Surgeon's Asst. William "Uncle William" Rose

Surgeon's Asst. William "Uncle William" Rose

H Co. 52nd Ill. Vol. Inf.

   The Lincoln Regiment

   Enlisted as a private.
   Aged 50 years.
    Home of record listed as Aurora, Ill's.
   Issued .69 US Altered musket.


   Notice: Dec. 12, 1861 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   The 52d, Col. Wilson's has gone to St. Joseph, Missouri, where they will spend the winter, Price seems to have frightened Halleck out of the idea of going down the river and so our brave soldiers must be distributed over Missouri to protect a people who will not protect themselves.


   Notice: Oct. 22, 1862 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   The 7th and 52d-Both these regiments were in the fight at Corinth.  The 52d was badly cut up, not so bad however, as some of the others.  Lieut., Col. John S. Wilcox was in command and we learn that he conducted himself with great coolness and bravery.
   The 7th took a hand in when the bayonet charge was made upon the rebels after they had gained the inside of our breastworks.  We do not learn that any of Capt. lawyer's company from this town were wounded.
-Aurora Beacon.

   Served for three years.

1st US Artillery

   Mustered In Dec. 23, 1864.
   Mustered Out July 6, 1865.

Known actions;
Bentonville, NC March 19, 1865

Post war;
   Moved to Elgin, Ill.
   Tailor for Hemmens & Jones.
   Tailor for Smiles Brothers.
   Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 Oct. 6, 1885.
   Free Mason.
   Member L. Munn.
 
   Obit; Aug. 31, 1891 issue of The Elgin Daily New.
   William Rose died of old age at 4:20 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the home of his daughter, 73 Prairie street.  he was born in Otsego county, New York, June 8, 1811, making him over 80 years old.
   As early as 1836 he came to Chicago.  From there he went to Naperville, and after the war removed to Elgin.  He was a member of the 52d Ills. Inf. for three years, and was one year on the 1st Ill. battery.  He was over 50 years old when he enlisted, and his service was mainly as a mail carrier and surgeon's assistant in the hospital.
   He was a charter member of L. L. Munn chapter of the Free mason, organized in Elgin in 1866.  By trade he was a tailor and had worked for Hemmens & Jones and Smailes Bros.
   He leaved a wife and five children--Mrs. Ballou, with whom he resided, A.M. Rose of Colfax, Washington, Mrs. W.D. Godard of Olympia, Washington, Dolph Rose of the Canton watch factory, and William Rose of Texas.
   "Uncle William" was a familiar figure about the city.  He was small in stature, and his apparently vigorous constitution gave no evidence of slow decay.  He was genial, hearty, and respected.  He had many friends and no enemies, and he will be missed by all who knew him.
   The funeral took place at 2 this afternoon at the residence and at 2:30 at the First Congregational church.  The G.A.R. and Masonic fraternity were present in large numbers.

Used with permission Elgin Area Hist. Soc.

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Many members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.