Part 4

Born in Centre county, Pennsylvania. Enlisted May, 1861, at the age of twenty years. Died at Paducah, Kentucky, August 23, 1862, while on detailed duty in the Signal Corps.

JOSEPH SPRINGER.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1831. Enlisted as a recruit in Company K August 30, 1862. Died at Lake Providence, Louisiana, March 18, 1863. Was a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. Belonged to the society organized at Millbrook, Kendall county, Illinois. Was married, and when he went away to the war left at home a wife and three boys, whose respective ages were seven, five and about two and one-half years. His widow, Mrs. Ann Springer, now lives at Firth, Lancaster county, Nebraska, from whose letters I make the following extracts: "I am glad the survivors of Company K are hunting up the records of those that never returned, as well as the records of those who were spared to come back. I have been weighed down and almost crushed with sorrow and affliction. I have never re-married, and, of course, draw pension at the rate of twelve dollars a month. I have lived with my boys, the oldest of whom was taken away when nearly sixteen years of age. The other two are still spared. I had four brothers who went out to fight for the dear old flag. Two of them never returned. One was William Bennett of Company K. He responded to the first call and enlisted at Newark, Illinois, early in the spring of 1861. Another brother, who was in the artillery service, was killed in the battle of Stone River. God bless the soldiers; they did a noble work; they are the saviors of the country. If the Company K Roster is published I want a copy."

ALFRED GRISWOLD, Newark, Illinois.

Enlisted April 1861. Died at Berry's Landing, Louisiana, March 20, 1863.

SUMNER COOK, Newark, Illinois.

Enlisted April, 1861. Died at Vicksburg, Mississippi, of typhoid fever, July 20, 1863.

GEORGE SLEEZER, Newark, Illinois.

Born in Kendall county, Ill. Enlisted as a recruit for Company K September 26, 1864, at the age of eighteen years. Became sick at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Illinois, and died at that place November 13, 1864, before he reached the Company.

WALTER LANDON, Fox Township, Kendall County, Illinois.

Volunteered as a recruit for Company K October 3, 1864, and died in a short time afterward at Camp Butler, Illinois, before reaching the Company.

GREENBURY LEACH, Lisbon, Illinois.

Born in West Virginia. Enlisted April, 1861. Captured near Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864. Confined in Confederate prisons from date of capture until the following spring. Died at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, April 30, 1865, just after being exchanged and while on his way to the north. Was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. While in the army always attended whatever religious service was conducted in camp. Was a regular attendant and participant at regimental prayer-meetings.

Died Since Date of Discharge.

NELSON DAYTON, Newark, Illinois.

Enlisted April, 1861, at the age of eighteen years. Discharged for disability November 27, 1861. Died March 4, 1862, at Newark, Illinois.

ROBERT LAWTON.

May 1861-August 17, 1862. Born in Lancashire, England. Came to America in 1852. Died in Kendall county, Illinois, of the disease for which discharged from the army April 14, 1864, at the age of twenty-five years, three months and eight days. Robert was a good soldier. I remember him distinctly on the battlefield of Shiloh. During the terrible fighting of the first day he turned over his pocket-book to a member of the Company who retired on account of wounds. He did not want his money to be taken by the rebels if he were killed in the fight.

Comrade Lawton's remains were interred in the little cemetery at Plattville. The slab marble which marks his final resting place has fallen down and is broken. When the flowers of May each year come, let patriot hands decorate this grave.

GILBERT MORTON, Oswego, Illinois.

Enlisted May, 1861. Mustered out July 16, 1865. Promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant of the Regiment at the outset and, I think, held that position during the entire war. After discharge he became a railroad official and had a highly successful career for about ten years. But evil days came, and he finally died by his own hand at a hotel in Chicago. This was about the year 1876.

LONGEN MERKLI.

Born in 1829 at Damsingan, Baden, Germany. Went into German army in his youth, and was thoroughly trained as a soldier. Participated in active warfare in 1848-'49. He handled sword and bayonet with great dexterity. Few men could stand before him with these weapons. After his service in the German army he spent several years as a student. Was a good latin scholar, and had a knowledge of the French language. Pursued a course of study in surgery and medicine in a German University, and, by members of his profession, was considered an expert anatomist. Had been reared in the faith of the Catholic church, but became a doubter of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Came to America in 1860 and engaged in the practice of medicine at Milford and Newark. Was one of the first to enlist in April, 1861. Served in the ranks of the Company for about a year and a half. Was in the battles of Fredericktown, Fort Donelson and Shiloh. Was shot in the foot at Shiloh. Was a remarkably brave and fearless man. About July, 1862, he was detailed to serve in a hospital at Jackson, Tennessee. When negro soldiers were enlisted he was offered a commission as assistant surgeon of a negro Regiment, but declined it. He continued on detailed duty and served as a medical man in various hospitals until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Was mustered out in July, 1864. After the war, located at Bristol, Illinois, and pursued the practice of medicine. In his best years he was unable to control his appetite for strong drink and, as time advanced, his appetite steadily increased and he became an abject slave. He died at Bristol, Illinois, August 20, 1879.

