Woodstock and McHenry County in the Civil War: U.S. Grant and Home Town Regiments

Same source as before.

**  At the time of U.S. Grant's death, Woodstock erected arches at each of the four entrances to the park.  (Today's Woodstock Square.)

**  In the Civil War, McHenry County furnished 2,533 men.

**  One of the first companies was the Woodstock Rifles.

**  Companies A, D & F of the 15thIllinois Infantry were chiefly composed of McHenry County men.

**  Thirty-six members of Company A and nearly all of the 36th Illinois were from McHenry County.

**  The 95th Illinois had 700 men from McHenry County.

--Old Secesh

McHenry County CW Round Table Discussion Group Meets Saturday, Oct. 23: Kentucky Campaign Aug-Oct, 1862 The Battle of Perryville

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table will meet IN PERSON this Saturday, October 23 at Panera Bread in Crystal Lake, Illinois, at the corner of US-14 (Northwest Highway) and Main Street.

This week's topic will be the "Kentucky Campaign, August to October 1862" that resulted in the Battle of Perryville.

Plenty of room and everyone is welcome (including non-members).

Where there is always good discussion and debate and we stay mostly on topic.

The group meets between 10 am and noon.

See You There.  --Old Secesh

Researching Capt. Harley Wayne-- Part 5: Harley's Letters and Stepping Stone

"Some of the letters were quite colorful as they related to Harley's pre-marriage days in McHenry County.  There was correspondence with a friend of his named Sam Kelly, who used some pretty rough language (about men and women)."

Copies were made of those letters and most remain in the possession of the Parentis.  Another set of copies was presented to the county historical society museum in Union.  The originals, according to Mrs. Parenti, are now in the archives of the Illinois State Historical Society.

"Mr. Britton was about 76 years old when he came to visit us," said Mrs. Parenti.  His wife, Esther, had died around 1948 or so.  He lived another ten years and we kept somewhat in touch."

Britton's will left a carriage stepping stone, four of Captain Harley Wayne's tunic buttons from the Civil War and other mementos in the possession of the Parentis.

"He thought the stepping stone (which has Wayne inscribed on the side of it) went with the house and when and if we sell the house it will stay here," said Mrs. Parenti.  "As well as the other memorabilia we have concerning the Waynes.

--Old Secesh

Researching Capt. Harley Wayne-- Part 4: Finally, a Lead on the Wayne History

Through a series of telephone calls, Claude Britton eventually got in touch with the parentis.

His was a tenuous connection to the Waynes.  His wife was Esther Bishop.  Esther's mother was a cousin of Charles Wayne (Harley's son)

Even so, Britton apparently was all that was left of the Wayne family in Illinois.  Distant cousins in South Dakota and California have yet to be traced.

Britton was all too happy to share family reminiscences and memorabilia with the Parentis.

"He called and said he would tell all about the Waynes if he could come and visit the house in Union.  He had never been in it. Of course we said yes," said Mrs. Parenti.

"He came over with his daughter, a picture of Mrs. Wayne and a shoebox of letters from the attic of his house."

The letters were the ones Mrs. Wayne had saved from her husband since the Civil War days.  There were also some from back to 1843 which vividly showed his abolitionist sympathies.

These letters must be the ones that are being transcribed now by the McHenry County Historical Society.

--Old Secesh

 

What Happened to Captain Wayne's Sword?

The sword that Capt. Harley Wayne wore at the Battle of Shiloh along with his tunic (uniform top) were both returned to Ellen Wayne (his wife)

The tunic has disappeared, but the buttons have survived to this day.

His sword was later donated to the Harley Wayne Grand Army of the Republic Post 169 in nearby Marengo.  The sword "disappeared" at the same time the last post member died.

"That was probably in the 1950s," said Nancy Fike, curator of the McHenry County Historical Society museum in Union.

"The last of all those Civil War veterans died out about then and when they did, so did the Grand Army of the republic since that is what they were.

"We're lucky if we can scare up a World War I veteran now to talk to.  They're getting scarce."(This newspaper article came out in 1987.  Frank Buckles, the last-known WW I veteran died at age 110 on February 27, 2011.)

One Harley Wayne historical item has been found.  It came as it should, from an attic in Marengo.  "It's a quilt square," said Connie Parenti of Union.  "Calvin Spencer founded Marengo in 1835 and his daughter quilted."

--Old Secesh

Harley Wayne Civil War Letter Transcriptions

At present, Robert Frenz (president of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table (Illinois) and also a member of the McHenry County  Historical Society  and Linda  Eder of the Society are in the process of transcribing approximately sixty  Civil War-related letters written by Harley Wayne.

I have been writing at great length about him in this blog lately.

He was a prominent figure in McHenry County before the war and was killed on the first day of the Battle of Shiloh.

The Society also has a collection of his pre-Civil War letters.

