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1878
THE 114TH
The
Grand Reunion of the 114th Illinois, at Williamsville,
Yesterday – A Gala Day – Speeches by Secretary Harlow, Gov. Jayne and
Others – History of the Regiment
The reunion
of the 114th Illinois Volunteers, at Williamsville,
yesterday, was an imposing demonstration, and the attendance is
estimated at 2,500 at least. The Springfield delegation was a large
one, and besides Secretary of State Harlow, Gov. Jayne and other of the
distinguished speakers, the Springfield excursion train conveyed Capt.
Mack’s battery, which presented a fine appearance. Upon arrival at
Williamsville, the Battery, the cannoniers and drivers dismounted, were
met by the Williamsville Guards, and the commands, headed by the Capital
City Band, paraded the principal streets. When the audience had
assembled at the designated place, Secretary Harlow delivered an
eloquent address, paying tribute to the martial powers of the gallant
114th, in which connection was presented
THE
HISTORY OF THE REGIMENT.
The 114th
Regiment has quite a history. It was organized in July and August 1862
and mustered into the service September 18th, 1862, at Camp
Butler. Companies B, C, E, G, H and I were from this county, companies
A and D from Cass, and companies F and K from Menard county. Its
successive Colonels were Col. J. W. Judy, of Tallula, John F. King, of
Riverton, and Samuel N. Shoup, of Ball. The latter went out as Captain
of Company E. The regiment left this city, for Memphis, Nov. 8, ’62,
and after remaining on picket duty there a few weeks, it started on the
Tallahatchie campaign, being attached to Brig. Gen. Lauman’s division.
After being at College Hill, Miss., and marching to the relief of
Jackson, Tenn., then threatened by Gen. N. B. Forrest, the regiment
returned to Memphis and guarded the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. On
March 17th, 1862, the command went down the river on
transports, and was ordered to Young’s Point, Louisiana, where it was
assigned to the 1st Division, 15th Army Corps,
Maj. Gen. Wm. T. Sherman commanding, and went into camp at Duckport,
La. The following May the regiment went to the rear of Vicksburg and at
the battle of Jackson, Miss., lost five men, subsequently losing twenty
more in the siege of Vicksburg. After the surrender of Vicksburg, the
114th joined the force operating against Gen. Joe Johnson and
during the siege of Jackson lost seven men in killed and wounded
pursuing Johnson to Brandon, and then going to Camp Sherman, near
Vicksburg. Here by the resignation of Col. Judy, Col. King succeeded to
the command. While at Oak Ridge, Miss., doing picket duty, the regiment
had several skirmishes with guerillas; Lieut. McClure of Co. A was
killed. Subsequently the command went on to provost duty at Memphis,
during which time it was ordered out on a scout, engaging the enemy at
Wyatt, Miss., and behaving gallantly; as it also did on a subsequent
scout under Gen. Sturgis. At the battle of Guntown, Miss., to which the
infantry was hurried at a double-quick three miles, the lines were
repulsed, and commenced falling back. The 114th remained as
a rear guard and held the evening in check during all the first night’s
retreat. Out of 397 men, the regiment lost 205 in killed, wounded and
missing, Assistant Surgeon A. S. French was killed during the action,
and among the wounded were Adjutant Henry L. VanHoff, Capt. J. M.
Johnson, Lieut. T. S. Barry; and Lieuts. Strickland and Zeizler were
captured. Falling back to Memphis, after two week picket duty, the
regiment left again, under Gen. A. J. Smith, for Tupelo, Miss. On July
13th, the brigade to which it was attacked (attached?) was
surprised by the enemy, and after a brisk fight the rebels were
repulsed. For a gallant charge, the 114th received the
thanks of the Brigade Commander, on the field. In the attack on
Memphis, by Gen. Forrest, who was repulsed, the 114th charged
the enemy and lost 40 men in killed and wounded. It was on several
subsequent expeditions into Mississippi. It was ordered to Arkansas and
thence to Missouri to participate in the pursuit of the rebel General
Price. The regiment was then ordered to Tennessee and participated in
several battles under Gen. Geo. H. Thomas, losing 15 men in killed and
wounded, and pursuing the Rebel General Hood as far as Pulaski, Tenn.
The 114th was engaged subsequently during the siege of
Spanish Fort. The regiment still later participated in the attack on
the forts in Mobile bay, and finally returned home via Vicksburg, and
was mustered out at Camp Butler Aug. 15th, 1865.
Following
the eloquent remarks of Secretary Harlow, came the feast, the same being
in the form of a most ample and substantial collation, set by the ladies
of Williamsville, at the school house.
After
dinner, Col. Harlow unfurled the colors of the regiment, which were
tattered and torn. They had been shot away and torn by rebel bullets
but ultimately were saved to the glory of the Boys in Blue. The speaker
paid further tribute to the gallant regiment. The speaker was
frequently applauded. Rev. John Leman followed in eloquent remarks, and
was in turn followed, briefly, by Hon. Jacob Beck, the Republican
nominee for State Senator. Hon Wm. Jayne spoke in eulogy of the
patriotism of the boys who fought for the flag, and took occasion, as is
his wont, to compliment the ladies for their services in behalf of the
boys in the field, and upon this occasion. O. S. Webster, Esq.,
delivered an eloquent oration. The general enjoyment which
characterized the occasion was somewhat marred by a shower that abruptly
closed the festivities. The Springfield delegation speak in the highest
terms of the compliment of the courtesy extended them by the
Williamsville people, and pronounce the reunion in every respect a grand
success.
Illinois State Journal
- October 16, 1878 |