GEORGE WATSON, Newark, Illinois.

I doubt whether any man did as much as George Watson toward getting up Company K. He was a lawyer at Newark, was a democrat, voted for Bell and Everett in 1860, and was an enthusiastic Union man. He was a fluent off-hand speaker and was the main figure at all the war meetings in Newark. Had been in Pennsylvania militia and Mexican war and was a good drill master. Was elected First Lieutenant. About the first of June, 1861, he withdrew from the Company and joined Mulligan's Regiment in Chicago. Was captured with that command at Lexington, Missouri, in 1861. After this he served on a gunboat and, still later, had a commission in a Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment. He was gifted with talent of a high order, but an uncontrollable appetite for intoxicating liquor barred all possibility of success in life. It caused his ruin and downfall and death. He made many spasmodic attempts at reformation, and at these times was a successful temperance talker. But all his efforts at reform ended in failure. From the United States Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I have received this: "The records show that George W. Watson served in Company K, 20th Illinois Infantry; Company E, 23d Illinois Infantry; Company F, 2d Pennsylvania Cavalry, and in U. S. Navy. He was admitted here December 15, 1877, and was killed by a railroad train in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at about 3 o'clock p. m., August 21, 1879."

FAYETTE SCOFIELD, Newark, Illinois.

Born in DuPage county, Illinois, January 25, 1847. Enlisted as a recruit for Company K February 25, 1864. Discharged July 16, 1865. Killed in a railroad wreck in Missouri February 17, 1881.

AMON HEACOX, Lisbon, Illinois.

Born in Oneida county, New York, June 6, 1817. Enlisted in Company K, May, 1861, at the age of forty-four years. Mustered out July 14, 1864. Was the oldest man in the Company. I have been informed that he was slightly wounded at Britton's Lane, but I have no recollection of it. I remember him very distinctly at Fort Donelson. He was a good man and a good soldier. Was a member of M. E. church. Was one of six, many years ago, to organize a Methodist Episcopal church in Lisbon, Illinois. He died in the Soldiers' Home at Quincy, Illinois, April 23, 1889, in the seventy-third year of his age. Is interred in the cemetery at Lisbon.

HENRY HAVENHILL, Newark, Illinois.

Born in LaSalle county, Illinois, June 17, 1842. Enlisted April, 1861. Discharged for disability April 27, 1862. Died in Chicago, Illinois, of paralysis, June, 1889.

FRANCIS CROWELL, Newark, Illinois.

Born in Tompkins county, New York. Enlisted April, 1861, at the age of eighteen years. Was wounded in the Georgia campaign July, 1864. Mustered out July 16, 1865. Died at Waterman, Illinois, of a complication of diseases, September 17, 1889. The address of his widow is Mrs. Mary A. Crowell, Waterman, Illinois.

THOMAS GARNER.

April, 1861-July 14, 1864. Born in England. Had been a British soldier, and saw active service in the Crimean war. Deserted from the British army. Captured and branded with letter D. Deserted again in Canada and succeeded in escaping to the United States.

Thomas Garner was one of the best marchers and fighters in the Union army. He was always at his post. Never straggled from the ranks and never failed because of sore feet or anything else. Whenever there was fighting on hand Tom was in it. His great failing we all know, but, notwithstanding that, he was the best beloved man in Company K. Some years after the war he went back to England and, in time, returned again to the United States. Soon after his return he walked from Buffalo, New York, to Morris, Illinois, and then came to Newark and Sheridan looking for Company K folks. He found none and went away very despondent. These facts I learned from his friends in Morris. I have received a communication from the Pension Agent at Buffalo, New York, which informs me that Thomas Garner, Company K, 20th Illinois Regiment, was on the rolls of that agency as a pensioner at the rate of six dollars a month, and that he died during the year 1892. He drew pension to July 4 of that year. His address at that time was No. 58 Commercial Street, Buffalo, New York. This is the most definite information I have succeeded in obtaining.

WILLIAM MINARD, Oswego, Illinois.

Born at Walbrough, Ulster county, New York, September 26, 1840. Enlisted May, 1861. Became Commissary Sergeant of the Regiment. Mustered out July 14, 1864. Died at Chicago, Illinois, of disease of kidneys, January 10, 1894. Interred at Graceland.

