The Republican., 1890-08-22

| for the Union army. 1t is singular
thing, but it is a fact, that only one or
ganized company was given by the North
to the armies of the Confederacy. That
one company has caused great deal Of
controversy in this country, because his
political adversaries connected the name
of General John A. Logan with the for
nation of that company. The fact OF
the matter is, however. that the COM
pany was raised in Southern Illinois by
Captain Thorndyke Brooks, who had
ninety excellent young fellows to share
this bold enterprise with him. OF
course they were surrounded by Union.
loving people and were obliged to make
their plans quietly and secretly, for II
| they had been discovered in their work
1t might have been very bad for them.
They succeeded in perfecting their
organization and equipping themselves.
and one very dark night they crossed
the river into Kentucky and were as
signed TO one of the first regiments that
enlisted for the Confederate States Of
America. There was an old gentleman
named Cunningham residing in that
county, who had a great deal to do with
the raising OF that company for the Con.
federacy. He made Lo concealment OF
his Southern sympathies and on that
account became very obnoxious to his
neighbors, who called him copper-head,
rebel, and many other disagreeable
names. One of the first volunteers in
this company which was to go South,
was son of this Mr.. Cunningham. He
went with Captain BROOKS and became
one Of the gallant Confederate soldiers
who served throughout the entire war.
| OF course the entire Cunningham fam
lily was very much affected in its con-
clusions and judgments upon the merits
of the controversy then at issue in this
i country by the opinions Of the old gen.
tleman. His son was no doubt In
/ fuenced by his father to go into the
Confederate army. Well, the old man
had daughter named Mary, and she
had lover. HIS name was John A. Lo-
gan. young lawyer and Member of
Congress. His best friends always de-
MED that John A. Logan ever, even for
moment, contemplated going into the
Confederate army; and yet | have al
ways believed that Mary Cunningham
did, perhaps. make him contemplate
going into the Confederate army.
In this view of the case, and knowing
what strong nature this typical Amer
lean woman possesses, and, in some sense,
realizing the influence which she pos
sessed over the young lover, | have al.
ways given John A. Logan great credit
for patriotism and love of country, in
resisting the strong temptation, and
| giving his strength, influence, valor
and heroism TO the army Of the Union.
That lone Illinois company proved its
devotion to the Confederacy by splendid
service. Fifty o: those ninety young
men gave their lives to the lost cause
and many others Of them were wounded
and diseased. Captain Brooks, after
the war was over. was warned that he
would surely be mobhed II he returned
to Illinois. However. be did return to
his own home and spent few hours
with his friends one night, but left be-
fore morning. He went to Baltimore,
where he became successful business
man. Young Cunningham married,
then died. His sister Mary, wife Of
Major-General John A. Logan, wife Of
the great Senator, secured a position in
the Post-Offce Department for the
widow of her Confederate brother, and
there that little widow is yet toiling
day after day for her daily bread. She
very frequently visits the home of her
sister-in-law, the widow of General
Logan, and they are great friends.
| s. d. T.