Madison County, ILGenWeb                                      

Civil War Newspaper Clippings

Source: Syracuse, New York Daily Journal, January 22, 1861

There is a small party in St. Louis, Missouri, in favor of secession, and upon some recent manifestations of this party, a correspondent of the Missouri Democrat, writing from Alton, Illinois, threatens St. Louis with a novel but very effectual kind or coercion. He says that the Mississippi can be brought into a different channel, on the Illinois side, and this would be done in case of secession, leaving St. Louis seven or eight miles from the river. It will not be necessary to do anything to effect this, as the force of the water would have long since done it but for the continued efforts of the people of St
Louis to keep the river to themselves, and that many millions of dollars have been spent in these efforts. Of course, after secession the people of Illinois would have no desire to benefit a foreign nation, but would rather build up instead, a rival city at Alton.

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Source: Clyde, New York Times, May 8, 1861

The St. Louis Arsenal – How It was Stripped. Secessionists Outwitted by a Clyde Man.  Citizens of Alton Come to the Aide of Captain Stokes.
From the Chicago Tribune. Springfield, Ill., April 28, 1861
Capt. James H. Stokes, of Chicago, formerly proprietor of the Glass Works, of Clyde, Wayne County, N. Y., and previously of the Regular Army, having seen actual service in Florida, volunteered to undertake the perilous mission of transferring twenty-one thousand stand of arms from St. Louis to Springfield; and Gov. Yates placed in his hands the requisition of the Secretary of War for ten thousands muskets. Capt. Stokes went to St Louis and made his way as rapidly as possible to the Arsenal. He found it surrounded by an immense mob, and the postern gates all closed. His efforts to penetrate the crowd were for a long time unavailing. At last he managed to attract the attention of one of the guards, by whom he sent for the Captain of the Company stationed at that part of the Arsenal yard, and to him he made known that he was a bearer of dispatches from the War Department. With some difficulty he was admitted without attracting the particular notice of the crowd. On reaching the Arsenal proper, he learned that Major Hayner, of the Ordnance Department had just been ordered to Leavenworth, whither he had gone the previous day. He had been superseded by Major Callender, an old Classmate of Capt. Stokes at West Point. A council was immediately held between Capt. Stokes, Major Callender, and Capt. Lyon, the latter being the officer in command of the regular troops and volunteers. The requisition was shown. Capt. Lyon doubted the possibility of executing it. He said the arsenal was surrounded by a thousand spies, and every movement was watched and reported to the headquarters of the secessionists, who could throw an overpowering force upon them at any moment. Capt Stokes represented that every hours' delay was rendering the capture of the arsenal uncertain, and the arms must be removed to Illinois, now or never. Maj. Callender agreed with him, and told him to take them at his own time and in his own way. This was Wednesday night. Capt. Stokes had a spy in the camp of the secessionists whom he met at intervals in a certain place in that city. On Thursday he received information that Gov. Jackson had ordered two thousand armed men down from Jefferson City, whose movements could only contemplate a seizure of the arsenal by occupying the heights around it and planting batteries thereon. The job would have been an easy one. They had already planted one battery on the St. Louis Levee, and another on Powder Point, a short distance below the arsenal. Capt Stokes immediately telegraphed to Alton, to have the steamer “City of Alton” drop down to the arsenal landing about midnight. He then returned to the arsenal and commenced moving the boxes of guns, weighing some three hundred pounds each, down to the lower floor. About seven hundred men were employed in the work. He then took five hundred Kentucky flint-lock muskets, which had been sent there to be altered, and sent them to be placed on a steamer as a blind to cover his real movements. The secessionists nabbed them at once, and raised a perfect bedlam over the capture. A large portion of the outside crowd left the Arsenal when this movement was executed, and Capt. Lyon took the remainder who were lying around as spies, and locked them up in his guard house. About 11 o’clock the steamer “City of Alton” came alongside, planks were shoved out from the windows to the main deck, and the boxes slid down. When the ten thousand were safely on board, Capt Stokes went to Capt. Lyon and Major Callender, and urged them by the most pressing appeals, to let him empty the arsenal. They told him to go ahead and take whatever he wanted. Accordingly, he took eleven thousand more muskets, five hundred new rifle carbines, fire hundred revolvers, one hundred and ten thousand musket cartridges, to say nothing of the cannons, and a large quantity of miscellaneous accoutrements, leaving only seven thousand muskets to arm the St. Louis Volunteers. When the whole were on board, about two o'clock Friday morning, the order was given, by the Captain of the steamer to cast off. Judge of the consternation of all hands when it was found she would not move. The arms had been piled around the engines to protect them against the battery on the levee, and the great weight had fastened the bows of the boat firmly on a rock, which was tearing a bole through the bottom at every turn of the wheels. A man of less nerve than Captain Stokes would have gone crazy on the spot. He called the Arsenal men on board, and commenced moving the boxes to the stern. Fortunately, when about two hundred boxes had been shifted, the boat fell away from the shore and floated in deep water. “Which way?” said Capt. Mitchell. “Straight to Alton in the regular channel," replied Capt Stokes. “What if we are attacked?” said Capt. Mitchell. “Then we will fight!" said Capt. Stokes. “What if we are overpowered?" said Capt. M. “Run her to the deepest part of the river and sink her,” replied Captain S. “I'll do it," was the heroic answer of Captain Mitchell, and away they went past the secession battery, past the entire St. Louis levee, and on to Alton, in the regular channel, where they arrived at five o'clock the next morning. When the boat touched her landing, Capt Stokes, fearing pursuit by some of the secession military companies, by which the city of St. Louis is disgraced, ran to the Market House and rang the fire bell. The citizens came flocking pell-mell to the river, in all sorts of habiliments. Capt. Stokes informed them of the situation of things, and pointed out the freight cars. Instantly, men, women and children boarded the steamer, seized the freight and clambered up the levee to the cars. Rich and poor tugged together with might and main for two hours, when the cargo was all deposited in the cars and the train moved off, amid their enthusiastic cheers, for Springfield. When Captain Stokes reached this city, he was so exhausted by 60 hours of incessant labor and excitement that he fell asleep while endeavoring the recount his adventures to Judge Trumbull. Secession has now received its fatal blow, not only in St. Louis, but throughout Missouri. When it became known that the arms were gone, the St. Louis Republican began to preach peace and neutrality, the minutemen ceased brawling for Jeff. Davis in the streets, and Gov. Jackson began to advise against calling the state convention together. While Capt. Stokes was taking the arms, the secessionists were planning to take the Government powder house about a mile below. It is reported that they had seized it before they became aware that the Arsenal was emptied. The Union, now and forever!
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Source: Watertown, New York Reformer, 1861/1862