GEORGE CONNELLY.

May, 1861-September 8, 1862. Born in Ireland. Had been a soldier in the regular army. Was a brave man. Was wounded at Shiloh. Was discharged on account of wound and pensioned therefor. He is now dead. Date of death not ascertained.

JAMES HAGARDORN.

Enlisted at Joliet in May, 1861, and, I think, served about a year and a half. Was discharged for disability and became a pensioner. After the war lived in State of New York. Is now dead. Date of death not ascertained.

JAMES LORD.

May, 1861-March 5, 1863. Was an actor. Came to Newark, Illinois, in the spring of 1861 with a theatrical troupe and there enlisted in Company K. He was a very intelligent man and a good soldier. Was wounded at Fort Donelson. Was discharged for disability and became a pensioner. He is now dead. Date of death not ascertained.

RALPH PRATT.

May, 1861-November 27, 1861. Discharged for disability. Became a pensioner. Is now dead. Date of death not ascertained.

REMARKS.

The names of those who served thirty days with Company K in the State service but who declined to join the Company for three years in the United States service do not appear in this roster; neither do the names of drafted men and substitutes who were assigned to the Company during the last few months of the war.

The dates after a name indicate the time when the soldier first volunteered and the time when he was mustered out or discharged. Those who did not enlist for a second term of three years were nearly all mustered out July 14, 1864. Those who re-enlisted were mustered out July 16, 1865, on account of the close of the war. Those discharged at other dates were discharged for disability resulting from wounds or sickness.

The names of 108 Company K men are herein given; 56 are living, 52 are dead. 4 are missing; of these four I have not been able to obtain any information whatever. I know not whether they are living or dead.

Of the 56 men living, 41 receive pensions; 7 receive no pension. In regard to the others, it is not ascertained whether they are pensioners or not. 32 receive pensions for disabilities incurred in the army; 9 for disabilities not incurred in the army.

Of the 56 men here reported as living, 23 at least were wounded in battle; 13 draw pension for wounds.

Eight Company K men were buried at Raymond--Shoger, Barrows, Waters and Mitchell were buried in the same grave with others of the Regiment on the battlefield, near the rail fence. Adams was buried near the field hospital. Taylor, Reed and Woodruff were buried in the graveyard near the town. Crellen and Wann were buried on the battlefield of Shiloh. None of these graves are now marked or known.

For courtesy, and for information furnished to assist me in tracing lost members of Company K, I am under special obligations to the Hon. WILLIAM LOCHREN, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. I also acknowledge my indebtedness to many postmasters, to newspaper editors, to pension agents and others.

If any Company K man dies or changes his place of residence I desire to be informed of the fact. In this way we will know where every man of the Company is located. Remember, please.

A more lengthy sketch is given of some Comrades than of others. The reason is I have had more information in regard to some than in regard to others. In many cases what is said about each one of the living is his own letter to me re-cast and abridged. I have not intentionally slighted or misrepresented any. I may have made errors. If so, I hope they are few and not of a grievous nature.

A BIT OF HISTORY.

When the news of the President's first call for volunteers reached Newark the people were wild with excitement. "That night," writes Dr. Dyer, "I could not sleep. The next morning I was out very early. I went into Fowler's drug store and there with pen and ink drew up a company muster-roll and signed it, and united with others in calling a war meeting for that evening. I was called to make a long ride in the country and upon my return found five names on the muster-roll in addition to my own. I wish I had that paper now." This was the beginning of our Company. Volunteers continued to come forward and in a few days the requisite number had signed the roll. April 24, 1861, is on record as the date of our Company organization. We were not accepted under the President's call and were sorely disappointed. However, most of the boys continued to meet in Newark and were drilled by Lieutenants Watson and McKean. On May 11, 1861, our Company left Newark for Joliet and went into camp. The 20th Illinois Regiment was there organized and the Kendall county boys became Company K of that organization. After that the history of the Company became part of the history of the Regiment. June 13, 1861, we were mustered into the United States service for three years, if not sooner discharged. About the 17th of June we took the cars for the South. Stopped three weeks at Alton, Illinois, and drilled constantly. Early in July we went into camp for a short time in the United States Arsenal at St. Louis, Missouri, and were here armed with Enfield rifles and received new blue uniforms. We now had a very extravagant opinion of ourselves, of our fighting qualities in particular, and did not take the least pains to conceal that opinion from others. This is what a St. Louis paper said of us:

ARRIVAL OF COLONEL MARSH'S REGIMENT FROM ALTON.

