The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-17
"THE BOYS in BLUE"
Around the Camp Fire.
Relating "reminiscences OF Days AgOne
-Bnford Posts Entertainments.
Maj. COnnelly's Address.
GOOD TINE FOR THE VETERANS.


of the Ladies' Relief Corps. The stage
had been very handsomely aud tastefully
decorated In the center a tent was
pitched, and off to one side was a stack
of muskets, while above wete the national
colors, making a realistic and impos-
ing picture. On the wall the flag of the
confederacy was displayed as momento
of the war. After music by the martial
band, and the sounding of the reveille by
the bugler, Post Commander Bracket, of
Buford post, introduced Miss Alice Hens
enway, who rendered several delightful
airs on the organ.
MAJ. CONNOLLY 8 ADDRESS.
came next, and he devoted himself to re-
lating the history Of the Fourteenth Hi
nois cavalry. His interesting sketch, as
delivered, is appended:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND Con-
RaDEs:-No nation, ancient or modern.
placed in its ranks finer material for sol>
diers than that found in the armies organ
lied for the defense of the republic In the
late rebellion. Therein were found rep
resentatives from every walk, every call
ing in life. And this is especially true in
relation to the legions organized in the
summer of 1862. Infantry regiments were
first called out. The alacrity with which
the highest type of the American citizen
sprang to the rescue of his country's
honor will always remain a favorite
theme for the poet and the historian on
which TO dwell.
1t was my privilege to be connected
with the Fourteenth Illinois cavalry
This regiment was recruited in the fall
and winter of 1862 and was mustered
into the service at Peoria. 1t was finely
equipped aud started for the front in
March. 1868. Reaching Glasgow, Ky. on
the 18th of April, it was at once brigaded
and left the same day TO attack the rebel
force at Celina. on the Cumberland river
On the 10Th 1t struck the enemy, had a
severe engagement, captured the town
ard destroyed large army supplies. In
June it attacked and pursued Col Hans
ilton's force driving it into the mountains
of Tennessee, capturing a number OF
prisoners, several pieces of artillery, hun
dreds of small arms, wagon train filled
with supplies, the commanders official
papers and $50, 900 in confederate money.
On his fleet, iron-gray charger, the com
handing officer barely escaped. The
Fourteenth pursued the rebel raider. John
Morgan, aud his alert forces from July 4
until the day he was captured. 1t took
part in many of the skirmishes and bat
ties on this raid and was especially con-
spicuous at the battle of Burlington Isl
and, Ohio, where Morgan's main force
was defeated and many prisoners cap
tured. Morgan escaped in person with
about 500 of his men, was pursued and
made prisoner after six days, many of the
Fourteenth joining in this pursuit. The
expedition covered 3, 100 miles The lat
ter part of August, with the army under
Burnside, the regiment started for East
Tennessee, reaching Knoxville Sept. l,
several days in advance of the main col
umn. capturing the rear guard of Buck
ner's army and immense stores of munl'
tons of war. Sept 8, at the battle and TAX
ing of Cumberland Gap. with other troops,
it was active in closing in on the enemy
making prisoner the entire rebel command
and taking possession of all supplies and
munitions OF war. This natural fortress
could have withstood prolonged siege
but the promptness of our troops in in
vesting the Gap demoralizcd the rebe
army and their unconditional surrender
was the speedy result. On the 18th w
routed Col. Carriers rebel command, pur
suing it as far as Bristol. The next day
we drove the enemy into Virginia anC
again engaged him on the Goth aud 22d
fighting and driving him at every polt
On the 18th of November another sever,
engagement was fought. and on the l4tl
another, the enemy giving away alonl
the entire line. During the siege Of
Knoxville the regiment did not suffe
itself to be cooped up within the city
but continuously harrassed Longstreet'
forces on the outside. The siege bein!
raised our brigade was attacked by
greatly superior number. Retreatin
with skill it inflicted great loss on tn
enemy and suffered itself severely. Ate
the siege of Knoxville Longstreets corp
remained some time in East Tennessee
On the 14th day of December the entir
rebel army attacked the cavalry at Beal
Station. Both sides suffered loss Her
the battery manned by men of the Four
tenth did signal service. The next da
the fight was renewed with severe losses
December Gath Gen. Sturgis took com
mand of all the cavalry. At Dand-idg
the conflict was strong, both sides suffer
ing greatly. On the Both of January
1864, the Fourteenth had the high homo
of being selected from the army to max
a raid into North Carolina, to attacl
Thomas Legion of whites and Cherokee
Indians. After traversing mountai
trail for two days and nights the Legio
was completely surprised, attacked an
many of its number killed and captured
The work In taking artillery on this eS
petition over immense mountains an
through deep gorges was simply hercu
lean. Gen. Grant in special dispatc
highly complimented the regiment TO
this successful work. May eth, 6
Chittico, having reorganized his com
mand, Thomas made a midnight nitacI
with his Indians on apOrtion of the Foul
tenth guarding noun tain p sses. hopin
to surprise and butcher them. A noun
tain girl said to be related to Ger
Morgan, the rebel raider, in love wit
one of the boys in blue. communicate
Thomas intent TO her lover. This il
formation enabled the Fourteenth to /
prepared for the attack. The IndiaT
bounded into camp with their savag
yells, cleaning knives and loaded gum
expecting an easy victory. To the
anazement they found no one in til
tents. Suddenly a whitening. murder
Gus fire overwhelmed them and they RI
tired cut to pieces and demoralized. TIL
men Of the Fourteenth leaving their tent
had taken favorable position near thel
and awaited the enemies attack. 1t ws
the last assault made by the North Care
lima Cherokees. June 18Th the regimen
started to join Gen. Stoneman's com