Four hundred and ninety-one of the rebel prisoners at Alton, Ill., have taken the oath of allegiance and been released.

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Source: The State League, Syracuse, New York, abt. 1862

Two women disguised in men's clothes, enlisted at Alton, Ill., last week, but on being discovered, were sent home to their friends, utterly against their wishes.
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Source: The Syracuse, New York Daily Standard, April 21, 1862

Arrest of Col. Jennison.  Leavenworth, April 19.
Col. Jennison, late of the 7th Kansas regiment, has been arrested by the military authorities and sent to Alton, Ill. The cause of his arrest is said to be insubordination and exciting mutiny. Lieut, Hoyt, of the same regiment, is also under arrest.
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Source: Utica, New York Daily Observer, March 29, 1862

Many prisoners have been taken; some been permitted to take the oath, though frequently but to violate it, and go home. Some have been sent to St. Louis, or to the penitentiary at Alton, Illinois, and a few, convicted of burning bridges, are sentenced to be shot to death. Whether this sentence will be carried out remains to be seen. Union men here more generally think it should be, as a policy of mercy as well as justice. Many innocent lives have been lost by this wholesale murder, and how many more may be destroyed God only knows, unless this infamous work of burning and otherwise destroying railroad bridges and tracks can be prevented. Their plea, that it is done as a policy of war, and in most instances, as they allege, by command of Price or his subordinates, it is thought should have no weight, inasmuch as it is within our lines where they could have no military control of roads whatever, and done, too, under the guise of citizens making their way through our lines for this express purpose. I visit these poor fellows in their cells under sentence of death. Two or three are men of families. They do not appear to see the turpitude of their crime, disguised under the garb of patriotism, as they and their sympathizing secession friends who visit them profess to regard it. They seem to think themselves martyrs! Such is fanaticism in any shape.

