2nd Brigade 6th Division Illinois State Militia

2nd Brigade of the 6th Division of the Illinois State Militia

Commanded by Brigadier General R.K. Swift

Compiled & written 2011 by

Steven Curtis,1st Lieutenant

Adjutant  1st Illinois Battalion

1st Brigade Illinos Volunteers

State Militia and Cairo

Upon the election of Abraham Lincoln in November of 1860 the hopes and fears of a young nation were starting to be realized.  Across the North and the South in cities and towns preparations were being made for the anticipated unplesantries that may occur and when the news was received about the traitorous actions in South Carolina, the military spirit became freshly aroused across the country.  Old Militia companies revived, and new ones were forming rapidly. During the first week of February, a meeting of the citizens and the authorities of Chicago was held for the purpose of obtaining arms from the state, and making preparations for the Highland Guards to be made ready for active service, if required.  The Highland Guards Regiment was organized in May 1855 and was a militia company belonging to The Washington Independent Regiment.   The Guards’ officers were Captain John McArthur, First Lieutenant Alexander N. Raffen, and Second Lieutenant John Wood.  Under Captain McArthur the Highland Guards were considered amongst the best of the city militia companies.

In the winter of 1861 the old members united with the already existing company of Independent Zouaves, under Captain James Hayden.  The officers of the Zouaves became James R. Hayden as captain, S. Homer, first lieutenant; and B. F. Yates, Second lieutenant.   Since the company consisted of a large amount of the original members of the U.S. Zouave Cadets, their drill and uniforms remained the same. The arms and a brass mounted howitzer, originally borrowed from Missouri for the drill of the U.S. Zouave Cadets, were also retained. 

On January 8, 1861, the Germans citizens of Chicago held their first war meeting.  The meeting was held in a hall on the corners of Indiana and North Wells streets.  They formed a war committee appointing Fidel Schund chairman and W. S. Eschenburg secretary of the committee.  Casper Butz and several others addressed the meeting in German and resolutions were written with true patriotic fervor.  They proudly proclaimed to their fellow citizens of Chicago and the world that they had "no concessions to make," with the Southern Traitors. 

On February 1st, the Bohemians, the Hungarians and other Slavic nationalities of the city held their own war meeting and organized a company which was commanded by Geza Mihalotzy.  Mihalotzy’s military career would take him from Missouri to Georgia, were he would eventually lay down his life. 

Through the first part of 1861 the existing militia companies drilled and new ones formed. Drilling could be seen day and night, with recruiting being constant to fill the ranks of all the units.  The majority of the old military companies of the Chicago area had been enrolled in two regiments; the 60th Regiment, Illinois State Militia and the Washington Independent Regiment, No.1.  These two regiments formed the 2nd Brigade of the 6th Division of the Illinois State Militia which was commanded by Brigadier General R. K. Swift.

The 60th Regiment of State Militia

THE 60TH REGIMENT was commanded by Colonel Joseph H. Tucker, with all the remaining staff positions being vacant. The 60th Regiment consisted of the following companies: 

THE CHICAGO LIGHT ARTILLERY was organized in 1854, by Captain James Smith.  At the time of Governor Yates’s proclamation the company was actively drilling and in fine shape.  Its officers being Captain, Ezra Taylor; First Lieutenant, Amos Grannis; Second Lieutenant, Darius Knights; Third Lieutenant, Cyrus P. Bradley. The company had fifty men on its rolls and at their drill rooms were in the Armory building, located at the corner of Franklin and Cedar streets.   In the CLA’s possession were four brass six-pounder cannons, the required caissons needed to support this number of guns along with the complete harness equipment needed to move them also.  This company was conceded to be one of the best organizations of its kind in the Northwest, and, dressed in their uniforms following the 1856 U.S. Regulations of  dark blue frock coats are trimmed in red along with their gray trousers they looked it too. 

 THE EMMET GUARDS were organized by Captain Patrick O'Connor, in May, 1854; and commanded as late as 1858 by Captain D. C. Skelly.  As a unit they had become extinct. Dust and rust had brought their forty altered muskets to a state more dangerous to the man firing them than the man he was aiming at.  They were allowed to keep their vacated meeting rooms at the corner of Randolph and Wells streets, where their owners once drilled.  Stored at this location was a case of forty muskets once carried by a fellow Irish unit, the Montgomery Guards.

