85th Illinois Infantry: Chapter 2

History of the 85th Illinois Volunteers
Illinois Volunteer Infantry
by
Henry J. Aten

CHAPTER II.
Pages 17 - 25
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Captain Robert S. Moore, of Company E, Twenty-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, had been wounded in the advance upon Corinth, Miss., and was at his home in Havana, on leave of absence when the first call for troops was issued in July, 1862. Impressed, by experience and observation at the front, of the urgent need of more troops in the field, he at once began to recruit a regiment under the following authority, which is copied from the original still in possession of Colonel Moore:

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF ILLINOIS.
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE.

Springfield, July 11th, 1862.

Captain Robert S. Moore, Twenty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, Havana, Ill.

     Sir: At direction of Governor Yates you are hereby authorized to enroll and report at Peoria ten companies of infantry for Government service for three years unless discharged,—to form a part of the forces authorized by late call of the President.
     Each of said companies to consist of not less than (83) nor more than (101) strong, able-bodied men, and to be reported with at least minimum number of men within thirty days from this date.
     If not reported with minimum number within thirty days, the companies will be liable to consolidation with others similarly situated or the men (previous to muster into service) at the pleasure of the Governor, discharged. Company officers will be appointed and commissioned by the Governor,—the recommendations of the companies will be duly considered—but fitness for position will be the rule governing appointments.
     You will keep me advised of your progress in recruiting, reporting weekly the number (and names) actually enrolled, and state when squads or companies are ready to camp, and marching and transportation orders will be promptly supplied.

Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
ALLEN C. FULLER, Adjutant General.

Official: JOHN H. LOOMIS, Assistant Adjutant General.

     At this time Caleb J. Dilworth was practicing law in Havana, and he became associated with Captain Moore in recruiting a regiment.   Under their energetic direction recruiting was conducted in various towns, which resulted in raising five companies in Mason County.
     In the summer of 1861 the Hon. S. P. Cummings, of Astoria, was commissioned mustering officer with the rank of major, and was active in recruiting some of the companies that entered the service from Fulton County in that year. As soon as the quota had been assigned the state under the first call of 1862 he established recruiting stations in Astoria, Summum, and Marble's Mills, in South Fulton. And by the time supplies and transportation were provided, three companies were raised and ready to go into camp from Fulton County. Soon after the five companies from Mason and the three from Fulton arrived at Peoria, the designated rendezvous, they were joined by a company commanded by Captain P. S. Scott, from Menard County, and one enrolled by Captain John Kennedy, at Pekin, in Tazewell County, in the latter part of June. This completed the number of companies required to form the regiment; each company being under officers of their own selection, and all enlisted from adjoining counties.
     The camp at Peoria was pleasantly situated on high, well-drained ground, immediately above the city, and near the west bank of the Illinois river. The camp was supplied with tents and straw, but no blankets were furnished for several days, and meantime, the frequent rains and cool nights gave the men a foretaste of things to come. Those who had left home unprepared for such an emergency made no little complaint, while those who had brought blankets with them, were inclined to manifest an undue appreciation of their own wisdom and foresight. Eager to learn their new duties, the men were constantly drilled in that part of the school of the soldier which comprehends what ought to be taught recruits without arms.
     The twenty-seventh day of August, 1862, was made memorable by the appearance of the mustering officer, Captain S. A. Wainwright, of the Thirteenth United States Infantry. On his arrival the boisterous drums sounded the assembly, and that splendid body of nearly one thousand gallant men fell into line for the first time and became a regiment. The long line was formed with little delay and an inspection held, few being rejected and those in almost every instance on account of being over or under the age limit for service in the army. After the surgeons had completed their examination of the physical qualifications of the men, the process of muster-in was proceeded with. And as these stalwart men stood there, with uplifted hands, and swore to serve their country "for three years unless sooner discharged," it was indeed an impressive spectacle; a scene that will never be wholly forgotten by the participants who still survive.
     The companies having elected their officers previous to their arrival in camp, the line officers repaired immediately after the muster-in, to a large tent to complete the organization of the regiment by the election of field officers. At this meeting the field officers were elected and the appointment of staff officers agreed upon. The following is the list of

THE FIELD AND STAFF.