At 11 o'clock a. m., of Saturday, the steamer, "City of Alton," from Alton, landed at the Arsenal the Twentieth Illinois Regiment, Colonel C. C. Marsh commanding. The boat brought also the entire camp equipage and stores of the Regiment. The spontaneous greeting tendered by our Missouri soldiers was hearty and enthusiastic. Cheers upon cheers of welcome rent the air and were responded to by the Illinoisans in magnificent style. The guests were assigned the western lawn of the Arsenal grounds for their camping site. Tents were speedily pitched, baggage distributed, and the newly arrived volunteers were soon perfectly at home. They are aching for active service wherever desired, and, we understand, are already under orders for "a forward movement." Other Regiments in Illinois are also in eager anticipation of lively "business" in Missouri or Arkansas.

Colonel Marsh's Regiment is evidently in first-class condition and consists of strikingly vigorous and hardy men. They are brim full of health and energy and fun. The Regiment numbers nine hundred and sixty-one men rank and file. Success and joy to them.

We left the Arsenal in a few days and for six months were engaged in "business" in southeast Missouri. On October 21 we met the Confederates in force, under Jeff. Thompson, at Fredericktown and succeeded in thoroughly convincing them that they were whipped.

February 6, 1862, we entered Fort Henry and ten days later marched in triumph into Fort Donelson. April 6 and 7 we had position in the Union lines at Shiloh and after that took a hand in the siege of Corinth. September 1 were engaged in the sharp little battle of Britton's Lane. In the winter of 1862-3 were in the campaign in the mud in northern Mississippi. Were at Oxford when General VanDorn took Holly Springs and burned our supplies. In the spring and summer of 1863 we participated in all the battles of the Vicksburg campaign and in the siege of that stronghold.

Were out on the Meridian expedition for twenty-nine days in the month of February, 1864, without tents or other protection from the elements except what every man carried on his back.

In the spring and summer of 1864 were in the Georgia campaign and siege of Atlanta. In the fall went from Atlanta to the sea.

In 1865 was in the campaign in the Carolinas and marched through Virginia to Washington after the Confederate armies had surrendered.

On the 16th of July, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, the Twentieth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was mustered out of the United States service and disbanded, and the boys went home.

INDEX.

PAGE

Adams, Benjamin 44

Adams, George 40

Anderson 6

Ashton 47

Atkins 48

Bacon 6

Barnard 39

Barrows, David 43

Barrows, James 6

Baxter 46

Bennett 48

Bishop 34

Bissell 7

Boyer 4

Bristol 47

Broad 33

Brown 7

Carey 8

Charles 49

Clayton 9

Clifford 9

Connelly 56

Conner, Richard 47

Conner, Anderson 10

Conner, Lambert 38

Constantine 40

Cook 50

Crellen 42

Crowell 55

Crowner 48

Coyle 10

Dann 11

Dayton 51

Dyer 3

Favreau 12

Garner 55

Gay 36

Griswold 50

Gray 12

Hagerdorn 56

Hagerman 13

Hall 39

Hanson 13

Havenhill, Marshall 13

Havenhill, Henry 54

Heacox 54

Hopgood, Thomas 33

Hopgood, George 13

Howes 14

Hutton 14

Jennings, Stephen 47

Jennings, James 16

Kilmer 16

Landon 50

Lawton 51

Leach, Greenbury 51

Leach, John 17

Lehman 47

Littlewood 17

Lord 56

Mallory 48

McKean 47

Merkli 52

Minard 56

Mintz 40

Mitchell 44

Morton, Marcus 43

Morton, Gilbert 52

Mullenix 18

Olin 3

Paxson 48

Pepoon 41

Pierson 18

Pratt 57

Prentice 20

Preston, William 21

Preston, Luman 39

Pruyn 21

Read 46

Remillard 21

Rockwood 22

Scofield 54

Shoger 43

Sleezer 50

Smith 49

Spellman 5

Spencer 22

Springer, Richard 22

Springer, James 38

Springer, Joseph 49

Taylor, Robert 45

Taylor, John 23

Todd 24

Trenter 26

Vreeland 26

Wallace 26

Wann 42

Waters 43

Watson 53

West 27

White 28

Wilcox 49

Wilsey 28

Wilson, Andrew 41

Wilson, DeWitt 29

Wilson, George 30

Woodruff 46

Wright 31

Preface 2

Remarks 57

A Bit of History 59

Transcriber's Notes:

Passages in italics are indicated by _underscore_.

The following misprints have been corrected: "accompauied" corrected to "accompanied" (page 16) "doctor's" corrected to "doctors" (page 24) "religous" corrected to "religious" (page 29) "Novembe" corrected to "November" (page 50) "Pennsylania" corrected to "Pennsylvania" (page 53)

Some of the dates seem obviously incorrect; however, they are presented in this text as they appear in the original.