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Source: The Syracuse, New York Daily Standard, May 13, 1863

Dr. W. A. Cheatham and family has been ordered to Alton, Ill, to be confined during the war.  Mrs. Cheatham is the sister of Mrs. John Morgan.
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Source: Utica, New York Morning Herald, July 24, 1863

The commander of the military post which includes Nashville has issued an order that any person found interfering with or tearing down any barricade, [unreadable] pit, ditch, or embankment, or the military dams on the west end of Nashville constructed for the defense of the city, will be arrested and dealt with as a public enemy. All guards are ordered to arrest on the spot, any person so offending, and if on trial convicted, they will be sent to the Penitentiary at Alton, Ill.

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Source: The State League, Syracuse, New York, 1862 - 1866

Abolitionist Sentiment in "Egypt"

A correspondent of the St Louis Republican, writing from Alton, Illinois, says:
There is another fact even more potent than the consolidation of individuals on the war question. I refer to the change or growth of public sentiment on the question of slavery. This work was begun and is caused by the Gulf slave states. These States are tolling the knell of .American slavery. It is almost too late, now, for them to pause in their mad career and save their social system from destruction. Their stubborn resistance in Virginia more firmly gathers and centres the northern determination. The swarming of guerrillas in the border states only the more inculcates the leacon of force applied to meet force, and of fighting the devil with his own fire, even to extermination. Slavery is as well the weakness as the strength of the rebellion. In sentiment, the civilized world is against it, if not against the rebels. Wherever the northern army moves, it is annihilated. As was truly remarked in a speech of a democrat; of late, who is in the service, the rebels now term every free state man an abolitionist, and when the latter goes to the war every tendency is to make him so.
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Source: Watertown, New York Daily Times, February 20, 1862

Gen. Halleck has issued an order that in consideration of the recent victories won by the Federal forces, and the rapidly increasing loyalty of the citizens of Missouri, the sentence of the eight bridge burners condemned to death are provisionally mitigated to close confinement in the military prison at Alton. If, however, rebel spies again destroy the railroads and telegraph lines, and thus render it necessary to make severe examples, the original sentences against these men will be carried into execution. No further assessments will be levied or collected from any one who will now take the prescribed oath of allegiance. Boards of commissioners will be appointed to examine the cases of prisoners of war who apply to take the oath of allegiance. On their recommendation, orders will be issued for their release.

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Source: The Daily Standard, Syracuse, New York, March 31, 1862

A Rare Curiosity

Mr. Alfred Wilkinson, who has recently returned from a southwestern tour, as far as St. Louis, has in his possession a pipe made by one of the rebel prisoners at Alton, Illinois, which is a rare specimen of ingenuity and skill, as well as persevering industry. The material of the pipe is cotton stone, a soft stone found in the south, easily worked, and susceptible of a fine polish. The bowl of the pipe is square, and Is beautifully carved. One of the sides presents the new rebel flag, and the other the Palmetto tree, with the cotton plant and rattle, snake, appropriate emblems of the rebellion. The front bears the coat-of-arms of Missouri, with the usual scrolls and mottoes. It is understood that the work was executed with a pen-knife, by a young man who had no experience in carving, and regarding it in that light the work Is a marvel of taste and skill.

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Source: The Oswego Commercial Times, August 20, 1862

We learn that Major Underwood, who has been for some time on the retired list of army officers, has so far recovered his health, as to again resume active duties. He has been ordered by the department to report himself at Alton, Illinois, as President of a board of investigation. After these duties are finished the Major resumes active service in the field. Major Underwood is an excellent officer, and if an opportunity offers, will make his mark.

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Source: Skaneateles, New York Democrat, September 24, 1863

Brigadier General Jeff Thompson, the notorious rebel swamp ranger and bushwhacker, with his adjutant, Capt. Reuben Kay, are now in the Alton, Ill. military prison. They will soon be transferred to Johnson's Island.

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Source: Albany, New York Evening Journal, July 10, 1864

We, the undersigned commissioned officers of the Twenty-Second Illinois Infantry, having seen an article in the Missouri Republican of the 9th inst., in which it stated that two hundred and ten men out of two hundred and ninety of the regiment were McClellan men - that is in favor of Gen. McClellan for the next President, pronounce that statement to be an unqualified falsehood.

