Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery

What exactly is a guidon, anyway? A guidon was a small, generally triangular or swallow-tailed pennent carried by troops in the mounted service – cavalry and artillery.

Although the guidon pictured above is probably not the flag being referred to in the following passage, battery flags and banners were nevertheless important to the unit. Some of the pride felt by the men is hinted at in the following entry for May 29, 1862, in the morning report book for Battery G:

“Today rec’d our flag which we bought in Chicago. Cost $60. At unfolding of flag, speeches were made by Capt. Sparrestrom, Lieut. Lowell, Serts. [sic] Greenwood, Fort & Heath. Boys well pleased with the banner.”

Burial Locations for the Men of Battery G

Sources for information on this page are included when possible.
As always, visitors to this website are encouraged to confirm the information they find here by consulting other sources, as well.
Some of these burial sites have been visited by members of the modern-day Battery G, and when possible, directions are provided to obscure or small country cemeteries. Additional section, lot, or grave location information within the cemetery is provided when known, as well as date of death. The bulk of this list has been compiled by Tim Tedrick, Tom Lyons, and Linda Barnickel. Other individuals have also made contributions to this effort.

This portion of this site is new and still very much under construction. Please be patient. Someday, we hope to have information on ALL of the soldiers listed below. If you can help by providing us with additional information, please let us know by contacting battg2@bellsouth.net and put “Battery G” in your subject line. Thanks for your interest and support!

Adams, Albert – Feb. 23, 1903. Elmwood Cemetery; Chicago, IL. Grave 6, Lot 2, Block 4. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Bain, Robert – April 12, 1923. Flagg Center Cem.; Ogle Co., IL. Approx. 1/2 mi. W of Center Rd. on S side of Flagg Rd. Flagg Rd. is about 1 mi. N of Rt. 38, extending W from US 251. Center Rd. is 2/3 mi. W of US251. [Personal observation and/or research by Tom Lyons.]

Bodreaux, Calice – Listed on the “Union Soldiers and Sailors Buried in Oklahoma” website under the spelling BOUDREAU. Buried May Cemetery, May, Woodward County, Oklahoma.

Calhoun, Andrew – CONFLICTING INFORMATION: Oakwood Cem.; DeKalb, IL. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.] Ohio Grove Cem.; Sycamore, IL. [Source: “Civil War Veterans in/of DeKalb County, Illinois” brochure published by DeKalb Co. Hist.& Gen. Soc., Memorial Day Weekend 1999 and personal observation by Linda Barnickel, May 1999.] It is my conclusion that the Ohio Grove location is more questionable than the Oakwood location. I did not find a veteran’s stone or any other indication of Civil War service at the Calhoun grave in Ohio Grove. I have not made a personal observation of the grave at Oakwood. I tend to favor the Oakwood burial site because it appeared in the Roll of Honor. Linda Barnickel.

Carlson, Nicholas – Died: Drowned May 1, 1863 during sinking of the transport steamer, Horizon, as the battery was being ferried across the Mississippi River near Bruinsburg. One report by E.K. Owen, naval officer, indicates that his body was recovered and buried, probably near Bruinsburg. The whereabouts of his grave today is unknown.

Childs, Asahbel E. – January 24, 1863. Memphis National Cemetery, Plot 58. Originally buried at La Grange, Tenn. [Source: Interment.net based upon unverified Veterans Affairs records. Accessed on the Internet May 24, 2003. Name appears as: Child, Ashell E.]

Churchill, Samuel J. – June 5, 1932. Oak Hill Cem.; 1605 Oak Hill Ave., Lawrence, KS. Sec. 7, Grave 222 (about30 yds. from intersection of “corners” of Sec. 7 and Sec. 10, 4 to 5 rows in.) [Personal observation on separate occasions by Jeff Lovett and Linda Barnickel.]

Clothier, Salmon – According to a reply to an inquiry to the Chase County (NE) Historical Society, dated Aug. 25, 1995, Salmon Clothier is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Imperial, Nebraska.

