James T. Bacon (1830 - 1895)

In the early winter of 1834, citizens of the village Hannibal, New York were stirring about the prospect of moving west.

James Bacon, who was just a toddler, did not understand the great fuss of the "western enthusiasts" who included his uncle Hudson Bacon.

By February 1835, a small group of men, including Hudson Bacon, and led by John Bullen, Jr., formed an investment company—the Western Emigration Company. The goal was to establish a "colony" in which its members would aid one another and "mutually share profits and losses in the enterprise."

This was the start of James Bacon's noteworthy and tragic life.

The settlers sent a small group ahead to explore sites. In June 1835, a claim was made on the north side of Pike Creek in today's Kenosha, Wisconsin.

About fifteen families from Hannibal and Troy, New York arrived in the new settlement via the Erie Canal and Great Lakes. Among the settlers was five-year old James Bacon and his father, Peter Bacon, mother Clarinda Trowbridge Bacon, and sister Jane.

The Bacon family were one of the first settlers in Kenosha, Wisconsin. They witnessed the great surge of emigration to Kenosha and Lake Counties in the 1830s and 1840s. Ships arrived daily with passengers both American and foreign born. Like the vast majority of settlers, the Bacon family took up farming.

In late 1850, twenty-year old James Bacon purchased property in Lake County, Illinois, striking out on his own as a farmer.

Isaac Winter and Samuel Miller at the site of their 1830s mill pond, Newport Township Section 33.

This mill site was down the road from James Bacon's homestead.

(Browe School History, Bess Bower Dunn Museum)

Soon after settling in Lake County, James became acquainted with Frances "Fanny" Hinkston, the sister of prominent Lake County citizen, Lorenzo Hinkston. (read previous post on Fanny Hinkston).

James and Fanny wed on May 10, 1855.

In April 1856, James purchased 80 acres from Tryphena Bingham north of Yorkhouse Road and west of Delany Road in Newport Township (part of today's Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve). Newlyweds, James and Fanny, settled there. In October, James purchased 19 acres in Warren Township from DeWitt Spaulding.

1861 map showing James T. Bacon's property (highlighted left of center) where he and Fanny lived.

Allen Spalding's property (below right) is where Fanny Hinkston lived with her sister's family 
before marrying Bacon. York House School where Fanny taught is also highlighted.
(1861 Lake County plat map)

The first tragedy in James's life occurred on April 15, 1858, when Fanny died. She was only twenty-seven. Her ornate tombstone at Union Cemetery is a living witness to James's grief. After his wife's untimely death, James continued to farm the Newport Township property, but also spent time with his family in Kenosha.

By the fall of 1863, James had re-married. He and his new wife, Maria C., made their home in the same house he had shared with Fanny.

The Civil War was raging, but James did not enlist until January 14, 1864. Nathaniel Vose of Newport Township recruited him into Company I of the 17th Illinois Cavalry.

While he was away at war, James's mother died, and his health began to decline. On May 31, 1865, he mustered out of military service due to illness.

There was one bright spot the summer he returned home—his wife gave birth to a baby boy, Elliott Parker Bacon, born July 8.

James's happiness again was interrupted when his wife Maria died on January 16, 1872. She was buried at the Spaulding Corner Cemetery (today's Union Cemetery), on Grand Avenue in Waukegan.

Grave marker for Maria C. Bacon (1833-1872), second wife of James T. Bacon. 

Union Cemetery, Waukegan, Illinois. FindAGrave.com

Following Maria's death, James made his way to Indiana where his father was living. There he met the widow, Mary Pugh Freligh (1839 - 1917).

James married Mary in 1875, and the couple returned to Lake County with James's son Elliott, and Mary's children, Hattie and Charles. The family settled in Wadsworth, and a son, Joseph Blaine Bacon, was born on August 28, 1877.

Five years later, James and Maria sold their property and moved the family to Thayer County, Nebraska. James continued in farming, but appeared to suffer greatly from "paralysis contracted" since his military service.

The last ten years of James's life were difficult as he struggled with poor health.

In 1886, James was considered an "invalid" (probably due to the paralysis) and admitted to the Western Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Soldiers' homes were established to care for the great number of Civil War veterans, who had returned from the war missing an arm or leg, or suffering from wounds that would not heal, or post traumatic stress disorder (which was entirely misunderstood). These homes were a great relief to families who could no longer care for their veteran.

