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History of the 85th Illinois Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry by Henry J. Aten | ![]() |
CHAPTER XXXIII
Pages 433-449
So many of the young men from
the south part of Fulton county had entered the army in 1861 that few were so
sanguine as to expect that more than one company could be raised in and around
Astoria when recruiting began in the summer of 1862. But by the middle of August
enough had enlisted to form two full companies.
Company G was enrolled by the
Hon. S. P. Cummings between the 11th and 16th of August, the nucleus of the
company being the overflow form Company H, it having been the first organized.
At the organization of the company the following commissioned officers were
elected: William McClelland, captain; Lafayette Curless, first lieutenant, and
John M. Robertson, second lieutenant.
The record shows that 20 of
the officers and men belonging to his company were hit with shot or shell in
battle, 8 of who were killed, 1 died of wounds, while 11 received wounds which
did not prove fatal while in the service, 9 died of disease, 11 were discharged
for disability, 16 were transferred and 36 went home together when the regiment
was disbanded.
The company was commanded by
officers who were brave and enterprising, and, for genuine loyalty and devotion
to duty, Company G was the peer of any organization in the service. While the
writer feels that his heart is big enough to take in the whole of the
Eighty-fifth, there will always be a warm corner reserved for the “boys of
Company G”. The following is:
THE COMPANY ROSTER
CAPTAIN WILLIAM McCLELLAND, aged thirty-eight, born in Jefferson county, Ohio,
but for many years had been residing on a farm near Astoria, Ill. He was active
in recruiting the company and at its organization was elected captain. He
commanded the company through the Kentucky campaign, and at the battle of
Perryville, Ky., his actions proved that he was not lacking in courage. But the
hardships of the campaign which ended at Nashville, Tenn., undermined his
health, and he resigned his commission on December 21, 1862. He returned to his
farm near Astoria, Ill., where he died November 24, 1889, his death resulting
from injuries received from falling down stairs.
CAPTAIN HENRY S. LA TOURRETTE was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, January
24, 1824; removed with his parents to Ohio in 1831, and to Illinois in 1841, and
settled on a farm near Canton, in Fulton county. He crossed the plains to
Denver, Col., in 1859, and later made a trip to California. In 1860, he
established a cattle ranch near Fort Union, N. M., which was becoming profitable
at the breaking out of the rebellion. He then sold his claim and stock, taking
notes for the proceeds of sale, which were never paid, and returned to Illinois
for the purpose of entering the army. He enlisted from Astoria as a private, and
was promoted to be captain December 21, 1862. He commanded the company until
severely wounded in the assault of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864.
This wound made necessary the amputation of his right are near the shoulder and
ended his career with the company. He was honorably discharged July 1, 1865, and
went to New Orleans, La., where he was keeper of bonded stores for ten years. He
was in the internal revenue service at St. Louis, Mo., for six years, but is now
Winchester, Scott county, Illinois.
FIRST LIEUTENANT LAFAYETTE CURLESS was born in Brown county, Ohio, and enlisted
from Bluff City, Schuyler county, Illinois, at the age of twenty-six. He was
married, and a farmer, was elected first lieutenant at the organization of the
company, participated in the battle of Perryville, Ky., and served with the
company until the army arrived at Bowling Green, Ky., where he resigned his
commission and returned home. He was murdered in Bluff City, Ill., May 8, 1886.
FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN M. ROBERTSON was born in Woodland, Fulton county,
Illinois, in 1839, was married, and enlisted from his native township. He was
elected second lieutenant at the organization of the company, and promoted to be
first lieutenant November 12, 1862. He participated in all the campaigns and
battles in which the regiment was engaged, until severely wounded by a gunshot
through his thigh, in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864.
This ended his service with the company, as upon recovery he was assigned to
duty in the commissary department, where he remained until the close of the war.
He was mustered out June 5, 1865, and returned to his former home in Illinois.
His health began to fail a few years later, and he made a trip over the old
battlefields, going as far south as Florida, in 1880. But his search for health
availed not, and he died near Astoria, Ill., February 20, 1881.
