Pvt. James Scanlon (Scanlan)

Pvt. James Scanlon (Scanlan)

   Listed on the 1860 Federal Census #288/2139 as a 38 year old Laborer from Ireland living in Elgin, Ill's.

I Co. 58th Ill. Vol. Inf.

Three Years Service

Lyon Color Guard

   Enlisted Dec. 24, 1861.
   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 Sept. of 1862.
   Exchanged in Dec. 1862, the regiment reforms at Camp Butler in Springfield, Ill.
   Transferred to the Veterans Reserve Corps (date unknown).

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

Post war;
   Elgin Registered Voter in 1866.
   Awarded a Pension in Aug. of 1881 of $6 per month for Varicose Veins in both legs attributed to his service.

.From the Elgin Sexton's Ledger
Died – Oct. 24, 1890 at 11:30 pm * Where - 2nd Ward, 28 River street, Elgin, Kane county, Ill. * Aged – 72 / 0 / 0 * Permit #3771 * Interred Oct. 26, 1890 at Elgin City Cemetery * Location Block 18 * Head of Grave from – Soldier, South line 1.75', West line 1.5' * Cause of Death – Kidney Problems 12 months, Kidney Stones * Condition – Male / White / Married * Occupation – Laborer * Undertaker retained – ait & Burdick * Physician – Pierce Tyrell * Nationality – Irish * Born – Limerick, Ire. * Resided in Illinois – 41 years * Remarks – Soldier, Civil War

From the Bluff City Cemetery files;
Lot – 10 * Section – GAR * Grave – 9 * Interment No. 14881 * Date – Oct. 21, 1924

   Buried at Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.