Comstock, Hezekiah – CONFLICTING INFORMATION? He has a veteran’s stone at unknown DeKalb, IL cemetery, located at Taylor and 7th St, in back of cemetery, SE corner near house. [Personal observation on separate occasions by Greg Romaneck and Linda Barnickel.] There may be another stone at Evergreen Cemetery in Shabbona, IL. [Personal observation and/or research by Tom Lyons.]

Davis, Jesse W. – Oct. 15, 1863. Vicksburg National Cemetery; Vicksburg, Mississippi. Section I, Grave 602. Originally interred at Vicksburg. [Source: Roll of Honor: Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defense of the Union. (Washington, DC: Government Printing, 1869), v. 24, p. 16. Extracted by Linda Barnickel.] Gravestone 7712. [Personal observation by Linda Barnickel, Sept. 2000].

Davis, Samuel – December 16, 1862. Memphis National Cemetery, Plot 27. Originally buried at La Grange, Tenn.[Source: Interment.net based upon unverified Veterans Affairs records. Accessed on the Internet May 24, 2003. Name appears as: Davis, Sam]

Driver, Arthur J. – Nov. 29, 1913. Elmwood Cem.; Sycamore, IL. [Source: “Civil War Veterans in/of DeKalb County, Illinois” brochure published by DeKalb Co. Hist.& Gen. Soc., Memorial Day Weekend 1999.]

Ekvall, Oscar L. – June 2, 1893. Rosehill Cem; Chicago, IL. SE 1/4, Block 980, Section 109. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick. Personal observation by Linda Barnickel, April 1995.]

Ferris, Edward – Aug. 31, 1863. Vicksburg National Cemetery; Vicksburg, Mississippi. Sec. I, Grave 923. Originally interred vicinity of Vicksburg. [Source: Roll of Honor: Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defense of the Union. (Washington, DC: Government Printing, 1869), v. 24, p. 18. Extracted by Linda Barnickel.] Gravestone 8033. [Personal observation by Linda Barnickel, Sept. 2000].

Fogle, Abram – 1897. Greenwood Cem.; Rockford, IL. Lot 7, Block 21. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Forbes, William – Feb. 11, 1906. Greenwood Cem.; Rockford, IL. Lot 27, Block 14. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Golden, Justus M. – Sept. 24, 1917. Evergreen Cem.; Roberts Corners, NY. [Source: Personal research and observation by James Golden, descendent. Posted here with permission.]

Gould, Thomas G. – March. 3, 1909. Greenwood Cem.; Rockford, IL. Lot 27, Block 14. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Greenwood, Charles – Johnson Grove Cem.; Waterman, DeKalb Co., IL. [Source: “Civil War Veterans in/of DeKalb County, Illinois” brochure published by DeKalb Co. Hist.& Gen. Soc., Memorial Day Weekend 1999.]

Hemingway, Hanniah W. – June 19, 1931. Mound Grove Cem.; Kankakee, IL. Lot 106, Block 8. [Source: email from Jan McGee, 16 Dec. 2003.]

Holland, Charles – Greenwood Cem.; Rockford, IL. Lot 7, Block 12. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Ireland, Samuel – Stillman Valley Cem.; Stillman Valley, IL. Grave 4, Lot 109, Orig. Sec. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Kingsbury, William – unknown date, 1929. Garden Prarie Cemetery, Quick, Frontier County, Nebraska. [Source: email from descendent; refers to: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nefronti/dead_k.html .]

Ladd, George – Oct. 26, 1863. Stillman Valley Cem.; Stillman Valley, IL. Grave 4, Lot 66, Orig. Sec. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick. Personal observation on separate occasions by Wayne Henson and Linda Barnickel.]

Lindebeck, Francis – Died: Drowned May 1, 1863 during sinking of the transport steamer, Horizon, as the battery was being ferried across the Mississippi River near Bruinsburg. One report by E.K. Owen, naval officer, indicates that his body was recovered and buried, probably near Bruinsburg. The whereabouts of his grave today is unknown.

