Pvt. Alfred Nicholson

Pvt. Alfred Nicholson

   Attended the Elgin Academy.

I Co. 58th Ill. Vol. Inf.

Three Years Service

Lyon Color Guard

   Enlisted Jan. 1, 1862.
   Home of record listed as Elgin, Ill's.
   Mustered In Feb. 11, 1862 at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Ill's.
   Unarmed the regiment is placed on the train south for Fort Donelson were the battle has started that day.
   At Cairo, Ill. Issued M-1808 & M-1816 Common Muskets Feb. 12, 1862.  These muskets have been rejected by the regiments before and are accepted only because the battle at Fort Donelson is in progress.
   Re-armed with acceptable muskets on April 1, 1862 at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.
   Captured at Shiloh during the retreat from the Sunken Road.

   Article: April 23, 1862 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.

THE SURRENDER OF THE FIFTY-EIGHT ILLINOIS.

   The surrender of the Fifty-eight Illinois was an involuntary affair.  The Brigade of which they formed a part was surrounded on all sides by the rebels, who were subjecting them to a terrible fire.  In this **** division was an Iowa regiment, the Eighth, we think.  Col. Lynch of the Illinois Fifty-eight, proposed to the troops to form for a bayonet charge, and rushing upon the enemy cut their way through.  His regiment seconded his proposal, but a printer of the Iowa regiment histingo (sic) a white "handkerchief on his bayonet waved it in token of surrender.  Col. Lynch cut it down with his sword, the lieut. Conolen (sic) of the Iowa regiment however again raised the white flag, and said that while giving credit to Col. Lynch for his bravery, he felt it to be his duty to spare the lives of the men entrusted to his command, and he would therefore surrender.  By this time the rebels had closed their lines so effectually around the division, that a surrender was inevitable, and the gallant men were marched off prisoners to the rebels.  In this surrender was included all but about two hundred of the Eighth Iowa, four hundred of the Fifty-Eighth Illinois and part of the Twelfth Illinois, Col. Shortland.

   Paroled in Oct. of 1862.
   Exchanged in Dec. 1862, the regiment reforms at Camp Butler in Springfield, Ill.
   Deserted Feb. 1863.

Known Actions;
Fort Donelson, Tenn. Feb. 13, 1862
Shiloh, Tenn.              April 6, 1863

5th Ill. Light Artillery

Renwick’s Elgin Battery

   Enlisted March 10, 1863.
   Mustered In May 4, 1863.
   At Muster In, this battery is armed with six 24 pound Howitzers.
   On April 1, 1863 Battery turned in Four of their 24 pound Howitzers and were issued two 12 pound James Rifles.
   On the resignation of Capt. Renwick in May of 1863 Capt. Andrew Wood takes command and the battery is renamed;

Wood's Battery

   Filed charges in Dec. of 1863 with the Kane County Board of Supervisors against Capt. Renwick for absconding with his $60 signing bounty.

Known Actions;
Kingston, NC            Nov. 24, 1863
Mossy Creek, Tenn. Dec. 28, 1863
Wise’s Forks, NC      March 7, 1864

Post war;
   Listed on the 1870 Census #237/293 as aged 25 years, from England, living in Elgin, Ill.
   Died April 8, 1922
   Buried at Bluff City Cemetery in