F. Swanwick, Lt. Col. Commanding, Chester, Ill.

Sam'l Johnson, Major, Collins Station. Ill.

J. Norris Morgan, Capt., Co. H., Alton, Ill.

A. J. Welch, 1st Lt., Co. C., Centralia, Ill.

Sam'l T. Malcolm, Capt., Co. A., Carlyle, Ill.

J. W. Brown, Asst. Surgeon, Sparta, Ill.

W. S. Ford, Adjutant, Carlyle, Ill.

Jas. L. Buchanan, Capt., Co. K., Greenville, Ill.

Frank Allen, 1st Lieut., Co. B, Alton, Ill.

Robert McKenzie, 2d Lieut., Co. B., Alton, Ill.

William Leishman, 2d Lt, Co. K, Belleville, Ill.

Anthony Young, 1st Lt., Co. K, Alton, Ill.

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Source:  The Alton Telegraph, August 19, 1864

General Rosecrans has requested the citizens of Alton to raise a regiment of soldiers to serve one year as guards for the prison at this post. The following is the appeal of the General: "By authority from the War Department and agreement with Governor Yates, I appeal to you to raise a regiment of infantry to serve twelve months. I want them for guards of Alton prison, but I want them to be of high soldierly bearing and to make their qualification and behavior the condition on which they will be kept on the duty. Each non-commissioned officer and private will receive a bounty of one hundred dollars and be exempt from the draft, while he will count on your quota. The officers will be commissioned on my recommendation by the Governor of Illinois. As these troops are wanted immediately, I hope for a prompt response. W. S. Rosecrans, Maj. Gen."   The appeal to the citizens of Alton was received by the undersigned this morning, and I deem it an eminently fit opportunity for the citizens to respond cordially and with alacrity, as the occasion seems to require. The advantages to us are manifest, besides securing mild service at home, we shall have fill our quota on the last call and some to spare, and thus maintain the proud pre-eminence of the State of Illinois in responding voluntarily to all the calls of the Government. Every man thus employed will help to swell the ranks in the field with tried veterans, and I confidently appeal to the citizens of Alton to come forward at this time and thus rally to the support of our Government.  Edward Hollister, Mayor.

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Albany, New York Evening Journal, September 12, 1864

The Prisoners at Andersonville
From a gentleman lately from Andersonville, and who, from his acquaintance with the officials there, is in position to speak knowingly, we learn that the statement that three hundred Yankees having died one warm day last month, which has been going the round of the press, it incorrect. The greatest mortality on any one day has never exceeded 127, and though, in comparison with the statement referred to, this may seem slight less, a few words will show that it is in reality almost appalling. There are now at Andersonvilie something over 30,000 prisoners, and at the rate of 127 per day, the deaths would amount to 1 in every 237. Did the same ratio of mortality prevail in New York, computing the population of that city at 800,000, the deaths there would amount up to 3,326 per day—more than six times the real number. The greatest mortality among our prisoners in the North occurred at Alton, Ill., where among 7,000, the loss was 27 per day, or one in every 111. The difference between the mortalities North and South is due, however, less to any difference in rations and treatment, than to that utter prostration of mind and body which overwhelms the Yankee, but against which the Confederate soldier bears up as bravely as if facing the bullet and bayonet in the field.

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Source: The Daily Courier, Syracuse, New York, January 18, 1865

The steamer, Belle of Memphis, brings 35 rebel prisoners from Little Rock for Alton, Illinois.

