Funeral of William H.L. Wallace-- Part 1

From Facebook Page:  Gen W.H.L. Wallace.

The remains of General W.H.L. Wallace, who so bravely sacrificed his life his life at the late battle of Pittsburg Landing, arrived in this city Sunday evening about nine o'clock on a special train from Cairo furnished by direction from General Strong.

The body was in charge of Colonel T. Lyle Dickey of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry (father-in-law),  accompanied by  Major M.R.M. Wallace of the Fourth Cavalry, brother of the deceased.  Lieutenant Cyrus E. Dickey (brother-in-law and son of T. Lyle Dickey), Lieutenant I.P. Rumsey, Aides-de-Camp to General Wallace, Captain C.Y.  Hotchkiss, Acting Adjutant-General.

The wife of General Wallace, who arrived at Pittsburg Landing  the same day that her husband received his death wound, also accompanied his remains.

At the depot, they were met by a detachment of about fifty men composed of Companies D and H of the Irish brigade.  The detachment was in charge of Captain Simpson, Company D.

--Old Secesh

Theophilus Lyle Dickey-- Part 2: Commanded the 4th Illinois Cavalry

In August 1861, the State of Illinois authorized Dickey to raise a company of cavalry which became the nucleus of the 4th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry.

In this process Dickey  and Illinois Governor Richard Yates over commissions of officers.  Both wanted to appoint the officers.  The governor especially liked to have  political patronage of those he would appoint.  In the end, Dickey got to appoint the officers.  (Usually the men in regiments voted on officers.)

Theophilus Dickey became the regiment's commander with the rank of colonel and its organization completed and mustered in September 26, 1861.

He commanded the regiment during Grant's advance on Fort Henry where it served as scouts and screening force and then again led the advance on Fort Donelson.  The regiment was then shipped to Pittsburg Landing where it participated in the Battle of Shiloh.

After the war as assistant attorney general for the United States and often argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.  In 1875, he was elected a justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, a position he held until his death in 1885.

--Old Secesh

Three of the Wallace Boys Served in the 4th Illinois Cavalry

William H.L. Wallace's three brothers who served in the Union Army were all in the 4th Illinois Cavalry.

Martin R.M. Wallace was initially the regiment's major and then rose to command it and was brevetted to brigadier general after the war ended.

Captain John F. Wallace was a 2nd lieutenant in the 4th Illinois Cavalry and eventually captain of several companies.

First Sergeant Matthew H.W. Wallace was in Company E of the 4th Illinois Cavalry and was one of the two Wallace brothers to die in the war, both in 1862.

William H.L. Wallace was elected colonel of the 11th Illinois Infantry Regiment.

--Old Secesh

John F.Wallace: Captain, 4th Illinois Cavalry

From Civil War Illinois GenWeb.

Had Matthew H.W. Wallace listed as 1st Sgt. from Polo, Illinois (Ogle County).    Mustered in September 26, 1861.  Drowned Cairo, Illinois,  Feb. 2, 1862.

Also listed his brother John F. Wallace of Oregon in Ogle County. who mustered in September 26, 1861, as 2nd lieutenant. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant September and went to Company C.

For COMPANY C, 4TH Illinois Cavalry:

John F. Wallace is listed as captain promoted February 20, 1863 and going to Company D, consolidated.

For COMPANY D (CONSOLIDATED) 4th Illinois Cavalry:

John F. Wallace captain  October 17, 1864.  Transferred to Co. L , 12th Illinois Cavalry.

He is not listed in Co. L, 12th Illinois Cavalry.

I am unable to find any further information on John F. Wallace.

--Old Secesh

Matthew H.W. Wallace-- Part 2: Drowned Feb. 2, 1862

Marital Status:  Single
Occupation:  Farmer
Nativity:  Polo, Illinois

Joined When:  September 6, 1861
Joined Where:  Ottawa, Illinois

Period:  Three Years
Muster In:  September 26, 1861
Muster In Where:  Ottawa, Illinois

Remarks:  Drowned at Cairo, Illinois
When:  February 2, 1862

So, the Wallace family lost two sons in 1862.  The other one was Brig. Gen. William H.L. Wallace.

--Old Secesh

Matthew H.W. Wallace-- Part 1: 1st Sergeant, 4th Illinois Cavalry

From Find-A-Grave.

Another one of William H.L. Wallace's half brothers who fought for the Union.

Born 1837
Died 2 February 1862 (aged 24-25)

Buried in Oakwood Cemetery,  Mount Morris, Ogle County, Illinois.

Rank:  1st Sergeant
Company E
Unit:  4th Illinois Cavalry

Residence:  Polo, Illinois, Ogle County
Age: 23
Height:  5 feet 11 3/4 inches

Hair:  Light
Eyes:  Blue

--Old Secesh

Martin R.M. Wallace-- Part 2: At Battles of Fort Henry, Donelson and Shiloh

With the coming of the Civil war, Martin Wallace helped organize the 4th Illinois Cavalry with Theophilus Dickey (where he studied law with his brother William Wallace).  He was commissioned as major of the unit on October 12, 1861.  Theophilus Dickey was the regiment's colonel (William Wallace was married to Dickey's daughter.)

Martin Wallace led troops at the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh.  His brother William was killed at Shiloh.

He assumed command of the 4th Illinois Cavalry following the death of Col.William McCullough in December 1862.  Promotions to lieutenant colonel and colonel came in January and June.  He was mustered out  on November 3, 1864.

On May 4, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated him Wallace to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers to rank from March  13, 1865.The United States Senate confirmed it on May 16, 1866.

After the war, Wallace was named U.S.  Assessor in the Chicago District.  In 1869, he was elected to the Cook County Court and served for eight years.  He also served as attorney on the Cook County Board.  His wife, Emma, became a noted philanthropist.

Martin R.M. Wallace died on March 6, 1902, in Chicago and is buried in Rosehill Cemetery.

--Old Secesh

Martin R. M. Wallace-- Part 1: Brother of William H.L. Wallace

From Wikipedia.

MARTIN REUBEN MERRITT WALLACE  (September 29, 1829 to March  6, 1902)

Brother of Brigadier General William H.L. Wallace.

Union Army officer from  October 12, 1861 to November  3, 1864.  Colonel of the 4th Illinois Cavalry when mustered out.  In recognition of  his service, in May 1866 he was nominated and confirmed to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers to rank from  March 13, 1865.

Born in Urbana, Ohio,   In 1834, his family moved to LaSalle County, Illinois.  In 1839 the family moved to Ogle County, Illinois.  He attended Rock River seminary and became a lawyer after studying with his older brother at the firm of Dickey & Wallace in Ottawa, Illinois, and when he passed the bar, moved to Chicago to form a practice with Thomas Dent.

--Old Secesh