SECOND LIEUTENANT DE LAFAYETTE MUSSELMAN, son of
George Musselman and Sarah A. Saffer, was born in a log cabin, in Fulton county,
Ill., April 21, 1842. He can justly claim to come from patriotic stock, as his
father enlisted in Company E, Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry at the
breaking out of the rebellion, and served his full term of three years. The
subject of this sketch attended the Fulton Seminary at Lewiston, Ill., during
the winters of 1859 and 1860, enlisted from Woodland, and was chosen first
sergeant at the organization of the company. He was promoted second lieutenant
November 12, 1862, and served under that commission to the end of the war.
He was slightly wounded
in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864, but remained on
duty, assumed command of the company, and continued in command until after the
fall of Atlanta, when he received a twenty days’ furlough to visit home. He left
the company at Athens, Ala., and on the day he arrived at Chattanooga on his
return, communications between that point and Sherman’s army were destroyed. He
was then assigned to duty as assistant adjutant general on the staff of Colonel
Dilworth, who was assigned to command the post at Cleveland, Tenn. He served in
that position until the following spring, when he rejoined the company at
Goldsboro, N. C., and resumed command. He participated in all the battles in
which the regiment was engaged, commanded the company from Goldsboro to
Washington, and was mustered out with the regiment.
He returned to Illinois at
the close of his service, attended business college at Chicago, and taught one
year in that city. In 1867, he went Quincy, Ill.,
where he taught in the Bryant & Stratton Business College and the Quincy English
and German College. In 1870, he purchased an interest in the Gem City Business
College of Quincy, and a few years later became the sole owner. Under his
careful, energetic management, this has become one of the most successful
business colleges in America, numbering 800 to 900 students annually,
thirty-four states and territories being represented among its students.
FIRST SERGEANT LEWIS S. POST, aged thirty-eight, born in Elizabethtown, Essex
county, New York, single, millwright; enlisted from Hickory, Ill. Was chosen
sergeant at the organization of the company. Served through the Kentucky and
Murfreesboro campaigns, but his health failed and he was transferred to the
Veteran Reserve corps, at Nashville, Tenn., August 27, 1863. He was honorably
discharged from the organization at the close of the war. When last heard from
was residing at 235 Oneida street, Pueblo, Col.
FIRST SERGEANT HENRY J. ATEN was born October 12, 1841, on a farm near Astoria,
Fulton county, Illinois, on which his parents, Richard Aten and Ann Peterson, of
Brook county, Virginia, had settled in the spring of 1840. His paternal and
maternal ancestors were from Holland; both his great grandfathers served the
colonies in the War of the Revolution, and his maternal grandfather was a
soldier in the war of 1812. He first enlisted August 8, 1861, in Company H,
Twenty-eight Illinois Infantry, and served until discharged at Grand Junction,
Miss., June 19, 1862, for disability from an attack of typhoid pneumonia. He
again enlisted August 12, 1862, and was chosen corporal at the organization of
Company G, was promoted sergeant at Bowling Green, Ky., December 12, 1862, and
first sergeant February 17, 1863, at Nashville, Tenn. He participated in all the
battles and campaigns in which the command was engaged; commanded the company
the Atlanta to the sea and was mustered out with the regiment. Returning to
Illinois at the end of his service, he worked on the old
homestead until the autumn of 1866, attended business college at Chicago,
and began teaching bookkeeping in the business college at Quincy, Ill., the
following spring. He taught and kept books until the spring of 1870, when he
went to Kansas and engaged in the real estate and loan business at Hiawatha, in
Brown county. He married Miss Marla L, Burbige, of Quincy, Ill., September 15,
1870, and has two daughters the issue of this
marriage. He has served as clerk of the district court, mayor of Hiawatha, and
was appointed by President Harrison to negotiate with the Pottawatomie and
Kickapoo Indians for the allotment of their lands in severalty. Later he was
appointed special agent and allotted lands to the members of both tribes. For
ten years past he has been vice-president of the Society of the Army of the
Cumberland for Kansas. Is the writer of the history in which this sketch
appears, and resides at Hiawatha, Kan.
SERGEANT W. IRVING SHANNON was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1842, and
removed with his parents to Illinois in 1850, where they settled on a farm near
Astoria, in Fulton county. He first enlisted October 12, 1861, in Company G,
Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh,
Tenn., and was discharged for disability resulting from wounds, June 10, 1862.
