Capt. George Washington Renwick
Registered Democrat for the 1840 Election.
Listed on the 1850 Federal Census #89/166 as a 30 year old Blacksmith living in Elgin, Ill's.
Listed in the 1859-1860 Elgin Directory as owning a Woolen Factory on River St., Living on the corner of DuPage Ave. and Spring St.
Attended the Elgin Academy.
Washington Continental Artillery
Listed in the 1857 Elgin Directory as the Proprietor of the Eagle Machine Shop on the corner of Dupage and River St's. Living at the corner of DuPage Ave. and Spring St.
From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
A Co. 7th Ill. Vol. Inf.
Fremont Rifles
Mustered in for 3 years at Mound City, Ill. July 25, 1861.Home of record listed as Elgin, Ill's.
Resigned Jan. 30, 1862.
From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
5th Ill. Light Artillery
Three Years Service
Renwick’s Elgin Battery
Enlisted Nov. 15, 1862.Listed home of record as Elgin, Ill's.
Commissioned Capt. at Elgin Nov. 15, 1862.
Mustered In at Elgin Nov. 15, 1862.
Notice: Nov. 19, 1862 Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
THE ELGIN BATTERY.-This fine company, commanded by Capt. Renwick, which had been in camp just south of Camp Douglas for several weeks past, had already obtained great proficiency in drill, and promises to be second to no battery that has been raised in Northern Illinois. It numbers at present one hundred and forty-eight able bodied, stalwart farmers and mechanics-men of position, wealth and influence, who have enlisted from patriotic motives, regarding the claims of the country superior to every other consideration. The Battery is now under orders to report to gen. McClernard, and will probably leave here in a few days for the South. The boys are all anxious to depart fort the field, and only ask to be placed where they can render the best and most effcient service to their country.
The made a parade through our streets yesterday morning, attracting much attention by their fine soldierly bearing; after which they sat down to an excellent dinner at the Matteson House, by invitation of the propriitors.-Chicago Journal.
Notice: March 4, 1863 Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
Elgin Battery.
Capt. Renwick arrived home on Saturday. He is still suffering from an injury received last Fall, and cannot use his voice above a whisper. He informs us that the report sent home by a private in the Hospital was a mere idle camp rumor. That the last report he signed before coming away showed 137 men, of whom 109 reported for duty. The story about small guns, probably arose from the fact, that an application had been made to exchange some of the short range guns for 12 pound Parrott's of long range. The Battery is said to have more men fit for duty than any other in Rosecrans' division. We are heartily glad to correct the error into which we were led by the letter of a friend at Ringgold.Notice: April 30, 1863 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
FROM THE ELGIN BATTERY.
Camp Hobson, Glasgow, Ky
April 1st, 1863,
EditorWoodstock Sentinel;
At Louisville we turned over four of our howitzers, and received instead two 6 pounder James Rifled Guns, so that we now have but four guns. This step was rendered neccessary by the desertions, deaths and discharges that have occurred in the Battery.
All of the officers, however, are retained but two of them are liable to be mustered out of the service by reason of the reduction of the Battery.
Notice: July 29, 1863 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
AN INQUIRY.
EDITOR GAZETTE:I wish to make some inquiry through your paper concerning the flag which was presented to the Elgin Battery in Chicago. I understand the Captain brought it home with him when he came and I want to know whether it has been returned to the company or not. I understand the donor of the flag has written out to Elgin, substantially as follows:
"The flag was given to the Elgin Battery, and not to the Captain, and if he has taken it from the same he has done quite wrong, and should return the flag to the Battery at once. I had the assurance that it should wave over the guns while there were enough men left to man them, and that is still my decision. I hope he will return it without delay.
I am truly yours,
I. H. HADLOCK."
Notice: Aug. 26, 1863 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
THAT FLAG.
We have received several communications about the flag of the Elgin Battery, but as Capt. Renwick has yet been able to reply to the letter or the committee, we have laid all aside until he shall recover his health sufficiently to write. This morning we received his reply but too late for this paper. We will make room for it next week.Resigned May 27, 1863.
Notice; Aug. 12, 1863 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
The Elgin Battery.