Loring, Theodore – Died: July 25, 1898. Burial: Mound Rest Cemetery, Cortland, DeKalb Co., Illinois. [Source: Information provided by descendent (through marriage) Janette Holmes.]

Low, Wolford N. – Dec. 12, 1895. Rosehill Cem.; Chicago, IL. Masonic section; Sub 1, Lot 7, Addition B. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick. Also personal observation by Linda Barnickel, April 1995.]

Mathiason, Claes – July 14, 1865. Marietta and Atlanta National Cemetery. Section L, Grave 301. Originally interred at Montgomery, Alabama. [Source: Roll of Honor: Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defense of the Union. (Washington, DC: Government Printing, 1869), v. 23-24, p. 40. Extracted by Linda Barnickel.]

McDowell, William – Nov. 18, 1908. Lawnridge Cemetery; Rochelle, IL. On W end of 8th Ave. about 1/2 mi. W of US 251. [Personal observation and/or research by Tom Lyons.]

McKarrall, William G. – Sept. 2, 1862. Died at Trenton, Tennessee. Buried National Cemetery; Corinth, Mississippi. Sec. B, Grave 194. {Note: Battery Morning Report book has McKarrall’s death date as Sept. 27.} [Source: Roll of Honor: Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defense of the Union. (Washington, DC: Government Printing, 1869), v. 20, p. 11. Extracted by Linda Barnickel.] [CONFLICTING INFORMATION: Interment.net shows the following information for his burial at Corinth National Cemetery, based upon unverified Veterans Affairs records. Mckarrall, William C, d. 09/02/1862, PVT C 2 ILL V ART, Orig Bur Trenton, Tenn, Plot: B 3389. Accessed on the Internet, May 24, 2003.]

Mellberg, Charles J. – Aug. 19, 1915. International Order of Odd Fellows Cem.; Rock Falls, IL. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Minnis, James P. – 1915. Lawnridge Cemetery; Rochelle, IL. On W end of 8th Ave. about 1/2 mi. W of US 251. [Personal observation and/or research by Tom Lyons.]

Nellinger, Frederick – September 1, 1864. Memphis National Cemetery. Plot 491. [Source: Interment.net, based upon unverified Veterans Affairs records. Spelling appears as: Nelfinger, Fredrick. Accessed on the Internet May 24, 2003.]

O’Connell, Martin – July 10, 1865. Marietta and Alabama National Cemetery. Sec. L, Grave 435. Originally interred at Montgomery, Alabama. [Source: Roll of Honor: Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defense of the Union. (Washington, DC: Government Printing, 1869), v. 20, p.44. Extracted by Linda Barnickel.]

Padgett, Robert M. – June 27, 1922. Oakwood Cem.; Chicago, IL. Grave 216, Sec. H. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Paulson, Ole – June 4, 1894. Mt. Olive (Swedish) Cem; Chicago, IL. Lot 354, Block 4. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Petrie, James – Feb. 17, 1911. Soldiers Row, Elmwood Cemetery (S. Cross and Charles Streets); Sycamore, IL. [Source: Personal research and observation by Shirley Petrie, descendent. Posted here with permission.]

Ray, John – Feb. 29, 1904. Calvary (Catholic) Cemetery; Chicago, IL. Grave N 1/2, Lot 9, Block 3, Sec. Y. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Scoonmaker, John – Mar. 23, 1927. Winnebago Cemetery; Winnebago, IL. Approx. 3-5 mi. S/SE of town, on Westfield (Kennedy Hill) Rd. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick. Also personal observation by Del and Phyllis Tedrick, 1998.]

Scott, Dennis – Sept. 7, 1863. Vicksburg National Cemetery; Vicksburg, Mississippi. Sec. I, Grave 482. Originally interred at Vicksburg City Cemetery. [Source: Roll of Honor: Names of Soldiers Who Died in Defense of the Union. (Washington, DC: Government Printing, 1869), v. 24, p. 29. Extracted by Linda Barnickel.] Gravestone number 7592. [Personal observation by Linda Barnickel, Sept. 2000].