--Old Secesh

Captain Harley Wayne's Obituary-- Part 1

From the April 16, 1862, Woodstock (Illinois) Sentinel

IN MEMORIUM

The death of Captain HARLEY WAYNE, of Union, who died bravely fighting the enemies of the Government, at the head of his Company, in the battle of Pittsburg, demands more than just a passing notice.

"Death loves a shining mark," and this was never more strikingly  proven than in the fact that the first death that we know of among our county volunteers, should be HARLEY WAYNE one of our first and most prominent citizens -- a man who, with an ample fortune, a beautiful residence, and a beloved and happy family -- left all to serve his country in this hour of danger on the battle's bloody field.

CAPT. WAYNE has been a resident of this county many years; coming when young, and by strict business habits amassed a competence.  He had been chosen to all of the various offices of his town, and was always a leading man.

--Old Secesh

Civil War Companies Organized in McHenry County, Illinois

From Civil War/Illinois  Gen Web.

CAVALRY

8th Regt.--  Companies  G, H, I

9th Regt.--  Company G

17th Regt.--  Company G

********************************

INFANTRY

15th--  Companies A,D,F  (Company D was commanded by Harley Wayne)

36th--  Company H

47th (Consolidated)--  Company E

52nd--  Company I

95th--  Companies A,C,D,E,F, H, I

141st--  Company F

147th--  Company I

153rd--  Companies B,K

--Old Secesh

Company D, 15th Illinois Infantry Regiment Roster-- Part 2

These residences were listed for the members of Co. D, 15th Illinois, Infantry commanded by Captain Harley Wayne from May 24, 1861 to his death at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1861.

Some are repeats for promotion and reenlistment as a Veteran.

Marengo:  47

Riley (Township):  22

Coral (Township):  20

Harmony (An unincorporated community southwest of Huntley in McHenry Co.):  9

Union:  9

Seneca (Township):  6

Genoa:  6

McHenry County:  4

More to Come.  --Old Secesh

15th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Captain Harley Wayne commanded D Company in this regiment.

From Wikipedia

The 15th Illinois was mustered into service at Freeport, Illinois, on May 24, 1861.

The companies were from the following counties:

A  McHenry

B  Boone

C  Winnebago

D  McHenry

E  Jo Daviess

F  McHenry

G  Stephenson

H  Ogle

I  Lake

K  Carroll

So, the biggest number of men in the regiment were from McHenry County.  Companies A. D and F.  All of the counties represented in the regiment are in the northern part of Illinois.

--Old Secesh

The Marengo, Illinois, Grand Army of the Republic Post (Harley Wayne Post #169)

The McHenry County Historical Museum in Union, Illinois, has a display on the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) that existed in the county at one time.  One of them was Marengo's Harley Wayne Post #169.

It was organized on December 29, 1882 and was the second GAR post in the county and named after Captain Harley Wayne who was killed at the Battle of Shiloh.  Our McHenry County Round Table president had told me that this man's mansion was in Union.  

Almost a third of the post members had belonged to the 95th Illinois Infantry Regiment that was primarily from McHenry County.  They met every second and fourth Friday in large gatherings at the Marengo Opera House.

After 1905, the meetings attracted smaller numbers  of veterans and were much more infrequent.  The last recorded meeting took place on December 8, 1922 when seven of the remaining twelve members got together.

They officially disbanded in 1930.

The last Marengo veteran, Samuel Wise, died in 1936.

--Old Secesh

McHenry County CWRT Meeting, June 8, 2021-- Part 2: Scholarship Winner and Don Purn

We had 15 people there in person and some others via Zoom.

Our president Robert Frenz opened the meeting and we presented a scholarship to a McHenry County high school student for $1000 to further her career in college.

This year's topic for the Dr. Edward  F. Witt Jr. Scholarship was a comparison of todays Coronavirus pandemic and Civil War medicine.  We had nine entries and they were all good (I was on the judging committee).  After reading each one, we ranked them, then had a meeting of the committee to reach a winner.

This year's winner was Julia Vogt of Cary-Grove High School in Crystal Lake, Illinois.  She intends to continue schooling at McHenry County Community College with studies in Library Science.  At high school, she was involved in youth leadership and was on the Teen Group of the American Battlefield Trust.

A very poised young lady.  Congratulations.

We also presented a plaque to Don Purn who was our treasurer and webmaster for many years and was in charge of the Round Table's many McHenry County Civil War gravestones.  I doubt anyone knows more about Civil War graves in our county.  In accepting the plaque, he said he got involved with the Civil War while working on the history of his village, Algonquin.

He will be much missed.

--Old Secesh

Finally, an In-Person McHenry County Civil War Round Table Meeting in June-- Part 1: Back in the Saddle Again

Little did I know when I attended the McHenry County Civil War Round Table Meeting in March 2020, but that was going to be the last one until June 8, 2021.  And, you know why.  Our usual meeting place, the Woodstock Public Library (Illinois) was closed and still is until sometime in the fall for meetings.

