, S. W. Polo Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged April 11, 1864
Hicks, H. G. Freeport Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Prom. Sergeant Major
Huffman, George Franklin Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged April 18, 1862
Hughes, John A. Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Aug. 11, 1864, as Serg't.
Hubberd, Lewis Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Died at Memphis, July 28, 1863; wounds
Higgs, Thomas H. Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Hull, Jedediah D. White Rock Sept. 2, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Dec. 6, 1861
Harnaker, Morgan Lane Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Died, Memphis, Feb. 26, 1863
Hilands, Robert Lane Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Mustered out Sept. 3, 1864
Johnson, Samuel Lane Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Jan. 7, 1863
Klock, Martin P. Polo Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Lewis, Charles Byron Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Sept. 4, 1861
Luttis, Jacob Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Died Feb. 25, 1862
Myers, William R. Morrison Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Feb. 3, 1862
Morrell, J. V. Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Sept. 5, 1862
Manning, Joseph Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Jan. 26, 1862
Mack, John P. Pecatonica Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Mills, G. H. Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
McCorckle, James Lane Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
1st Serg't. Killed in action at Port Gibson, Miss., May 20, 1863
Masaleo, William White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Deserted Aug. 1, 1862
Marson, Samuel G. White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Mustered out Sept. 3, 1864
Nuppenan, Henry White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Mustered out Sept. 3, 1864
Nelson, Charles Franklin Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged April 18, 1862
Pond, D. B. White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged April 28, 1862
Pottarf, B. R. Lane Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Died at Trenton, Tenn., Aug. 3, 1862
Prescott, William Winnebago Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Parsons, James F. Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Aug. 11, 1864
Padgett, James L. Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Petrie, John R. Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Nov. 19, 1862
Place, Samuel M. Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Aug. 11, 1864
Pond, C. K. White Rock Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Died, St. Louis, July 19, 1863
Rhoades, John Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Rogers, William Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Jan. 20, 1862
Sheldon, Marion R. Dixon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged Aug. 11, 1864
Shaw, Daniel D. Mt. Morris Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Smith, Frank Lane Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Steele, Calvin Lane Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Sheaff, Peter White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Mustered out Sept. 3, 1864
Shannon, Osborn White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Feb., 1864, as Serg't.
Sheaff, Joseph White Rock Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Disch. Sept. 3, 1864, as Serg't.
Stillwell, William F. Lane Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Townsend, Grant White Rock Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Taylor, George Pecatonica Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Twiney, Francis Mt. Morris Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged May 15, 1862
Van Wey, George Oregon Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Discharged May 8, 1862
Wells, D. J. Byron Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Wise, James Byron Aug. 8, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Winters, George W. Lane Sept. 4, 1861 Aug. 14, 1861
Died Sept. 22, 1862
VETERANS--
Baker, Edward C. Pine Rock Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Prom. Sgt., then 1st Lieut.
Chatterton, Chas. E. Lane Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Edwards, Hugh R. Leaf River Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Elder, John S. Lake Providence Jan. 5, 1864 Feb. 5, 1864
Corp'l M. O., June 22, 1865, as of first enlistment
Feeland, Charles Lane Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Fletcher, Samuel H. Lane Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Gillet, Asa W. White Rock Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Higgs, Thomas H. Mt. Morris Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Klock, Martin J. Polo Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Mills, George H. Lane Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Sgt. M. O. as supernumerary non-commis. officer, June 24, 1865
Mack, John P. Elida Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Prescott, William Elida Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Padgett, James L. Lane Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Rhoades, John Lane Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Stillwell, William F. White Rock Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Co. Q. M. Sgt. M. O., June 24, 1865, as supernumerary non-com. officer
Steel, Calvin Lane Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Smith, Frank Lane Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Townsend, Grant White Rock Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. A, as consol.
Taylor, George Pecatonica Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Towner, Seth S. Lane Jan. 5, 1864 Feb. 5, 1864
Died, N. Orleans, Dec. 16, 1864
Wise, James Leaf River Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Wells, David J. Leaf River Jan. 5, 1864 Jan. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
RECRUITS--
Airhart, William W. Lane Aug. 27, 1862 ----
Discharged Sept. 10, 1863
Aulis, Charles W. Lane Sept. 3, 1862 ----
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Adams, Robert M. Lane Aug. 27, 1862 ----
Died, Vicksburg, Aug. 8, 1863
Allen, Hiram ---- Dec. 23, 1863 ----
Deserted Mar. 19, 1864
Austin, George Decatur Jan. 4, 1864 Feb. 2, 1864
Trans. to Co. D, as consol.
Archer, John Carthage Aug. 12, 1862 ----
Mustered out June 13, 1865, See Recruits, Co. H.
