Joliet's Civil Warrior: Col. Frederick Bartleson-- Part 3

Before his death, the 100th Illinois Infantry had presented a sword to Col. Bartleson. It is believed that he had it with him when he was killed.

After the war, the Joliet Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post 6 was named after him. His widow, Kate, presented the sword to them and it was kept in a glass display case. She also presented them with a framed photo of him.

They also had a remnant of the regimental flag from the Battle of Stones River.

It is known that in 1901, the post was meeting at the Masonic Temple. In 1914, they met at Castle Hall at 314 Van Buren Street. IN 1827, they were at Knapp Hall at 311 Van Buren Street. Both of the last two locations are now part of Joliet High School's campus.

I was unable to find out how the sword came to be at the Joliet Historical Society where it is today, but hopefully will be able to find out something during the Route 66 Association of Illinois' Motor Tour this June.

Col. Bartleson's record shows he was a leader of the highest order.

A Real Hero. --Old B-R'er

Joliet's Civil Warrior: Col. Frederick Bartleson-- Part 2

Frederick Bartleson had only been married when he joined the Union Army, becoming captain of a company in the 20th Illinois Infantry. Promoted to major at Fort Donelson, he lost his left arm at Shiloh.

After recovering, he was promoted to colonel and placed in command of the 100th Illinois Infantry, made up of 1,000 men from Joliet and Will County.

At the Battle of Chickamauga, Col. Bartleson was captured and held prisoner at Richmond's Libby Prison for six months. At the battle, the regiment was in the thick of the fighting, losing 165 of 315 men. Every color guard but one was killed.

He was exchanged in 1864. On June 23, 1864, while commanding a skirmish line at Georgia's Kennesaw Mountain, outside of Atlanta, Col. Bartleson was killed. His body was buried at Joliet's Oakwood Cemetery.

And, I'm Not Finished Yet. --Old B-Runner

Joliet's Civil Warrior: Col. Frederick Bartleson-- Part 1

From the April 14th Joliet Herald-News "Joliet's civil warrior" by Tony Graf.

I had never heard of Union Col. Frederick Bartleson until my friend Lulu sent me this article. Then I ended up doing another hour's research on him. He was definitely a warrior of the highest level.

Besides being one of the first (possibly the first) to enlist, wounded and lost an arm in one battle, was captured and held prisoner for six months, exchanged and then killed on the battlefield in 1864. After the loss of the arm, that could have been the extent of his service, but it wasn't so.

He rejected pleas to retire and pleas from both Republicans and Democrats to run for Congress. While a prisoner, he wrote a poem.

Despite having only recently being married, he became captain of a company in the 20th Illinois and marched off to war.

More to Come. --Old B-Runner