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Source:  The Alton Telegraph, January 13, 1865

There is hardly a day passes but we hear of some new recital of the terrible sufferings and deprivations which our prisoners in rebel hands are called upon to endure. Thousands and thousands of them have absolutely perished from want and exposure; and multitudes of those who have survived have been reduced to mere skeletons, and have suffered almost every affliction which it was possible for fiends to inflict. The very recital of their hardships and deprivations makes the blood tingle in the veins of every patriotic and humane person. These atrocities and the cruel treatment which our prisoners received was for a long time accounted for on the ground of the scarcity of provisions, which it was said existed in Dixie; but since the raid which Sherman has made through Georgia, this flimsy excuse has exploded. It is now know that food in superabundance is to be found in the vicinity of Andersonville, where our prisoners have suffered the most, and there is no excuse, on that score, for the treatment which our brave boys have received at their hands. It is the result of the cruel and bitter hatred of the rebel authorities against the northern people, and is not the outgrowth of the system of slavery, which has destroyed every humane feeling in the hearts of those who were brought up under its withering and blighting influence. They are as much accustomed, and as really hardened, to human suffering as the butcher is to that of the animal creation. .... But what surprises us, is, that while the rebels are treating our prisoners in this way, that their officers, which have fallen into our hands are paroled and are permitted to run foot loose; put up at our first class hotels, and live upon the fat of the land. This was the case a short time since in St. Louis, and is so now in this city. We have been credibly informed that there are several rebel officers now at large, who have their names and ranks spread upon the hotel registers; are received into society and treated as good loyal men. And it has been asserted, that at the late ball in this city, one of these paroled officers was in the room, all evening, with a Confederate rosette pinned to his bosom....No wonder our brave boys in blue feel like cursing their country, when they are released from the filthy and dirty prisons of the South, - where they have suffered a hundred deaths, - and return home, to find those who sanctioned and encouraged the cruelty visited upon them, feasted and their society sought, while they are passed by with a sneer or a curl of the lip, and when the taunt expresses itself in words, it is, that they are nothing but common soldiers. There is a great wrong here which calls loudly for a remedy. Will our military authorities examine into the matter?

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Source: Alton Weekly Telegraph, January 20, 1865

The funeral of Lieut. J. S. Robinson - There was a very large concourse of citizens and soldiers attended the funeral services of this young and lamented officer, yesterday morning at the Baptist Church. The house was filled to its utmost capacity and many were unable to find admittance. Colonel Richard Rowett, of the Seventh Regiment, was present on the occasion, having come from his home in Carlinville, where he is slowly recovering from a wound received in the Allatoona fight. The Rev. Mr. Jameson, pastor of the church, conducted the services on the occasion in a very fitting and appropriate manner. After the services were concluded, the many friends of the deceased were permitted to take a last look upon his remains. His features were remarkably well preserved, considering the number of days that had elapsed since his death. The military then took possession of his corpse; a suitable number of Lieutenants being detailed to act as pallbearers, the procession moving toward the cemetery headed by a band of music. Lieut. Robinson volunteered in the 7th IL regiment while it was employed in this city as a guard for the military prison in 1861, and again re-enlisted as a veteran. He early rose to the rank of Lieutenant and was soon made the Adjutant of the regiment, which position he filled with credit to himself and to the great satisfaction of the regiment. But for some time previous to his receiving his fatal wound, he had been acting Adjutant of the ? of which Col. Rowett was in command. To give some idea of the terrible fighting which the 7th regiment was engaged when he fell, it is only necessary for us to state that one man out of every two of that regiment was either killed or taken prison at Allatoona. The remainder of the men are now with Sherman at Savannah. We are requested, in behalf of the family and friends, to return thanks to Lt. Col. Kuhn for the military escort and band furnished for the occasion.

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Source:  The Alton Telegraph, February 3, 1865

The Alton Democrat of last evening contained a communication signed "Co. B., 144th." As a citizen of Alton, I consider the article an insult to myself, and every other taxpayer and property holder in this city, and the imported editor of the Democrat will certainly find out that respectable citizens cannot help to support and sustain a sheet which insults and endorses such lying and slanderous charges, and such low, vile threats, as are contained in the letter of "Co. B, 144th." After referring to the approaching draft, the writer says: "She (the city of Alton) has fooled us once but she can't do it again." "The boys of 144th credited themselves to her because they saw flaming hand bills on every corner, promising fifty dollars city and fifty dollars county bounty. But we don't see fifty cents." Now, the truth is, the city of Alton has not deceived any member of the 144th Illinois infantry. The Council never promised to give a bounty of any amount to persons enlisting in that regiment. Neither did any public meeting of the citizens propose to give a bounty to them. The City Fathers thought, and wisely thought, that the opportunity of serving their country in the capacity of prison guards, at home, and receiving pay and bounty paid to other troops, and thus avoiding the draft, would be sufficient inducement to persons to enlist without adding the incentive of a city bounty. The results showed that their idea was correct. The ranks of the regiment were filled by men who enlisted voluntarily, in most cases I believe, to avoid being drafted themselves - they at least volunteered without being promised a bounty by our City Council. The "flaming hand bills" were procured and posted up by those recruiting for the regiment, and upon them rests the responsibility of inducing the patriotic "Co. B, 144th" to enlist. I think it very likely the writer of the "soldier's letter" had another very strong inducement to enlist in the Alton Guards - he would be out of danger and exempt from the draft. I know of some individuals in that regiment who were drafted before enlisting in it, and seeing their names published, came to this city and enlisted before they were notified. Is it not possible that "Co. B, 144th" is one of them? Since the organization of the regiment - some four months - the officers and members of the 144th have not been paid. The privates who had families depending upon them for support, in many cases were unable to supply them with the necessaries of life. A meeting was held in the City Hall, Mayor Hollister presiding, and a committee was appointed to obtain money and relieve the wants of such as were needy. Some of the members of the regiment were dissatisfied with this arrangement, and as it was about the 8th of November, certain parties tried hard to make political capital out of the matter. Since that time, as one of the officers told me some time ago, "the privates who had families have been better off than the officers, and lived better."......

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Source: Alton Weekly Telegraph, February 10, 1865

Hospital Report of the 144th Regiment: Sick received into the hospital of the 144th regiment Illinois volunteer infantry for the week ending February 2, 1865:  John Gibbs, erysipelas; Joseph Faulkner, febris remitt; C. Davis, diarrhea; Marcia Ratekin, consumption; Henry Schofield, ____; George Curtis, febris remitt; Daniel D. Williams, dysentery; Quick Williams, erysipelas; A. K. Mainard, dysentery; Julius Hills?, febria intermitt; J. Lohr, debiletis.  Died during the week ending February 2, 1865:  February 2, Martin Ratekin, consumption; February 1, John Gibbs, erysipelas.

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Source:  The Alton Telegraph, August 11, 1865

Good news for the boys of the 144th Regiment - The men of the 144th regiment Illinois volunteers enlisted for one year's service, with the promise of $100 each as bounty, from the Government, when paid, received their bounties only in such proportion as their time of actual service bore to the time for which they were enlisted. Those who had served more than six months received two-thirds, or $66.55. Some of their number submitted their cases to the local claim agent of the U. S. Sanitary Claim Agency in this city, who forwarded a statement of the facts to Darius Forbes, Esq., General Claim Agent of the United States Sanitary Commission, at Washington, and the following is in answer:  Central Office, 244 F Street, Washington, July 28, 1865. Sir, In reply to yours of the 24th inst., concerning the bounty of the 144th regiment Illinois volunteers, I have to say that the Second Comptroller has decided that men enlisted for one, two and three years, for $100, $200, or $300 bounty, are entitled to the whole of the bounty, when mustered out and discharged before the expiration of their time of service, because their services are no longer needed. Respectfully yours, Darius Forbes., Gen. Claim Agt. U. S. San. Com.  The men of the regiment are requested to be patient until instructions are received from the department how to proceed, when these instructions are received they will be published.

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Source:  The Alton Telegraph, August 18, 1865

Arrival of the 97th Illinois - The gallant 97th Illinois Illinois regiment arrived in our city yesterday about one o'clock on the cars. The stirring notes of the fife and drum and the shouts of joy and gladness from the boys, soon brought the friends and relatives of the noble fellows to the depot and many and joyful were the meetings of friends. They looked as they naturally would look, after a three years' campaign in the South, bronzed with the exposure to all kinds of weather, and healthy and robust. Many were so changed - from mere boys to full grown men, that they were at first not recognized by old friends. The short time allowed by the stay of the train barely gave an opportunity for handshaking all round, and the boys proceeded enroute for Springfield. The regimental flags, all tattered and weather-beaten, were displayed upon the roof of one of the cars and gave sad evidence of the scenes of exposure and peril through which this noble regiment has passed. It is supposed that some ten days will intervene at Springfield before the regiment is paid off.

