The National tribune., 1888-04-12
THE 10th ILLINOIS.
COmrade Hunt Gives a Short History Of His Regi.
mpUt.

meNIs
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: propose, by
your permission, to grasp my quill and shake
hands, as it were with the few survivors of the
gallant old 10th H.. and to invite the friendly
criticism of my comrades by attempting to give
few historical sketches and items in cOnnec-
ton with our services in the great struggle for
human liberty
Our regiment was raised under the first call
of the President for 100000 three-years men,
duly mustered at Springfield, Ill, in August,
1861, with Stephen G. Hicks as our Colonel, and
was made up in the southeast border of the
State, principally from the Counties of Hamil-
ton, Franklin White, Wayne, Wabash, Clay,
and Fayette, The rank and file was composed
mostly of farmers, yet all the trades and profess
siOns had one or more representative.
The regiment was as fine looking body of
men as one would care to see, so it was no Won
der that Col. Hicks was proud of them.
The first, and perhaps the only serious mis-
take our regiment ever made, was IN the selection
of its Colonel ! do not desire, nor is it the OBJ
jeCt of these lines, to cast any unjust reflections
or to detract one single iota from the personal
bravery, manhood and pure, patriotic princl-
pies of Col. Hicks, for there was not a more
loyal, upright and Couutry-lOving patriot In the
land, but he wasnOt adapted to the command OF a
regiment, at least so we learned from sad expert
ence. Afterwe made the unpleasant discovery
came question Of how we could dispose of him.
He had been discharged by a General Order of
the War Department after the battle OF Shiloh,
but as soon as he recovered from wounds re-
ceiyed in that memorable engagement, he went
Immediately to the Adjutant-General of the
State, and from there to Washington, pleading
his loyalty and previous service in Mexico, and
succeeded, to our chagrin and modification, in
securing his reinstatement. By this time we
were becoming old soldiers, thirsting for dis
tinctiOn, and here he was in our way, causing
Us to be the butt of the whole army. He was
IN the way of promotion Of brave and COM
petent men who were mourning responsibilities
in command for which they were receiving no
credit and for which he was drawing pay. We
were bound to dispose of him, and how it was
to be done finally became question which Gen.
Sherman, who was familiar with the case in
part only, gave a solution. He made place
for and appointed Hicks as commander Of the
post at Paducah, KY; he still, however, re-
tanned his rank as Colonel and thus cut off all
chance for promotion to those who justly mer-
tied it.
The old fellow was liked and respected by
the boys for his zeal in the cause Of his country,
yet all recognized that his old age, coupled with
impetuosity amounting to rashness and his
extreme excitability, completely disqualified
him for commanding regiment in such con-
fict as that in which we were engaged. AS be-
fore intimated, he led US in our first engage
ment-Shiloh, where his impetuosty and rash
ness came very near costing his life, receiving
wounds early in the fight from which he was a
long time in recovering, so the members OF
his regiment were glad to see place prepared
for him where he was virtually removed from
danger and yet the proud-spirited old fellow
had the distinction and satisfaction of admin
istering q sound "drubbing" to the famous
Gen. Forrest while commanding at Paducah.
Our first brigade organization was effected
at Paducah, where we were united with the
18th and 41st III. and Buell's battery, under
command of Brighten. Z. A. Payne. Subse.
quently the organization was changed and we
were brigaded with the 46th Ohio and 9Th
Iowa. commanded by Col. Mcdowell, of the
9th Iowa, and this organization was maintained
almost intact during our entire service.
As previously remarked, our first fight was
Shiloh, where we sustained loss of about 25(
men, killed, wounded and missing We took part
in the renowned failure of Halleck against
COrinth. have nodesire to detract from Hal
leck, but l seriously believe we had 100 pri
Yates in our regiment who would have eXhib
tied more genuine generalship than he did in
conducting that movement Our next engage
ment of any note was Jackson, Miss, and
points contiguous to Yicksburg. The neXt
was Mission Ridge, and on to Knoxville. We
| subsequently participated in the campaign
! from Chattanooga to Atlanta; then in the IA
| nous march to the sea with Sherman, on through
the Carolnas, TO Johnston's capitalization, saying
nothing about the many minor engagements in
which we had a hand.-JoHN 7. HUNT, Co
A. 10th H., Macedonia Ill.