The 20th Illinois fought in some early skirmishes and was at the battle of Fort Donelson in Tennessee where six members were killed, including Lt. Col. Erwin whose body was escorted by Frederick Bartleson back to Joliet for burial. .
The war continued and President Lincoln made a call for another 300,000 troops. Will County was eager to do its part and the county supervisors appropriated $60,000 in order to pay each volunteer $60, or, if they chose, $5 monthly to his family.
Camp Goodell was renamed Camp Erwin in honor of the fallen gallant officer. Again, it had military activity when the 100tgh Illinois was organized there. Major Frederick A. Bartleson, evidently the one who had escorted Erwin's body back, was elected colonel.
The 100th Illinois suffered casualties at Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Kennesaw Mountain and Atlanta. Colonel Bartleson was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
--Old Secesh
No comments:
Post a Comment