in upon me. I go back in memory to the days of '61. I am again at the war
meeting in Newark, where I listened to the thrilling eloquence of Watson
until fired by a new born purpose I there resolved to serve my country
and, if so it be ordered, to die in the service. I was one of the first to
sign the Company roll. We are now widely scattered, but are bound together
by the strongest ties. We will hardly meet again in this life, but may we
so live that we shall meet around our Father's throne where severed ties
of earth shall be re-united in Heaven." To this closing sentiment of our
brave Comrade say I, most heartily, Amen. So may we live. Let every
Company K man, still left, use this prayer. Comrades Gray and Taylor, join
in.
Our Recruits.
TWO SPLENDID ENGLISHMEN.
On the 4th of July, 1861, two young men of good appearance walked into our
camp and immediately declared their intentions. They proposed to unite
with us. We cordially accepted, and the next day the ceremony was
performed.
JOHN BROAD, Schell City, Vernon County, Missouri.
July 5, 1861-November 27, 1861. Born in England. Came to America in 1859.
Twenty-two years old when enlisted. Pensioned at rate of four dollars a
month for disabilities incurred in service. A carpenter by trade, but now
farming. Was brought up an Anglican. At present a member of the M. E.
church, South. Formerly a democrat. Now votes with the Alliance.
THOMAS HOPGOOD, Clinton, Henry County, Missouri.
July 5, 1861-July 5, 1864. Born in England. Came to America May, 1859.
Twenty-six years old when enlisted. Receives no pension. Politics,
republican all the time. Religion, Protestant, a Presbyterian. Has not
forgotten the time when we campaigned together. Remembers all the boys and
wants to be remembered by all of them.
TWO MORE RECRUITS, BUT NOT OF A KIND.
About the middle of August, 1861, two large and very brave looking men,
Bishop and another[1], came down from Kendall county, Illinois, to join
Company K. We were then at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and just at that
juncture were in need of re-inforcements. A Confederate army under General
Polk had crossed the river at Columbus, Kentucky, and was threatening the
town. When the recruits arrived the camp was in commotion on account of
the expected attack. Bishop immediately got a gun, took his place in the
ranks and was ready for active hostilities. The other became sad and
pensive. He did not want a gun, and did not appear so much of a warrior as
at the moment of his arrival. He finally went on board of a boat with some
women and children and crossed the Mississippi river. After remaining in
the woods of Southern Illinois for a few days he came back to camp to get
his carpet bag. He did not want to be mustered into the army. He wanted to
go to his peaceful home, and he went. He still lives in Illinois. I am not
informed as to whether he has succeeded in getting a pension or not. His
case will require a special act.
[1] In original manuscript the name of this recruit was given, but it
is here omitted in compliance with the very earnest solicitation of
the printer.
LEWIS G. BISHOP, Grand Junction, Colorado.
July 16, 1861-August 9, 1862. Born in Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, New
York, on St. Patrick's day, 1838. Was, therefore, twenty-three years old
at time of enlistment. Was wounded in left arm and left leg at Shiloh. Was
sent down the rivers to hospitals at Paducah and Mound City. In course of
time obtained leave of absence and went up to Newark, Illinois. Was then
made aware that the people appreciated the soldiers. Was lionized wherever
he went in Kendall county, which was a source of embarrassment to him, as
he was a modest and humble individual. Was discharged because of wounds
and receives pension therefor at rate of twelve dollars a month. He is
glad that he still has his left leg, although it is not as good as the
other. He is obliged to wear a rubber stocking and use other appliances to
suppress inflammation and reduce varicose veins.
Comrade Bishop remembers with minute particularity the events of the Fort
Henry and Fort Donelson campaigns. He remembers as though it were
yesterday the morning, when, at dawn, we discovered lines of Confederates
looking at us from their rifle pits and when Chaplain Button went upon his
knees on the ground and prayed with great earnestness for the salvation of
the souls of those who should be slain in the impending battle. He thinks
that if the Chaplain had taken a fife and stepped out and played "Yankee
Doodle" it would have a better effect. He confesses that the prayer
depressed him. In the state of mind in which he was at that time he would
greatly prefer to live than to die and take his chances for heaven. This
was probably the prevailing sentiment among the soldiers of both armies.