He again enlisted August 12, 1862, and was chosen sergeant at the organization
of Company G; served with the company until mortally wounded in the assault on
Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864, and died before assistance could
reach him. The remains of this brave veteran soldier are buried at No. 8739 in
the national cemetery at Marietta, Ga.
SERGEANT THOMAS HORTON was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, June 27, 1827,
removed to Illinois in 1845, and settled on a farm near Bluff City, Schuyler
county, Illinois. He enlisted from Bluff City, was chosen corporal at the
organization of the company; was promoted to be sergeant; served until the close
of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. At the close of his service
he resumed farming, and died at Bluff City, Ill., March 19, 1869.
SERGEANT LEWIS P. WRIGHT was born in Harrison county, Indiana, March 28, 1844,
removed with his parents to Illinois in 1856, and was a farmer when he enlisted
from Kerton, in Fulton county. He participated in all the battles and campaigns
in which the regiment was engaged, was slightly wounded in the assault on
Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, Jun 27, 1864, was promoted sergeant, and was
mustered out with the regiment. At the end of the war he returned to Illinois,
resumed farming and now resides at Enion, Fulton county.
SERGEANT DANIEL G. LONGFELLOW, aged twenty-three, born in Aroostook county,
Maine, was married and a farmer when he enlisted from Hickory, Fulton county,
Illinois. He was promoted sergeant; served with his
company through all the campaigns in which the regiment was engaged, until
killed in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864.
SERGEANT WILLIAM SMITH enlisted from Fulton county, Illinois, as a private, was
married, and a farmer. Served through all the campaigns in which the regiment
was engaged, was promoted sergeant, and mustered out with the regiment. He
returned to Illinois, and resumed farming, but, if living, his present address
is unknown.
SERGEANT WILLIAM R. ROE, aged thirty-five, born in Kentucky, was married, and a
farmer when he enlisted from Woodland, Ill. He was chosen corporal at the
organization of the company, promoted sergeant at Nashville, Tenn., served until
the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. At the end of his
service he returned to Illinois, and died at Bluff City, June 16, 1885.
SERGEANT LORENZO D. GOULD was born in Brown county, Ohio, and enlisted from
Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois, at the age of thirty-seven, married, farmer,
and was chosen sergeant at the organization of the company. He was a very
faithful soldier and served with his company until the close of the Atlanta
campaign, when failing health sent him to the hospital. He died at Atlanta, Ga.,
November 1, 1864, and his remains are buried at No. 7739 in the national
cemetery at Marietta, Ga.
CORPORAL WILLIAM F. BRYANT, deserted at Nashville, Tenn., January 10, 1863.
CORPORAL JOHN F. KENNEDY, aged thirty-four, born in Indiana, was married, and a
farmer when he enlisted from Fulton county, Illinois. He was chosen corporal at
the organization of the company; served with the company until his health
failed, and he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve corps, September 21, 1864.
He was honorably discharged from that organization at Springfield, Ill.,
September 11, 1865. He resides at Astoria, Ill.
CORPORAL ELIAS WHEELER, aged thirty-nine, born in Brook county, Virginia, was
married and a farmer when he enlisted from Astoria, Ill. He was chosen corporal
at the organization of the company, but his health soon failed, and he was
discharged fro disability August 31, 1863. He returned to Illinois and died
April 15, 1889.
CORPORAL PERRY ADKINSON, deserted January 10, 1863.
CORPORAL JACKSON SMITH, deserted February 1, 1863.
CORPORAL JOSEPH CURLESS, aged twenty-seven, born in Brown county, Ohio, married,
farmer; enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He was promoted
corporal, served with his company until the close of the war, and was mustered
out with the regiment.
CORPORAL PERRY W. CLUPPER was born in Unity, Columbiana county, Ohio, March 11,
1842, and removed with his parents to Illinois in 1857. He was a farmer, and
enlisted from Schuyler county, Illinois. Was promoted corporal; served with the
company until wounded near Louisville, Ga., November 30, 1864. He was captured,
shot through the neck, and left for dead by the enemy, but recovered, and was
mustered out with the regiment. He removed to Kansas a few years after the war
and engaged in farming near Salem, Jewell county, where he still resides.
