Andrew Brown

“ There are very many republicans of my acquaintance whom I would be glad to see preaching prohibition although they continue to vote the republican ticket. No class of American citizens would be more greatly blessed and benefitted by prohibition than republicans. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Captured near Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864, and for many months confined in Confederate prisons.
Since putting foot upon the western continent William has been an enthusiastic American. He believes America should be protected. We should not break down the walls and allow the country to be flooded with goods from foreign shores. We want work to do and plenty of it. An idle brain is the devil’s shop. Don’t let the English, the Dutch or the French work for us, howsoever cheaply they offer their services. Comrade Todd is an idolator. ”

“ I am off for the war,” and moved on toward Joliet. On this journey he was troubled by the thought that he was liable to be rejected, as he was a small man and, at that time, first-class war material was in great abundance. When, however, he reached camp he passed muster successfully and was happy. Comrade Pierson closes his letter thus: “When another election comes ’round I want you fellows out there to attend to business better than you did before. Watch New Jersey next time.”
WILLIAM PRENTICE, Soldiers’ Home, Quincy, Illinois. ”

“ In religion he is broad and free. Is not priest-ridden. He cordially recognizes whatever of good there is in the “religious societies” and spreads the wide mantle of charity over all their errors. Is very willing and very anxious to learn in regard to the great beyond, but is not willing to take bit and be reined by priest or prelate. ”

“ Was wounded in left forearm at Fort Donelson, and receives pension of ten dollars a month because of wound. On account of this wound he was away from the Company on furlough seven months, three months at Marine hospital, Chicago, and four months at home. During this time missed Shiloh and Britton’s Lane; was in all other battles with the Company. Is now, and has been since July 24, 1876, employed at New York State Reformatory, which has about fifteen hundred prisoners. Has never seen a Company K man since the war. ”

“ 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 [Pg 61] 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Was born in state of New York. On August 8, 1862, he enlisted in the 91st Illinois Regiment, and was discharged therefrom January 2, 1863; afterwards joined a company of New York Artillery, and while in this organization was seriously wounded in leg at Petersburg, Virginia, and draws pension for wound. Did not reply to my letter of inquiry.
I was sick of measles in a hospital at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in September, 1861. At the same time Andrew West was very sick in another hospital close to the river. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ BENJAMIN OLIN, Joliet, Ill.
Born in State of New York. Volunteered at Newark, Ill., in April, 1861. Elected Orderly Sergeant of Company. May, 1861, commissioned First Lieutenant. Served with Company in Missouri till November, 1861, when he resigned on account of ill health. Has been in the practice of law since 1862. At present County Judge of Will county, Ill. Is not a pensioner. Has never applied for a pension. A liberal democrat. ”

“ 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 slightly wounded at Britton’s Lane. Was shot twice through leg at Raymond and captured by the enemy. A prisoner for two months. Since discharged has been student, teacher, lawyer, farmer. Has never been greenbacker, free-silver man nor protective tariff man. Is a democrat, but has much regard and respect for prohibitionists. In religion liberal. Catholic rather than Protestant. ”

“ 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. ”