The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Macomb Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Macomb Illinois. Show all posts
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Theophilus Lyle Dickey-- Part 1: Lawyer and Mexican War Captain
This man was quite involved with the lives of all four of the Wallace boys who I have been writing about this month. He also commanded the 4th Illinois Cavalry for awhile and three of the Wallace's were in that outfit.
From Wikipedia.
THEOPHILUS LYLE DICKEY (October 4, 1811-July 22, 1885)
Illinois jurist and military leader.
Born in Paris,, Kentucky, moved to Macomb, Illinois, to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1835. The next year he moved to Rushville, Illinois, and worked on his law practice and was editor of a newspaper and worked in real estate. In 1839, he moved to Ottawa, Illinois, where he continued his legal career.
During the Mexican War, he raised a company of soldiers (which included William H.L. Wallace) and received a captain's commission.
After the war, he returned to Ottawa, continued his legal career and was elected judge of Illinois' Ninth Judicial District in 1848. He resigned in 1851 and continued with his legal career. He was a big supporter of Stephen A. Douglas and made many speeches for him in 1858 and 1860.
--Old Secesh
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Simon L. Sommers-- Part 3: From Virginia to Illinois
During the remainder of the war, Simon Sommers was in the South and served as a civil assistant engineer. He married Margaret Maria Newton on March 17, 1863. She was the daughter of Charles and Sarah Ann A. Newton, formerly of the U.S. Navy.
In July 1865, he was reappointed as land agent for William W. Corcoran and went to Macomb, Illinois where he resided for many years. While there, he and Margaret had 7 children, six of whom survived. He was a Master Mason of the Macomb Lodge No. 17 and served five years as a member of the town's board of education.
--Old Secesh
In July 1865, he was reappointed as land agent for William W. Corcoran and went to Macomb, Illinois where he resided for many years. While there, he and Margaret had 7 children, six of whom survived. He was a Master Mason of the Macomb Lodge No. 17 and served five years as a member of the town's board of education.
--Old Secesh
Monday, November 3, 2014
Simon L. Sommers-- Part 1: Confederate Engineer and School Board Member in Macomb, Illinois
From the Macomb County, Illinois Genealogy.
The subject of my previous post, Simon Lafayette Sommers, was from Virginia, but somehow ended up living in Macomb, Illinois, after the war and then was buried at Arlington National Cemetery back in Virginia. I was wondering how he came to be in Illinois so did some more research and after awhile came across this nice account of his life.
He was born October 23, 1823, in Alexandria County, Virginia. His father was John A. Sommers who was a civil engineer with the Chesapaeke & Ohio Canal. His grandfather was Simon Sommers, who was a captain in the Revolutionary War.
His mother was Sussana Young, daughter of Abram Young whose farm was located about a mile east of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.. The government purchased his farm and laid out lots, streets, avenues and reservations and deeded 1/3 of the lots to him in consideration.
Young Simon Sommers, at age 16, went to an academy in Farquier County, Virginia, for four years.
--Old Secesh
The subject of my previous post, Simon Lafayette Sommers, was from Virginia, but somehow ended up living in Macomb, Illinois, after the war and then was buried at Arlington National Cemetery back in Virginia. I was wondering how he came to be in Illinois so did some more research and after awhile came across this nice account of his life.
He was born October 23, 1823, in Alexandria County, Virginia. His father was John A. Sommers who was a civil engineer with the Chesapaeke & Ohio Canal. His grandfather was Simon Sommers, who was a captain in the Revolutionary War.
His mother was Sussana Young, daughter of Abram Young whose farm was located about a mile east of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.. The government purchased his farm and laid out lots, streets, avenues and reservations and deeded 1/3 of the lots to him in consideration.
Young Simon Sommers, at age 16, went to an academy in Farquier County, Virginia, for four years.
--Old Secesh
Confederates Buried ar Arlington National Cemetery: Simon L. Sommers
SIMON L. SOMMERS, Captain on Engineers born in Virginia in 1824. In 1880, he was living in Macomb, Illinois where all six of his daughters were born. He was listed as a real estate agent. Died on November 13, 1913, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery alongside his wife Margaret M. who died Jan. 29, 1923.
From the Arlington National Cemetery site.
--Old Secesh
From the Arlington National Cemetery site.
--Old Secesh
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The Spiritual Struggle of War: Col. Carter Van Vleck
From the April 14, 2012, McDonough (IL.) County Voice "The Spiritual Struggle of War: Macomb's Carter Van Vleck.
Col. Carter Van Vleck is described as "the most notable Civil War figure buried in Oakwood Cemetery" in Macomb.
The book in which his letters are published is edited by Teresa K. Lehr and Philip L. Gerber.
Col. Van Vleck's best friend in the 78th Illinois, Major William L. Broaddus of Macomb, was killed at the Battle of Chiclamauga. The 78th had a lot to do with General Thomas' earning the name "Rock of Chickamauga.
With the Union Army forced to retreat to Chattanooga, they had to leave the major's body on the battlefield where he was buried in a mass grave.