Brewin, George ---- ---- ----
--------
Boughman, Lewis Barry Nov. 18, 1863 Dec. 31, 1863
Missing in action at Sabine Cr. Roads, La., April 8, 1864
Beedle, John Douglas Co. Jan. 25, 1864 Jan. 25, 1864
Tr. to 2d La. Inf., Oct. 17, 1864
Chatterton, Chas. E. Lane Sept. 2, 1861 ----
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Casler, Orlando C. Lane Aug. 27, 1862 Apr. 21, 1863
--------
Conaway, Jeremiah White Rock Sept. 3, 1862 ----
--------
Coe, George R. Union Grove Feb. 1, 1864 Feb. 10, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
DeGroudt, Clement Union Grove Feb. 1, 1864 Feb. 10, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Disbrow, Charles Decatur Jan. 4, 1864 Feb. 2, 1864
Mustered out June 22, 1865
Davis, Phillip Bourbon Feb. 3, 1864 Feb. 3, 1864
Deserted Nov. 18, 1864
Dewey, James C. Rockford Nov. 4, 1863 Dec. 31, 1863
Died at Baton Rouge, La.
Elder, John S. Louisville, Tex. Mar. 3, 1863 Apr. 21, 1863
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Ellis, John Douglas Co. Jan. 25, 1864 Jan. 25, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Fergus, James A. Jacksonville Sept. 24, 1862 Apr. 21, 1863
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Gordonier, Henderson Lane Oct. 9, 1862 ----
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Garlock, James Lynnville Jan. 29, 1864 Mar. 28, 1864
Died at Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 25, 1864
Howlett, John R. Lane Dec. 1, 1861 ----
Prom. Adjutant 1st Bat.
Hemstock, James L. Lane Aug. 20, 1862 Apr. 21, 1863
Discharged June 26, 1863
Hiland, Andrew Lane Sept. 3, 1862 ----
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Hamlin, David Lane Sept. 25, 1862 ----
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Hemstock, John D. Lane Aug. 12, 1863 ----
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Hefzug, John G. Dixon Feb. 29, 1864 Feb. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Hart, Charles White Rose Feb. 26, 1864 Mar. 28, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Hicks, Henry S. Sugar Grove Dec. 9, 1863 Dec. 9, 1863
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Harbour, Elijah Sadorus Dec. 15, 1863 Dec. 15, 1863
Vet. M. O. May 11, 1865
Jewell, George W. Lane Aug. 12, 1863 Aug. 12, 1863
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Keith, Corwin B. Lane Aug. 12, 1863 Aug. 12, 1863
Discharged March, 1863
Kessler, Hartman Brooklyn Mar. 9, 1864 Mar. 9, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Lord, James W. Lane Sept. 17, 1862 ----
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Lilley, Joshua D. Pine Rock Feb. 26, 1864 Mar. 28, 1864
Mustered out May 27, 1865
Lilley, Lazrus Marion Feb. 26, 1864 Apr. 13, 1864
Trans. to Co. B, as consol.
Miers, Henry Lane Aug. 27, 1862 ----
Discharged Oct. 9, 1862
Myers, William R. Joliet Dec. 21, 1863 Dec. 21, 1863
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Martin, William Havana Dec. 1, 1863 Dec. 31, 1863
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
McDonald, C. H. Lane Sept. 2, 1861 ----
--------
Phelps, Henry G. White Rock Aug. 27, 1862 Apr. 21, 1863
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Quigel, John Douglas Co. Jan. 25, 1864 Jan. 25, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Rathburn, Royal A. Lane Sept. 3, 1862 ----
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Skelton, Thomas Lane Nov. 1, 1861 ----
Discharged May 16, 1862
Sternberg, Hezekiah Lane Aug. 27, 1862 Apr. 21, 1863
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Smith, Henry L. Lane ---- ----
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Sanford, Richmond Springfield Dec. 16, 1863 Dec. 16, 1863
Deserted March 19, 1864
Stockman, Augustus Brooklyn Mar. 9, 1864 Mar. 9, 1864
Trans. to Co. D, as consol.
Schubert, Charles Hardin Oct. 23, 1863 Dec. 31, 1863
Deserted Jan. 18, 1865
Scott, Frank B. Wills Mar. 29, 1864 Mar. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Towner, Seth S. Lane Sept. 3, 1862 ----
Re-enlisted as Veteran
Towner, Wayne Lane Aug. 12, 1863 Feb. 26, 1864
Trans. to Co. B, as consol.
Ulrich, William H. Dixon Feb. 29, 1864 Feb. 29, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Underwood, James A. Peoria Jan. 4, 1864 Jan. 5, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Van Isler, George Urbana Nov. 27, 1863 Dec. 31, 1863
Trans. to Co. D, as consol.
Wheeler, Smith R. Cairo Oct. 12, 1861 Apr. 21, 1863
Died, Vicksburg, July 17, 1863
Wilt, Noah White Rock Aug. 27, 1862 ----
Died, Memphis, Mar. 18, 1864
Wheeler, Charles T. Lane Aug. 12, 1863 ----
Mustered out June 21, 1865
Wright, Benjamin L. Peoria Jan. 4, 1864 Jan. 5, 1864
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.
Waters, George B. Urbana Aug. 1, 1862 ----
M. O. to date July 18, 1865
Warren, Stephen ---- ---- ----
Discharged Aug. 11, 1864
Neely, Jas. ---- Sept. 17, 1862 ----
Mustered out June 11, 1865
Wampler, M. J. S. Barry Nov. 18, 1863 Dec. 31, 1863
Trans. to Co. E, as consol.