Comrade Bishop came West in the spring of 1860; went as far as Fort
Larimie, Wyoming, returned in the fall to Illinois, taught school near
Newark in winter of 1860-61; in spring of 1861 went to Wisconsin and
helped to run a raft of lumber out of the Wisconsin river down to
Muscatine; in July, 1861, returned to Kendall county, Illinois. When the
disaster occurred at Bull Run he awoke to the fact that the country was
seriously menaced and resolved to be a soldier. He was acquainted with
many of the boys of Company K, had visited them in Joliet, and he decided
to cast his lot with them. He picked up his carpet-bag and went to Cape
Girardeau, Missouri, and was mustered in.
After discharge Comrade Bishop became a student and a teacher; later he
studied dentistry, and for many years has been engaged in the practice of
that profession.
Religion: Agnostic. He neither asserts nor denies any theological dogma.
Politics: Anything to beat the republican party. Believes that the
principles and methods of that party should be relegated to "innosuous
desuetude." The party is owned and fenced in by syndicates, corporations
and factories, and is not worthy of public confidence. The people should
rise in their sovereign capacity and decree that capital shall cease to
dominate the legislation of the country.
Comrade Bishop has been married and he has been un-married. He considers
that St. Paul gave first-class advice when, in his letter to the
Corinthians, he wrote, "Seek not a wife."
AUGUSTUS GAY, No. 902 Second Street, Seattle, Washington.
April 5, 1862-April 9, 1865. Was born at Albany, New York, in July, 1846.
Was, therefore, fifteen years and nine months old when he enlisted. Was
the youngest man in Company K, and looked very honest. No boy in the whole
Union army had a more innocent face than Augustus Gay. He came to us at
Joliet and was rejected. He followed up the Regiment for about a year and
during most of that time had a position on Dr. Bailey's staff. Finally, at
Pittsburg Landing, the day before the battle of Shiloh, he was mustered
into the service as a member of Company K. Was mustered out at Raleigh,
North Carolina, by reason of the expiration of his term of enlistment.
Augustus Gay appeared to court danger. He went into battle with a broad
smile on his face and a twinkle of the eye as though he were engaged in
something pleasant and agreeable. Was very reckless and daring in action.
The wonder was how it happened that he was never killed. Was captured near
Atlanta July 22, 1864, and went to Anderson prison, where he spent several
months. Was finally transferred by the Confederates from Andersonville to
Savannah and was at that place when it was captured by the Union army
December 21, 1864.
I am in receipt of a long and interesting letter from Comrade Gay in which
he gives facts concerning himself. This is dated March 26, 1894. I had
previously written him up for the roster from memory and had classed him
among the missing. He says he was very glad to hear from Company K. He has
never seen any of the Company since the war, and had never heard from any
of them. He was not sick a day while in the army and was never wounded.
Since the war he has never been so seriously sick as to be confined to his
bed. He is not a rich man and he is not a poor man. He weighs 250 pounds.
He lives well. He never chews nor smokes tobacco nor drinks intoxicating
liquors and never plays cards. He has been on the Pacific slope for twenty
years and has not been back to the States during that time. He has been
married for ten years and has now a boy more than half as old as he was
when he joined Company K. After the war he studied dental surgery and has
followed that profession continuously. Receives pension at rate of six
dollars a month. Writes thus: "I want you to put in your roster that if
ever a Company K man comes to this part of the world I want him to come
and see me."
He says that he is Protestant. But I don't think he is a full-blooded
Protestant. If I remember correctly he used to tell us in the army that
his parents were Hibernians, and that he was half Catholic and half
Protestant, and had by inheritance all the good qualities of both kinds of
religion.
JAMES SPRINGER, Eighty-eighth and Throop Streets, Chicago, Illinois.
Born on a farm near La Fayette, Indiana. Enlisted August 28, 1862, at the
age of twenty-two years. Joined Company K at Holly Springs, Mississippi,
in November, 1862, and served until mustered out at the close of the war
in 1865.
After discharge became a student at the University of Chicago, also, law
department thereof, from which he graduated in June, 1868, and was then
admitted to the bar. Practiced law for sixteen years. For a time was
engaged in journalism. Since 1885 has followed a business career.
In politics an independent; in religion a Methodist.
LAMBERT CONNER, Braidwood, Illinois.
Born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. I think he enlisted in the spring of
1863. Was then eighteen years old. Mustered out July 16, 1865. Receives
pension at rate of sixteen dollars a month for disabilities incurred in
service. He did not reply to my letter of inquiry.
FOUR KIDS.