We publish this week the demand of the Elgin Battery on Capt. Renwick for their flag. We have already published a letter from Mr. Haddock, stating that he gave the flag to the Company and not to Mr. Renwick, and now we have the demand of the Company. It would seem that under such circumstances, the flag would be at once given to the Battery.We hope the present officers will understand, that this community will do all in its power to aid them in restoring the lost reputation of the company. It is understood that Capt. Wood will visit this place soon and we bespeak for him a cordial welcome.
We have received from one of the Serg'ts, a well written letter on the general news at Lebanon, which we will find room for next week. We shall be glad to hear from him often.
From the Aug. 12, 1863 issue of Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
Camp of Elgin Battery, Ill. Vol. Art.
Lebanon, Ky., July 30, 1863.
GEO. P. HARVEY ESQ.Dear sir-Enclosed you will find a copy of resolutions adopted by this company, the design of which you will readily comprehend. If you will be so kind as to assist us and act for us in this matter, you will confer a favor upon us that we shall be glad to reciprocate. Presuming that you will cheerfully aid us in carrying out the resolutions to the letter, we will hereby authorize you to make an unconditional demand of the flag of George W. Renwick, and at the same tome make him acquainted with the accompanying resolutions.
Should he refuse to deliver the flag immediately, you will please present the "copy" to the Chicago Tribune for publication, and send copies to the other papers named, for insertion, in accordance with the 6th resolution.
Hoping soon to hear from you, so that if necessary we may proceed to sterner measures without needless delay, we remain,
Very respectfully,
Your ob't serv'ts,
J. N. Boutwell,'
W. Walton Clift,
Nicholas Evans.
The demand has been made of G. W. Renwick in accordance with the above, and unconditionally refused.Geo. P. Harvey.
__________
Camp of Elgin Battery,
5th Ind, Ill. Vol. Art.,
Lebanon, Ky, July 30, '63
EDITOR OF GAZETTE:You will very much oblige the members of this Battery, by publishing in your columns the following preamble and resolutions, which were adopted by the company at an indignation meeting held in camp last evening, and which will sufficiently explain themselves to a discrimination public.
Whereas, the Elgin Battery, soon after its organization, was made the recipient of a magnificent and appropriate banner, through the patriotism and generosity of Mr. E. H. Haddock, of Chicago and.
Whereas, the said banner has not been permitted to lead us into the field, but was surreptitiously taken from us on or about the 15th of February last, by G. W. Renwick, (then Captain of this company) and has since been appropriated to the gratification of his own personal vanity and egotism, we have therefore.
Resolved, 1st. That the magnificent gift was presented to this company, and not the Capt. Renwick, by Mr. Haddock, as a testimony of his confidence in our valor, and as an incentive to future usefulness.
2d. That we appreciate the motives that prompted Mr. Haddock to make this company the special object of his generosity, and that we are readily and willing, and ever have been, to prove ourselves worthy of the confidence reposed in us.
3d. That G. W. Renwick received the flag in trust for us, and we feel that we have been grossly wronged in having it abstracted from us and converted to his own use as his private property.
4th, That inasmuch as in accepting that flag, we made a solemn pledge that we would protect, honor, defend and cling to it, we will commence the discharge of that obligation by immediately making a formal demand upon Mr. Renwick for the flag, and if necessary will resort to extreme measures to obtain it.
5th. That J. N. Boutwell, W. W. Clift and Nicholas Evans be appointed a committee to take the matter in hand, and that they be empowered, if necessary, to raise money to defray any expense that may be incurred, and that they be instructed to forward a copy of these resolutions to G. W. Renwick.
6th. That if our request is not promptly complied with, and the flag returned at once, that the Committee shall request the publication of these resolutions in at least two Chicago daily papers, and in the "Elgin Gazette," and the "Woodstock Sentinel."
J. N. Boutwell,
W. Walton Clift,
Nicholas Evans.
Authors note; In the header it is as written listing both Indiana and Illinois.
THAT FLAG.
