Answers to the MCCWRT Prison Quiz (Or Was That a Test?)-- Part 1

1.   There were 4 prisons in Illinois for Confederates.

2.  Their names were:  Alton Penitentiary, Camp Butler, Camp Douglas and Rock Island Prison.

3.  The Alton Military Prison was replaced by the Joliet Correctional Center. 

4.  Camp Butler was not named after Benjamin Butler, but William Butler who was Illinois' Secretary of the Treasury.

5 and 7.  William Butler was a member of the Lincoln's  Long Nine.  (I later found out that he wasn't a member of the Long Nine, but Lincoln stayed at William Butler's house.)

6.  The Joliet Prison later was featured in the movies "White Heat" with James Cagney and "The Blues Brothers" with John Belluchi.

8.  The "Long Nine" got their name because they were all tall and weighed around 200 pounds.  They were state representatives and senators and largely responsible for moving the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield.

Okay, questions 5,6,7 and 8 were a bit off topic.  But, of course our discussion groups have NEVER EVER gotten off topic.

--Old Secesh

Plinny Perkins of Burlington, Wis.-- Part 1: A Saw Mill and Woolen Mill

From Find-A-Grave and other sources.

On April 24, 2018, I mentioned the woolen mill in Burlington, Wisconsin, which supplied wool cloth for Union uniforms during the Civil War.  The mill was owned by Plinny (also spelled Pliny) Merrick Perkins.

He was born in Oneida County, New York on January 24, 1812.  At age 22 he rode a horse from there to Joliet, Illinois, in 1834.  He moved from there to Burlington, Wisconsin, where he bought a half section of Government land from Moses Smith and built a saw mill..

In 1843, he expanded to include a woolen mill, the first in Racine County, if not the whole state.  This is the one that provided the cloth for the uniforms.

--Old Secesh

Joliet's Camp Goodell-- Part 5: Camp Goodell Renamed Camp Erwin

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

Joliet's Camp Goodell-- Part 4

From History of Joliet, Illinois.

Camp Goodell was established at  the old fairgrounds, named after "a highly respected, local citizen."  I was unable to find out for sure who that person was.  It received troops from throughout the Congressional District.

  By mid-May 1861, a regiment had gathered, including two companies from Will County.  They elected C.C. Marsh as colonel and was accepted into federal service.  On June 13, 1861, they were mustered into military service as the 20th Regiment Illinois Infantry and a few days later marched from the camp to the railroad depot where "a tremendous gathering of friends and relatives cheered and wept in what for many was their final farewell."

Those left at home attended war meetings, contributed to war funds and anxiously awaited letters and reports from the field.

--Old Secesh

Joliet's Camp Goodell-- Part 3

From the Will County H.Gen Web Project.

Camp Goodell was near present day Ingalls park; established 1861-1862, as a Civil War training camp.

I haven't been able to determine if this is the name of a city  park in Joliet or a neighborhood/suburb of Joliet.

--Old Secesh

Joliet's Camp Goodell-- Part 2

The May 18, 1861, Joliet True democrat reported:  "Camp Godell--  Affairs appear to be moving along quite smoothly as Camp Goodell (spelled it two different ways, perhaps an error).  The soldiers are all comfortably quartered and in good spirits."

This group of soldiers and their officers became the 20th Illinois Infantry Regiment.

The article continued:  "Regimental officers were elected last Tuesday.  Col. C.C. Marsh of Chicago.  Lt.Col. Wm. Erwin of Joliet.  Major J.W. Goodwin of Wilmington.

"Of Col. Marsh, we know but little, but he is said to be an efficient soldier, and a young gentleman of fair reputation and acquirement.  He is now in the position to make for himself, an honorable name.

"Lt.Co. Erwin is known to all our citizens, having been for some years a resident among us.  He will adorn the position to which he has been promoted, possessing, as he does, all the elements of the gentleman and scholar.

"Major Goodwin, as Lt. in the Union Greys, proved himself an excellent officer, and his promotion is a deserved compliment to his superior military acquirement."

By the end of May, companies arrived from other counties and the 20th Ill. Vol. Infantry was born in Will County with 24 officers and 314 enlisted men.

Get That Training On.  --Old Secesh

Joliet's Camp Goodell-- Part 1

From Will County Historical Society.

While researching for information on Camp Fry in Chicago, I came across Camp Goodell in Joliet.  Being a place I've never heard of before, I did more research.  Plus, Joliet is on Route 66 and i do research on places along the old road which had Civil War ties.  And, there are more than you'd expect...no battles, of course, but plenty of GAR posts and cemeteries.

in May 1861, the fairgrounds west of Joliet were chosen to be training grounds for soldiers mustering in for Will and surrounding counties.  Buildings were already in place which could be used for offices, a spring that provided drinking water and a magnificent grove of oak trees for shade were already there.

It became known as Camp Godell.  This is the only time I saw it called Godell.  Everywhere else it is referred to as Camp Goodell.    I also came across it being named for a prominent citizen of the town, but couldn't come across anything else on the man.

--Old Secesh

OK, Came Across Camp Goodell in Joliet, Illinois

Looking for information on Camp Fry, I came across a Camp Goodell, in Joliet, Illinois, that was a training camp located near present day Ingalls Park.  Being a big Route 66 fan, as well as Civil War buff, and Joliet being on the old Route 66, I just had to do some research.

Well, that took some time.

Like I Said, That's Why It Takes So Long To Do These Blogs.  --Old Secesh

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