In 1888, James was transferred to the Northwestern Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (now the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center). It is unclear how long James remained at this facility.

Historic buildings of the former Northwestern Branch of the National Home for Disabled Soldiers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where James T. Bacon lived. (Photo by James Rosenthal from the nps.gov website)

James Bacon's deteriorating health became public knowledge when on May 31, 1895, the Lake County Clerk issued a "command" to the County Sheriff George H. Brown to "summon James T. Bacon if he shall be found in your County," to appear before the court.

Mary Bacon filed an application for the appointment of a conservator for the care and management of her husband's real and personal property.

Notice regarding James T. Bacon published in the Waukegan Gazette, June 1, 1895. 

James Bacon appeared in court in Waukegan on June 15, 1895. His attorney made the following statement: "James T. Bacon... is of sound mind and fully able, fit and competent to properly manage and control his properties."

The court determined that Bacon was a "distracted person." This terminology was commonly used to describe mental illness. Charles A. Partridge was appointed as Bacon's principal conservator. Partridge was also a Civil War veteran, having served with the 96th Illinois.

James returned to the soldier's home in Milwaukee where he died on December 22, 1895. The cause of death was meningoencephalitis, a condition caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite.

Entry for James T. Bacon in U.S. Burial Register Military Posts and National Cemeteries. Ancestry.com

James Bacon was buried at the Spaulding Corner Cemetery with his first two wives, Fanny and Maria.

Mary J. Bacon died in Waukegan in 1917 and was buried in Indiana.

James T. Bacon's gravemarker at Union Cemetery, Waukegan, Illinois with recognition

of his service in the 17th Illinois Cavalry.  FindAGrave.com

Special thanks to Ann Darrow, Waukegan Historical Society, for her Bacon Family genealogy, and Al Westerman for land purchase research. 

Sources:

Lake County Recorder of Deeds, Waukegan, Illinois.
Newport Township Browe School History, 1918. Lake County Discovery Museum.
Waukegan Township York House School History, 1918. Lake County Discovery Museum.
1861 Lake County plat map, L. Gast Bro. & Co. Lith., St. Louis, Missouri.
The History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin, Western Historical Company, 1879.
Marching Home: Union Veterans and Their Unending Civil War, Brian Matthew Jordan, 2015.
Lake County Court Probate records, James T. Bacon, 1895. Ancestry.com
"James T. Bacon" U.S. Burial Register Military Posts and National Cemeteries, 1862 - 1960,     Ancestry.com 
Veterans Affairs National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers: https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/veterans_affairs/Northwestern_Branch.html
"Union Cemetery" FindAGrave.com

Portrait of Levi H. Mead, 65th Illinois

This handsome portrait of Levi H. Mead, from the collections of the Bess Bower Dunn Museum, prompted me to research his life in Newport Township, Lake County, Illinois and his service with the 65th Illinois during the Civil War. 

Levi H. Mead (1839 - 1864), circa 1862

(BBDM Collections)

Levi's roots in Lake County began about 1840 when he was just a baby. His family came to Lake County from Ohio. They first settled in Benton Township and then in Newport Township on the west side of Greenbay Road just south of today's 21st Street.

In 1850, the Mead family consisted of patriarch Edward Mead, who had served in the War of 1812, wife Ellen, and children: Sarah, Martha, Amanda, John, William Edward, Margaret, Levi, and George. All the children (except for the youngest) were born in Ohio where the family had spent many years.

In the summer of 1862, with the Civil War still raging, President Lincoln called for 600,000 more troops. In Lake County, James S. Putnam (1829 - 1869) of Waukegan was elected a captain in the 65th Illinois "Scotch Regiment" and set about recruiting men for Company F.

The 6' 1" farmer, Levi Mead, was one of the first to add his name to the company's rolls, joining on February 28, 1862. Levi's older brother John, joined on April 1st, and together they mustered in at Camp Douglas in Chicago on April 26.

The regiment was ordered to Martinsburg, Virginia and was among 14,000 troops under the command of Colonel Dixon S. Miles to hold Harpers Ferry. Unfortunately, General Robert E. Lee's forces were too much for them and on September 15, the Federals surrendered, the 65th Illinois among the prisoners.

The following day, the 65th Illinois was paroled and sent to Chicago.

