THIRTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY

The Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, known as the Fremont Rifles, was organized by Col. Julius White, in August, 1861, and mustered into service September 8, 1861, at Camp Webb , Chicago , and left for St Louis, 1,009 strong. Companies A and H were from Rock Island county, although in both companies were enlisted men from other counties bordering Rock Island . The officers were of Rock Island county. The regiment was armed with Springfield rifles, except the two flanking companies, which were armed with Colts seven- shooters, and all noncommissioned officers were also armed with Colts.

In October, 1861, the regiment went to Booneville , Mo. , and was with Fremont 's army at the capture of Springfield , Mo., moving then to Cassville, and Sugar Creek. In March, 1862, it took part in the battle of Pea Ridge, fighting greatly superior numbers, and gaining a complete victory. Generals McCullough and Melntosh of the Confederate army were both killed in front of Colonel White's command, which included the Thirty-seventh and Fifty- ninth Illinois regiments and Davidson's Battery. For his good service Colonel White was made a brigader-general of volunteers. Lieutenant-Colonel Barnes was promoted to colonel, Maj. John C. Black to lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Frisbee to major.

The Thirty-seventh was engaged in 1862 in Missouri with Indians and with Quantrell's and Coffee's bands of guerillas, and on one trip marched 100 miles and fought a battle in two days' time. In September, 1862, they started out after the enemy again, and after many skirmishes surprised the Confederates at Fayetteville, Ark., October 28, 1802, taking back prisoners to Osage Springs. Its activity continued until December when it went into camp at Camp Lyon, Mo. For its marching it was named the Illinois Grey Hounds, and by that name the regiment was known all over Missouri and Arkansas.

When Colonel Barnes retired from the service, Lieut-Col. John C. Black was made colonel, and in December, 1862, the regiment was ordered to the relief of General Blount besieged at Sugar Hill, Ark. Leaving all their baggage, the regiment marched to Prairie Grove, Ark., in three days, 112 miles and doubled- quicked it for the last ten miles, and came into the battle of Prairie Grove on the morning of the 7th, which lasted all day, and was one of the hottest battles of the war for the number engaged. Colonel Black, with his arm in a sling from an injury at Pea Ridge, commanded the regiment and here had his other arm shattered. After a flag of truce, that night the Confederates muffled their artillery wheels and fled in the darkness, and escaped.

In the spring of 1863, the regiment had a battle at Chalk Bluffs, on the St. Francis river, and drove the enemy from the field with loss: then went to St. Louis and took boat to the vicinity of Vicksburg, and were assigned a position in the line of investment, and on the 4th of July marched into the city. They were in the battles of Tazoo City, Big Black, Port Hudson, and then went to New Orleans; on August 13, 1863, fought victoriously in the battle of Morgan's Bend; then moved to Brownsville, Tex., where it re-enlisted on Febru­ ary 28, 1864, when it received its furlough. It reassembled at Memphis, Tenn., April 30, 1864, and put in another active summer, under General Ranks. On January 4, 1865, the regiment followed orders and went to New Orleans, to Fort Barancas, Fla., and to Pensacola. On March 13, 1865, Colonel Black was promoted to be brigadier-general of volunteers by brevet On April 2, the regiment was in the siege and capture by storm of Fort Blakely, Ala., finding 1,200 prisoners and much property; from there went into Mobile; then up the river to Cahawba, Ala., where it released Union prisoners, who were terribly emaciated from starvation. They were put on board a transport and conveyed to Montgomery, Ala., and finally were sent to the North.

The regiment was in Texas until May 15, when it was mustered out at Houston, and reached Springfield, Ill., May 31, 1866, where it received its pay and final muster out. It had marched and rode 17,846 miles, had eleven hard battles, and put in four years and ten months of service.

The following members of the regiment were from Rock Island county:

Colonel: Myron S. Barnes, Rock Island; e. June 0, 1862; dis. Nov. 20, 1862.

Lieut-Colonel: Myron S. Barnes, Rock Island; e. Aug. 1, 1861; promoted.

Major: Hermon Wolford, Rock Island; e. Sept 9, 1864; dis. July 13, 1865, as captain.

Sergeant Major: Samuel Heartley, Rock Island; e. Aug. 1, 1861; reduced and assigned to Co. A.