CORPORAL PETER W. REVER, aged twenty-eight, was a carpenter, born Manheim, York
county, Pennsylvania, and enlisted from Woodland, in Fulton county, Illinois. He
was promoted corporal, and served with his company until the assault Kennesaw
Mountain, Georgia, when he was undoubtedly killed or captured and died in the
hands of the enemy. It seems probable the he leaped the enemy’s works, and in so
doing received wound from which he died. Others saw him almost up to the works,
but the only report that could ever be made in his case, was that most
unsatisfactory one, “Missing in action June 27, 1864.”
CORPORAL DANIEL SANDIDGE, was born in McDonough county, Illinois, January 27,
1840, was married, and a farmer when he enlisted from Oakland, in Schuyler
county. He participated in all the battles and campaign in which the regiment
was engaged, and was mustered out with the regiment. He was promoted corporal
and mustered out with the regiment. Upon his return to Illinois, he engaged in
farming, and for many years has resided near Mt. Sterling, in Brown county.
CORPORAL JOHN SHORES, aged twenty-seven, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio,
married, and a farmer, when he enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois.
He was promoted corporal, and served with his company until killed in the
assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864.
Is buried at No. 9286 in the national cemetery at Marietta, Ga.
CORPORAL ALEXANDER R. TIDRICK was born in Birmingham, Guernsey county, Ohio,
March 12, 1839, and enlisted as a farmer from McDonough county, Illinois. He was
promoted corporal; served with his company in all the battles in which the
regiment was engaged, was promoted corporal, and was mustered out with the
regiment. He was slightly wounded in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia,
June 27, 1864. He is a carpenter and builder, and resides at Astoria, Ill.
MUSICIAN SAMUEL SIMMERS, deserted October 5, 1862.
MUSICIAN RALPH E. LINE, deserted November 8, 1862.
WAGONER GEORGE COOPER was born at Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, November 22,
1839, removed with his parents to Illinois, and settled on a farm near Astoria,
in 1846. He enlisted as a farmer from Astoria and was appointed wagoner, serving
in the capacity until the close of the war. He was wounded in a fight at or near
Lavergne, Tenn., and was mustered out with the regiment. Upon his return to
Illinois, he resumed farming near Summum, in Fulton county, where he still
resides.
MILES L. ATWATER was born in Sheffield, Ashtabula county, Ohio, married, cooper,
and enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He served until the close
of the war, but under much embarrassment at times. He was what was commonly
termed moon-eyes, a disease of the retina which prevented him from seeing at
night, and the writer remembers that his brother, John Aten, led him on night
marches. But he served faithfully to the end and was mustered out with the
regiment. After the war he lived near Hamilton, in Hancock county, Illinois, but
became totally blind. He died April 20, 1898.
WILLIAM ATWATER, aged twenty, farmer, born in Fulton county, Illinois, and
enlisted from Woodland. Served through the Kentucky campaign until the command
arrived at Bowling Green, where he was sent to the hospital, and was discharged
from disability March 1, 1863. Is supposed to reside at Oakwood, Linn county,
Kansas.
JOHN ATEN, the second son of Richard Aten and Ann Peterson, and older brother of
Henry J., was born near Astoria, Fulton
county, Illinois, August 12, 1843, and enlisted from his native town. His
paternal and maternal ancestors were from Holland. Both his great grandfathers
served the colonies in the Ware of the Revolution, and his maternal grandfather
was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was wounded early in the battle of
Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862, but refused to leave the company until the
fight ended, and then went to the hospital under protest, saying, “It is only a
scratch!” At the hospital in Louisville, while convalescing, he showed such
aptitude for caring for the sick and wounded, that he was retained some six
months as a nurse. At his own request he was returned to the company early in
the summer of 1863, and thereafter never missed duty for a single day until the
close of the war, when he was mustered out with the
regiment. After his return, he engaged in farming in McDonough county several
years, returned to Fulton county, and bought the farm near Astoria, Ill., where
he now resides.