During this "furlough," Levi married his sweetheart Amelia J. Wells. Amelia was the daughter of English immigrant John Wells. The Wells family had settled in Newport Township in 1843.

The Mead and Wells children were school mates at the Biddlecome School (later known as Lone Oak School), on 21st Street east of Kilbourn Road. It was a log school until 1857, when a new wood frame schoolhouse was built and the old school was moved onto the Shea farm where it was used as a barn. (Source: Biddlecome School History, BBDM)

On the afternoon of December 24, 1862, Levi and Amelia went to Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha, Wisconsin and were married in a "common" ceremony by Samuel H. Thompson, a minister of the Gospel.

It's unknown how long Levi was able to remain at home with his new bride, but in April 1863, the 65th was sent back the front.

By May, the regiment was serving in campaigns in East Tennessee, taking part in the battles around Chattanooga and in the defense of Knoxville. After a severe winter campaign over 1863 - 1864, the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization.

On April 7, 1864, Mead mustered in as a veteran at Louisville, Kentucky. Afterwards, he and 400 comrades were given veterans furloughs and went home for an extended period.

When the 65th Illinois returned to the field, it joined General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign as part of the XXIII Corps.

"Map of the environs of Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, 

and Little Kenesaw Mountain"  by G.H. Blakeslee 1864. 

(Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington D.C.)

On June 15, after over a week of steady rain, the regiment was brought into a fierce engagement with the Confederates between Kennesaw and Lost Mountains near Marietta, Georgia. 

The Rebels fell back and on June 16, the 65th Illinois occupied their works. Over the course of the next few days from June 17 - 19, the regiment engaged the enemy in lively skirmishing.

While on the skirmish line on Friday, June 17, Levi Mead was struck by a musket ball in the throat and killed at Lost Mountain.

U.S. Register of Deaths of Volunteers, 1861-1865.

Levi H. Mead's record is highlighted in red.

On the 20th, the advance was checked by a deep and almost impassable creek - the enemy defending the bridge with artillery and infantry. Volunteers being called for, about 50 men of the 65th Illinois stepped forward and charged across the bridge, driving back the enemy, and holding the position until the remainder of the Regiment crossed.

Description of locality where Levi H. Mead was first buried 

"around Kennesaw" Mountain "under a Chestnut tree." 

More than likely, Levi's brother John helped to bury him. 

(From US Burial Registers, Military Posts and National Cemeteries records, 1862-1960, Ancestry.com).

On June 30, Orson V. Young of the 96th Illinois wrote home to his parents in Newport Township: "I saw Levi and John a few days before Levi was killed. I suppose his folks have heard all about it by this time." (BBDM 92.33.70)

Just twenty-three years old, Amelia Wells Mead was now a grieving widow with no children and no income. She set about making a widow's pension claim to the U.S. Government. This process included getting a certified copy of the public record of her marriage; testimony of her "widowhood" and good character from witnesses Azro D. Hutchins and Elijah Eddy; power of attorney given to Francis E. Clarke (brother of the late Lt. Col. Isaac Clarke of the 96th Illinois); and service and death record of her husband Levi H. Mead.

She further had to declare that she never "engaged in or aided and abetted the existing Rebellion."

In 1866, a program began to re-bury over 10,000 Union dead (including Levi Mead) from Sherman's Atlanta Campaign at the new Marietta National Cemetery.

Entrance to the Marietta National Cemetery. 

"Here rest the remains of 10,312 Officers and Soldiers 

who died in defense of the Union, 1861 - 1865."

Record of Levi Mead's interment at the National Cemetery.

Levi H. Mead's grave marker, Marietta National Cemetery. Image: Findagrave.com

Levi's brother John, also with the 65th Illinois, mustered out as a sergeant in Chicago on April 25, 1865. Three years later, John married his brother's widow.

John and Amelia had one child, Earnest E. Mead, born in November 1877. The family lived in Shelby County, Iowa; Kenosha, Wisconsin; and finally in Avon Township, Lake County, Illinois.

Reunion of the 65th Illinois, circa 1885, location unknown. John Mead is second from left.

Image credit: http://civilwar.illinoisgenweb.org/scrapbk/65threunion.html

Amelia Wells Mead died in 1920, and John Mead in 1924. They are buried at Avon Centre Cemetery in Grayslake, Illinois.

