CIVIL WAR LETTER-150 years ago. CAMP OF THE 5th ILLINOIS CAVALRY-Clear Creek, Miss. Jan. 30, 1864 MR. EDITOR: Although but a short time has elapsed since I last wrote to you, I have concluded to again trouble you with a line in order to keep you posted in the affairs of this locality. A foraging expedition was filled out from our brigade, and started to the northward on the Mechanicsburg road on the morning of the 26th inst. The cavalcade comprised about 100 wagons, with as court of perhaps 500 men from the 5th Illinois and 4th Iowa and details of dismounted men for fatigue duty. Nothing of note occurred until about 12 miles from camp when the advance came upon a couple of rebel scouts belonging to the 9th Texas cavalry, upon which they fired, severely wounding one in the thigh, and mortally scaring the other, who fled as upon the wings of the wind-none of our horses being a match for his fleet charger. As we passed the wounded man lying in the cane by the side of the road he looked as though he wished it wasnt him; yet he was an uncompromising rebel, saying that the Southern people were in the right, and he intended to see them out of it. We could not but help admiring his pluck, but depreciated his judgment. He was taken to the house of a citizen some miles beyond, where we hassled for the night. Here his wound was dressed by Major Farnan, and he was made as comfortable as circumstances would admit; but the people refused to take care of him, or even give him a pillow to put under his head as he lay upon the bare floor. But there was a good deal of make believe in all that as their darkies said they were rank secessionists and their house a rendezvous for rebel scouts and guerrillas. About nightfall a detachment was sent farther northward, for the purpose of loading a part of the train at another plantation, and Sergeant Major Marcum of the 5th Ills., while following some distance behinds, was gobbled by some straggling rebs, but in what manner is not known as he was entirely alone; but his capture is easily accounted for, as the locality is infested with guerrillas. This event is much regretted, as he is a worthy man and a useful officer. We started upon the return at 4 A.M. on the 27th, and arrived at camp in the afternoon-the wagons loaded with corn, pork, mutton, sweet potatoes, and such other things as the soldiers, long familiar with hardtack and sow belly considers a rare treat. Nothing further occurred except some skirmishing between our rear guard and a squad of rebels during the forenoon-nobody hurt. We have been mustered as Veterans, (re-enlisted) but are required to accompany an expedition to the interior, which is now on foot, previous to receiving our furloughs. We expect to be absent 20 or 30 days. We are under marching orders, and are liable to be ordered out at any hour. We have had a re-organization of noncommissioned officers in Co. F, by election in the old military style. with the following results: G.T. Dee 2nd or Q.M.Sergt, J.G. Bennett 3d or Comsy Sergt other sergeants, 4. Jacob Stifel 5. Jas A. Lowe 6. Allen Bartley 7. A.M. George 8. D.W. Richart. CORPORALS 1. John Martin 2. Jacob Hale 3. W.W. Higgins 4. W.L. Steers 5. Joseph Leckey 6. Nathan Fitts 7. Lewis Stiff 8. Jas M. Woods. I send eleven names of six months subscribers to the ARGUS from Co. F. which you may consider an expression of the Union sentiment of said company, and an appreciation of the merits of your paper. Yours Respectfully Jas.G. Bennett NOTES: A. The expedition mentioned was officially called The Meridian Expedition when Gen. Sherman led 26,000 soldiers to destroy railroads and anything else he could to disrupt the rebels in the Mississippi area. The Crawford county troops in Company F of the 5th Illinois Cavalry were among the almost 7,000 cavalry under Gen. William Sooy Smith. B. MAJ. JAMES FARNAN-was a physician from Sparta C. SGM. JAMES MARCUM-who was captured was not heard of again. He was also from Sparta. CRAWFORD COUNTY MEN NAMED: 1. GEORGE T. DEE-enlisted age 24 from Oblong and is buried in Oblong Cem. 2. JAMES G. BENNETT-author of letter was a 30 year old wheelwright. Slightly wounded at Port Gibson he is buried in East Union Cem. 3. JACOB STIFAL-eventually rose to the rank 1/lt and is buried in Bethel Cemetery at Yale. 4. JAMES A. LOWE-enlisted as a 24 year old farmer from Robinson. Died 1920 at Terre Haute 5. ALLEN BARTLEY-18 year old who enlisted from Porterville 6. ANDREW M. GEORGE-22 year old farmer from Robinson 7. DAVID W. RICHART-Died 1925 and buried in Richart cemetery leaving 22 grandchildren. Was 17 years old when enlisted. CORPORALS: 1. JOHN MARTIN-died in 1877 and is buried in Nethery Cem. 2. JACOB HALE-was shot in the breast and lived but a few minutes on 9-30-1864 at Port Gibson, Ms. His body was returned and buried in the Grand Prairie Cem. 3. WILLIAM W. HIGGINS-enlisted at age 17. Died 1927 and is buried at Forest Lawn Cem. Omaha. 4. WILLIAM L. STEERS-was a 32 year old teacher from Robinson. 5. JOSEPH LECKEY-age 18 from Oblong 6. NATHAN FITTS-had served in the 38th Illinois before enlisting into Company F. 7. LEWIS N. STIFF-received disability discharge 5-18-1865 8. JAMES H. WOOD-was 21 when enlisted. His horse was shot out from under him at Port Gibson, Ms. He operated a General Store in Robinson and was elected Mayor in 1891 where one of his first acts was to put gravel in the muddy streets of the court house square. .
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 16:59:46 +0000
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