THE MONTGOMERY GUARDS were organized in the spring of 1842, by Captain Patrick Kelly, and commanded as late as 1858 by Captain Michael Gleason.  During the company’s existence it had acquired a reputation as one of the best Irish companies in the Northwest.  They held this reputation until three years before the opening of hostilities with the south.  Unfortunately, at that time the company had succumbed to hard times when the glory of the parade ground did not compensate for time and funds lost.

THE SHIELDS GUARDS were organized November, 1854, by Captain Charles E. Moore. In April 1861 they were still actively drilling with the small remaining number of members.  Its officers were: Captain, James Quirk; First Lieutenant, D. Crowley; Second Lieutenant, James H. Lane.  Their armory and drill rooms were located in the North Market Hall.  The arms they carried were fifty old-style muskets which were worth about the value of their weight in scrap iron.  The Shields Guards were the first Chicago Company to offer its services to the Government. This was done in a meeting held at their Armory on April 14, 1861. Their offer read as follows:

“Resolved, That we, the Shields Guards of the City of Chicago, laying aside for the present our individual political predilections, and having in view only the interest and demands of our common country, tender our services as citizen soldiers, to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United States, to be placed in whatever position our country calls upon us to.”

The previously described companies constituted the 60th Regiment, Illinois State Militia. Only one company, the Chicago Light Artillery had both men and equipment available for immediate service.  The Light Guard had arms, but not enough men; the Shields Guards had the men, but not the arms; and the remaining four companies were, to all outward appearance, extinct as organizations.

 The Washington Independent Regiment

THE WASHINGTON INDEPENDENT REGIMENT was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Shirley. The Washington Independent Regiment consisted of the following companies: 

THE WASHINGTON LIGHT CAVALRY, was a German company under the commanded of Captain Frederick Schambeck and Henry Stupp as first lieutenant.  The company consisted of forty men, each mounted and armed with carbine, sabre and pistol. 

THE WASHINGTON RIFLES were actually two separate German companies organized in 1849.  Each of the companies was organized in two battalions, one for Grenadiers and one for Jagers.  (Jagers were German light infantry armed with rifles) The Battalions were also known as the Chicago Battalion or the Washington Odd Battalion.  They were attached to the 60th Regiment Illinois State Militia when they were first organized but later attached to the Washington Grenadiers and Black Jager Rifles.  The Washington Rifles, commanded by Captain Fred. Mattern, with John Morat as first lieutenant, were able to muster twenty-five men, and were well armed at the time the proclamation came from Springfield.  Twenty men were on the roll of the Grenadiers, their officers being: Captain T. Weiler; First Lieutenant, John Schmidt and Second Lieutenant, Martz Franzen. The Black Jagers commanded by Captain M. Marx numbered twenty-two men, all armed with United States muskets.    

As a whole the united military organizations of Chicago, at the opening of 1861, could not count on more than one hundred and fifty fully equipped men, four brass six-pounders, one mountain howitzer, and as many inferior mounts. 

On April 15th Governor Richard Yates made the following proclamation,

After Governor Yates issued his proclamation, calling for volunteer troops to aid in preserving the Union, Chicago lost no time in responding to the call. On the 16th of April the infantry company of Captain Fred Harding and the Chicago Dragoons offered their services to the Governor, and were accepted into service.  A day or two later the ranks of the Washington Independent Regiment was offered entirely. The ranks of the Zouaves rapidly filled; companies "A" and "B" were already ready for service.

By April 18th sufficient names had been offered to commence the formation of a complete Zouave regiment, which was to be organized under their old commander, Captain Joseph R. Scott.  The Chicago Light Artillery, which had during the winter of 1861 added two howitzers to their inventory, formally offered their services to the defense of Washington, but Washington would have to wait. 

During the evening of April 19, a mass-meeting of citizens of Chicago was held in Bryan Hall at which patriotic speeches were made and resolutions were adopted to sustain the government, suppress the rebellion, and maintain the Union.  A subscription of thirty thousand dollars was immediately made, and a committee appointed to carry out the wishes of the people as expressed, and to use the money in assisting the government. On that same date Governor Richard Yates sent the following telegram to General R. K. Swift, who was the commander of the Illinois Militia in the Chicago area at that time,

                                                                                                                                “Springfield, April 19, 1861

As quick as possible have as strong a force as you can raise, armed and equipped with ammunition and accouterments, and a company of artillery, ready to march at a moment's warning. A messenger will start to Chicago tonight.