Sherburne, Albert – Feb. 1, 1914. Wynot, Nebraska. [Source: Pension record of Albert Sherburne.]

Sherburne, Benjamin F. – Dec. 23, 1919. Lynnwood Cem., Clarksville, Iowa. [Source: Personal research and observation by Ceil Damschroder, descendent. Posted here with permission. Click here for obituary.]

Slate, Charles – Nov. 28, 1862. Shabbona Grove Cem.; Shabbona, IL. On N side of Shabbona Grove Rd. about 1/2 mi. W of Shabbona Rd. Shabbona Grove Rd. is about 2 mi. S of US30 at Shabbona Rd. which runs north and south through the west end of Shabbona, IL. [Personal observation and/or research by Tom Lyons.]

Sloat, Frederick – Nov. 1, 1914. Mt. Olivet Cem.; Chicago, IL. Grave 1, Lot 412, Block 47. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick. Also personal observation by Linda Barnickel, April 1995.]

Smith, Nott – Nov. 24, 1904. Graceland Cemetery; Chicago, IL. Grave SE 1/4, Lot 980, Sec. G. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Stolbrand, Charles J.– Feb. 3, 1894. Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. [Source: Civil War Center, “The General’s Burial Listing”; info provided courtesy Roger Kvist.]

Stout, Benjamin – Lamont “Cudahay” Cemetery; Lamont, WI. Approx. 1 mi. S of town on hilltop to the W. [Personal observation and research by Carol Buttery. Personal observation by Linda Barnickel, May 1999.]

Thorp, James A. – April 18, 1923. Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. [obituary, The Western Advocate, Mankato, KS, Apr. 26, 1923.]

Weir, John – Oct. 14, 1863. Killed in action at Brownsville, Miss. He may be buried at Vicksburg National Cemetery, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Sec. G, Gravestone 4745. The stone is marked, “We–, J. E.” [Source: For death information – Linda Barnickel, We Enlisted as Patriots: The Civil War Records of Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1998), p. 66. For grave information – personal observation by Linda Barnickel, Sept. 2000].

Werner, William – May 4, 1901 at Illinois Soldiers Home, Quincy, IL. Place of burial unknown. [Source: Pension record of William Werner.]

Whittemore, Henry C. – CONFLICTING INFORMATION: Apr. 3, 1905. Elmwood Cem.; Sycamore, IL. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.] Nov. 28, 1920. Elmwood Cem.; Sycamore, IL. NE Sec., Block 4, Lot 1, Grave E half 3. [Source: “Civil War Veterans in/of DeKalb County, Illinois” brochure published by DeKalb Co. Hist.& Gen. Soc., Memorial Day Weekend 1999.]

Wilkie, Charles D. – Mar. 20, 1996. Mt. Greenwood Cemetery; Chicago, IL. Grave 36, Lot 1, Block 21, Sec. 8. [Source: Roll of Honor, Deceased Ex Service Men and Women in Illinois. (Springfield, IL, 1929) Extracted by Tim Tedrick.]

Battery G Monument
Deaths at Vicksburg
Battery Records

(including the Horizon Disaster and other Vicksburg Reports)

Site of Battery G monument, Vicksburg National Military Park

On your way to tour stop 2, the Shirley House, the main park road will take a sharp bend to the left. Just before you turn left, there is a small pullover. If you pull off the road at this sharp bend, before proceeding to the Shirley House and the Illinois Monument, it is a short walk to the Battery G monument. Follow the trace of the Old Jackson Road on your right, back to a cut in a hill where the large guns of McPherson’s Battery will be on a hill to your right. You can take a look at the guns, or follow on along the route of the old Jackson Road, through the cut in the hill. There will be a modern road outside of the park boundary. You can easily cross this quiet road on foot to get to the Battery G monument, which should be the second or third monument you come to, outside of the park boundary.

