|
|
|
|
|
|
"B" Biographies of Sangamon County
COLONEL EDWARD DICKINSON BAKER
was early left an orphan, and was the architect of his own fortune. He travelled
on foot across the Alleghenies in the former part of his public life, and devoting himself to the study of law,
became renowned at Springfield, Illinois, from which State he was elected to a seat in the national councils. He
was a brave soldier during the war with Mexico. The spirit of adventure led him to California, and at San Francisco,
he acquired the reputation of a distinguished orator and statesman, his oration on the death of his friend, Senator
Broderick, who was killed in a duel, being still considered a masterpiece of eloquence and pathos. After taking
his seat as Senator from Oregon, his answer to the arguments of Breckenridge, was considered a complete and triumphant
refutation. Colonel Baker was known as a valuable officer, and when ordered, with part of his own California regiment,
and of the Fifteenth Massachusetts and New York Tammany regiments, eighteen hundred men in all, to cross the river
opposite Leesburg, on the 21st of October, 1861, although he knew the movement to be foolhardy, he obeyed, and
in the disastrous fight at Ball's Bluff, led his brave men in an unequal contest against overwhelming numbers,
with a resolution and heroism never surpassed. It was here, in a desperate but unavailing struggle, that he fell,
mortally wounded, having been pierced by five bullets. His loss occasioned profound regret, and his memory will
be cherished by all future generations of patriots, as one of the greatest heroes of the war. In him the country
lost a devoted soldier, and a distinguished statesmen.
(Source: "A Complete History of the Great Rebellion of the Civil War in the U.S. 1861-1865 with Biographical
sketches of the Principal actors in the Great Drama". By Dr. James Moore, Published 1875. Transcribed by Linda
Rodriguez)
CHARLES BROWN
Father of Misses Mary and Ella Brown
Charles N. Brown, farmer, Auburn, Illinois was born in Kennebec, Maine, on the 14th day of November 1840; son of
William and Sarah [Smily] Brown; father a native of New Hampshire, and mother of Maine. His father was twice married;
his first wife was Maria Howard, by whom he had five children, one of whom has lived to man hood, Ambrose H., who
was a soldier in the Third Maine Infantry, and was captured in the first battle of Bull Run, and was taken prisoner
and incarcerated in Libby Prison, where he starved to death. The second family consisted of seven children, five
of whom are living, Mary, Charles, Henry W., Mariah S., and Warren F. Henry was a soldier in the late war and was
taken prisoner at Spotsylvania Court House, taken to Andersonville Prison, where he was kept for eight months.
Charles N. came to Sangamon County in 1860, where he became acquainted with Miss Matilda E. Foster and was married
in December 1864. Mr. Brown enlisted in 1861 in the Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, three months' service,
being one of the first to enlist in the regiment, and remained until the expiration of his term, when re-enlisted
in the Ninth Volunteer Infantry, Company K. He participated in several hot engagements, among them were Fort Donalson,
Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and others; was wounded at the battle of Fort Donalson in the arm and leg, where he
carries the ball at the present time. In politics he is a Republican. ["History of Auburn" by the Auburn
Historical Society, unknown date - Transcribed by Debbie Quinn]
©Genealogy Trails