We have received several communications about the flag of the Elgin Battery, but as Capt. Renwick has yet been able to reply to the letter or the committee, we have laid all aside until he shall recover his health sufficiently to write. This morning we received his reply but too late for this paper. We will make room for it next week.From the Sept. 1, 1863 issue of Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
Flag of the Elgin Battery.
We are happy to announce that the difficulty between Capt. Renwick and the Elgin Battery, has been adjusted, and the Flag presented to the Battery. We had an article in type from which we select the following paragraphs:Mr. Editor:
In your paper of the 29th of July, under the head of "inquire," was an article in reference to the Flag of the Elgin Battery, to which I replied through the columns of the Gazette of the 5th inst., and I think settled every point raised.
In August, 1862, I was authorized to organize and report a battery of field artillery. On the 20th of the same month i reported seventy-three men for immediate duty, and was on that day accepted by the Gov*****, and was by him ordered to report to Col. Tucker, at Camp Douglas. When I arrived at Camp Douglas I found it necessary to appoint the non-commissioned officers of the company, which I did. The appointments gave universal satisfaction to the men under my command. Subsequently however, the men held an election for officers and confirmed by their votes, my appointments.
* * * * * *
At this time my health was poor and daily failing by reason of hemorrhage of the lungs, and was advised repeatedly by the surgeon to leave the service. This for a time I declined to do, but on the 25th of February I was handed a package marked Official Business. It proved to be a leave of absence for myself with an order for a surgeon to accompany me to my home in Ill., all without any application on my part. The next day I started for home. The Elgin Battery escorted me from by boarding house to the cars and some of the men brought that banner and placed it over my head in the car.-I brought it to Chicago, had it repaired, and as I said in my last communication will place it over those noble 24 pounders whenever they are in position to receive it.
Flag of the Elgin Battery.
Elgin, Ill., Sept. 2nd, 1863.
GEO. W. RENWICK,Dear Sir-I am now in Elgin for the purpose of obtaining if possible, the Banner now in your possession, which Banner, as you think, was presented to you by Mr. Haddock, of Chicago, and the Battery I represent think was presented through you to the Elgin Battery. I ask the Banner of you in all friendship, designing to bury forever all criminations and recriminations on this subject between you and the Battery you raised and put into the field. Hasty and personal resolutions were passed by the Battery, in which things were said which, as I now understand the matter, ought not to have been said, and ***** of the Battery ***** ******** **** you to authorize me to present the Banner in question to the Battery with an appropriate letter on your part, after which I shall consider the controversy ended.
Respectfully yours,
J. N. BOUTWELL
Elgin, Ill, Sept. 2nd, 1863.
To the Officers and Soldiers of the Elgin Battery.Your representative, Mr. James N. Boutwell, having addressed a letter to me which assures me that you are desirous of perpetuating the friendly relations heretofore existing between us, and that you desire also to settle in a friendly manner, the difference that has hitherto existed between us in relation to the Banner presented, as I understand, to me by Mr. Haddock of Chicago, and as you understand, through me to you. I accept the proposition contained in said letter, and in view of the spirit and general tone of said letter, I do hereby present to you the Banner in question, with the expectation that you will preserve and protect it through all the danger you may be called to pass.
With my best wishes for your health, happiness and final success,
I remain
Your sincere friend,
G. W. RENWICK.
FOOLISH HOW.
On Monday Capt. Renwick bantered Fay, the spiritualist operator, to let him tie him, offering him ten dollars if he would untie himself. They stepped into the Post Office to carry out the arrangements and there got into an altercation and scrimmage. Others joined in and they rushed into the street getting up quite a row. Two or three got hit but nobody much hurt. "Fools are not all dead yet."Notice: Oct. 7, 1863 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
Important Arrest.
Capt. George W. Renwick was arrested and taken to Chicago on some matters connected with the Elgin Battery. After the examination he was held to bail. He is now at home sick and we forbear comment until the facts are ascertained and a thorough trial, which will be had ere long. An arrest in military matters is not prima facia evidence of guilt, and we do not choose to condem a sick man unheard.From the Dec. 23, 1863 issue of Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
An Investigation Demanded.
To the Board of Supervisors and Tax Payers of Kane County:By the action of the Board of Supervisors of Kane County at a late meeting, a committee was appointed to settle with me as late Captain of the Elgin Battery, for County Bounties issued by said County to members of said Battery.
