veterans

CIVIL WAR REUNIONS

Union County Illinois Genealogy Trails

Ham Roberts at Reunion, 1929

Veterans Reunion

Transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter

Following is a list of the veterans registered at the 50^th anniversary reunion of the 109^th and 110^th regiments Illinois Volunteers, held on the Union County Fair grounds at Jonesboro, Ill., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1912. It will be observed that about half of the soldiers present belonged to other regiments. The 109^th and 110^th regiments were mustered into service on the Union County, Fair grounds Sept. 11, 1862.

Rank and Name	Co. and Reg't	Age	Post Offfice Address
Pvt. Alexander W. Sims	D, 72nd Ind.	70	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. Calvin H. Davis	G, 69th Ill.	65	Jonesboro, Ill.
Pvt. Jacob Shy	A, 11th Ill.	69	Jonesboro, Ill.
Pvt. Jefferson L. Ury	D, 11th Ill.	74	Jonesboro, Ill.
1st Lieut. Thomas J. Holloman	I, 10th Ill.	68	Cobden, Ill.
Pvt. Wilburn Casey	F, 11th Ill.	67	Anna, Ill.
Sgt. George W. Norris	G, 14th Cal.	75	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. Isaac H. Newton	C, 11th Ill.	70	Jonesboro, Ill.
Corp. G.W. Ledgerwood	A, 11th Ill.	67	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. Silas Lingle	A, 11th Ill.	70	Cobden, Ill.
Pvt. George F. Jean	E, 81st Ill.	65	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. Henry Moore	F, 11th Ill.	75	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. William H. McCoy	A, 31st Ill.	77	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. John J. Richardson	D, 56th Ill.	66	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. Samuel Caraker	A, 11th Ill.	74	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. John H. Boswell	E, 109th Ill	74	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. Tilmon Manus	B, 11th Ill.	77	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. John M. Mackey	A, 11th Ill.	68	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. William W. Settlemoir	F, 14th Ill.	67	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. Charles W. Fletcher	D, 31st Ill.	71	Pomona, Ill.
1st Sgt. Benjamin F. Biggs	E, 81st Ill.	74	Cobden, Ill.
Corp. Abraham L. Sitter	C, 109th Ill.	77	Cobden, Ill.
Pvt. Hezekiah O'Neal	F, 11th Ill.	76	Buncombe, Ill.
1st Sgt. B.H. Anderson	I, 11th Ill.	74	Jonesboro, Ill.
Corp. J.M. Cooper	I, 31st Ill.	68	Jonesboro, Ill.
Pvt. Samuel Knupp	H, 11th Ill.	75	Jonesboro, Ill.
Pvt. James I. Hale	A, 11th Ill.	68	Anna, Ill.
Sgt. Edwin B. Wing	E, 2nd Wis.	76	Cobden, Ill.
Pvt. Elwood Finley	E, 2nd Iowa	69	Cobden, Ill.
Pvt. Henry Douglas	H, 11th Ill.	82	Jonesboro, Ill.
Pvt. O.D. Brim	I, 1st Tenn.	62	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. Andrew J. Nipper	C, 109th Ill.	68	Alto Pass, Ill.
Pvt. John R. Campbell	A, 135th Ill.	64	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. C.M. Tripp	D, 11th Ill.	68	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. J.F. Hartley	G, 49th Ill.	66	Cobden, Ill.
Pvt. Alonzo Fenton	H, 1st N.Y. Art.	72	Cobden, Ill.
1st Lieut. Charles Klutts	F, 109th Ill.	85	Jonesboro, Ill.
Corp. Adam Verble	E, 11th Ill.	68	Balcom, Ill.
Pvt. J.F. Phillips	F, 15th Cal.	66	Jonesboro, Ill.
Pvt. George W. Kimbrell	I, 60th Ill.	68	Jonesboro, Ill.
Lieut. Col. Monroe C. Crawford	110th Ill.	77	Jonesboro, Ill.
Pvt. J.M. Sisk	C, 12th Ala.	71	Cobden, Ill.
Pvt. L.C. Penninger	E, 11th Ill.	68	Stonefort, Ill.
Pvt. Paul Miller	H, 11th Ill.	69	Jonesboro, Ill.
Pvt. Edmund H. Hileman	A, 109th Ill.	74	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. E.R. Jinnette	L, 6th Cal.	64	Oakland, Cal.
1st Lieut. Thomas G. Stokes	F, 60th Ill.	72	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. David Aldrich	K, 151st Ind.	58	Cobden, Ill.
2nd Lieut. Hamilton S. Crabtree	G, 109th Ill.	72	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. George W. Bradshaw	B, 145th Ind.	66	Anna, Ill.
Pvt. George W. Cline	H, 11th Ill.	75	Jonesboro, Ill.
1st Lieut. John L. Hase	K, 56th Ill.	75	Mill Creek, Ill.

There were 52 names registered, and the ages of the veterans ranged from 62 (O.D. Brim) to 85 (Charles Klutts). Their combined ages was 3,684 years and the average was 70 years. J.M. Sisk was in the Confederate service, belonging to the 12^th Alabama Regiment.

(Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, 20 Sep 1912)

OLD SOLDIERS MEET

Transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter

In consequence of a previously arranged program, a a number of the old veterans assembled inside the fair grounds near the secretary’s stand on Thursday and listened to a very interesting and appropriate address by Rev. John Farrell of the Baptist church of Anna, after which the writer was asked to act as their secretary temporarily, which he agreed to do. Several whose wives were living were present, also a number of widows, wives of deceased ex-soldiers, were present to enjoy the occasion.
The following were present, with the names of their company and regiment:

W. Pumphrey, Co. A, 60th Illinois Infantry
John W. McGuire, Co. D, 18th Illinois Infantry
Thomas Plemon, Co. C, 21st Ohio Infantry
Silas Lingle, Co. A, 11th Illinois Infantry
A.L. Grugett, Co. E, 6th Illinois Cavalry
Levi L. Davis, Co. E, 11th Illinois Infantry
Tillman Manus, Co. B, 11th Illinois Infantry
Jacob Shy, Co. A, 11th Illinois Infantry
Paul Miller, Co. H, 11th Illinois Infantry
M. N. Heilig, Co. H, 11th Illinois Infantry
T. W. Hanes, Co. D, 21st Illinois Infantry
J. N. Fitch, Co. L, A. Illinois Cavalry
W. H. Hollidy, Co. B Tennessee Cavalry
John Campbell, Co. A, 135th Illinois Infantry
John Heater, Co. E, 60th Illinois Infantry
Thomas J. Stokes, Co. F, 60th Illinois Infantry
W. N. Settlemoir, Co. F, 11th Illinois Infantry
G. W. Ledgerwood, Co. A, 11th Illinois Infantry
G. F. Jean, Co. E, 81st Illinois Infantry
J. F. Phillips, Co. F, 15th Illinois Cavalry
S. A. Harrel, Co. K, 13th Missouri Cavalry
B. F. Biggs, Co. E, 81st Illinois Infantry
Dr. T. J. Rich, Co. I, 13th Illinois Cavalry
D. M. Nally, Co. E, 10th Tennessee Infantry
O. H. Baker, Co. E, 120th Illinois Infantry

There were probably others on the grounds who were not present at this assemblage.
The writer ascertained that the oldest man present was M. N. Heilig, who was nearing the 91st milestone on the journey of life, while I. N. Fitch, the youngest, has just passed his 75th year and is a few months younger than W. H. Hollidy, both of them being in their 76th year.
At the suggestion of Paul Miller they joined in singing “Marching Through Georgia,” which was led by T. J. Stokes, while everybody joined in the refrain making melody in all our hearts. This was followed by an old fashioned Methodist handshaking as Paul Miller called it.
It was indeed interesting to note the clear, distinct voices as they sang, notwithstanding their age and infirmities. It seemed to fire the very souls with patriotism as they sang and gave the parting hand. In view of the time, no doubt when this earthly warfare is over and they shall come together and hear, "updatWell done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of the Lord” and forever be with him in the “Sweet by and by.”
W. H. Kerr, Acting Secretary
(Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 7 Sep 1923)

HAM ROBERTS AT REUNION

A.H. Roberts, of Murphysboro, attended the 64th annual reunion of the Grand Army of the Republic, held recently at Portland, Maine. Jonesboro folk will be interested in the following comments by the cheery old veteran quoted from the Portland Evening News of Sept. 10, which also carries pictures of Mr. Roberts as he looks today and as he appeared when a soldier.
    “Yes, sir, young fellow, I’ve attended every G. A. R. convention for the past 20 years and I’m good for another 10. I’m 86 and I guess I can make it, since I’m able to work every day and do a better job than many young fellows. I’m here for a good time and I certainly appreciate the way Portland treats the old G. A. R. men.”
    The speaker was A. H. Roberts, of Murphysboro, Ill., the only surviving member of General John A. Logan’s division left in Jackson County. “Mrs. Roberts, my son, Homer, and myself left Murphysboro Wednesday morning and reached Portland late Sunday evening,” the veteran said.
    “For the past 20 years we three have all been together at each encampment, motoring as far West as Denver in 1928 and as far east as Portland this year. The trip from home to Portland was 1,465 miles. We have motored for the past 10 or 11 years.
    “I hate to see all the old boys go, but I’m the only living member of my regiment. I’ve lived them all down. For 57 years I have been in the same business at Murphysboro and I’m still active. I do a full day’s work all the time. I don’t intend to retire, either. By the way, General Logan’s old house is in my town and we are proud of the history he made.
    “Jonesboro is not so far away from Murphysboro and I can distinctly recall the debate between Abe Lincoln and Stephen Douglas on that September day, 71 years ago. That debate stands in my memory as the primary reason for my joining the Union Army when Abe called for volunteers. I was born in that town, you know.
    “I’m as spry as ever, even if I am an undertaker. My father was an undertaker and I’ve made my son an undertaker. That’s really a lively business.
    “In the fall of 1862 I marched away from Jonesboro at the age of 16 as a private in Company F, 109th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. My company was on guard duty at the Union Prison in Columbus, Ky. A few weeks later the famous Confederate raider, General Morgan, then a prisoner, made good his escape. I haven’t much to say about that job.
    “My first battle was at Holly Springs and I was in the siege of Vicksburg for 43 days. I was within a very few feet of the regimental commander, Col. Neber, when he was killed May 22, when we made the big charge. Then, to make a long story short, I might say that I took part in all the battles my regiment served in until we were mustered out at the close of the war. It sure was a great thrill though, when we marched into Vicksburg when that city surrendered.
    “But I’d like to tell you a few things about this encampment. There is a mighty small crowd here as compared with previous years. But then, the bunch is thinning out. These encampments are nothing but reunions. I don’t receive many. Yet each year I see many of the old boys I knew as a kid. The G. A. R. encampment is my only means of communicating with them and finding out who of the gang has lived through the year. Send every veteran to every encampment and give him a good time in his last years.”
    Mr. Roberts has for many years been an active citizen in Murphysboro politics. He was the mayor of the city several terms and has been supervisor of his township. In over thirty years there has hardly been a time when he did not hold some position in the G. A. R. post at Murphysboro and he has nearly always attended the conventions as an official delegate of the post, with Mrs. Roberts as an official delegate from the Ladies of the Grand Army.

(Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 20 Sep 1929; transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter)