Geddes Post No. 142, G.A.R. has a relic in the shape of a beautiful silk flag--or the remains of a flag-- that was presented to Co. C, 78th Ill. Vol. Infantry by the ladies of Blandinsville in June, 1862, the day the company, under the command of Captain Hume, left for Macomb to go into camp in Springfield, Ill.
The flag cost $60, and was a handsome one. The money to purchase it was raised by the ladies of Blandinsville , and the presentation speech was made by Miss Joanna Buzzel, who was at that time teaching in the public schools of that village, and the lady is still living in the eastern part of the state, and there are still a few of the donors living in and around Blandinsville. But of the 90 men who marched away under the bright folds of the beautiful flag but one resides in Blandinsville and one in La Harpe. The company carried the flag to Springfield and it was used as a regimental banner for several months, when the government presented the regiment with the national colors. Captain Hume then sent the banner home, and at his death a few years ago the flag was given to Charles Spielman, the only survivor of the company then residing in Blandinsville, who kept it until last fall, when he presented it to Comrade Elisha Hamilton of this place {ed.-LaHarpe}, who served in Co. C, and he presented it to the G.A.R. post, and it is kept in their hall.
How many of the 90 men who marched away with the flag almost 43 years ago are alive today? We doubt if anyone can tell, or what they endured during their three years' service no one can portray, for the 78th was a gallant regiment and the long list of dead and wounded as shown by the Adjutant General's report, shows that they did their full share in defense of the old flag and preservation of the Union, and those who are still alive are old and broken in health from their exposure in southern swamps or from wounds received in battle.
Taking the muster roll we find that almost 30% of those who marched away that June morning were either killed, wounded or disabled before the war closed. The records show the following casualties--27 out of 90. But 35 of the original members of the company served to the expiration of their three years' service, and were mustered out June 7, 1865.
Capt. Charles Hume resigned December 18, 1861.
Lieut. Oliver P. Cartright resigned Oct. 4, 1864.
George W. Blandin, first lieutenant, who was promoted to Captain, was killed at Kennesaw Mountain in that awful charge, June 27, 1864, where 10,000 men fell in less than 30 minutes.
Marion D.M. Bond was wounded and discharged in May 1865.
J.H. Bently was discharged April 6, 1865, on account of disability.
Marshall J. Cline was killed Aug. 7, 1864, in front of Atlanta, Ga.
George W. Dowell died at Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 29, 1863.
John S. Forrest was killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864.
William W. Harmon died at Savanna, Ga., Feb. 21, 1865.
John E. James fell with Captain Blandin at Kennesaw Mountain June 27, 1864.
Thomas Lindsey died at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 25, 1864.
Jacob H. Michaels was among the killed at Kennesaw Mountain June 27, 1864.
Michael Menley was promoted to Sergeant and was killed at Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 4, 1864.
Charles H. Magie died at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 19, 1863.
John Monahan died at Chattanooga, Tenn., April 3, 1864.
Charles L. Norris also died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 6, 1864.
John W. Rush was also among the killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864, at which time every man who answered to the name John was killed.
Sylvester Ruddell died at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 30, 1863.
Marion Sperry was discharged March 7, 1864, on account of disability.
Cyrell Taft gave up his life amid the awful shot and shell at Jonesboro, Ga.
James Tipton was discharged Nov. 11, 1863, on account of disability.
Richard L. Terry lost a leg in the siege of Atlanta in 1864.
Henry Venning was killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864.
James T. Doyle was discharged Feb. 1, 1864, on account of disability.
John Duncan was discharged and was mustered out of the service March 13, 1863.
Sylvester McFall was discharged on account of wounds Dec. 19, 1864.
James O'Cain was discharged Sept. 13, 1864.
They sleep in unknown and unmarked graves from the Ohio river to the Atlantic ocean, but they are not forgotten in the homes they left and the vacant chair is still a cherished relic of their memory while they await the coming of their comrades and friends to greet them on the other shore.
Blandinsville Star-Gazette 23 FEB 1905
The flag cost $60, and was a handsome one. The money to purchase it was raised by the ladies of Blandinsville , and the presentation speech was made by Miss Joanna Buzzel, who was at that time teaching in the public schools of that village, and the lady is still living in the eastern part of the state, and there are still a few of the donors living in and around Blandinsville. But of the 90 men who marched away under the bright folds of the beautiful flag but one resides in Blandinsville and one in La Harpe. The company carried the flag to Springfield and it was used as a regimental banner for several months, when the government presented the regiment with the national colors. Captain Hume then sent the banner home, and at his death a few years ago the flag was given to Charles Spielman, the only survivor of the company then residing in Blandinsville, who kept it until last fall, when he presented it to Comrade Elisha Hamilton of this place {ed.-LaHarpe}, who served in Co. C, and he presented it to the G.A.R. post, and it is kept in their hall.
How many of the 90 men who marched away with the flag almost 43 years ago are alive today? We doubt if anyone can tell, or what they endured during their three years' service no one can portray, for the 78th was a gallant regiment and the long list of dead and wounded as shown by the Adjutant General's report, shows that they did their full share in defense of the old flag and preservation of the Union, and those who are still alive are old and broken in health from their exposure in southern swamps or from wounds received in battle.
Taking the muster roll we find that almost 30% of those who marched away that June morning were either killed, wounded or disabled before the war closed. The records show the following casualties--27 out of 90. But 35 of the original members of the company served to the expiration of their three years' service, and were mustered out June 7, 1865.
Capt. Charles Hume resigned December 18, 1861.
Lieut. Oliver P. Cartright resigned Oct. 4, 1864.
George W. Blandin, first lieutenant, who was promoted to Captain, was killed at Kennesaw Mountain in that awful charge, June 27, 1864, where 10,000 men fell in less than 30 minutes.
Marion D.M. Bond was wounded and discharged in May 1865.
J.H. Bently was discharged April 6, 1865, on account of disability.
Marshall J. Cline was killed Aug. 7, 1864, in front of Atlanta, Ga.
George W. Dowell died at Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 29, 1863.
John S. Forrest was killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864.
William W. Harmon died at Savanna, Ga., Feb. 21, 1865.
John E. James fell with Captain Blandin at Kennesaw Mountain June 27, 1864.
Thomas Lindsey died at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 25, 1864.
Jacob H. Michaels was among the killed at Kennesaw Mountain June 27, 1864.
Michael Menley was promoted to Sergeant and was killed at Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 4, 1864.
Charles H. Magie died at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 19, 1863.
John Monahan died at Chattanooga, Tenn., April 3, 1864.
Charles L. Norris also died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 6, 1864.
John W. Rush was also among the killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864, at which time every man who answered to the name John was killed.
Sylvester Ruddell died at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 30, 1863.
Marion Sperry was discharged March 7, 1864, on account of disability.
Cyrell Taft gave up his life amid the awful shot and shell at Jonesboro, Ga.
James Tipton was discharged Nov. 11, 1863, on account of disability.
Richard L. Terry lost a leg in the siege of Atlanta in 1864.
Henry Venning was killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864.
James T. Doyle was discharged Feb. 1, 1864, on account of disability.
John Duncan was discharged and was mustered out of the service March 13, 1863.
Sylvester McFall was discharged on account of wounds Dec. 19, 1864.
James O'Cain was discharged Sept. 13, 1864.
They sleep in unknown and unmarked graves from the Ohio river to the Atlantic ocean, but they are not forgotten in the homes they left and the vacant chair is still a cherished relic of their memory while they await the coming of their comrades and friends to greet them on the other shore.
Blandinsville Star-Gazette 23 FEB 1905
No comments:
Post a Comment