Richard Yates

 Commander-in-Chief" (4)

The morning of April 20, Mr. John W. Bunn appeared, as the governor's messenger, and announced to Gen. Swift and the committee, that all diligence should be used in raising and equipping the force, and that its destination must be kept a profound secret.

Gen. Swift issued his orders for the militia to muster, but with the exception of a few independent companies, small in numbers, his force was composed of volunteers all told to the number of 400, as per Gen. Swift's telegram to Gov. Yates, dated April 21 the adjutant-general's report says 595, but he included some companies that did not arrive in time. The force included four cannon and forty-four horses.

The war-committee borrowed from a Milwaukee company fifty muskets, but the force was largely armed with squirrel-rifles, shotguns, single-barreled pistols, antique revolvers, and anything that looked as if it would shoot, that could be obtained from the gun stores, second- hand and pawnshops.

The State having neither money nor arms, our committee borrowed or bought the arms and commissary stores, and advanced from its funds the money necessary for the purchase of everything required that could be obtained on such short notice.

At 11:00 pm on April 21, 1861, Gen. R. K. Swift and his expedition were on the move. The new soldiers were marched to the Illinois-Central depot through cheering crowds. Israel Rumsey of Battery B, Chicago Light Artillery writes in a letter to his parents about his brother leaving with Battery A of the Chicago Light Artillery, “Oh, such a glorious scene at the depot; such an immense crowd, such enthusiasm and bidding goodbye, etc., songs sung, cheering, etc. It seemed as though there were thousands hollering for Rumsey, Mr. and Mrs. Magill, Mrs. Rumsey and Mrs. Tinkhams all there to bid him goodbye. Oh, you would have felt proud of your son if you had been there”. (5)   Amongst the soldiers some uniforms from prior service were scattered throughout.  One soldier recalled, "We all wore our usual clothing, the only attempt at uniformity being that we had a red blanket rolled up and passed over the left shoulder."

After General Swift was so successful in providing a force, the next hurdle to cross was to get it to its destination before any warning could be given to the people of the southern part of the State.  Some of our excitable citizens expressed their wishes that the authorities take control of the railroads in the state along with all the telegraph lines, but cooler heads prevailed.  The railroad and telegraph companies owners willingly aided the authorities in every way that was available to them. It was paramount to insure that no knowledge of the destination of the expedition be sent in advance of its arrival.  To achieve this, telegrams were stopped, and the regular train of the Illinois-Central railroad was started at its regular time of 7 p.m.   The crew of the train was given special orders to stop at a certain place, until the military train had passed.  If any inquiry was given by the passengers they were to be told that there was a delay due to an unavoidable accident, or incident that prevented their going on. With this arrangement made, the expedition passed without pause the length of the State.  The train arrived in Cairo to the shock and rage of many of its citizens.  It will seem strange to the modern reader that this level of secrecy should have been necessary in any northern state, but at the time Chicago had its fair share of traitors.  A large proportion of the people of Southern Illinois sympathized with the South.  The Authorities in Chicago knowing the sentiment of these people feared that the populace in the area surrounding Cairo would burn the wooden trestle works that cross the Big Muddy River. There was also fear that the rebels would seize Cairo, thus gaining control of river traffic in that area.  In fact the authorities later learned that there had been plans by southern sympathizers to seize Cairo forty-eight hours later than the arrival of General Swift and his force. 

Charles Kimball writes about the trip and arrival as follows, “the departure from home and the long dusty ride to Cairo will not soon be forgotten.  After passing the Big Muddy Bridge to safety, where many of us expected we would be attacked by rebel sympathizers, we reached Cairo in the night of the 22nd.  One gun, under Lt C.M. Willard, with the Ellsworth Zouaves, were sent back to the Big Muddy bridge and left there as a guard in charge of Sergeant Edward Mendsen, for several days.  The next morning the most of us beheld for the first time, the mighty and muddy Mississippi, and the blue, Ohio, with the shores of the two slave states on the opposite side.” (6)

removing obstructions and erecting substantial fortifications.  All their heavy cannons are now mounted and apparently ready for mischief.  Directly above them, near the Mississippi levee, the 7th and 12th (Illinois) regiments are encamped, and still above in Camp Barker, an encampment of cavalry, Camp Houghtling and Camp Smith, light artillery.  The last three have romantic locations, being fairly embowered in trees, rendered musical by the deliciously-tuned birds and myriads of mosquitoes.  Above the city on the Ohio levee is an encampment of light artillery under Captain McAllister.”  (7) 