Principal Musician: Horace G. Pickett, Rock Island; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866.

Company A. —Captains: John A. Jordan, Coal Valley; e. Aug. 14, 1861; res. Dec. 31, 1861; Henry Curtis, Jr., Rock Island; e. Dec. 31, 1861; res. July 20, 1862; Charles W. Hawes, Rock Island; e. July 20, 1862; pro. by President

First Lieutenants: Henry Curtis, Jr., Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; pro.; Charles W. Hawes, Rock Island; e. Dec. 31, 1861; pro.

Second Lieutenants: Charles W. Hawes, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; pro.; William H. Bigelow, Rock Island; e. July 20, 1862; res. Oct. 19, 1863; Andrew B. Steele, Rock Island; e. April 23, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866, as sergeant

Sergeants: Joseph Gravenhorst, Port Byron ; e. Aug. 14, 1861; transferred to Corps d'Afrique, Sept. 21, 1863; William H. Bigelow, Rock Isl­ and; pro. 2d lieut.

Corporals: Andrew B. Steele, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran; James Simpson, Port Byron; e. Aug. 14, 1861; killed at Leetown, Ark., March 7, 1862; William W. Thilleo, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; trans­ ferred to Corps d'Afrique Sept. 21, 1863; Morris J. Herrick, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864; Theodore J. Stevens, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; Richard Turpine, Coal Valley; e. Aug. 14, 1861; deserted Dec. 6, 1863; Henry Heitahrends, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re- enlisted as Veteran.

Musician: E. DeForrest Folsom, Rock Island ; e. Aug. 14, 1861

Privates: Archibald Armstrong, Bowling; e. Aug. 14, 1861; m. o. Sept. 20, 1804; Axel P. E. Ahlstrom, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864; David Byers, Camden Mills; e. Aug. 14, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864; Cyrus P. Byerly, Port Byron; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; John W. Cathcart, Edgington; e. Aug. 14, 1801; re-enlisted as Veteran

Edward C. Clow, Camden Mills; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; dis. Oct. 5, 1802 . disa.; Horace Disney, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; Barney J. Disney, Rock Island ; e. Aug. 14, 1861; dis. July 12, 1862; Frank B. Fox, Illinois City; e. Aug.14, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; John Gregg, Buffalo Prairie; e. Aug. 14,1861; re-enlisted, as Veteran

James Gregg, Buffalo Prairie; e. Aug. 14, 1861; died at Carrollton, La., Oct. 6, 1863; Andrew Hunter, Coal Valley ; e. Aug. 14, 1801; re-en, as Veteran; David Horuit, Coal Valley; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re-en, as veteran; David Hick, Coal Valley; e. Aug. 14, 1861; dis. Oct. 5, 1862, disa.; Samuel M. Heartley, Rock Island; e. Oct 1, 1862; transferred from sergeant to major;

George Ingraham, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1661; des. Dec. 11, 1861; Arthur R. Kendall, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; John Kennedy, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; John Kunkle, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re-en, as Veteran; Thomas W. Kelley, Bowling; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re-en, as veteran

Emery Lawson, Moline; e. Aug. 14, 1861; died at Cassville, Mo., July S, 1862; Anson O. Lake, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; dis. Dec. 31, 1861; Thomas J. Murphy. Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; died at Cassville, Mo., April 9, 1862; Archibald McAfee, Andalusia; e. Aug. 14, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864; William H. Mills, Bowling; e. Aug. 14, 1861; Isaac R. Palmer, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4,1864, as corp.; Horace Pickett, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; re-en, as veteran

Madison Ransom, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861 in. o. Oct. 4, 1864; Theodore Rosette, Rock Island ; e. Aug. 14, 1861; dis. Oct. 20, 1863, disa.; Peter Schwiuan, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14. 1861; m o. Oct. 4, 1864; James Smith, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; died at St. Louis, Jan. 26, 1862; Robert Smith, Coal Valley; e. Aug. 14, 1861; Francis W. Thompson, Black Hawk; e. Aug. 14, 1861

William F. West, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; Isaac K. Williams, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; died at Cassville, Mo., March 20,1862, wounds; Austin Webb, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864; John C. Whistle, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; killed at Pea Ridge, March 7, 1862; Franklin White, Richland Grove; Aug. 14, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864.