Four nice boys, in a bunch, came into our camp at Big Black river,
Mississippi, about the first of April, 1864. These were Pease Barnard,
Charles Hall, Luman Preston and Fayette Scofield. They were all
"Suckers," were separated from their mothers for the first time and, to
the old campaigners of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg, they, appeared
very fresh and innocent. They had been mustered in several weeks before by
a recruiting officer in Illinois, and fitted out with Uncle Sam's
uniforms, and were now ready to assist in winding up the war.
NATHANIEL PEASE BARNARD, Newark, Illinois.
February 25, 1864-July 16, 1865. Born in LaSalle county, Illinois.
Seventeen years old when enlisted. Served in Georgia, went with Sherman
from Atlanta to the sea, and helped to eviscerate the Carolinas. Pensioned
at rate of eight dollars a month. Member of M. E. church. An active member
of republican party. A lawyer by profession.
CHARLES HALL, Westport, Brown County, South Dakota.
February 24, 1864-July 16, 1865. Born in Kendall county, Illinois.
Eighteen years old when enlisted. July, 1864, in Georgia campaign, was
shot in the neck, and for a time was supposed to be dead. This recruit was
built of good material for a soldier. Did not answer my letter.
LUMAN PRESTON, Dixon, Illinois.
February 16, 1864-July 16, 1865. Born in Kendall county, Illinois.
Eighteen years old when enlisted. Is in business. Did not reply to my
letter of inquiry. Is probably very busily engaged attending to customers.
I meet Luman occasionally. He is always in good shape and happy. I think
he is a democrat. Is of the bluest Puritan blood, but has the figure of a
Teuton.
Our Missing Members.
The following four Company K men I cannot find. If any Comrade can give me
any information concerning any of them I desire to have him do so. They
may be living, but I think it is more probable that they are dead:
GEORGE ADAMS.
June, 1861-October 14, 1862. Born in England.
JOHN CONSTANTINE.
May, 1861-August 29, 1861. Born in Ireland. Came to America when one year
old. Claimed to have been discharged from the regular army a short time
before enlisting in Company K. Was an intemperate, boisterous and
quarrelsome man. Was dismissed from the army by sentence of a court
martial.
LOUIS MINTZ.
April, 1861-August 24, 1863. Born in Portugal. In religion was supposed to
be a Hebrew. I think he came to Newark as a peddler and there joined
Company K. He was a good soldier, but was very excitable. On one occasion,
when advancing on skirmish line through the woods, he fired into a dead
rebel who was hanging on a fence. Comrade Mintz was overheated at
Raymond, from which he never recovered, and on account of which he was
discharged.
JOHN PEPOON.
May, 1861-December 16, 1862. At time of enlistment he lived in Oswego
township, Kendall county, Illinois.
OUR DEAD.
For many years earth has held the ashes of our fallen Comrades in its
bosom. We have kept their memories in our hearts.
Slain in Battle.
ANDREW WILSON, Plattville, Illinois.
Born in Ohio. Enlisted June 17, 1861, at the age of twenty-three years.
Shot through the head at Fort Donelson, and instantly killed, February 15,
1862, while the Union line was advancing on the enemy.
Early on the morning of the 16th the Confederates surrendered. I was on
the detail sent out that day to bury the dead of our Regiment. We went to
the place where we had position in the line and there, on a hard hill,
through stones and roots we dug a grave. This is the only grave I have
ever helped to dig. It was thirty feet long and a little more than six
feet wide. When of sufficient depth two men remained in the bottom, and
others handed down, one by one, eighteen men of the 20th Illinois
Regiment. Andrew Wilson was one of the number. When they had all been
placed side by side across the grave, good Chaplain Button spoke solemn,
earnest words in exhortation and prayer. Our dead were covered with earth,
three volleys were fired over them as a parting salutation, and we then
filed away into camp, weary and sad.
CURTIS WANN, Newark, Illinois.
Born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1843. Enlisted in Company
K, April, 1861. Shot and killed instantly in the battle of Shiloh, Sunday,
April 6, 1862. I have a clear recollection of Curtis Wann on the morning
of that dreadful day, when we were going forward to meet the enemy. His
face was aglow with eagerness and courage, but alas! he was the first to
fall.
JAMES CRELLEN, Newark, Illinois.
Born on the Isle of Man. Had not been in America many years. Was a
shoemaker, and worked at his trade in Newark. Was well thought of by
everybody. He was one of the first to sign the Company roll. He said at
the outset that he wanted to be killed if he could not come out of the war
entire. He dreaded mutilation more than death. At Shiloh, Sunday, April 6,
1861, he was shot through the neck and killed instantly. I had my eyes
squarely upon him when he was struck. He dropped to the ground and never
moved. Did not even quiver. While lying dead upon the battlefield he was
again shot through the face.