Charles Kimball sees Cairo and the surrounding area in a different light.  He writes, “Our reception by the citizens was not the most cordial, and it is plainly evident that they would have been better pleased if the occupying forces had come from the opposite direction.  However, we were there first and there to stay, as it afterwards proved for nearly 5 months.  Many of our soldier boys, after the close of the war, remained or returned to various points throughout the South, where attractions and some nature allured them.  But it is not on record that a single one of them ever located permanently in Cairo alive.   The croaking frogs, double-barreled, long billed mosquitoes, the deep mud, and the smell of rank weeds and swamps around it, were sufficient to dispel any thoughts of locating there permanently.”(8)  Sounds like a far cry from the “romantic locations’ described by Harper’s Weekly. 

On the morning of the 24th April, the steamers C. E. Hillman and John D. Perry left St. Louis with military supplies for the southern cause.  Colonel Benjamin M. Prentiss, who had arrived in Cairo that same day took command of the forces camped in the Cairo area had been ordered by the Governor to stop these boats at Cairo and seize all goods that were considered contraband of war. He delegated the duty to Captain Smith, of Battery” A”, and to Captain Joseph R. Scott, of the Chicago Zouaves. 

While the Expeditionary force that occupied Cairo and the surrounding area was settling into the job of soldering; efforts were continuing to raise the requested number of troops to meet the call by the Federal Government.  One of the men deeply involved in this effort was Ezra Taylor of the Chicago Light Artillery. Taylor had been for many years connected with the local military organization of Chicago and at one time held the office of Colonel for the 60th regiment Illinois militia. But being ardently attached to the artillery arm of the service, he resigned the Colonelcy of the regiment and accepted the Captaincy of the Chicago Light Artillery, which position he occupied in April, 1861.  When Battery “A” of the Chicago Light Artillery left with the force commanded by Gen. R. K. Swift,  Taylor remained behind and  busied himself with obtaining uniforms, ammunition and other necessaries for the Chicago Light Artillery leaving command of the Battery to A. J. Smith.  While performing this duty Taylor was approached by George Sturgis,   Israel Rumsey, W. D. Williams and S.H. Stevens to organize a 2nd light artillery battery from the Chicgoland area.  Taylor agreed to take the muster roll, enlist the men and eventually command the Battery.  Amongst the first names entered on the muster roll were; Samuel E. Barrett, Levi Hart and William Chandler.  Israel Rumsey remembers those early days in his memories, “I remember well the circumstances surrounding the enlistment of those men but others I have forgotten. Among the many that came to the Armory to enlist were Jack Vernon, Albert Dickenson and Charlie Pierce.  Henry Dudley must have been amongst us then too since we all attended the First Church together.”(10) 

My sister said: "you can't go now as our Mother has lately died; and my marriage will leave the younger por­tion of our family scattered."  I told her I would be ashamed to walk the streets but this had no effect on her I finally had to promise her I would not go. During this time when being out on business I would keep to the back streets and try not to draw much attention to myself. I felt very blue and kept shady for 2 weeks, I could stand it no longer and one night I happened to go toward the armory when I saw the place all lit up and about 100 young men drilling on several 6 pounder guns.  Several of the men recognized me and pressed me to drill them.  I did so and through the course of the evening added my name to the roll.”(11) 

On May 3rd 1861 the battery elected its officers.  On May 16th the battery was accepted by the state of Illinois, under the 10 regiment bill as a 30 day company.  Israel Rumsey describes the election of the officer’s in his memoirs, “Taylor decided he wanted Sam Barrett who was wealthy and able to assist him in his outfit. He (Taylor) said we could fill the other offices as we chose that he wanted Sam Barrett as First Lieutenant. For Junior First Lieutenant, Levi Hart, P. H. White, a brother-in-law of Taylor's, and I each had some votes. But Patrick White withdrew in favor of Levi Hart and that helped to elect Hart.   Not wishing to be elected to any office because I felt that I was not com­petent, I did all I could to elect a man named Moore. But the boys wouldn't have it, they had to elect me. A little Englishman named Boyd kept saying, "Keep still, Rumsey, we know who we want." So I was put in strong for Junior Second Lieutenant.” (12) 

·   J. G. Roy, D. F. Chase, H.F. Towner, J. H. Moore, G. L. Purinton, S. C. P. Bogue chiefs of pieces, with the rank of Sergeant

·   Abraham Heartt, C. H. Rott, G. S. Blount, F. Wright, W. H. Prince, J. T. Whittle, gunners with the rank of Corporal

·   F Whitfield, J. A. Moore, G. P. Clarke, J.C. McGrath, J. B. Easson, Thos. George, chiefs of Caissons, with the rank of Corporal. 

