BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ILLINOIS OFFICERS. GOV. YATES. HEN the story of the War against the Rebellion of 1861 passes into History, the records of the soldiers of Illinois will prove to be as rich in deeds of daring and heroism as any page in the annals of the Revolution, and their names will live in the affectionate remembrance of their countrymen "to the last syllable of recorded time." What loyal dweller therein can look abroad over the faithful States, and not feel a flush of pride, that he can at least claim ILLINOIS as the home of his adoption, if not the place of his birth, content to share her fortunes and the fame of her noble sons who, with "Nerves of steel and hearts of oak," have driven back the enemy on every battlefield where they have met. She has furnished for the war five Major Generals, seventeen Brigadier Generals, and one hundred and fifty-four Colonels of the regular and volunteer service, many of whom won their positions by gallantry on the battle-fields of MILL SPRING, BELMONT, WILSON'S CREEK, PEA RIDGE, NEW MADRID, DONELSON, ISLAND No. 10, SHILOH, IUKA, CORINTH and the HATCHIE. Prominent among the heroes of the day, stands our noble Governor and Commanderin-Chief, RICHARD YATES, who, although he has visited the tented field only to carry aid and words of cheer to our sick and wounded, has acted well his part, and by his untiring and patriotic efforts, has contributed no less to the glory and renown of ILLINOIS than the chieftains who have led her invincible legions "amid sheeted fire and flame." With their names, his will stand high upon her roll of honor of "brave men and worthy patriots, dear to God, and famous to all ages." RICHARD YATES was born in Warsaw, Gallatin county, Kentucky, January 18th, 1815. In 1881, his father removed with his family to Illinois, and settled in Springfield. The old gentleman and others of the family still reside in Sangamon county, and are highly esteemed in social life, and as successful and upright men of business. During the time that Richard went to the schools in that city, John Calhoun, over whom he was in maturer life elected to Congress, was one of his teachers. After leaving school, he retired to Island Grove, in Sangamon county, where he engaged for a short time in industrial pursuits. He then went to Jacksonville, entered the college there, and became, in 1837, the first graduate of that ably-conducted institution. Yielding to the advice of Gov. Duncan, and other friends, who saw in his fine abilities the promise of great usefulness, he determined to make Jacksonville his residence, and there commenced the study of the law in the office of Col. John J. Hardin. It was not long before he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered upon extensive and successful practice in his profession. He found time, however, to engage frequently in the great poli tical discussions of the time, to which he was often invited, and from which, as an ardent Whig and passionate admirer of the principles and illustrious life of Henry Clay, he could not withhold himself. He soon became one of the leading champions of the Whig policy, and in 1842, being nominated by his party for the State Legislature, he was triumphantly elected. This was a remarkable success, Morgan county being at that time largely Democratic, and Mr. Yates being the only Whig chosen. Morgan county was then entitled to four representatives, and Mr. Yates took his seat (the youngest member, if I mistake not, of the House) with three Democratic colleagues. He nobly sustained himself, and at the expiration of his term, in 1844, was re-elected by a largely increased majority, and carried with him to the succeeding sessions of the Legislature three Whig colleagues. In 1848, Morgan county being entitled to only two representatives, he was again chosen by a still increased majority. His course in the Legislature evinced great judgment, firmness and ability, and his constituents in Jacksonville were much indebted to his tact and management for those legislative favors for which they are so grateful. Such was the character for firmness, energy, capacity and eloquence which Mr. Yates had established in and out of the Legislature, and such was his unbounded popularity, that in 1850, a convention of the Whig party of his district, which then extended from Morgan and Sangamon counties north to Lasalle, nominated him by acclamation for Congress. This convention was presided over by Hon. Francis Arenz, of Cass, that able and gallant German citizen, who, though now deceased, will always be remembered with love and honor by those who knew him. The Democratic candidate was Major Thomas L. Harris, of Menard, who, two years before, had been elected to Congress from the same district over another Whig competitor, and who, in addition to great ability, enjoyed the well earned reputation of an officer of a brave Illinois regiment, which in the war with Mexico had greatly distinguished itself in the battle of Cerro Gordo. The contest between these two young men will long be remembered by the people of that district, the candidates speaking in almost every precinct of the district. The result of a most active and persevering canvass, by the friends of both parties, was Mr. Yates' election by a triumphant majority. Entering upon his Congressional duties, the youngest member, it is believed, of the House of Representatives, and the only Whig representative from Illinois, before the end of the first session, by his able speeches in defence of Western interests, in favor of rivers and harbors, and of the Homestead bill, and by his prompt and indefatigable attention to the business of his constituents in Congress and in the Departments, a