PERRY BROWN was born in Pleasantview, Schuyler county, Illinois, August 2, 1838,
and enlisted from Hickory. He was married, and a farmer. Served until the close
of the war, participating in all campaigns in which the command was engaged, and
was mustered out with the regiment. Is a farmer, and resides at Frederick,
Schuyler county, Illinois.
THOMAS BROWN, aged twenty-three, married, farmer, born and enlisted Schuyler
county, Illinois. Served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with
the regiment. Was mounted as a scout during part of his service, and was in the
party that captured the prisoners at Chickamauga, as related in Chapter X. He
returned to Illinois, resumed farming, but has been dead several years.
SIMPSON BROWN, aged twenty-six, born and raised Schuyler county, Illinois, and
enlisted from Browning; farmer. Served through the Kentucky campaign, but at
Nashville, Tenn., his health failed, and he was discharged from disability
August 31, 1863. He resumed farming upon his return home, but died at
Butlerville, Ill., a few years after the close of the war.
AARON F. BREWER, aged nineteen, born at Taylor, Harrison county, Indiana, and
enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He served with this company
until failing health sent him to the hospital at McAfee Church, Georgia, where
he died January 22, 1864. Is
buried at No. 10397 in the national cemetery at Chattanooga, Tenn.
WILLIAM BOYD, aged fifty, born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, was married and
enlisted from Astoria, Ill. The reports show that he died at Lexington, Ky.,
February 12, 1865, but it seems more probable to the writer that his death
occurred in 1863.
JOHN E. BOLIN, aged nineteen, carpenter, born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
and enlisted from Astoria, Ill. He served through the Kentucky campaign, and
died at Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 1862.
STEPHEN L. CASTOR, aged thirty-three, married, farmer, born in Campbell county,
Kentucky, and enlisted Kerton, in Fulton county, Illinois. He participated in
all the battles and campaigns in which his company was engaged, and was mustered
out with the regiment. He returned to farming at his old home, but afterward
removed to Missouri, where he is supposed to be living, but his address is
unknown.
LORENZO D. CURLESS, aged twenty-four, single, farmer, born in Brown county,
Ohio, and enlisted from Woodland, in Fulton county, Illinois. He served to the
close of the war, participating in all the campaigns in which the command was
engaged, and was mustered out with the regiment. He resides near Astoria, Ill.
ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM, aged twenty-three, single, farmer, born in Hancock county,
Virginia, and enlisted from Browning, Ill. He served to the close of the war,
taking part in all campaigns in which the command was engaged, and was mustered
out with the regiment. He returned to Browning, Ill., married, and removed to
Missouri, where he engaged in farming. He died at Warsaw, Mo., December 24,
1899.
JOHN W. DODGE, aged twenty-three, farmer, born in Schuyler county, Illinois, and
enlisted from Astoria. He served to the close of the war, and was mustered out
with the regiment. He returned to Illinois, but his present address is unknown.
SILAS DODGE, aged twenty-two, single, farmer, born in and enlisted from Fulton
county, Illinois. He served with his company until severely wounded in the
assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864, his wound causing the
amputation of his right arm. He was transferred to the hospital at Chattanooga,
Tenn., where he died July 9, 1864.
JOHN W. DOUGLAS was born at Leesville, Lawrence county, Indiana, December 23,
1841, removed to Illinois and enlisted from Woodland, in Fulton county. He
served with the company through all the battles in which the regiment was
engaged, until near Atlanta, Ga., when failing health caused his transfer to the
Veteran Reserve corps. He served in the reserve copes until the close of the
war, and was honorably discharged in the summer of 1865. He retuned to Illinois
and was engaged in farming until 1880, when he removed to Nebraska. He is a
prosperous farmer near Tecumseh, Johnson county, Nebraska.
BENJAMIN F. EDMONDS, deserted October 8, 1862.
MICHAEL FAWCETT (Fawcette), aged twenty-three, married, farmer, born in Knox county, Ohio,
and enlisted from Leesburg, Ill. Served through the Kentucky campaign, and died
at Nashville, Tenn., April 5, 1863. Is buried at No. 7003, in the national
cemetery near that city.