Veterans

David Byers, Camden Mills; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, I860; Edward C. Clow, Camdeu Mills; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866; Horace W. Disney, Rock Island; e. Feb. 10, 1864; absent, wounded, at m. o. of regiment; Frank B. Fox, Illinois City; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866; John Gregg, Buffalo Prairie; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 186G, as sergt

Henry Heitahrends, Rock Island; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866, as sergt; Andrew Hunter, Coal Valley; e. Feb. 10, 1864; killed by mob, Feb. 11, 1866; David Hornit, Coal Valley; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866, as sergt; Arthur R. Kendall, Rock Island; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866; John Kunkle, Rock Island; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866, as Corp.; Thomas W. Kelley, Bowling; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866, as sergt; Horace G. Pickett, Rock Island; e. Feb. 10, 186 ?4; pro

. Drum major; Andrew B. Steele, Rock Island ; e. Feb. 10, 1864 ; m o. May 15, 1866 , as 1st sergt.

Recruits in Company A:

John Armpriest, Coal Town; e. March 31, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866; James Clelland, Coal Valley; e. Oct. 4, 1864; m. o. Oct. 9, 1865; Benjamin Fitzpatrick, Rock Island ; e. Nov. 19, 1862; m. o. Nov. 19, 1865; Robert Griffin, Coaltown; e. March 31. 1864; died at Mobile May 28, 1865

Nathaniel Hunter, Hampton; e. Oct. 4, 1864; m. o. Oct. 9, 1865; Walton Kay, Coaltown; e. March 31, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866; Andrew McMeekin, Rock Island; e. Aug. 30, 1862; m. o. June 12,1865; Anthony L. Meyer, Rock Island; e. Oct. 23, 1862; m. o. Oct. 26, 1865; George B. Pickett, Moline; e. May 27, 1862; George W. Pilgrim, Rock Island; e. Aug. 14, 1861; dis. Dec. 7, 1862; Thomas G. Pilgrim Rock Island ; e. Aug. 14, 1861 ; m. o. Oct 4, l864. as corp.

Company C

Recruit: Daniel Stephens, Rock Island ; e. Jan.1,1862

Company F

Recruit: John Widmer. Moline ; e. Feb. 20, 1864: m. o. May 13, 1866

.

Company H

Captains: John B. Frick, Moline ; e. Aug. 12, 1861 : res. Fob. 8 , 1862; Herman Wolford, Rock Island ; e. Feb. 8, 1862; pro. major.

First Lieutenants: Herman Wolford, Rock Island; e. Aug. 12, 1861; pro.: Joseph Eaton, Rock Island; e. Feb. 8, 1862; killed in action, Chalk Bluff, Mo.

Second Lieutenant: Joseph Eaton, Rock Island ; e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; pro.

Sergeants: George F. McKay, Moline ; e. Aug. 15, 1861 ; in. o. Oct 4, 1861, as private.

Corporals: Almeran A. Stillman, Rock Island; e. Aug. 25, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864, as private; John McCain, Moline; e. Aug. 15, 1861; dis. Dec. 31, 1863, to enlist in U. S. Art.; James W. Smith, Moline; e. Aug. 18, 1861; in. o. Oct. 4, 1864, as sergeant; Joseph Cushmau, Hampton; e. Aug. 20, 1861; dis. July 16, 1862, disa.

Musicians: Charles W. Eaton, Rock Island; e. Aug. 15, 1861; dis. Feb. 21, 1864; Orin A. Whitcomb, Moline; e. Sept 12, 1861; dis. July 2, 1863.