General Sherman - This distinguished officer arrived in St. Louis yesterday on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. He had been absent spending some time at his native place in Ohio.

Reception of the Soldiers - The good people of Wood River, Madison County, gave a grand barbacue yesterday as a general welcome home to the boys who have been periling their lives in defense of the country. The soldiers present were those from the 60th Illinois infantry, most whom suffered in Andersonville and other prisons. There was also a few present of the 2nd Illinois cavalry. The meeting was called to order, when from five to six hundred sons took their places around the stand, which was trimmed with American flags, with portraits of General Washington, the Father of America, and Abraham Lincoln, the Savior of the country, prominently displayed. There appeared on the desk in front of the speaker's stand a rooster gaily decorated in red, white, and blue, which was captured somewhere in Tennessee by the boys in blue, and it accompanied the regiment in all of its aspirations through the Southern country. There was considerable discord on the ground among the uninitiated, as the political straits of this rooster; those taking part in the debate regard him as thoroughly loyal. The exercises were opened by prayer, which the Rev. Mr. Rafferty welcomed soldiers home in an address of nearly an hour's length. Adjutant Newman, of the regiment, responded in behalf of the soldiers in an eloquent and forcible address. Captain Hodge, of the same regiment, also made a few brief remarks, complimentary to the people for their kindness to the soldiers in the field and prison. The audience then adjourned to the tables which were spread in one of the most beautiful groves that it has ever been our privilege to witness - more beautifully covered with green grass than any parlor spread with velvet carpet. On entering, it might well imagine that he had been suddenly ushered into a Mohomedan heaven. The tables fairly groaned under the luxuries of substantials of life - everything, in face, to satisfy and tempt the appetite, was there. Soon the long roll was sounded, and the brave boys fell into line, each with a lady, as natural as the elected parties of Noah's ark took their places in that vessel of safety.  After the rest of the audience mated off in the same way, and took their places in the procession - except the writer, who was compelled to walk alone - thus arranged, the procession moved off at double quick and the tables were soon completely flanked. The whole management at the dinner table was perfect in every respect. Each one was well attended to, and the supply was ample and of the best, and "all did eat and were satisfied." After getting through this part of the exercises, the people separated into small groups, each party enjoying social intercourse to their full, under the shade of those delightful walnut trees. But of what was said and done and finished from eye to eye on this occasion, even the proverbially impertinent editors have no right to speak. We are, therefore, mum on this part of the exercises. About two o'clock the audience was again called to the stand, and were addressed by John Fitch, Esq., in a few brief and patriotic remarks. He made one very important suggestion, which we hope will not be permitted to pass without further notice. He proposed that an organization be formed for the purpose of taking measures towards the erection of a monument at Edwardsville, as a memento of our appreciation of the worth of the brave soldiers from Madison county, who fell in battle with the enemies of their country. Let some steps be immediately taken for the accomplishment of this object. We suggest that a public meeting be called, to take place at Edwardsville, during the session of the County Fair, for the purpose of attending to this important matter. He was followed by a gentleman, whose name we failed to obtain, in a very forcible speech of nearly an hour's length. But if he had possessed the eloquence of a Clay, or the logic of a Webster, he could not reasonable have expected to produce much of an impression upon an audience wearied and tired out as this one was at that hour of the day. After he concluded, all returned quietly to their homes. Everything passed off very well and to the satisfaction of all present. The only criticism we feel disposed to make, is, that the speeches were generally too long, and were greatly deficient in humor and enthusiasm. People do not generally attend such places for the purpose of being instructed, but rather for the sake of being amused and having their emotions quickened. During the interview between the speeches, the following young ladies regaled the audience with some interesting and patriotic songs, viz: Miss Lucretia Hamilton, Miss Ellen Moore, Miss Mary Williams, Miss Mary Moore, Miss Delia Kersey, Miss Martha Beeman, Miss Nancy Culp, and Miss Mary Hamilton. We have no doubt their melodious voices were much more captivating to the young men who had just arrived at home from the war, than the eloquence of any of the speakers. We were informed that our brave and personal friend, Mr. Henry Platt, who served three years in the 2d cavalry regiment under command of Major Moore, had a very handsome compliment paid to him at the dinner table by having a large and tastily trimmed cake presented to him with his name baked in full on it. A well merited gift. We do not know what became of the cake, but we saw the little flag which was hoisted over it in the hands of Mr. Platt, and we have no doubt he made a wise distribution of the cake itself. Our friends in Wood River will please accept our thanks for the kind invitation they extended to us to be present on this occasion.