LEVI FAWCETT, aged thirty-five, single, farmer, born in Belmont county, Ohio,
and enlisted from Woodland, Ill. Served through the Kentucky campaign, and was
discharged for disability at Nashville, Tenn., July 1, 1863.
SOLOMAN HOLT was born at Rochester, Coshocton county, Ohio, January 19, 1839,
removed to Illinois in 1860, and enlisted from Kerton, Fulton county. He served
to the close of the war, participating in all the battles and campaigns in which
the command was engaged, and was mustered out with the regiment. He removed to
Missouri soon after the war closed, and engaged in farming in Andrew county. He
located near Savannah, where he still resides.
DANIEL HAYES, aged thirty-one, married, farmer, born in Richland county, Ohio,
and enlisted from Hickory, Schuyler county, Illinois. His health failed on the
Kentucky campaign, and he died at Louisville, Ky., December 1, 1862.
JAMES M. JONES, aged thirty-two, married, farmer, born in Drake county, Ohio,
and enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He served to the close of
the war, taking part in all the battles in which the command was engaged, and
was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to Astoria, Ill., and resumed
farming, and died there October 3, 1898.
WILLIAM KELLY, aged thirty, married, farmer, born in Richland county, Ohio, and
enlisted from Schuyler county, Illinois. His health failed and he was early sent
to the hospital, and was discharged for disability, at Indianapolis, Ind., July
18, 1863. He died January 15, 1891.
FRANKLIN KERNS, aged twenty-five, married, farmer, born near Astoria, Fulton
county, Illinois. Served through the Kentucky campaign, and died at Nashville,
Tenn., April 1, 1862. Is buried at No. 3250 in the national cemetery near that
city.
DAVID M. KING was born at Milford, Union county, Ohio, April 10, 1820, and was
married and a farmer when he enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He
served through the Kentucky campaign, and was discharged for disability at
Nashville, Tenn., April 1, 1863. He returned to Illinois, resumed farming, but
is not living retired at Bushnell, McDonough county, Ill.
DAVID T. LINE, deserted October 8, 1862.
CHARLES LAMPERELL, aged eighteen, blacksmith, born in Kent county, England, and
enlisted from Astoria, Ill. He served with his company until the close of the
war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to Astoria and engaged
in farming, but has been dead fro several years.
HENRY LAFRAY, married, farmer, born in Brown county, Ohio, April 15, 1833, and
enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He served with his company to
the close of the war, participated in all the campaigns in which the command was
engaged, and was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to Illinois,
resumed farming, and now resides at Smithfield, Fulton county, Illinois.
JOHN LIVINGSTON was born at Astoria, Fulton county, Illinois, January 28, 1840,
and enlisted from his native town. He served until the close of the war, taking
part in all the engagements in which the command was engaged, and was mustered
out with the regiment. He was wounded in a railroad accident at Manchester,
Tenn., while on duty as train guard. He is a carpenter and builder, and resides
at Bushnell, McDonough county, Illinois.
JAMES LEWIS, enlisted from Astoria, was a farmer. Served until the close of the
war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He
returned to Astoria at the close of the war, and resumed farming, but for many
years he has been in poor health, the result of his hard service. He resides as
St. Marys, Hancock county, Illinois.
STEPHEN LEVINGSTON, aged twenty-five, deserted October 5, 1862.
THOMAS J. LEVINGSTON, aged nineteen, enlisted from Astoria, and was discharged
for disability at Louisville, Ky., October 1, 1862.
ANDERSON McCOMB, aged thirty-seven, married, butcher, born in Hickman county,
Kentucky, and enlisted from Schuyler county, Illinois. He served until the close
of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment.
JOHN McKAY, aged twenty-eight, married, farmer, born in New York, deserted April
1, 1863.
THOMAS O’DONNELL deserted at the battle of Perryville, Ky. He was killed by
being run over by a railway train at Beardstown, Ill., in about 1889.
WILLIAM PRENTICE, aged thirty-four, married, farmer, born in Adair county,
Kentucky, and enlisted from Woodland, in Fulton county, Illinois. He served with
his company until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment.
He was a brother of Berry Prentice, killed at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. He
returned to Illinois and resumed farming in Fulton county, and died there
February 19, 1891.