MARCUS MORTON.
Enlisted at Joliet May, 1861. Was shot and mortally wounded at Shiloh
April 6, 1861. Died in a few days after the battle.
ISRAEL WATERS, Plattville, Illinois.
Enlisted at Joliet in May, 1861. Was shot and instantly killed May 12,
1863, in the battle of Raymond. While we were engaged in the desperate
fighting behind the rail fence I turned my eyes on Waters and he was
cheering and shouting defiance to the enemy. In a few moments I looked
again and he lay perfectly dead. A bullet had passed through his brain.
WILLIAM SHOGER, Oswego, Illinois.
Born in Germany. Came to America in 1855. Enlisted in May, 1861, at the
age of nineteen years. Shot and killed instantly in the battle of Raymond
May 12, 1863. Was brought up and confirmed a Lutheran. Later withdrew from
Lutheran church and became an active member of Evangelical church.
DAVID BARROWS, Newark, Illinois.
Born in New Hampshire. Enlisted April, 1861, at the age of thirty-five
years. Shot and killed instantly in the battle of Raymond May 12, 1863.
Was a married man and left a wife and three little girls lonely and sad.
If I were asked who was the best soldier in Company K the first man I
would think of would be David Barrows. He did not waste much powder. A
good marksman, and level-headed under the most trying circumstances, he
aimed and fired in the heat and fury of battle with the precision and
accuracy of target practice.
Comrades Waters, Shoger and Barrows were at my right. They were all shot
through the head and, when killed, lay touching each other.
BENJAMIN ADAMS, Newark, Illinois.
Born in Kendall county, Illinois. Enlisted April, 1861, at the age of
twenty years. Killed in battle of Raymond May 12, 1863. Comrade Adams was
shot at the very beginning of the battle, as we lay in the woods waiting
for the skirmishers to rally in, and before we fired a gun. At the close
of the battle he was still living. A comrade paused over him and said--
"Can I do anything for you?"
"No."
"Ben, you are badly hurt. Won't I stay with you?"
"They are running, are they not?"
"Yes, we have them on the run. Won't I stay with you?"
"No; go on."
He was taken by an ambulance to the field hospital and died in a few
minutes after reaching that place.
HENRY MITCHELL, Na-au-say Township, Kendall County, Illinois.
Born of English parents on Prince Edward's Island January 31, 1836. Came
to Kendall county, Illinois, in 1845. Enlisted in Company K May, 1861, at
the age of twenty-five years. Killed in the battle of Raymond May 12,
1863.
Henry Mitchell was in every sense a large, strong, brave man, and was
highly regarded by all such as have regard for what is true and noble in
human life and character. He was scrupulously correct in all his habits.
Never played cards, was never profane in speech, and never had any use for
whisky, tobacco or beer. He had five brothers in the Union army, all in
Company C of the 7th Illinois Regiment, namely, Anthony, William, George,
Robert and Samuel. These five in the 7th Regiment and Henry in the 20th
were all in the battle lines at Fort Donelson and Shiloh. I do not believe
that there is in the whole range of history another instance in which six
brothers fought in the ranks of any army in the same great battles. I have
read of Roman patriotism and Grecian valor, of Spartan mothers sending out
their sons to battle with the injunction to come back either victorious or
dead, but I have never read of anything that is equal to the case of the
six Mitchell brothers in patriotism, devotion and valor, all of whom
responded at once to their country's first call for volunteers.
Of these six brave brothers only three now survive, namely--Anthony, in
Kansas, and Robert and Samuel, in Colorado. George was slain on the second
day at Shiloh. "We were all within six feet of George when he fell,"
writes Anthony. That is, the other four of the 7th Regiment; and Henry was
close by in the 20th Regiment. William contracted disease in the army,
came home sick and died.
ROBERT TAYLOR, Lisbon, Illinois.
Born in England. Came to America when a child. Enlisted in Company K,
April, 1861, at the age of about twenty-three years. Shot through hip and
mortally wounded in battle of Raymond May 12, 1863. Lived a few days after
the battle and died in extreme agony. I lay near him in the hospital. His
suffering was the most terrible that I have ever witnessed.
WILLIAM READ, Newark, Illinois.
Was a recruit. I think he came to the Company in 1862. Was shot in head
and mortally wounded in battle of Raymond, May 12, 1863. Lived a few days
after the battle.