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Source: Buffalo, New York Evening Courier, September 8, 1866
ALTON, Ill., Sept. 8. The party were received here by a dense mass of persons, many of whom were from the surrounding country and from St. Louis and other cities. Salutes were fired and the greatest possible excitement prevailed. The excursionists were conducted to a stand previously erected, where the President. Gen. Grant, Admiral Farragut, Secretary Seward, Secretary Welles were introduced. The Mayor of Alton extended a cordial welcome to the President and the statesmen, and he accompanied him, in a neat speech. The President responded briefly. He was frequently interrupted by applause. Mr. Seward was then vociferously called. The party was then squeezed through a dense mass of human beings to the deck of the steamers Andy Johnson. Cheers were frequently repeated by the excited multitude. The President was formally introduced to Mayor Thomas and escorted to the steamer Ruth, when the bells commenced ringing for the fleet to turn their heads homeward. The steamers Andy Johnson, Ruth and Olive Branch, lashed together, made the first move forward, closely followed by as many other boats us there were original States in the Union. As soon as the fleet of steamers was under wav, the Presidential party crossed over from the Andy Johnson to the Ruth, and passed up to the cabin escorted by a detachment of Knights Templars, At this point Captain Bart Abel suggested that as the boats were about to pass the Missouri River the party should be escorted to the upper deck. The President and party were then escorted to the hurricane deck of the Ruth where they passed an hour in a most agreeable manner. Gen. Grant was kept busy in acknowledging the congratulations that were heaped upon him.

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Source: Clyde, New York Democratic Herald, 1893

In many places elsewhere throughout the country, especially in New England and in the State of Illinois, the Government purchased burial places of limited extent, where both Union and Confederate dead were interred. For instance, in the cemetery near Alton, Ill., there is a Government plot in which are buried 163 white Union soldiers, and near by are buried 1304 Confederate prisoners.

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Source: Albany, New York Evening Journal, December 11, 1911

E. A. Jack, First Lieutenant of engineers, retired, of the revenue cutter service, and one of the few survivors of the crew of the Merrimac in its famous Civil War battle with the Monitor in Hampton Roads, died at Alton, Ill. today, according to word received here. He was (71?) [hard to read] years old, and a native of Portsmouth, Va.

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Source:  Utica, New York Observer, June 30, 1935

McPike's [Smallpox] Island Cut Away in Mississippi River Work - A Mississippi River island which once was shown as a dueling ground for Abraham Lincoln and later was the cemetery for Confederate victims who died of smallpox while in the military prison at Alton during the Civil War, is being removed piecemeal from the Missouri shore of the river to provide as base of operations for the federal government's work on a dam across the river at Alton. About 40,000 cubic feet of earth has already been removed from the piece of ground. It is no longer an island in reality, having been joined to the Missouri mainland by the action of river currents. The earth is being removed from a point about 200 yards from the dam. When Lincoln was supposed to have gone there for a duel, the land was known as McPike's Island. It was chosen as the site of a duel between Lincoln, then a country lawyer, and James Shields, brigadier of the Mexican War. Shields challenged Lincoln after the latter wrote an article which offended him. Tradition has it that Lincoln, given the choice of weapons, picked Calvary broadswords, a selection which his challenger did not particularly favor. The day of the duel, Lincoln "warmed up" by by slicing off a small willow tree with his immense weapon, at which Shields burst out laughing. Before they returned to the Illinois shore, their quarrel was made up, without the duel having been fought. During the Civil War, its use as a cemetery followed an outbreak of smallpox at the prison camp at Alton, where numerous Confederate soldiers were confined. After that episode, it was known as Smallpox Island. The dam now under construction by the government is one of many being built along the length of the river to control the effects of river currents and aid navigation.

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Read the story of Colonel A. F. Rogers, of Upper Alton, Madison County, IL, and how he lost his sword in a Civil War battle, and found it again 43 years later.

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Copyright 2008 Bev Bauser.  All rights reserved.