Now, we had had several meetings with presentations via Zoom, but since I don't do Zoom, I was left out (by my own choice of course).  We did have several discussion group meeting in person starting in the summer and fall of 2020.

Because there were no meetings, it was decided that anyone who had paid dues for 2020, did not have to do so for 2021.

Sadly, in the interim, we lost several members who died and several who have moved away or in extremely poor health.

I tell you, this virus has been rough on all history groups.  Of course, a big part of  the problem is that history groups tend to be a bit long in the tooth if you know what I mean.

Anyway, out president is a member of the McHenry County Historical Society and he was able to arrange to have their museum in Union, Illinois, open for a Tuesday night meeting on June 8, 2021.  That is about a 30 mile drive for me, but, as they say, I was "chomping at the bit" to get back with history.

Welcome Back.  --Old Secesh

MCCWRT Meeting June 8 in Union, Illinois

The McHenry County (Illinois) Civil War Round Table will be having its first in person general meeting since March 2020 at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum in Union this Tuesday, June 8, at 7 pm.

We have already had several in person discussion group meetings, but this will be the first regular meeting like that.

Bruce Allardice will give his presentation "Poltroons, Patriots and Politicians:  Civil War Generals" at that time. 

Also, a group of us will be meeting at Checkers restaurant at 5:30 pm.

Everyone is welcome.  Come on by.

Looking Forward to Learning What a Poltroon Is.  --Old Secesh

McHenry County CW Round Table Discussion Group This Saturday: Topic April-May 1865

This Saturday, April 24, the McHenry County Civil War Round Table will be meeting at Stucky's Bar & Grill in Johnsburg, Illinois, at 10 a.m. for our monthly discussion group.  

Located at 4000 N. Johnsburg Road.

The topic this week will be the events of April and May 1865, as the Civil War ground to an end.  There sure were a lot of things happening.

This will be done live, in person and on Zoom.

Come On Out.  Always good discussion, sometimes debate and often off topic, oh, well.  That happens.

--Old Secesh

McHenry Civil War Round Table Discussion Group Meeting Today: Here's Your Quiz

We'll be trying a hybrid live and Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. at Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois.

Today's topic:  Civil War Prisons North and South.

Here are a few questions to get you started:

1.  How many prisons were in Illinois?

2.  Where were these prisons?

3.  The Alton Military Prison was replaced by what Illinois prison?

4.  Who was Camp Butler named after?

5.  William Butler was a member of what famous Illinois Lincoln group? 

6.  The Joliet Prison was featured in two movies.  Name one of them.

--Old Secesh

Hainesville (Illinois) Annual Civil War Event and Battle-- Part 1

Relive the Civil War at Hainesville, Illinois's annual Civil War Encampment and Battle where knowledgeable re-enactors, both civilian and military, will recreate the war in the rural setting of Hainesville, Lake County's oldest village.

There will be narrated battles, military and civilian camps, and presentations by such historical figures as Elijah Haines (founder of Hainesville), Abraham Lincoln, and others.  There will be souvenirs, period food, and music as well.

Admission is free, but there is a $10 per vehicle charge for parking.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and  Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..

Hey, you can still catch Da Bears game at 3:20 p.m..

I am thinking of going to one of these days, depending upon the weather and whether I can getv started on my massive burn pile.  We can only burn on weekends in October and November here in McHenry County, which is just west of Lake County where Hainesville is located.

--Old Secesh

Deaths in Co. A, 15th Illinois

April 19, 1862   The only death from Woodstock.

Others:

November 1, 1861

February 28, 1862

September 27, 1862

December 4, 1862

December 17, 1862

June 1, 1864

--Old Secesh

Breakdown of Residences of Co. A, 15th Illinois-- Part 3

Out of State.

With McHenry County located on the border with Wisconsin, it is not surprising that there would be some Cheeseheads in the regiment.

WISCONSIN TOWNS:

Big Fort--  1
Sharon--  5
Darien--  1
Delavan--  2

Also:

Louisville, Ky.--  1
Texas--  1

Also one from Ringgold, but I was unable to find out where that was.

--Old Secesh

Breakdown of Residences of Co. A, 15th Illinois-- Part 1: McHenry County

Woodstock--  32
Dorr--  8     (Dorr Township in McHenry Co.  Woodstock is in it.  Named for Gov. Thomas Wilson Dorr.  Dorr was the governor of Rhode Island and an interesting story in itself after he was tried for treason against Rhode Island and found guilty.)

Other McHenry County towns

McHenry-- 2
Algonquin--  4
Chemung--  1
Greenwood--  2  (McHenry County township)
Seneca--  13   (Township in McHenry County, was called Franklinville.)
Richmond--  2
Hebron--  2
Hartland--  2   (May refer to Hartland Township or an unincorporated town)

So, a total of 68 came from Woodstock and McHenry County.

I'd say this was a McHenry County regiment.

--Old Secesh