Vicksburg National Military Park

Deaths at Vicksburg and vicinity (and burials where known):

Carlson, Nicholas – Died: Drowned May 1, 1863 during sinking of the transport steamer, Horizon, as the battery was being ferried across the Mississippi River near Bruinsburg. One report by E.K. Owen, naval officer, indicates that his body was recovered and buried, probably near Bruinsburg. The whereabouts of his grave today is unknown.

Davis, Jesse W. – Died: Oct. 15, 1863 at Vicksburg. Buried: Vicksburg National Cemetery, Section I, Gravestone 7712.

Ferris, Edward – Died: Aug. 31, 1863 of dysentery, in a hospital at or near Vicksburg. Buried: Vicksburg National Cemetery, Section I, Gravestone 8033.

Lindebeck, Francis – Died: Drowned May 1, 1863 during sinking of the transport steamer, Horizon, as the battery was being ferried across the Mississippi River near Bruinsburg. One report by E.K. Owen, naval officer, indicates that his body was recovered and buried, probably near Bruinsburg. The whereabouts of his grave today is unknown.

Scott, Dennis – Died: Sept. 7, 1863 at Vicksburg. Buried: Vicksburg National Cemetery, Section. I, Gravestone 7592.

Weir, John – Died: Oct. 14, 1863, killed in action at Brownsville, Miss. He may be buried at Vicksburg National Cemetery, Sec. G, Gravestone 4745. The stone is marked, “We–, J. E.”

Excerpts from Battery Records:
The Horizon Disaster

May 1, 1863: “Embarked on transport Horizon at 2 A.M. While crossing the river to Miss. shore [near Bruinsburg] were run into by steamer Moderator & sunk. Privates Linderbeck & Carlson were drowned. Everything belonging to Battery was lost except 13 Horses 6 mules 18 wedge tents 1 wall Tents part of Co records & papers, [rear?] one casson, & forge wagon, Battery Wagon, 48 Knapsacks 25 Ponchos Fragments of arty Harness.” – Battery G Morning Report Book (from We Enlisted As Patriots).

Report of Capt. Stewart R. Tresilian regarding the crossing at Bruinsburg June 29 1863.

Report of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan regarding the sinking of the Horizon.

(Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Vol. 24)
An accident waiting to happen? Repairs of the Horizon as recorded in the log of the U.S. gunboat Tuscumbia, April 26 through May 1 makes several mentions of the Horizon.

Abstract of the log of the U.S. gunboat Benton, April 29 through May 2 mentions both the Horizon and Moderator.

Salvage operations

(Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Vol. 25)
Three reports concerning salvage operations, some quite detailed, written in late May by Lt. Comdr. E.K. Owen, commander of the U.S.S. Louisville.
Letter from Capt. Pierce to Rear-Admiral Porter, July 28, 1863, about investigating the wreck.

VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN

Spring, 1863
(O.R. Series I, Vol. 24, part II)
Report of Capt. Tresilian, Third Division engineer, about troop movements in late April – including Battery G submerging a bridge. A hint of events to come?

Table of Organization – Battery G part of Col. Edward H. Wolfe’s Third Brigade, Second Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee under the command of Major General A.J. Smith.
Return of Casualties in the U.S. Forces – One man wounded in Battery G.
Report of Col. Edward H. Wolfe, commanding Third Brigade, Second Division. (The third page of his report makes specific mention Battery G and the distinguished actions of Cpl. Samuel J. Churchill, for which he was later awarded the Medal of Honor.)
Report of Capt. John W. Lowell, commanding Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, and acting chief of artillery for Second Division.
Report of Col. Phineas Pease, 49th Illinois Infantry, positioned near Battery G.
Report of Brig. Gen. Kenner Garrard, commanding Second Division. Numerous mentions of Battery G and other artillery throughout his report.
Report of Lieut. Thomas J. Ginn, 3rd Battery Indiana Light Artillery, positioned near Battery G.

This page features excerpts from articles relating to Battery G which do not easily fit into any particular category.

Articles which provide contextual information, but do not specifically mention Battery G members, are also included. These often concern homefront issues.