Image credit: Findagrave.com

~ ~ ~

Grateful appreciation to Patricia Harold  for providing confirmation of Amelia J. Wells' marriage to Levi H. Mead, and sharing copies of documents found on Fold3.com. Her connection to these events is through her stepmother, Marge Wells Copley, a g-g-grand niece of Amelia Wells Mead.

Edward Murray, 96th Illinois Regiment

"He was an ideal soldier, quiet, manly, religious, and exerted an excellent influence in the Company."  This description of Edward Murray was written in 1887 by Charles A. Partridge, comrade of Murray and editor of the History of the 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. 

Detail of Edward Murray from a photo tintype taken in 1862. Dunn Museum 62.41.2

Edward Murray (1828-1900) was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He came to the U.S. in 1834 with his parents and siblings. The family first settled in New York State, and in 1841 moved west to Newport Township, Lake County, Illinois.

Murray lived at home until he married Mary Dixon (1833-1916) on January 27, 1853. Murray wrote: "I had built a large house that was only partially finished when President Lincoln called for 600,000 men in 1862."

In early August of 1862, Murray was approached by Captain John K. Pollock of Millburn. Murray later wrote: "I was in the harvest field working when a Mr. Pollock came to me and wanted to know if I would enlist. He said he was getting up a company and would like to have me put my name on his list and after some more conversation I did."

John K. Pollock (1829 - 1901) was elected captain at the organization of Company C, 96th Illinois Infantry, and as captain did much of the recruiting. Photo Dunn Museum 92.45.622

On September 2, 1862, "every member of Captain Pollock's Company" was ordered to come to Waukegan. Edward Murray was accompanied that day by James Murrie, J.Y. Taylor, William B. Lewin and Laughlin Madden, who were friends and neighbors from Newport Township.

Seated left to right: William B. Lewin, Laughlin Madden, Edward Murray; standing left to right: James Murrie and John Y. Taylor. Dunn Museum 62.41.2

A photo of Murray and the men who accompanied him to war (above) and were his comrades in Company C of the 96th Illinois was donated to the museum in 1962 by Murray's grandson, Leland W. Simmons. 

According to the 96th Illinois' regimental history, the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia (Sept 18-20, 1863) was a battle of "tremendous proportions and fraught with mighty import."

Sergeant Edward Murray was wounded in this battle while re-loading his gun. Years later, Murray wrote: "a ball struck me between the shoulders near the right side of the spine so as to completely paralize [sic] my lower limbs and rendering me perfectly helpless while the battle continued."

Murray's comrades had to fall back, leaving him behind, but William Lewin tried to help. Lewin "threw his gun over his right shoulder and reached down to help me up. I caught it with both of mine but he could not move me. I was a dead weight. I had no power to help myself." Murray told Lewin: "Run Billy, I am all right," and Lewin did run.

As it became dark, Rebel soldiers came onto the field and carried three wounded Union soldiers to a fire, including Murray, and gave them blankets. Murray wrote: "That was a night stamped on my memory that can never be erased as long as life lasts... I lay there perfectly helpless with my thoughts centered on my far away home and my loved one and how, or when, or if ever I should see them."

Murray and other wounded Union soldiers were held by the Rebels. On or about September 27 "a Rebel came along with the good news to us that he was going to parole us and send us into our lines. I shall never forget the joy I felt."

After a couple of months in army hospitals, Murray's brother John was able to take Edward home. Once Murray received his furlough, the brothers took a train to Chicago and onto Kenosha, Wisconsin (the closest depot to Newport Township). They arrived home on Thanksgiving Day, November 28.

Murray later wrote: "I felt I was coming home helpless, when I went away strong." It took many months before Murray recovered his health, though he walked with a limp for the rest of his life.

Edward and Nancy Murray's great-great-great-granddaugther, Millie Ramsay, recently donated to the museum an American flag made by Edwards' mother in 1862 on the occasion of his enlistment. (below)

Photo of American flag made by Agnes Riley Murray on the occasion of her son's enlistment, 1862. 

Dunn Museum 2012.22.1

Agnes made the flag with 13 stars (rather 34 for the number of states in 1861) as a patriotic tribute to the original 13 colonies.

The Murray farm is now part of Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve. Edward Murray is commemorated on the Welcome sign at the preserve.

