The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-05


coin. None of them give minute par
ticulars of the interesting event, and only
the more discriminating do full justice to
its Importance, in political aspect, to
the cause of the Union.
As a student in the college presided over
by Col. Jaquess before the war, and SOL
der in his gallant regiment, this episode
has always presented peculiar attractions
to me. and is perhaps worth recording Ill
more consecutive and coherent form than
has yet been attempted, outside the reSi-
mental annals
James Frazier JaQuess was born near
Evansville. Ind. Nov. IS, 1919. He grew
up on farm, disciplined to hard work,
good morals and strict theology. After
preparatory course of education he en-
tered the oldest and best-endowed college
in the West, Indiana Asbury University,
now Dupaw University. Here he pursued
the full classical course. and graduated
with high honors in 1919. He afterward
received from his alma mater the degrees
of y. NJ. and ID. p. One of his classmates
was James Harlan. Of Iowa. Many per-
sons of eminence in Western States were
his felow-students and lifelong friends.
He studied law, and was admitted TO the
bar but strong religious convictions led
him into the ministry. and in 1917 he was
licensed TO preach by the Illinois Confer
ence of the Methodist Church.
MINISTER AND EDUCATOR
After two years Of "circuit-riding'' in
southern Illinois, Mr.. Jaquess was, in
1919. chosen President of Illinois Female
College. at Jacksonville. and at once as
sumed his responsible duties. Here he re-
manned for six years. and achieved an I'M
qualified success. Resigning this position
in 1855. he preached for one year and was
persuaded then to reenter the educational
field. 4 Methodist college had been es-
tablshed at Quincy, H., based upon the
then new idea of coeducatiOn. 1t was
male and female college of high grade,
and Mr.. JaQuess was elected President,
He retained this position, adding to his
reputation as successful educator, until
he resigned to enter the military service in
1861.
During his whole career as a preacher
and teacher Mr.. Jaquess was man of
strongly-marked individuality. His adj
dress was polished and winning, his pres
ence magnetic to a marked degree. He
Influenced all with whom he came in con-
tact. and made friends by the thousand
in al parts of the country. He was in
great demand in the pulpit and on the
Platform. his oratory being of the earnest,
electric kind. that was popular with all
classes, from the ripest scholar TO the
humblest laborer or frontiersman.
AN ARMY CHAPLAIN.
In September, 1861, Mr.. Jaquess was
commissioned by Gov. Richard Yates. his
longtime and intimate personal friend, at
Jacl sOnville as Chaplain of the 9th Ill.
Cav. This opened an opportunity for an
approach TO the scene of active warfare,
and at the same time for wide sphere
of religious usefulness. which he accepted
with alacrity. He did good service in
Grants Winter campaign along the Cum
berland and Tennessee Rivers.
After Shiloh, feeling his military ardor
aroused, and better approaching the des-
perate character of the struggle in which
the country was engaged, our patriotic
Chaplain asked the privilege of raising and
commanding a Methodist Regiment for
the war. Recruiting was suspended at
that time. but Gov. Yates secured from
President Lincoln permission to raise a
special regiment. and the embryo Colonel
set to work with his accustomed energy and
enthusiasm, about June ], 1862.
COLONEL OF THE PREACHER REGIMENT"
He succeeded poorly at first, but in July
the issue of the Presidents call for 300. 900
men, soon followed by another call for
as many more. swelled each meager squad
lHtO dH oNtIuOWluS tOupdHt, WHICH SODH
confronted the new Colonel with an embar-
rassment of martial riches. The compa-
MES rendezvoused at Springfield early in
August. and were formed into the I'D
Ill. Enough cCmpanies reported. in addi-
ton. to nearly fill two other regiments.
The I'D Ill. was known as the Preach
er Regiment" as all the field officers. six
of the Captains and several Lieutenants
were Methodist preachers. 1t was at
tached to Sheridan's Division of the Army
of the Cumberland, and fought calamity
at Perryville. Stone River, Chickamauga,
Missionary Ridge the Atlanta campaign,
Franklin and Nashville.
The Colonel everywhere commanded re-
spect by his military spirit. his high char
acter and his earnest patriotism.
EARLY PEACE MOVEMENT.
Tn May, 1868. Col. Jaquess, by letter
and by personal interview, interested Gen. |
Rosecrans. the commander of the Army Of |
the Cumberland. in his idea that by a per-
sonal visit within the Confederate lines he |
could commit influential Southern men to |
an extensive peace movement, and possibly |
secure from the rebel leaders some unof- |
fetal oyeriures in that direction. At length |
Gen. Rosecrans sent by special messenger |
TO Washington the following letter:
headquarters Department of the Cum
berland
Murfreesboro. Tenn. May 81. 1863
$40 His ExceIlency, the President of the |
United States:
The Rev. DIR. Jaquess. commanding |
the I'D Ill.-a man of cIaracter-has |
submitted to me letter proposing a per-
sonal mission 10 the South. After mature |
Iy weighing his plan and considering well |
his character. / am decidedly of the opin- |
ion that the public interests will be pro- |
NOTED by permitting him to so as he pro-
poses.
Il do not anticipate the results that he |
seems TO expect. but believe that a moral |
force will be generated by his mission that |
Will more than compensate for his tenn
porary absence from his regiment.
His letter is herein inclosed. and the |
bearer of this can fully explain Col. ia
quess's plans and purposes. Very respect !
fully, w. S. RosEcRANs,
"Major-General."
The letter was given TO President Lin |
coin by the messenger, and full explana- |
ton made. The President had known Col |
Jaquess personally for IL years as n Meth |
Odist minister, had often heard him preach |
and had every confidence in his patriotism |
and integrity. He finally decided to per-
init the proposed trip, but stipulated that |
The Colonel should &c on his own response
bility, and should make no overtures, but |
recei-o and report any made to him, from
whatever ssaree.
and went to Baltimore. on the Presidents |
authority, where he reported to Gen |
Schenck. Thence he was sent to Gen.