Wanted Correspondence

A couple of Uncle Sam’s nephews, sporting brass coats and blue buttons who have fought bled and died for the dear Old Flag muchly, and are now ready to bleed and die for, some of the “dear girls” at home, offer their services as corrspondents. Photos exchanged.
N.B. Widows upon the shady slope of half a century need not answer this.
Address:
George T. Moore or
J. A. Willis
Battery “G” 2nd Ill. Lt. artillery
Columbus, Kentucky

SOURCE: Lane Register, June 4, 1864, page 3. 
[Note: These names must be pseudonyms, or a practical joke, for no such names appear on the rosters of Battery G.]

Ladies’ Aid Society

List of goods packed and forwarded by the Ladies Aid Society of Lane, to the Sanitary Commission on June 1st, 1864:
Seven double gowns; 24 pocket handkercheifs; 38 towels; 11 pairs of drawers; 22 shirts; 4 pillow cases; 2 work aprons; 32 papers corn starch; 5 lbs. crackers.
Donations of material for lint and bandages received from Mrs. Dawson, Mrs. Young, also from Miss and Mrs. Kershaw. Donations of socks from Mrs. Cook and Miss Anna Colditz. Also ink for marking goods from Mr. Putman.
Messrs. Boyce and McConaughey will please accept the thanks of the Society for boxes furnished, Mr. Ellinwood for marking the same.
E. A. Hughes, Sec’y.

SOURCE: Lane Register, June 4, 1864, page 3.

Our readers should bear in mind that Atwater, on Cherry street, has his Soda Fount in the full tide of successful operation, dealing out the delicious beverage at all hours of the day. You may also get a tip-top plate of Ice Cream there.

SOURCE: Lane Register, June 4, 1864, page 3.

Advertisement for a “Great Closing Out Sale” at Hathaway’s on Washington Street, Lane, Illinois, appears in the Lane Register, Oct. 15, 1864, page 3. [Perhaps the proprietor is related to Nathan Hathaway of Battery G?]

Advertisement for “R. A. Dusenberry, dealer in staple and fancy groceries and provisions” in Lane appears in Lane Register, February 4, 1865, page 3. [Is he perhaps related to Albert A. Dusenbury of Battery G?]

Newspaper Excerpts

Who wouldn’t be a soldier when by calling on Capt. Hughes or Lieut. Lowell you can get from $400 to $500? Wait and be drafted, and you get no bounty!
SOURCE: Lane Register, Dec. 19, 1863, page 3.

Lieut. John W. Lowell, of Battery G, 2d Illinois Artillery, may be found at Geo. E. Turkington & Co’s ready to muster into the service all those wishing to join this desirable branch of the army. This Battery has won for itself distinction and honorable mention for bravery and efficiency, and is one of the best in the army of the Union. No one can do better than to join Battery G, 2d Illinois Artillery.
SOURCE: Lane Register, Dec. 19, 1863, page 3.

Recruiting – Lieut. John W. Lowell, of Battery G, 2d Illinois Artillery, who has been recruiting here for his Battery some weeks, informs us that he has received permission from the Adjutant General to raise his from a four to a six gun Battery. This affords an opportunity for a few more men to enlist in this excellent command. Adjutant General Fuller has also assured him that the Recruits he enlists from this section shall have the privilege of electing one officer from among their own number, a Lieutenant. This Battery has had excellent success in recruiting, fifty men having been already secured from different parts of the State. Now is the time to enlist, as the county bounty may cease any day. At present the bounties are the same as before the fifth inst.
SOURCE: Lane Register, Jan. 23, 1864, page 3.

His son married the daughter of battery-mate Samuel J. Churchill.
This post-war photograph reproduced from Churchill’s book, Genealogy and Biography of the Connecticut Branch of the Churchill Family in America (Lawrence, KS: Journal Publishing, 1901).
This material is in the public domain.

William Werner was born in New York City. When he was 18, he enlisted in Battery G on Dec. 29, 1863 in Chicago. He had hazel eyes, black hair, and a fair complexion, and was 5 feet 6 inches tall. He gave his occupation as farmer.