The story of Edward Murray and his comrades is now featured in the book The Bonds of War by Diana Dretske (2021). The book was inspired by the commemorative portrait in the Dunn Museum's collection, and is available at the Dunn Museum's gift shop and SIUPress. 

William B. Lewin, 96th Illinois Regiment

This is the second post on the five men pictured together in a Civil War era tintype in the museum's collection.

Like most Lake County men who enlisted to fight in the Civil War, William B. Lewin (1843 - 1914), was a farmer.

Born in Oxfordshire, England, William immigrated to the United States with his family in 1853. They landed at Boston and came directly to Newport Township, Lake County, Illinois. The Henry Lewin farm was located on either side of the Des Plaines River in today's Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve near Russell, Illinois.

Seated left to right: William B. Lewin, Laughlin Madden, Edward Murray; Standing left to right: James Murrie and John Y. Taylor. Dunn Museum 62.41.2

According to Edward Murray's memoir, a group of five farmer-neighbors from Newport Township (shown in the photograph above) went together to Waukegan on September 2, 1862, as volunteers in the 96th Illinois Regiment. They were assigned to Company C, which became the regimental Color Guard. The photo was taken in late September or early October 1862 while encamped at Camp Fuller, Rockford, Illinois, to commemorate this comradeship in the fight to preserve the Union. At Camp Fuller the men trained and were given their uniforms, guns and accoutrements.

Detail of William B. Lewin from group photograph, 1862. Dunn Museum 62.41.2

William Lewin experienced more than his share of misfortune in the war. At the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia on September 18 - 20, 1863, he suffered a "long, raking shot on the shoulder and back, but rejoined the Regiment next day."

On December 11, 1863, Lewin wrote to his friend, David Minto (formerly of Company C) in Millburn, Illinois: "We marched from Lookout Mountain the 2nd of this month and reached there the 3rd we are about 9 miles from Bridgport near the Chattanooga Railroad we had a pretty hard time taking the Mountain charging over rocks and logs and climbing the hill and driving the rebels from their entrenchments."

Lewin's letter to David Minto about the Regiment taking Lookout Mountain. Dunn Museum 93.45.518.2

Lewin went on to tell his friend that "after fighting hard all day we lay at night upon our Arms with a rubber [sheet] only for covering and at daybreak in the morning we found the enemy had evacuated. Our regiment and the 8th Kentucky ascended the mountain with ladders and took possession in this engagement our regiment lost 15 wounded and 1 killed."

An 1889 lithograph of the Battle of Lookout Mountain (November 24, 1863) by Kurz & Allison. Library of Congress.

Less than a year later, Lewin was taken prisoner during the Battle of Resaca, Georgia on May 14, 1864.

According to the Regimental history: "First Sergeant Joseph B. Leekley of Company F, Corporal Wm Lewin and Orange M. Ayers of Company C took a slightly wrong direction in the retreat, and emerging upon the road found themselves prisoners. Leekley and Ayers afterward died in prison, and Lewin reached home only at the close of the war."

Lewin and about thirty comrades were marched for several days. "We were persuaded by bayonets to accept seats in a freight car for that prison, above all other prisons, recorded as having no parallel in the world's history." Here, Lewin is referring to the notorious Andersonville prison.

Lewin's signature from a letter to David Minto. Dunn Museum 93.45.518.2

Many histories have been written describing the horrific conditions at this prison. Lewin also attested to the meager rations, poor water supply, lack of shelter, and that no clothing or cooking utensils were furnished.

“The scurvy had so contracted my limbs as to make it impossible for me to walk but a few steps at a time, and caused me severe pain." A Confederate physician informed him that a large potato eaten raw "would prolong a person's life a month." On this information, Lewin traded his pocket watch (which he had managed to keep) for 7 1/2 dozen potatoes and two biscuits. "Very quickly we partook of raw scraped potato."

After Union General William Tecumseh Sherman captured Atlanta, Georgia, Confederate Generals feared that he would liberate Union prisoners held in camps in southern Georgia. Prisoners were moved to locations out of Sherman’s path. Thousands, including William Lewin, were sent to South Carolina as preparations began on a new prison at Florence.

By February 1865, Lewin was in a very low state with "swamp fever." Fortunately, he and his comrades were paroled from Florence on February 28th. They boarded a freight train and were met near Wilmington, North Carolina by General Schofield. The army had a celebration planned for the men--a band played popular tunes, and fellow Union soldiers held signs: "Thrice welcome, comrades," and "Home again."