JOHN WOODRUFF, Oswego, Illinois.
Enlisted in May, 1861. Shot and mortally wounded in the battle of Raymond,
May 12, 1863. Was shot in leg below the knee. Three different amputations
were performed, one below the knee and two above, but each was followed by
unfavorable results. He and I were in the same hospital, and not very far
apart. I witnessed the amputations. The patient in all his suffering
exhibited the most incredible fortitude. He lived nearly three weeks and
never groaned nor sighed. At last when informed that mortification was
advancing and the end was near, he called an attendant, paid him for extra
service rendered and then turned over to the attendant his pocket-book and
some other personal effects to be sent to his sister at Iowa Falls, Iowa.
This was done with perfect deliberation. He manifested no fear of death. I
remember him very distinctly in former battles. He was a very brave
soldier.
RICE BAXTER, Na-au-say Township, Kendall County, Illinois.
May, 1861-October 13, 1861. In a few months after being discharged from
Company K he enlisted in another Regiment and was killed in the battle of
Arkansas Post, January 10, 1863. I have been unable to obtain any
information concerning Comrade Baxter from any of his relatives, although
I have made persistent efforts to do so.
Died in the Service.
THOMPSON BRISTOL, Newark, Illinois.
Enlisted in April, 1861, at the age of nineteen years. Went into camp at
Joliet, became sick, went home on furlough and died June 16, 1861. Buried
in Millington. Let his grave be decorated.
WILLIAM ASHTON, Lisbon, Illinois.
Born of English parents in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. Enlisted April,
1861, at the age of nearly twenty-one years. Died at Cape Girardeau,
Missouri, September 2, 1861.
STEPHEN JENNINGS, Newark, Illinois.
Born in State of New York. Enlisted April, 1861, at the age of twenty-five
years. Died of typhoid fever in hospital at Mound City, Illinois, October
15, 1861.
RICHARD CONNER, Plattville, Illinois.
Born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. Enlisted June 12, 1861, at the age
of twenty years. Died of measles in hospital at Mound City, Illinois,
December 23, 1861.
FRANK LEHMAN.
Born in Germany. Enlisted May, 1861. Died at Bird's Point, Missouri,
January 11, 1862.
JOHN R. MCKEAN, Newark, Illinois.
Was one of the first to volunteer in April, 1861. Had been in the regular
army and, I think, for a short time in the Mexican war. Took a very
active part in organizing the Company and drilling the boys. Was elected
Second Lieutenant. A very efficient officer. Died at Bird's Point,
Missouri, January 23, 1862.
Does any comrade know anything about Lieutenant McKean's burial? If so,
report to me, please.
GEORGE MALLORY, Newark, Illinois.
Born at Rome, Oneida county, New York, November 10, 1835. Came to Kendall
county, Illinois, in 1838. Enlisted April, 1861, at the age of twenty-five
years. Died at Bird's Point, Missouri, January 28, 1862.
WILLIAM CROWNER.
Enlisted in May, 1861. Died in hospital at Mound City, March 10, 1862.
EDWARD ATKINS, Newark, Illinois.
Enlisted April, 1861. Died at Newark, Illinois, March 11, 1862, while home
on furlough sick.
AARON PAXSON, Newark, Illinois.
Enlisted May, 1861. Died at Newark, Illinois, May 4, 1862, while home on
furlough sick.
WILLIAM BENNETT, Adams Township, La Salle County, Illinois.
Born in England January 4, 1837. Enlisted at Newark April, 1861, at the
age of twenty-four years. His vitality was overtaxed at Fort Donelson. He
broke down and never recovered. Was sent down the river and died in
general hospital at St. Louis, Missouri, May 5, 1862.
ALBERT WILCOX, Lisbon, Illinois.
Born in Kendall county, Illinois, January 21, 1842. Enlisted April, 1861,
at the age of twenty years. Died in hospital at St. Louis, Missouri, May
13, 1862.
OTIS CHARLES, Bristol Station, Illinois.
Born in Bristol township, Kendall county, Illinois. Enlisted May, 1861, at
the age of twenty-five years. Overcome by the strain at Fort Donelson he
went home on furlough sick, and died at his home June 1, 1862.
WILLIAM SMITH, Plattville, Illinois.
Born in Centre county, Pennsylvania. Enlisted May, 1861, at the age of
twenty years. Died at Paducah, Kentucky, August 23, 1862, while on
detailed duty in the Signal Corps.
JOSEPH SPRINGER.