Col. Van Vleck came back to that battlefield a few months later and along with sixty men, found the grave near where Broaddus had fallen and dug into it and after an extensive and difficult search through the remains, found the major's body. It was then sent back to Macomb for burial.
After Van Vleck was mortally wounded, a telegram was sent to his wife Patty, who came to visit him before his death and returned to Macomb where a huge funeral was held in early September.
--Old Secesh
Col. Carter Van Vleck is described as "the most notable Civil War figure buried in Oakwood Cemetery" in Macomb.
The book in which his letters are published is edited by Teresa K. Lehr and Philip L. Gerber.
Col. Van Vleck's best friend in the 78th Illinois, Major William L. Broaddus of Macomb, was killed at the Battle of Chiclamauga. The 78th had a lot to do with General Thomas' earning the name "Rock of Chickamauga.
With the Union Army forced to retreat to Chattanooga, they had to leave the major's body on the battlefield where he was buried in a mass grave.
Col. Van Vleck came back to that battlefield a few months later and along with sixty men, found the grave near where Broaddus had fallen and dug into it and after an extensive and difficult search through the remains, found the major's body. It was then sent back to Macomb for burial.
After Van Vleck was mortally wounded, a telegram was sent to his wife Patty, who came to visit him before his death and returned to Macomb where a huge funeral was held in early September.
--Old Secesh
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Col. Carter Van Vleck: "Immense Amt. of Study to Learn Well the Art of Killing..."
IUniverse has a 284 page book about the colonel: "Emerging Leader: The Letters of Carter Van Vleck to His Wife, Patty (1862-1864).
Taken from his October 19, 1862 letter to his wife and daughter. This was concerning his learning how to lead his command.
"It takes an immense amt. of study to learn well the art of killing people, without getting killed yourself And that is the great secret of war, to kill & cripple the enemy to the greatest degree with the least possible damage to those under your command it is fearful yet a very pleasant study I like it better than I expected to & much better than anything else I ever studied or practiced.
"How I would like the sad realities of war, or how I should demean myself in actual fight, of course I have as little idea as anyone else that knows me I might disgrace myself & family forever or might win honors worthy to be won."
He was actually enjoying learning the art of war, but didn't know how he would do in an actual battle. Would he be brave or a coward?
--Old Secesh
Taken from his October 19, 1862 letter to his wife and daughter. This was concerning his learning how to lead his command.
"It takes an immense amt. of study to learn well the art of killing people, without getting killed yourself And that is the great secret of war, to kill & cripple the enemy to the greatest degree with the least possible damage to those under your command it is fearful yet a very pleasant study I like it better than I expected to & much better than anything else I ever studied or practiced.
"How I would like the sad realities of war, or how I should demean myself in actual fight, of course I have as little idea as anyone else that knows me I might disgrace myself & family forever or might win honors worthy to be won."
He was actually enjoying learning the art of war, but didn't know how he would do in an actual battle. Would he be brave or a coward?
--Old Secesh
Col. Carter Van Vleck-- Part 2: "I Have Been True to My God..."
From the Sackett Family Association. Col. Guy Carter Van Vleck.
Born 11 June 1830. Died 23 August 1864. Lawyer. Entered the Union Army as a Lt.Col. August 1862 and soon became colonel of the 78th Illinois Infantry Regiment.
He was shot by a Confederate sharpshooter outside of Atlanta while on his way to rejoin his regiment after a short stay in the hospital for sickness. He was on horseback and his men were happy to have him back and thronged around him, making him a target.
He was mortally wounded in the forehead, but remained conscious for ten days. He died on the 12th. During that time he sent for his wife in Macomb by telegraph, arranged his business affairs and remarked to his friends, "I have been true to my God, to my country and to my family."
It should be an interesting talk tonight at the McHenry Civil War Round Table meeting in Woodstock, Illinois.
--Old Secesh
Born 11 June 1830. Died 23 August 1864. Lawyer. Entered the Union Army as a Lt.Col. August 1862 and soon became colonel of the 78th Illinois Infantry Regiment.
He was shot by a Confederate sharpshooter outside of Atlanta while on his way to rejoin his regiment after a short stay in the hospital for sickness. He was on horseback and his men were happy to have him back and thronged around him, making him a target.
He was mortally wounded in the forehead, but remained conscious for ten days. He died on the 12th. During that time he sent for his wife in Macomb by telegraph, arranged his business affairs and remarked to his friends, "I have been true to my God, to my country and to my family."
It should be an interesting talk tonight at the McHenry Civil War Round Table meeting in Woodstock, Illinois.
--Old Secesh
Monday, May 12, 2014
Colonel Carter Van Vleck-- Part 1
From Find-A-Grave.
Born: June 11, 1830 in Penner, New York. Died: August 23, 1864 at Atlanta, Georgia.
Commanded the 78th Illinois Infantry Regiment and mortally wounded before Atlanta.
Buried Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb, Illinois.
--Old Secesh
Born: June 11, 1830 in Penner, New York. Died: August 23, 1864 at Atlanta, Georgia.
Commanded the 78th Illinois Infantry Regiment and mortally wounded before Atlanta.
Buried Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb, Illinois.
--Old Secesh
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