Along with the listing of officers and NCOs the column goes to describe the arms and equipment that will be issued to the battery.  “The arms and equipment of this battery will be: Four 6 pounder field guns and caissons complete. Two 12 pounder Howitzers and caissons complete; one battery wagon, one traveling forge and two baggage wagons.  The side arms will consist of “Colt Revolvers” and Artillery Sabres of the new regulation pattern. Fifty Sharpe’s Rifles will be taken in case of emergency.”(13)   With their officers elected the men of the Chicago Light Artillery Battery “B” set to the task of teaching the newer members of the battery the art of artillery drill and the proper decorum of a soldier.  On June 3rd, 1861 (the day that Stephen A .Douglas died) and their guns being shipped from other parts of the state the battery now 100 strong left Chicago for Cairo Illinois.  Israel Rumsey remarks in his memories “the last Sunday before leaving we attended the First (Presbyterian) Church in a body and listened to a sermon by the Pastor Dr. Z. M. Humphrey. In the sermon he read the 91st Psalm which has arrays that have a very special significance for me ever since and is one of the passages of Scripture which I have been able to repeat for many years. The day we left, our friends were bidding us good-bye and I remember it as a very affecting scene. The only time I was at all inclined to shed tears was when I saw mothers bidding their sons good-bye, and I was glad my parents were not there.”(14) 

In several letters sent to his family in June, Israel Rumsey describes the area and events surrounding them when they first arrive in Cairo and eventually move to Bird’s Point Missouri.  On June 14th 1861 he writes, “We are still in the warehouse and take things pretty easy, We have pitched our tents on our Parade ground about 50 yds from the Warehouse.  Yesterday there was a general assemblage of all troops for a general inspection by Major McClellan.  Our men drew our 4 cannon to the Parade grounds about 1 mile off by hand and stationed them on the grounds.  We  then marched around in the procession after which we fired a fine salute and did it up as well as any body. We officers who had our horses rode them. I found it very fine to ride my horse around and command my division instead of walking about.”  On June 27th he writes, “You see by the heading that we have left the state and are now in the enemies country. You will probably have learned the fact by the papers long before this reaches you. Tuesday forenoon we worked putting up shelves, places for our clothes books etc. etc. also on gymnasium bars for the boys to practice upon and the last nail was just about being driven as the command came "Attention Artillery, Fall in by company" and a dispatch was read ordering us to be ready immediately to move to Birds Paints there would be a boat ready in a few hours to take us there.   It was dinner time and  we sat down and ate dinner and in two or three hours after we had our cannon, ammunition, tents and baggage put up and on a boat crossing the Mississippi River, and then came the "tug of war." We had to take our guns and ammunition which is very heavy up a steep bluff 50 ft, high. The sun was hot but our men worked well and just before sun set there came up a splendid shower which lasted 15 or 20 minutes and I never witnessed a shower that was more welcome.  Our guns were arranged around at their different points and Capt. Taylor has the command over all artillery at this Point which is ours and a Springfield Co. of 3 guns.” (13)

As time progressed it became apparent that the battery was going to move from state service and serving its 30 day enlistment to becoming a Federal battery and enlisting for service to save the union.  On June 30th Captain T. G. Pitcher of the 8th U.S. Infantry acting as mustering officer arrived in camp to do just that.  Israel Rumsey describes the scene, “Last Sunday, Capt. Pitcher came over to swear us into the U.S. service but when he wanted to swear us in for three years unless sooner discharged there was but 58 that would muster, so he could not at all but said if we had 64 he would muster them. So after he was gone we found 10 that had stepped out that would change their mind and in the morning sent for Capt. Pitcher to come. He came and wanted to change the organization only giving us 3 Lieuts and 5 Sergeants instead of 3 Lieuts and 8 Sergeants. Also, 8 corporals instead of 12 which made nothing but an Infantry organization of us and we would not hear a word to it.  So he had to go to Springfield and yesterday Capt. Taylor got a letter from him which rejoiced our hearts saying we were right that we were allowed the full number of 150 men instead of 104 and that our horses were being bought for us at St. Louis.”(14)