Introduction, History of the 85th Illinois Regiment Volunteer Infantry

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

Introduction

In the years that have passed since the close of the War of the Rebellion there has been more or less talk among its members of a history of the regiment. Colonel Dilworth gave the subject much attention, and at one time had about decided to undertake the work. He had long commanded the regiment, and was more than ordinarily well equipped for the compilation of such a work, and it is much to be regretted that he did not find time to accomplish his purpose. Then there were several men in the ranks who kept diaries through the war, some of whom, at least, had the writing of a history of the Eighty-fifth as an end in view. But no definite steps had been taken until the matter was taken up by the Regimental Association. In order that the reader may know how the work was undertaken by the writer, and for the information of those of our comrades who have not enjoyed the privilege of attending its reunions, the following short sketch is given of the origin and purpose of the

Regimental Association.

     At a meeting of old settlers and ex-soldiers held in Rockwell Park, at Havana, Ill., on September 16th, 1885, there were present fifty-six former members of the Eighty-fifth regiment, all of the companies being represented except Company F. At this meeting an organization was formed to be known as the Eighty-fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Association.
     The declared purpose of the association was to hold annual reunions on or about the eighth day of October, that being the anniversary of the first battle in which the regiment was engaged, for social enjoyment; for the cultivation of the friendships formed during the trying ordeals of soldier life; for the gathering of material for historic purposes, and for teaching patriotism to the young. The following named comrades were elected officers for the first year: Philip L. Dieffenbacher, commander; David Sigley, adjutant; William H. Hole, treasurer; Jacob H. Prettyman, quartermaster; James T. Pierce, commissary, and Joseph S. Barwick, chaplain.
     The association has held a reunion each year since its organization, with an average attendance of sixty-five members.
     At the annual meeting in 1899 it was decided to hold the next reunion on the third Wednesday in October, 1900, and a motion was adopted authorizing Comrade Henry J. Aten to compile and publish a history of the regiment.
     At the sixteenth annual meeting held in Havana on the third Wednesday in October, 1900, the association was broadened and its usefulness extended by amending the constitution so as to permit the wives of members to become honorary members of the association, and their sons and daughters to become auxiliary members. At this meeting Havana, Illinois, was selected as the place for holding future reunions, the same to be held on the third Wednesday in October, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: A. D. Cadwallader, commander; William H. Hole and David Sigley, vice-commanders; James T. Seay, adjutant; Thomas C. Eaton, quartermaster, and J. B. Shawgo, trustee of the Kennesaw Mountain Monument Association.
     When the task of writing a history of the gallant regiment in which it was my good fortune to serve during the War of the Rebellion, was assigned to me, the trust was accepted with many misgivings. I knew the work would be both delicate and difficult, and after considering various plans, the one worked out in the following pages seemed to promise the best results, and I entered upon the work with such ability as I could command, regardless of the time required or the labor involved. Although present with the regiment every day from its organization until it was disbanded, I found as the work progressed, my memory in conflict with the official reports, letters written at the time events to be narrated were occurring, and the diary kept by myself throughout the war. In all such cases I have relied upon the written record, believing it to be more trustworthy than mere recollection.
     Most of the personal incidents which would have enlivened the story have been lost in the years that have passed since the war ended, but it was believed that the official reports, histories of the Civil War, and the memories of leading commanders on both sides could be drawn upon to make up much that had been lost to memory. It also appeared not only appropriate, but necessary, to a proper appreciation of the work accomplished by the regiment, to include a brief outline of the campaigns in which it was engaged, and connect its movements with the larger movements of the brigade, the division, the corps, and the army of which it was a part. This has been attempted, and in the course of compilation, the writer has personally examined every book and paper in the office of the adjutant general at Springfield relating to the Eighty-fifth, the records of the pension office and of the war department at Washington have been searched, and the following authorities have been consulted:

The Personal Memoirs of General Grant.
The Personal Memoirs of General Sherman.
The Personal Memoirs of General Sheridan.
A Narrative of Military Service, by General W. B. Hazen.
The Life of Gen. George H. Thomas, by Thomas B. Van Horne.
The American Conflict, by Horace Greeley.
The History of the Army of the Cumberland, by Gen. Henry M. Cist.
The History of the Army of the Cumberland, by Thomas B. Van Horne (VanHorn).
Atlanta, and the March to the Sea, by Gen. Jacob D. Cox.
The History of the Ninety-sixth Illinois, by C. A. Partridge.
The History of the 113th Ohio, by Sergeant F. M. McAdams.
The History of the Fifty-second Ohio, by Nixon B. Stewart.
The History of the Eighty-sixth Illinois, by John H. Kinnear.
McCook's Brigade at Kennesaw, by Captain F. B. James.
The Rebellion Records, published by the U. S. Government.
A Narrative of Military Operations, by the Confederate General, Joseph E. Johnston.
Advance and Retreat, by the Confederate General, J. B. Hood.
The Life of the Confederate General, N. B. Forrest, by General Thomas Jordan.

     The narrative has been made impersonal, and the personal sketches have been written with no desire to unduly exalt the personal achievements of anyone. A blank, forwarded to every member of the regiment whose address could be ascertained, in many instances failed to elicit a reply. Such should not complain if they find their personal sketches deficient, although the writer made every effort to complete them. The work was undertaken as a labor of love, with no expectation of pecuniary reward, and with the entire edition sold, the copy retained by the writer will be the most expensive.
     Cherishing the memory of every old comrade, whether living or dead, proud of the fact that it was my privilege to be associated with them through an heroic epoch, this work is submitted with the hope that it may awaken proud recollections in the breast of an old comrade; that it may make a son's heart exult at the sight of a father's name, and inspire him to unselfish and patriotic effort, and, above all, that it may help reveal and establish the truth, from which none of the brave men of the Eighty-fifth have anything to fear. The writer has made no effort to meet the requirements of critics, but has written for those who, by experience or sympathy, can enter into the spirit which actuated the volunteer soldier in the war for the Union. And if the book shall meet the approval of surviving comrades, their friends, and the friends of those deceased, I shall feel amply rewarded for my labor.
     To all the comrades who have aided in the work I return cordial thanks, and it gives me pleasure to acknowledge my obligations for information furnished to General I. N. Reece, adjutant general of Illinois, and his courteous office force, to the Hon. H. Clay Evans, commissioner of pensions, and to General R. A. Alger, secretary of war.

HENRY J. ATEN.
Hiawatha, Kansas, February 1st, 1901.

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