BERRY PRENTICE, aged twenty-five, married, farmer, born in Adair county,
Kentucky, and enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He served with
his company through all the battles in which it was engaged, until killed in the
assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864. Is buried at No. 8671 in
the national cemetery at Marietta, Ga.
JOHN N. PARR was born at Heidelburgh, York county, Pennsylvania, February 19,
1838, and was a brick maker when he enlisted from Pleasant, Fulton county,
Illinois. He served with his company through all the battles and campaigns in
which the command was engaged, and was mustered out at the close of the war with
the regiment. He returned to Illinois and engaged in farming in Pleasant
township, where he has served as member of the county
board, and commissioner of highways. His address is Summum, Fulton county,
Illinois.
FRANCIS MARION PLANK was born near Astoria, Fulton county, Illinois, October 28,
1844, and enlisted from his native town. He served with his company until
severely wounded at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia. He received a gun
shot through the neck and left leg, which confined him to the hospital until the
close of the war. He was honorably discharged from the hospital at Nashville,
Tenn., and returned to his former home in Illinois. He removed some years later
to Iowa, and engaged in farming in Allamokee county, where he resides on a farm
of his own, free from debt, and contented. He address is Ion, Allamokee county,
Iowa.
WILLIAM R. PARKER, aged eighteen, born in and enlisted from Woodland, Fulton
county, Illinois. Served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the
regiment. At the close of the war he returned to his former home, killed a
comrade, and left for parts unknown.
GEORGE POWELL, aged twenty-five, single, farmer, born in Adair county, Kentucky,
and enlisted from Astoria, Illinois. He served with the company until
transferred to the Veteran Reserve corps March 1, 1864, but his subsequent
career is unknown to the writer.
GEORGE W. REED, was born at Keen, Coshocton county, Ohio, May 31, 1844, and with
his parents removed to Illinois in 1859; enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county.
Served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. At
Nashville, Tenn., he was detailed in Battery I, Second Illinois Light Artillery
and served with the brigade battery until the winter of 1864. He returned to
Illinois and engaged in farming until August, 1899, when he removed to Wood
River, Gall county, Nebraska, where he now resides.
LEWIS C. SMITH, aged forty-one, single, farmer, born in Ohio, and enlisted from
Hickory, Schuyler county, Illinois. Discharged from disability at Nashville,
Tenn., April 1, 1863.
HORACE J. SNODGRASS, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Harrison county, Indiana,
and enlisted from Kerton, Fulton county, Illinois. He served with his company
until instantly killed at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, July 1, 1864. Tired out
with crouching behind the works, he exposed his head
while changing position, and a ball passed through his brain.
JOSEPH B. SHAWGO was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1843, and with his parents
removed to Illinois in 1855; enlisted from Browning, Ill., and served with his
company until mounted at brigade headquarters in the summer of 1863. He was one
of the party scouts that captured the rebel prisoners on the eve of the battle
of Chickamauga, Ga., as related in Chapter X. He was near Colonel Dan McCook
when that officer was mortally wounded and carried him from the field. He was
still serving as a scout when selected to carry a dispatch from General Sherman,
then at Milledgeville, Ga., to General Thomas, then supposed to be at
Chattanooga, Tenn. This very difficult and dangerous duty he performed, finding
and delivering the dispatch to General Thomas at Nashville. He then served as
orderly on the staff of General A. J. Smith, until the close of the war, and was
honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn. He graduated from Abingdon College, at
Abingdon, Ill., in 1869, studied medicine, and graduated from a medical college,
Chicago, Ill., in 1877. He began the practice of his profession at Quincy, Ill.,
the same year. He has filled various positions of trust under city, state, and
U. S. government, and is still practicing his chosen profession at Quincy, Ill.
GEORGE W, SHAWGO, brother of the doctor, born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1839, and
enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He was discharged at
Louisville, Ky., October 1, 1862, returned to Illinois, and now resides on a
farm near Fandon, McDonough county, Illinois.
ALFRED SMITH, aged twenty-nine, married, farmer, born in Smithfield, Jefferson
county, Ohio, and enlisted from Rushville, Ill. He served through the Kentucky
campaign, but his health failed, and he died at Nashville, Tenn., February 16,
1863. Is buried at No. 5134, in the national cemetery near that city.
JAMES N. STEPHENSON, aged twenty, farmer; enlisted from Woodland. Served with
his company until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment.
