WAR OF THE REBELLION
At the outbreak of the Civil War the executive chair in Illinois was occupied by Gov. Richard Yates
Immediately upon the issuance of President Lincoln's first call for troops (April 15 1861) the Governor issued his proclamation summoning the Legislature together in special session and the same day issued a call for six regiments of militia, the quota assigned to the State under call of the President.
Public excitement was at fever heat, and dormant patriotism in both sexes was aroused as never before. Party lines were broken down and with comparatively few exceptions, the mass of the people were actuated by a common sentiment of patriotism.
On April 19, Governor Yates was instructed by the Secretary of War, to take possession of Cairo as an important strategic point. At that time, the State militia organizations were few in number and poorly equipped, consisting chiefly of independent companies in the larger cities. The Governor acted with great promptitude, and on April 21, seven companies, numbering 595 men, commanded by Gen. Richard K. Swift of Chicago, were en route to Cairo.
The first volunteer company to tender its services, in response to Governor Yates proclamation, on April 16, was the Zouave Grays of Springfield. Eleven other companies were tendered the same day and by the evening of the 18th the number had been increased to fifty. Simultaneously with these proceedings, Chicago bankers tendered to the Governor a war loan of $500,000 and those of Springfield, $100,000. The legislature, at its special session passed acts increasing the efficiency of the militia law and provided for the creation of a war fund of $2,000,000. Besides the six regiments already called for, the raising of ten additional volunteer regiments and one battery of light artillery was authorized. The last of the six regiments apportioned to Illinois under the first presidential call was dispatched to Cairo early in May.
The six regiments were numbered the Seventh thru Twelfth , inclusive the earlier numbers first to sixth being conceded to the six regiments which had served in the war with Mexico. The regiments were commanded respectively by Colonels John Cook, Richard J. Oglesby, Eleazer A. Paine, James D. Morgan, William H. L. Wallace, and John McArthur, constituting the "First Brigade of Illinois Volunteers".
Benjamin M. Prentiss, having been chosen Brigadier-General on arrival at Cairo, assumed command, relieving General Swift. The quota under the second call, consisting of ten regiments was mustered into service within sixty days, 200 companies being tendered immediately. Many more volunteered than could be accepted and large numbers crossed to Missouri and enlisted in regiments forming in that state. During June and July the Secretary of War authorized Governor Yates to recruit twenty-two additional regiments (seventeen infantry and five cavalry), which were promptly raised. On July 22, the day following the defeat of the union army at Bull Run, President Lincoln called for 500,000 more volunteers.
Governor Yates immediately responded with an offer to the War Department of sixteen more regiments (thirteen of infantry and three of cavalry), and a battalion of artillery adding that the State claimed it as her right, to do her full share toward the preservation of the Union. Under supplemental authority received from the Secretary of War in August, 1861 twelve additional regiments of infantry and five of cavalry were raised and by December 1861 the state had 43,000 volunteers in the field and 17,000 in camps of instruction.
Other calls were made in July and August 1862 each for 300,000 men. Illinois quota, under both calls was over 52,000 men no regard being paid to the fact that the State had already furnished 16,000 troops in excess of its quotas under previous calls. Unless this number of volunteers was raised by September 1 a draft would be ordered. The tax was a severe one in as much as it would fall chiefly upon the prosperous citizens the floating population the idle and the extremely poor having already followed the army's march either as soldiers or as camp followers. But recruiting was actively carried on and aided by liberal bounties in many of the counties in less than a fort night the 52,000 new troops were secured the volunteers coming largely from the substantial classes agricultural, mercantile, artisan and professional.
By the end of December fifty-nine regiments and four batteries had been dispatched to the front, besides a considerable number to fill up regiments already in the field, which had suffered severely from battle, exposure and disease. At this time, Illinois had an aggregate of over 135,000 enlisted men in the field. The issue of President Lincoln's preliminary proclamation of emancipation in September 1862 was met by a storm of hostile criticism from his political opponents, who aided by the absence of so large a proportion of the loyal population of the State in the field were able to carry the elections of that year. Consequently when the Twenty-Third General Assembly convened in regular session at Springfield, on Jan. 5 1863 a large majority of that body was not only opposed to both the National and State administrations but avowedly opposed to the further prosecution of the war under the existing policy.
The Legislature reconvened in June, but was prorogued by Governor Yates. Between Oct. 1, 1863 and July 1, 1864 16,000 veterans re-enlisted and 37,000 new volunteers were enrolled and by the date last mentioned, Illinois had furnished to the Union Army 244,496 men, being 14,596 in excess of the allotted quotas, constituting fifteen per cent of the entire population. These were comprised in 151 regiments of infantry, 17 of cavalry and two complete regiments of artillery besides twelve independent batteries.
The total losses of Illinois organizations during the war has been reported at 34,834 of which 5,874 were killed in battle, 4,020 died from wounds, 22,786 from disease and 2,154 from other causes being a total of thirteen per cent of the entire force of the State in the service.
The part which Illinois played in the contest was conspicuous for patriotism, promptness in response to every call and the bravery and efficiency of its troops in the field reflecting honor upon the State and its history. Nor were its loyal citizens who while staying at home furnished moral and material support to the men at the front less worthy of praise than those who volunteered.
By upholding the Government National and State and by their zeal and energy in collecting and sending forward immense quantities of supplies surgical medical and other often at no little sacrifice they contributed much to the success of the Union arms.