In view of what has been said, gentlemen, I hereby demand a full and fair investigation of the whole matter. I told the two respectable members of your committee, who called upon me for explanation, that in addition to what I then had on hand, and which I gave them, that I would as soon as I could obtain from Kentucky and Tennessee, additional papers and evidence, for which I have sent a reliable man, I would hand the same over to them, all of which I will do.
Kane County issued to the members of the Elgin Battery one hundred and fifty-six County orders, amounting to sixty dollars each, for which the County was to be credited with one hundred and fifty-six men. These orders were delivered to me as Captain of said Battery. The order issued and delivered to me for A. H. Nickson was returned by me to A. J. Waldron, one of the Supervisors, as Mr. Nickson was unfit for the service. Another order issued to Michael Parker was left in the hands of Geo. P. Harvey (a member of the Board) to be by him returned to the county, but the clerk of said Board informs me that Harvey had not returned said order on the 7th of November last, nearly a years after it was left in his hands.
I now made the following proposition to the Hon. Board of Supervisors of Kane County and through them to the tax payers of Kane County: I will join issue with the County before Judge Witson or any other judge, with or without jury and at any time to suit your convenience, and if upon a full and fair investigation it is determined that I have not had Credited to Kane Co. as members of the Elgin Battery one hundred and fifty six men, then for every man found short of that number I will pay to Kane County the sum of sixty dollars with ten percent interest from the date of said orders, and if it shall be determined that I have put into the service more than one hundred and fifty-six men members of said Battery, then said Kane County shall pay to me the sum of sixty dollars for all such additional men so credited to Kane county, and the tax payers will save the sum of forty dallars for each man furnished by me over the one hundred and fifty-six, as the county is now paying a bounty of one hundred dollars for volunteers up to Jan. 5th, 1864.
Now, Gentlemen, shall we have a full investigation of this matter or not it is ***** ***** determine.
Elgin, Dec. 21st, 1863
GEO. W. RENWICK,
Late Captain of Elgin Battery.
From the Dec. 30, 1863 issue of Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
To the Editors of the Gazette.
In your issue of last week, under the head of " An Investigation Demanded." the author in a long, windy article represents himself as being anxious to have an investigation of his **** and doings with Kane County while Captain of the Elgin Battery, and makes a proposition about something entirely foreign to the question at issue.
The question to be investigated by the Committee appointed by the Board of Supervisors at their late meeting is, What became of the County bounties that were delivered to Geo. W. Renwick, as Captain of the said battery, that the soldiers of the battery never got; and not how many men were credited to Kane County, as his proposal reads. for I am credibly informed that this battery never was legally mustered into the service. They were sworn by the mustering officer without calling the roll, or even counting them, and that there never were 156 men belonging to the battery at any one time, and that the Captain had the muster roll prepared in his quarters and taken to the office of the mustering officer, to be certified and signed at the whispering Captains expense of a few bottles of champagne, which accounts for the muster roll showing 156 men, when they never had them. Now, if Geo. W. Renwick wishes for a full examination of the whold matter, I, as one of the committee and in the absences of the balance of the committee in behalf of Kane County, would be willing to join issue with him before Judge Montony in the Elgin Court of Common Pleas, provided he will give hood and sufficient security to the court that he will abide by and fulfill all decisions and judgments that may be rendered against him, if any, together with all costs attending said trial, if it shall appear that he received more bounties than he delivered to said soldiers of said battery. But, if it shall appear that he, Renwick, did deliver to said soldiers all of the 156 bounties, and did not received them back again, then the County will pay all costs.
Now, Captain, gallant Captain, what say you, do you want an investigation, so you can show what became of the bounties, or not, it is for you to say.
The bounty of Michael Parker left with me, I returned with the receipts I received of Renwick to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at their next meeting.
GEO. P. HARVEY, Supervisor.
According to the best of my recollection at the last meeting of the Board of Supervisors that I attended, Geo. P. Harvey returned a set of orders to the Board that had been issued for the Elgin Battery, at the same time that I returned the Nixon orders.
