Part 5 (1/2)

OUR DEAD.

For many years earth has held the ashes of our fallen Comrades in its bosom. We have kept their memories in our hearts.

Slain in Battle.

ANDREW WILSON, Plattville, Illinois.

Born in Ohio. Enlisted June 17, 1861, at the age of twenty-three years.

Shot through the head at Fort Donelson, and instantly killed, February 15, 1862, while the Union line was advancing on the enemy.

Early on the morning of the 16th the Confederates surrendered. I was on the detail sent out that day to bury the dead of our Regiment. We went to the place where we had position in the line and there, on a hard hill, through stones and roots we dug a grave. This is the only grave I have ever helped to dig. It was thirty feet long and a little more than six feet wide. When of sufficient depth two men remained in the bottom, and others handed down, one by one, eighteen men of the 20th Illinois Regiment. Andrew Wilson was one of the number. When they had all been placed side by side across the grave, good Chaplain b.u.t.ton spoke solemn, earnest words in exhortation and prayer. Our dead were covered with earth, three volleys were fired over them as a parting salutation, and we then filed away into camp, weary and sad.

CURTIS WANN, Newark, Illinois.

Born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1843. Enlisted in Company K, April, 1861. Shot and killed instantly in the battle of s.h.i.+loh, Sunday, April 6, 1862. I have a clear recollection of Curtis Wann on the morning of that dreadful day, when we were going forward to meet the enemy. His face was aglow with eagerness and courage, but alas! he was the first to fall.

JAMES CRELLEN, Newark, Illinois.

Born on the Isle of Man. Had not been in America many years. Was a shoemaker, and worked at his trade in Newark. Was well thought of by everybody. He was one of the first to sign the Company roll. He said at the outset that he wanted to be killed if he could not come out of the war entire. He dreaded mutilation more than death. At s.h.i.+loh, Sunday, April 6, 1861, he was shot through the neck and killed instantly. I had my eyes squarely upon him when he was struck. He dropped to the ground and never moved. Did not even quiver. While lying dead upon the battlefield he was again shot through the face.

MARCUS MORTON.

Enlisted at Joliet May, 1861. Was shot and mortally wounded at s.h.i.+loh April 6, 1861. Died in a few days after the battle.

ISRAEL WATERS, Plattville, Illinois.

Enlisted at Joliet in May, 1861. Was shot and instantly killed May 12, 1863, in the battle of Raymond. While we were engaged in the desperate fighting behind the rail fence I turned my eyes on Waters and he was cheering and shouting defiance to the enemy. In a few moments I looked again and he lay perfectly dead. A bullet had pa.s.sed through his brain.

WILLIAM SHOGER, Oswego, Illinois.

Born in Germany. Came to America in 1855. Enlisted in May, 1861, at the age of nineteen years. Shot and killed instantly in the battle of Raymond May 12, 1863. Was brought up and confirmed a Lutheran. Later withdrew from Lutheran church and became an active member of Evangelical church.

DAVID BARROWS, Newark, Illinois.

Born in New Hamps.h.i.+re. Enlisted April, 1861, at the age of thirty-five years. Shot and killed instantly in the battle of Raymond May 12, 1863.

Was a married man and left a wife and three little girls lonely and sad.

If I were asked who was the best soldier in Company K the first man I would think of would be David Barrows. He did not waste much powder. A good marksman, and level-headed under the most trying circ.u.mstances, he aimed and fired in the heat and fury of battle with the precision and accuracy of target practice.

Comrades Waters, Shoger and Barrows were at my right. They were all shot through the head and, when killed, lay touching each other.

BENJAMIN ADAMS, Newark, Illinois.