"We were overjoyed to be... under the folds of the dear old flag." The former prisoners-of-war received clothing, food and two months' pay.

Lewin mustered out in Springfield, Illinois on May 24, 1865.

William Lewin from the 96th Illinois Regimental history, 1887.

William Lewin returned to Lake County where he married Susan P. Heath in 1871 and settled in Russell. There he became a prosperous farmer and respected veterinarian.

The story of William "Billy" Lewin and his comrades is now featured in the book The Bonds of War by Diana Dretske (2021). The book was inspired by the commemorative portrait in the Dunn Museum's collection, and is available at the Dunn Museum's gift shop and SIUPress. 

John Y. Taylor of the 96th Illinois Regiment

Research of an unidentified soldier pictured in a tintype in the museum's collection has revealed the forgotten story of a young Scottish immigrant and Civil War soldier, John Y. Taylor (1842-1863).

John Y. Taylor is pictured top right in this 1862 tintype with his fellow 96th Illinois Regiment comrades. Seated left to right: William B. Lewin, Laughlin Madden, Edward Murray; standing left to right: James Murrie and John Y. Taylor. The tintype was donated to the museum in 1962 by Lee Simmons, a grandson of Edward Murray. (Dunn Museum BBDM 62.41.2)

Of the five men (all from Newport Township), only Lewin, Murray and Murrie survived the Civil War, and even they were wounded. John Y. Taylor and Laughlin Madden were not as fortunate.

Taylor, who was young and not yet well established when he died in the war, was difficult to research. Using the History of the Ninety-Sixth Regiment, and letters in the museum's collection and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library collection, I was able to confirm he is the young man pictured at top right.

Detail of John Youngson Taylor from group image (left) and photo provided by his brother for the 96th Illinois Regimental history (right).

John Y. Taylor was the son of Samuel Taylor (1781-1858) and Isabella Lawrence Taylor (unknown-1845). He was born in New Byth, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His father was a bookbinder and bookseller, and assisted in the establishment of a circulating library.

The first of the Taylor clan to come to Lake County was John's older half-sister Isabella (1822-1897), who immigrated from Scotland in 1844. It is believed that the Taylors were cousins to the Thain family of Antioch, and she may have come at their invitation. Isabella married James Low in early 1845. The couple settled northeast of Millburn in Newport Township (part of today's Tempel Farms in Old Mill Creek).

In 1854, at the age of twelve, John joined his sister in the new country. He was accompanied by two older siblings: Mary (1832-1915), who married James Bater, and James M. (1839-1921).

It is probable that the siblings lived together in the Low home until at least 1856 when Isabella and her husband sold their farm and moved to O'Plain (Gurnee).

In the 1860 census, John Y. Taylor lived on his own with the David White family near Millburn. John was not related to the Whites, but was working for them as a farm laborer. Some of John's and James's letters imply that in addition to farming, the brothers attended school and were teachers.

John Y. Taylor's signature from an 1863 letter (BBDM 93.45.490.2)

On April 12, 1861, John wrote to David Minto of Millburn while living with the John Murrie family in Newport Township and working as their farm laborer. Today, the Murrie farm would be located on the south side of Russell Road and just west of the Des Plaines River in Sterling Lake Forest Preserve.

John wrote of his new situation: "I know all of you have a great deal better accommodation then I have at present. A small log house occupied by a very large family [eight children]... Still it makes a very good home. The folks I like first rate... a very frank accommodating boss." (LCDM 93.45.570.2)

Excerpt from John Taylor's letter of April 12, 1861: "... a couple of days and last Friday we sowed about 2 acres of wheat and dragged or rather mudded it in. The weather looks more favorable today. I hope we have a spell of drouthy [sic] weather so as to get the crops in." (BBDM 93.45.570.2)

An envelope addressed to David Minto from John Y. Taylor, and posted at Kenosha, Wisconsin, May 20, 1861. Note Taylor's initials on the lower right. (BBDM 93.45.568.1)

In 1861, John commented that not many volunteers had gone to the war from Newport Township. “We have weekly meetings to aid in the cause,” and some men “have formed a militia company.” (BBDM 93.45.568.2)

The following year, when more troops were needed, the 96th Illinois was formed and John Taylor enlisted with his brother James on August 1. A month later, the men who had enlisted and returned to their homes were “ordered and required to report themselves in person at the city of Waukegan.” They arrived promptly and began drilling exercises on the courthouse grounds and race track.