At the battle of Tupelo, “he was driving the wheel team of the limber,” fell off when turning about, and “two wheels ran over him injuring his feet.” He was carried off the field on the caisson. Nevertheless, he remained in the service until he was discharged at Springfield, IL in September 1865. He probably had his picture made at this time. Also at some point during his service, he suffered from maleria.

In 1898, he was unmarried and had no living children, and resided at the Illinois State Soldiers Home at Quincy. He died on May 4, 1901.

SOURCES: William Werner military service record and pension file, National Archives.

Photo backmark: Butler & Smetters, Artists…Springfield, Ill.
“First Premium awarded at the State Fair for 1863”
May have been taken at discharge in Sept. 1865, since no other indication of when Werner
would have been in Springfield.
In private possession.

James Augustine Thorp was born on October 5, 1841 in Delaware County, Ohio. On January 19, 1864 he enlisted at Chicago’s 14th Ward, though he gave his post office as Henry, Illinois. At the time of his enlistment, Thorp had auburn hair, a light complexion, stood 5’11” tall, had grey eyes, and listed his occupation as a farmer. He was mustered out with the rest of the Battery in September of 1865.

His official military records make no mention of his actions at the Battle of Nashville in December of 1864, when he came to the aid of Cpl. Samuel Churchill, who was manning a cannon singlehandedly and pouring a devestating fire upon the enemy. Churchill would later write of Thorp’s actions and petitioned Congress to award him the Medal of Honor, but because Thorp’s name was not mentioned in the formal battle reports, Churchill’s efforts for his friend were in vain.

Thorp married Jane Irwin – either in 1863 or, more likely, on May 3, 1866 [sources conflict] at Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio. Together they had three children: Captolia “Cappie” (b. Sept. 17, 1868) who later married a Mr. Betts; Walter A. Thorp (b. Feb. 8, 1873); and Louella Gertrude Thorp (b. Jan. 16, 1882).

After the war, James, like most veterans, was plagued with health problems contracted during the war. He had sunstroke during his service, and he claimed it left his face partially paralyzed. He also had heart trouble and pain in his back – both of these he also blamed on his episode of sunstroke. One doctor in 1894 also found that he was suffering from a nervous condition, described as “general nervous prostration and excitability producing periodical melancholia and despondency.”

Soon after the war, James and his family lived at Castalia, Delaware County, Ohio until 1866 or 1867; moved to Marshall County, Illinois until 1883; and finally settled in Jewell County, Kansas in the vicinity of Washington Township and the town of Mankato. He died at Mankato on April 18, 1923, and is buried there in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

SOURCES: James Thorp military and pension records, National Archives; Samuel J. Churchill, Genealogy and Biography of the Connecticut Branch of the Churchill Family in America (Lawrence, KS: Journal Publishing, 1901), pp. 77-79.

Benjamin Stout had the distinction of being the oldest man to serve in Battery G. He enlisted on January 12, 1864 at the ripe age of 67. Although he was in Wisconsin as early as 1854, his residence at the time of enlistment is listed in company records as being in Chicago. He was described as having a dark complexion, 5’9″ tall, and by trade a miner. He served until the battery was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois on Sept. 4, 1865. True to his name, and despite his age, he was present at every mustering (taken every two months) of the battery, during the entire length of his service.

He was born on September 13, 1798, and died near Darlington, Wisconsin in 1879. Family tradition says he was born near Lexington, Kentucky, came north sometime before 1854, and was disowned by his family for his pro-Union sympathies during the war. He and his wife, Ellen (Davis) (1828-1882), lay at rest in a small hilltop cemetery, just south of Lamont, Wisconsin.

SOURCES: Personal research by Carol Buttery; posted with permission. Battery G muster roll information, as extracted by Linda Barnickel..

RELATED LINKS ELSEWHERE ON INTERNET:

Additional biographical information is available as part of the Illinois in the Civil War site.