Cpl. William Wollaver

Cpl. William Wollaver

 
       From the Elgin Academy Civil War Monument    Attended Elgin Academy.

   Dispatch April 15, 1861, Adjt. Gen. Mather's office.

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 1

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, ILLINOIS STATE MILITIA

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. APRIL 15, 1861

   In view of the present dangers menacing the Government, and the probability of an immediate call being made on the several States of this Union for troops to aid in enforcing the laws and protecting the Capital and public property of this Union, the commandants of the several divisions, brigades, regiments and independent companies will take immediate steps towards perfecting the drills and discipline of their several commands, and hold themselves in readiness for actual service.

By order of the Commander-in-chief.

T.S. MATHER Adjutant General

   Dispatch, April 16, 1861, Adjt. Gen. Mather's office.

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 2

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS,

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF,

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. April 16, 1861

   The Secretary of War, under and by direction of the President of the United States, having called upon the Executive of the State of the immediate organization of six regiments of volunteer militia to aid in the enforcement of the laws of the United States, and to protect the public property, therefore I, Richard Yates, Governor of the State of Illinois, and commander-in-Chief of the militia thereof, do call upon the commandants of divisions, brigades, regiments and independent companies to aid in raising and organizing the same immediately, and if there be no such officers, then the sheriff of each county.
   By the instruction of the war Department, each company will consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians, and eighty men.
   Each company will elect its own officers, and when the several companies shall meet at the place of rendezvous, they will be formed into regiments, and will elect their own regimental officers.  As fast as the companies are formed the commanding officer will make a return to the office of the adjutant General, stating the names of the officers and number of men in each company.  No person under the rank of a commissioned officer, will be received who is apparently over the age of forty-five, or under the age of eighteen years.
   Springfield is appointed the place of rendezvous, to which place each company or regiment will repair, at the earliest practicable period where tents, and such other convenainces as can be procured, will be furnished.
   Companies will be received in the order in which their services are offered.

(signed) RICHARD YATES, Commander-in-Chief

THOMAS S. MATHER Adjutant General Illinois Militia.

   Notice: April 18, 1861 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.

Elgin Continentals.

   This splendid company have tendered their service to the Governor for service in regiments that Illinois is to furnish to vindicate the honor of the country.

Elgin Continentals

       From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
   Enlisted April 22, 1861.

Co. A       7th Ill. Vol. Inf.

Fremont Rifles

   Armed with .69 US Altered musket taken in the Geneva Raid
   Mustered In for 3 months service at Camp Yates in Springfield, Ill. April 25, 1861 as a private.
   Home of record listed as Elgin, Ill's.
   Mustered Out at Mound City, Ill. July 25, 1861.

        From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois

Co. I       52nd Ill. Vol. Inf.

Three Years Service

The Lincoln Regiment

   Enlisted Sept. 11, 1861 from Dundee as a private.
   Mustered in at Camp Lyon in Geneva Oct. 25, 1861.
   Issued .58 rifled musket.
   Re-enlisted as a Veteran Jan. 8, 1864 and paid a $300 Veterans Bounty, then sent home on 30 days Veterans Furlough.
   Mustered Out July 6, 1865 in Louisville, Ky. as a Cpl.

Known Actions;
Fort Donelson, Tenn. Feb. 17, 1862
Shiloh, Tenn.         April 6, 1862
Iuka, Miss.          Sept. 19, 1862
Corinth, Miss.         Oct. 3, 1862
Lay’s Ferry, Ga. May 15, 1863
Resaca, Ga.         May 13, 1864
Nickajack Creek, Ga. July 2, 1864
Jonesboro, Ga.         Aug. 31, 1864
Allatoona Pass, Ga. Oct. 5, 1864
Decatur, Ga.         Oct. 26, 1864
Rome Cross Roads, Ga. Nov. 10, 1864
Savannah, Ga. Nov. 23, 1864
Columbia, Ga. Nov. 24, 1864

From the collection of Ken Gough

US Altered Musket

Model 1816 Springfield / dated 1827

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Shown here in the grey Illinois style uniforms made for them in Elgin just before boarding the train for Springfield.  I believe the photo was taken in either Camp Yates in Springfield or Camp DuBois in Alton.

Used with permission Elgin Area Hist. Soc.

From the collection of Ken Gough

1861 Springfield Rifled Musket