The National tribune., 1905-10-05
THE, 10TH ILL. IN THE CIVIL WAR.
New Madrid and Island No. 10.

Editor National Tribune: My regi-
ment, the "Pious 10TH" had the proud
honor of being the first troops to garri-
son Cairo. H.. in April. 1861, and the
old Hardin Light Guards eco. b had
the distinctive honor OF throwing to the
breeze It's starry flag. on which was in
scribed in golden letters: Strike, strike
the bolt from treason's hand" We
had as members of thfs company all of
the senior class of Illinois College, SO
that the college was compelled to fore
go its annual commencement, hence
1.-THE old Morgan Web-Footed Cavalry
was composed of both brain and Drawn,
as the numerous high promotions will
amply testify.
Our first Colonel was Ben Prentiss,
who became MajorGeneral; next,
James ID. Morgan, who became Major
General; next, John Tillson, who be-
came Brgadier-General; Capt.
Charles II. Adams, Co. b, promoted to
Colonel in the Regular Army; Capt.
Mclean McWood' co. A, promoted Col
Onel Of the 154th ILL.,, and scores of 9TH
ers whose names ! do not now recall.
The 10th made the first capture on
the Mississippi in May, 81, when we
caused the Star Of the West to land at
the wharf and surrender to us her val
liable cargo of munitions of war bound
for New Orleans. In recognition Of this
Special Order Of thanks and a star
for Col. Prentiss.
The 10th was the first Federal troops
to invade the sacred soil Of Kentucky in
May, '61, and during the construction
OF the gunboats at Mound City, H., the
10th was selected to guard their con-
struction. When. on Jan. 3, 1862. Gen.
Grant made his famous reconnaissance
in the rear of Columbus, KY, for the
purpose of attracting the attention of
Gen Beauregard, that he might not dis
patch any reinforcements to aid Gen.
Zollcoffer at Mill Spring, the old re-
iable-neVer- ckdown 10th Ill. held
the right post of honor on that me-
morable march. This, too, without any
camp or garrison equipage. We were
exposed to all the rigors of Winter. Ev-
cry man who waS on that expedition
will bear witness that during the 10
days that we were surveying Ballard
County, KY, 1t rained, showed and
sleeted until the roads were a verita-
BILE quagmire and became too tough for
the old 18th H., n lot of hardy. happy
go-lucky Irish boys who would rather
break rebel skull than feast on MUIR
phys and mountain dew.
The fortunes of war found us i'm Feb
ruary, .'62, chasing the, rebel Gen jeff
Thompson in the vicinity of Sykeston
Niger Wool swamp and White Oak
Grove. We made the earth too hot for
this rebel crowd, and they were COM
PEELED to seek shelter under the rebel
guns at New Madrid; but we captured
all or their commissary stores at Mig
ger Wool Swamp. together with JEFF
Thompson's headquarters flag
On March IL, so, we We're ordered
to join Pope's army before New Mad
r,d, tnow, boys, listen), and marched
on the evening of March IL, so, with
muiiled tongues and a muffled battery
OF hcavy artillery. That was a night
laden with great responsibility, because
we had crept with the stealth OF a hun
CRY wolf on and up TO within less than
900 yards Of the rebels heavy artil-
iery and 5000 infantry. My company
CD and Co. A We're thrown out as a
picket line: thus We were much nearer.
AS we lay on the sandy earth, with
throbbing hearts, with many thoughts
OF the morrow. we thought of mother
and home; that perhaps on the morrow
we would occupy soldiers grave The
Gavin OF day was the signal for action.
more than 100 pieces OF rebel artillery
pelchcd forth with tons Of deadly iron:
Out the old 10th and 10th Ill. were