Privates: Opher C. Biglow, Rock Island; e. Sept. 15, 1861; killed at Pea Ridge, Ark., March S, 1862; Alonzo W. Beadleston, Rock Island; e. Sept. 1, 1861; m. o. Sept 29, 1864; Edward Beaumont, Rock Island; e. Sept. 17, 1861; dis. Feb. 25, 1864; disa.; Joseph F. Blair, Moline; e. Sept. 13, 1861; died Feb. 5, 1864

John Carr, e. Aug. 15,1861; dis. June. 9, 1862; disa.; James Cane, Coal Valley; e. Aug. 20, 1861; re-en, as veteran; Joseph Cathcart, Edgington; e. Aug. 1, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864; William Davis, Moline; e. Aug. 15, 1861; dis. Oct 16, 1862, disa.; David Dack, Camden Mills, e. Sept. 10, 1861; m. o. Oct 4, 1864

Patrick Foley, Edgington; e. Aug. I8, 1861; dis. April 16, 1862, disa.; Michael Finnigan, Rock Island; e. Sept 1, 1861; re-en, as veteran; George Graham, Rock Island; e. Sept. 4, 1861; died Dec. 8, 1862, wounds; John Graham, Rock Island; e. Sept. 5, 1861; re-en, as veteran; Cornelius H. Lille, Edgington; e. Sept. 1, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864; William N. H. Lienburg, Moline; e. Sept. 16. 1861; deserted Nov. 25, 1865

Jesse Morris, Moliue ; e. Aug. 18, 1861; in. o. Oct. 4, 1864; Samuel A. McCay, Moliue: e. Aug. I8, 1861; m. o. Oct 4, 1864; John S. Mallory, Moline; e. Aug. 20, 1861; Henry W. McLellan, Camden Mills; e, Sept. 8, 1861; re-en. as veteran; William Murphy, Coal Valley; e. Sept. 16, 1861; Martin O'Neil, Port Byron; e. Sept. 1, 1861; deserted July 21, 1862

Benjamin F. Patterson, Moline; Aug. 20, 1861; dis. June 17, 1862, disa.; John M. Reticker, Rock Island; e. Sept. 8, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864; Alex. R. Stevenson, Moline; e. Aug. I8, 1861; m. o. Sept. 29, 1864; Joseph Smith, Moline; e. Aug. I8, 1861; dis. July 16, 1862, wounds; Robert Sterrett, Moline; e. Aug. 20,1861; m. o. Oct. 4, 1864; Absalom Shanks, Moline; e. Aug. 25, 1861; re-en. as veteran; Lorenzo D. Sheldon, Moline; e. Aug. 15, 1861; re-en, as veteran; Lewis Vollmer, Rock Island: e. Sept. 20, 1861; dis. July.3, 1862, disa

Kendall Willis, Moline; e. Sept. I8, 1861; killed at Tea Ridge. Ark., March 7, 1862; George Wilks, Rock Island; e. Sept. 8, 1861; m. o. Oct. 4,1864; James H. Wilson, Rock Island; e. Aug. 15, 1861; dis. April 16, 1862, disa.; Peter Yager, Moline; e. Aug. 15. 1861; dis. Oct. 5, 1862 , wounds, lost his leg: John Yager, Moline : e. Aug. 15, 1861 ; m. o. Sept 29, 1864 .

Veterans: James Cain, Coal Valley; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866; Joseph Eberhart, Edgington; e. Feb. 10, 1864; ni. o. May 15, 1866, as sergt.; Michael Finnigan, Rock Island; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866; John W. Graham, Edgington; e. Feb. 10, 1864 ; Ill. o. May 15, 1866, as corp.; Henry W. McLellan, Camden Mills; e. Feb. 10, 1864; m. o. May 15, 1866; Absalom Shanks, Moline; e. Feb. 10, 1864; .m o. May 15, 1866 ; Lorenzo D. Sheldon, Moline ; e. Feb. 10, 1864 ; m. o. May 15, I860, as sergt.

Recruits: William Cathcart, Black Hawk; e. Oct. I8, 1864; m. o. Oct. IS, 1865; Charles Mulherin, Rock Island; e. March 30, 1864: m. o. May 15,1866; Cyrus Thomas, Edgington; e. Oct. I8, 1864; m. o. Oct. I8, 1865: William H. Wood, Edgington; e. Nov. 15, 1861.

COMPANY K

Privates: Morris Wetzler, Rock Island ; e. Sept 9, 1861 ; tr. to Co. G.

Recruit: Jacob Vonakcr, Rock Island ; e. Aug. 14, 1861

Unassigned recruits: William Harvey, Hampton; e Oct. 4, 1864; Thomas E. Mathews, Rock Island county; Charles Sanford, Hampton; e. Oct. 4, 1864.

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