He returned to Fulton county, resumed farming, but died soon after his return,
near Summum, Ill.
MARION SEVERNS enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. Served with his
company until killed in the assault on Kennesaw
Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864. He was a cousin of William, of Company H,
wounded in the same action.
SOLOMAN STILL, aged thirty-one, single, farmer, born in Coshocton county, Ohio,
and enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He served through the
Kentucky campaign, and transferred to the Veteran Reserve corps at Nashville,
Tenn.
SAMUEL STILL, aged twenty-six, single, farmer, born in Coshocton county, Ohio,
and enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. His health failing on the
Kentucky campaign, he was sent to the hospital at Danville, where he died
December 5, 1862. Is buried at No. 49, in the national cemetery at Danville,
Kentucky.
ROBERT STILL, aged twenty-eight, married, farmer, born in Coshocton county,
Ohio, and enlisted from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. Served through the
Kentucky campaign, and was discharged for disability, at Nashville, Tenn., April
1, 1863. Reported dead.
JAMES SHIELDS, aged eighteen, born in Fulton county, Illinois, and enlisted from
Woodland. Served with his company through all the campaigns in which the
regiment was engaged until killed in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia,
June 27, 1864.
LEWIS SEYMOUR was born in Montreal, Canada, February 20, 1825, removed to
Illinois in 1856, and was a farmer when he enlisted from Hickory, Schuyler
county. He served with his company until transferred to the engineer corps, July
31, 1864, and in that organization to the close of the war. He was honorably
discharged at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 24, 1865. He returned to Illinois,
resumed farming, and resides near Summum, Ill.
AARON THOMAS was born in Clermont county, Ohio, February 22, 1828, removed to
Illinois in 1850, and settled on a farm in Fulton county. He enlisted from
Woodland. Served with is company until June 1, 1863, when he was transferred to
the Veteran Reserve corps at Nashville, Tenn. He was discharged from that
organization, June 28, 1865, and returned to his former home in Illinois. He is
now retired and resides at Astoria, Ill.
DAVID THOMAS, aged twenty-five, married, farmer, born in Boone, Harrison county,
Indiana, enlisted from Woodland,
Fulton county, Illinois. Served until the close of the war and was mustered out
with the regiment. He returned to Illinois and was a teamster at Lewiston when
he died. His window resides at Lewistown, Ill.
DAVID TAYLOR, aged twenty-two, married, farmer, born in Kentucky, and enlisted
from Woodland, Fulton county, Illinois. He served with his company until the
close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He was wounded by a
gun shot in the face at Pumpkin Vine creek, Georgia, but recovered and returned
to duty. His address is unknown to the writer.
THOMAS J. TATE deserted September 1, 1863.
JOHN THOMPSON was born in Butlersville, Schuyler county, Illinois, February 5,
1845, and enlisted from his native town. In the Kentucky campaign a wagon ran
over and broke his left foot, which disabled him from marching, and he was
detailed as an orderly at brigade headquarters, where he served to the close of
the war and was mustered out with the regiment. He was wounded in the battle of
Buzzard Roost, Ga., February 25, 1864, by a gun shot through the left arm. He
was in one more battle that the regiment – Bentonville, N. C., where he received
a shot through his pants. He was the first man to reach Cape Fear river, where
he captured a rebel sergeant, some negroes and a flat boat. He removed to
Missouri in 1871 and began farming in Harrison county. Has served as justice of
the peace and now resides at Gilman City, Harrison county, Missouri.
BENTON TURNER deserted January 21, 1863.
GEORGE WORKMAN, aged twenty, born in Schuyler county, Illinois, and enlisted
from Butlerville. Served with his company through the Kentucky campaign, and at
Nashville, Tenn., was detailed in the scouts at brigade headquarters, where he
served to the close of the war and was mustered out with the regiment. At the
end of his service he returned to his former home, where he was murdered by one
whom he was trying to befriend.
JOSEPH H. WOODRUFF deserted at Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862.
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