The recruits were quartered in citizens' homes and at hotels such as the Sherman House (above), located at South Genesee and Lake Street in Waukegan. (BBDM 94.14.102)

On September 5th, four Lake County companies met at the train depot and departed at 7 p.m. for Chicago where they were sworn into service. It is easy to imagine that John and James's sister Isabella Low was present to say farewell. It would be the last time she saw her youngest brother, John, alive.

On March 1, 1863, John wrote to Isabella from Nashville, Tennessee: “Nashville is a very pretty place... Bro James is 1st corporal. I still enjoy myself performing the duties of a high private in the rear ranks.” (Original in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library)

He wrote to his sister Mary Bater on April 24, 1863: “I have been down to the cars [railroad cars] and seen the prisoners off for Nashville that our boys captured today… all from Texas, the regarded Texan Rangers... Most of them were quite sociable, occasionally one hot-blooded fellow among them.” (Original in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library)

Over the course of his year in service with Company C, John suffered many illnesses that he described as general fatigue and fever, but he always recovered within a few days under the care of an army surgeon. Camp illnesses were common, but some severe enough that men needed to be discharged such as John's closest friends David Minto and Andrew White.

John Taylor wrote his last known surviving letter to one of his sisters on September 18, 1863. He was in Rossville, Georgia, having arrived from Estella Springs after several days of marching and riding on a freight train.

Although the Battle of Chickamauga began on September 18, not all of the 96th Regiment's men went onto the field. Those who were sick or too worn down from the march were left in camp, which may explain why John wrote such a pleasant letter on the first day of the battle:

“My Dear Sister… I am well and feel as hearty and strong as need be... There is a nice spring of water in the cave where we filled our canteens. The cave is at a place called Shell Mound… we have seen a great many caves and other sublime sceneries of nature – worth the time spent in marching to see them.” (Original in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library)

Two days later, things would change drastically. According to the regimental history, “Chickamauga was a terrible blow to this Company [Company C]." The company went into battle on Sunday, September 20th and “Corporal John Y. Taylor had his right hand shattered at the wrist."

Corporal J.A. Robison of Company F, wrote in the regimental history that while he was at Hospital No. 16 in Nashville, recovering from wounds, “I visited Corporal Taylor, of Company C, who had lost an arm, and who died in a short time.” According to this account, it appears that the surgeons amputated John’s right arm in an attempt to save his life. He died on November 24, 1863.

In December 1863, William Lewin (pictured with John Taylor in tintype) wrote to David Minto: “We were all very sorry to hear of J.Y. Taylor’s death.” (BBDM 93.45.518.2)

Excerpt from William Lewin's letter with regrets about John Taylor. (BBDM 93.45.518.2)

John Taylor was buried in the temporary burial grounds at the army's Nashville general hospitals. In July 1866, the Nashville National Cemetery was created and the hospital interments were transferred there. Taylor is buried in Section D Site 3260.

Entrance arch at Nashville National Cemetery, courtesy of the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration History Program.

John’s brother, James, who was wounded on May 9, 1864 and had his right arm amputated, returned to Millburn for Fourth of July celebrations in 1865. Susie Smith (Minto) wrote in her diary of the day's events, including a reference to James and his deceased brother:

"... we went talking, thinking along, thinking O. so joyfuly. O, so thankfuly for by our sides sat those brave hero boys who, one year ago, were engaged amid the din and cloud of battle fighting for their much loved country."

(above) "One poor fellow [James], who had loved a much loved brother [John] in the strife for Freedom, and whose own right arm had been lifted up, for this our own proud land." (BBDM Smith diary 93.45.290)

Although John Taylor’s life ended tragically, it is important to remember his sacrifice and heartening to bring his story to light. From reading these letters, I met a young man who was good-natured, generous of spirit, interested in learning, and considerate of his friends and family.

The story of John Y. Taylor and his comrades is now featured in the book The Bonds of War by Diana Dretske (2021). The book was inspired by the commemorative portrait in the Dunn Museum's collection, and is available at the Dunn Museum's gift shop and SIUPress.

Special thanks to Glenna Schroeder-Lein and all the great staff at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library for facilitating my research in the James M. Taylor Papers and for information on the Taylor family.