vast amount of which, coming from all parts of the State, devolved upon him as being the only Whig member from Illinois, he had secured a high position in Congress, and acquired such strength at home, that he began to be considered invincible. It was during the first or second session of this Congress that he secured, what no representative before or since has done, an appropriation of thirty thousand dollars for the improvement of the Illinois river. In the meantime, the Legislature of Illinois had redistricted the State, and Mr. Yates was thrown into a new district, composed mostly of new counties, and overwhelmingly Democratic. The Democratic party nominated, as its candidate, John Calhoun, Esq., then regarded as the ablest and most popular man of his party in the district. The Whig convention nominated Mr. Yates. His friends looked upon success as almost hopeless. Yates, however, entered upon the canvass with characteristic ardor, and a determination to win, and he was again chosen by a large majority. Mr. It was during his second term that the great question of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise came before Congress. Mr. Yates, although a Southern man, and representing for the most part a constituency coming from slave States, did not hesitate. He was among the first to denounce the measure as subversive of the national tranquility and reviving the troublous sectional agitation which had been calmed by the patriotic self-devotion of Clay and Webster; and his eloquent speech on the subject was pronounced by the Republican press throughout the country a masterly effort, and secured for him a national reputation. I quote a single paragraph from this speech, to show how truly and graphically he prophetically predicted the consequences which have fol- honor of Illinois in the severest battles of lowed that disturbing and unstatesmanlike Taylor's and Scott's campaigns. HARDIN and measure: "This will be no party measure. The great enormity of its introduction into our national councils is, that it tends to make two parties, divided not as heretofore, but by geographical lines,- -a Northern party and a Southern party. This is the most fearful aspect of the case. This is what Washington, in his Farewell Address, warned his countrymen to guard against and discountenance. Who can foresee the malignity and bitterness of the strife which is to ensue? Who can foretell its termination?" BISSELL are indelibly associated with the glorious victory of Buena Vista, and the names of BAKER, HARRIS and SHIELDS will be cherished so long as the memory of Cerro Gordo lives in the hearts of their countrymen. Under When the echo of the first gun fired at Sumter reached the Prairie State, her citizens sprang to arms with the same alacrity which they exhibited sixteen years before. the first call of the President, thirteen regiments of cavalry and sixty-six of infantry took the field; five regiments obeyed the call for three months men, while sixty-eight regiments flew to arms under the last summons: a grand total of two artillery regiments, eighteen cavalry, and one hundred and thirty-four infantry, making, with six batteries of artillery, and several companies and battalions of cavalrya force of about one hundred and sixty thousand men! being ten full regiments in excess of her quota under all calls by the general Government, and she has done this without resorting to the draft in a single county or In 1854, Mr. Yates was again brought forward as a candidate for re-election against Major Harris, whom he had formerly beaten among a different constituency. In consequence of his course on the Nebraska bill, and his strong denunciations of the author of that measure, his opponents resolved to defeat him at all hazards. Well knowing that the district was in itself largely Democratic, they looked also to the character of the constituency, most of whom, coming from slave States, might well be supposed to have prejudices that might be appealed to with profit. The township. Much of this glorious record is contest that ensued is, perhaps, one of the most memorable in the political history of the State. Mr. Yates, for his course on the Nebraska bill, was assailed by his opponents and by the author of that bill as an abolitionist-and in the end he was defeated but by a meagre majority of two hundred votes, in a district which, at the previous election, had given Pierce a majority of near two thousand over Gen. Scott. Mr. Yates having retired for a time from the political arena, and given up the practice of law, was elected, in 1855, President of the Tonica and Petersburgh Railroad, and presided over the affairs of the company with signal ability, until his election, in November, 1860, to the gubernatorial chair. In January, 1861, he was sworn in as Governor of the State of Illinois. No man has done more to hold up the hands of the President since the land has been plunged into "battle and murder" by this unholy rebellion, than Richard Yates. When the services of the sons of Illinois were called for at the breaking out of the Mexican war, nearly ten thousand answered the summons, though but four regiments were accepted; and nobly did they maintain the due to the ability and energy of our noble Governor. Soon after the President's last requisition, Gov. Yates issued the following proclamation to the people of Illinois, and also sent the letter herewith appended to the President: Under a late requisition of the President, I am called upon to furnish, at the earliest practhree years' service, being a part of the quota tical period, nine regiments of Infantry, for of the State, under the call of the President The war has now arrived at the most criti- The rebels, whose leaders are bold