Colonel—Robert S. Moore, of Havana, Mason County.
Lieutenant-Colonel—Caleb J. Dilworth, of Havana, Mason County.
Major—S. P. Cummings, of Astoria, Fulton County.
Adjutant—John B. Wright, of Havana, Mason County.
Quartermaster—Samuel F. Wright, of Havana, Mason County.
Surgeon—James P. Walker, of Mason City, Mason County.
First Assistant Surgeon—Philip L. Dieffenbacher, of Havana, Mason County.
Second Assistant Surgeon—James C. Patterson, of Mason City, Mason County.
Chaplain—Joseph S. Barwick, of Havana, Mason County.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Sergeant-Major—Clark N. Andrews, of Havana, Mason County.
Quartermaster-Sergeant—James T. Pierce, of Havana, Mason County.
Commissary Sergeant—Thomas J. Avery, of Bath, Mason County.
Hospital Steward—James L. Hastings, of Mason City, Mason County.
Principal Musician—John Hazlengg, of Bath, Mason County.

     According to the system of infantry tactics in use at this time, a regiment was composed of ten companies to be habitually posted from right to left in the following order: A, F, D, I, C, H, E, K, G, B, in accordance with the rank of captains. Under this provision of tactics, the honor of bearing the colors belonged to Company C. But for some reason unknown to the writer, the companies were posted in the line of the Eighty-fifth, beginning with A on the right and running in consecutive order to K on the left. Under this arrangement, which was quite unusual. Company E occupied the right center, and became the color company. This formation was continued throughout the service.
     On Thursday, August 28th, clothing was issued; each soldier receiving a dark blue blouse, sky blue pants, woolen shirts and socks, cotton drawers, a forage cap, blanket and a pair of shoes. This made a neat and comfortable uniform, which proved so well suited to the service that its use was continued, with but one change, throughout the war. The forage cap afforded such slight protection in either sunshine or storm, that it soon gave way to the black felt hat. The next day, light blue overcoats of the regulation pattern, with capes, were issued, and each soldier received a knapsack and canteen. In the afternoon, muster rolls having been prepared, each company was marched to headquarters and $13 paid to each member by the paymaster. This payment was made in carrying out a promise made the men at enlistment, that each should receive one month's pay in advance.
     On Friday, September 5th, arms and accoutrements were received and issued to the companies. The arms were the Enfield rifled muskets, and were as good a weapon as was then in general use. The Eighty-fifth was considered very fortunate in securing new Enfields, especially so considered by the members of the regiment, of whom there were quite a number who had seen previous service. Almost every regiment entering the service in 1861 was armed with old Austrian or Belgian muskets; doubtless the most unreliable and dangerous firearm ever invented. And among the terrors of the first year's service, these men always remembered the uncertain action and the diabolic antics of those infernal guns.
     From the first the men had been kept almost constantly on the drill ground, and as all were anxious to learn, some progress was made in the school of the soldier. They had learned to step in time, and to march by squad and company. Eagerly they had awaited their arms and accoutrements, and now, everyone expected that a few days at least could be devoted to drill in the manual of arms before leaving the camp of instruction. But the pressing need of more troops at the front allowed the men of the Eighty-fifth but one day in which to drill in the manual of arms.
     The brief stay in camp at Peoria had been profitably employed, and calls up few but pleasant memories. Nearly all had suffered more or less from colds incident to a change from the comforts of home to the outdoor life of the camp, and the radical change of diet had affected some unfavorably. But few, however, had been sent to the building outside the camp grounds, over which floated the yellow hospital flag. Of those sent to the hospital, James Grant, private of Company K, died there on September 8th, his being the first death in the regiment.
     While more time was sadly needed for instruction, and officers and men alike felt the need of it, yet all were ready and anxious to go to the assistance of their brave, hard-pressed comrades who had gone to battle for the Union in the year gone by. They wanted to bear a hand in turning back the tide of invasion now threatening northern homes, and their opportunity was now at hand. A series of disasters had overtaken our armies while the regiment had been forming; the Army of the East had been routed from the front of the rebel capital; Lee with his victorious army was already on northern soil, and the advance of Bragg's army had arrived within striking distance of both Louisville and Cincinnati.

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