A.J. WALDRON.
Listed on the 1870 Illinois State Census #237/285 as aged 50 years, from New York, living in Elgin.
Notice; from the Dec. 9, 1876 issue of The Elgin Advocate.
Yesterday that irrepressible Bourbon, Major George W. Renwick, hoisted his flag on the liberty pole, but for what purpose even George himself could not tell. All who know him know that he would not celebrate over the announcement of the election of Hayes. By the way, George will soon have to buy another flag, having almost worn it out since the election by lugging it around.
From the Jan. 2, 1890 issue of The Elgin Daily News
FIFTY YEARS TOGETHER.
Major Geo. W. Renwick and wife on New Year's day celebrated their golden wedding. It was fifty years ago that they were joined in matrimony on the farm at the edge of Poplar creek. Looking back over this long lapses of time there were many things recalled that made interesting reminiscences for them and their forty guests, mostly relatives, to discuss. Some of the company came from quite a distance. Numbers of fine presents were made, as a Knight Templar badge, gold chain, gold butter dish, tea pot, etc. Schramm Bros. furnished a most excellent dinner, and the guests sampled wine that the major made sixteen years ago. The occasion was a very happy one.Member of the ‘Old Settlers of the Fox River Valley’.
Died Aug. 29, 1895
Buried at Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.
From Tax-Payers and Voters of Kane County.
Renwick, Geo. W., manufacturer; P,.O. Elgin; born in Delaware Co., N. Y., March 2, 1818; come to Illinois May 28, 1836, locating in Elgin; built a brick blacksmith shop the year he came to the county, which was, probably, the first brick building erected in Kane Co.; Mr. R. and Mr. Gifford exhibited a steel plow at a fair held at Ottawa, which was, among the thing, new, and, perhaps, the first of its kind. Was married Jan. 1, 1840, to Miss kate Burrett; she was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y.; have two children living- Maggie M., widow of E. S. Chappell (deceased), and Geor. L.; lost two-Andrew J., died Nov. 27, 1847; Frank died April 2, 1852. Mr. R. organized the Elgin Battery, and was Captain of same until he resigned, in 1863, on account of ill health.
From the June 15, 1935 issue of The Elgin Courier-News
Renwick An Active Pioneer
How Elgin appeared to Maj. George W. Renwick upon his arrival here May 28, 1838 has been preserved by a historian of some decades ago, who wrote as follows:"Mr. Renwick found about 20 settlers here, mostly the Giffords and the Kimballs. There was a sort of a dam in existence and thee Gifford grist mill was doing its weary grind. Over on the west side William C. Kimball's saw mill was about about ready to do a thriving trade. Mr. Renwik had two brothers here Asher and Theophilius, who, with James T. Gifford, had just started a brick yard, near what is now S. Spring st. and S. Grove ave., and here he started work.
Made First Bricks
Kane county's first brick were manufactured that season and Major Renwick helped manufacture them. Mr. Renwick used some of the first brick to construct a blacksmith shop the first brick building erected in Kane county. From the same kiln brick were also used for the construction of Abel Walker's residence on DuPage st.
"Major Renwick was a hustling business man in those early days and was a great help to the young town. He tells, by the way, of buying 125 cords of wood from Uncle Abe Leathermanat $1 a cord, big money in those days. Board at the time at eh best hotel, Shaw and Tiballs' was $1.50 a week. Mr Renwick operated his blacksmith shop for several years and was afterward engaged in the management of the woolen factory with George P. Harvey.
"The major tells with a deal of pleasure how he called a school meeting to order at which Ed Gifford officiated as chairman and a bright young man who was looking longingly toward the legal profession, Ed Joslyn, served as secretary.
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| Photo by Diana Gough |
Ken Gough in the uniform of the Washington Continental Artillery militia.
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| Used with permission Dan Mallett |
Elgin Continentals in their grey Illinois style uniforms made for them by the Ladies of Elgin just before mustering in as A Co. 7th Ill. Photo taken at either Camp Yates in Springfield or Camp DuBois in Alton.
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| From the collection of Ken Gough |
US Altered Musket
Model 1816 Springfield / dated 1827
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