and sagacious, and with whom it is neck or nothing as to the rebellion, have, with the energy of desperation, resolved to cast all upon the hazard of a single battle; and while weak at every other point, they have, by the evacuation of Corinth, and by the rapid concentration of their scattered forces at Richmond, brought together a great and powerful army, far superior in numbers to that of our own at the same point. With consummate skill and generalship they have planned so as not only to defend their own capital, but also, should they be successful in driving back McClellan, to take ours, and raise the rebel flag upon the capitol at Washington, with the expectation that so great a conquest would reanimate the South, revive their fading fortunes, and then secure them the immediate co-operation of the two great powers of Europe-England and France. This is their last great stake. The desperation with which they have fought has developed the depth, intensity and recklessness of their designs. Their mode of warfare is the most malignant, desperate and savage. Thus we are brought to the very crisis of the rebellion, and all our hopes, and the hopes of this great country, hang upon the issue. It is for this reason that the President telegraphs me in a private dispatch, "Time is everything. Please act in view of this." Illinoisans! In view of the crisis, when the battles soon to be fought will be decisive; when the alliance with foreign powers is not only sought, but confidently relied upon by the rebels; and when our own brave volunteers contending against unequal numbers stretch out their hands for help, I cannot doubt the response you will give. Indeed, I am most happy to state, that in response to the active measures already taken, every mail brings me the glad tidings of the rapid enrollment of our volunteers in the nine regiments which are forming. say Covered all over with glory, with a name honored throughout the earth-shining with the lustre of the great achievements of her sons on almost every field, Illinois will not now hold back and tarnish the fame she has so nobly earned. To the timid who suppose that the State will not now respond, "take courage." They vastly underrate the patriotism and courage of the men of Illinois. But I repeat, time is everything. Defeat now would prolong the war for years. Also remember that every argument of public necessity, of patriotism, every emotion of humanity appeals to the people to turn out in overwhelming demonstration, so that the rebellion may be speedily crushed, and an end put to this desolating war. Remember the words of Douglas, that the "shortest road to peace is the most stupendous preparation for war." The crisis is such that every man must feel that the success of our cause depends upon himself, and not upon his neighbor. Whatever his position, his wealth, his rank or con dition, he must be ready to devote ALL to the service of the country. Let all, old and young, contribute, work, speak, and in every possible mode further the work of the speedy enrollment of our forces. Let not only every man, but every woman be a soldier, if not to fight, yet to cheer and encourage, and to provide comforts and relief for the sick and the wounded. The public as yet know but little how much the country is indebted to the noble women of our State for their assistance to our soldiers in the field. All along the path of our army, upon the banks of our rivers, filling our steamboats and ambulances, in the tent of the soldier far from his home, I have witnessed the bright traces of woman's enduring love and benevolence. When the war shall have closed and its history shall be written, the labors of our Sanitary Associations and Aid Societies will present pages as bright as the loftiest heroism of the camp and field. Let all loyal men and women persevere in the good work. Illinoisans! Look at the issue and do not falter. Your all is at stake. What are your beautiful prairies, comfortable mansions and rich harvests-what is even life worth, if your government is lost? Better that the desolation of pestilence and famine should sweep over the State, than that the glorious work of our fathers should now forever fail. Look out upon your country with a government so free, institutions so noble, boundaries so broad— a beautiful sisterhood of States so prosperous and happy, and resolve afresh that as your fathers gave it you, you will hand it down to your children, a glorious inheritance of liberty and union for their enjoyment forever. For seven long years our fathers endured, suffered and fought to build up the fair fabric of American freedom. The precious boon purchased by patriot blood and treasure was committed to us for enjoyment, and to be transmitted to our posterity with the most solemn injunctions that man has the power to lay on man. the grace of God, we will be faithful to the trust! And if need be, for seven years to come will we struggle to maintain a perfect Union, a government of one people, in one nation, under one Constitution. By The coming of the brave boys of Illinois will be hailed on the banks of the Potomac and James rivers with shouts of welcome. During my recent visit East, I felt my heart to leap with exultant delight at the praise of Illinois heard from every lip. You will be hailed as the brothers of the men who have faced the storm of battle and gloriously triumphed at Donelson, Pea Ridge, Shiloh, and other memorable fields. Go then, and doubt not the result. We are sure to triumph. The God of liberty, justice and humanity is on our side. Your all and your children's all-all that is worth living or dying for, is at stake. Then rally once again for the old flag, for our country, union and liberty. RICHARD YATES. |