The Bonds of War
by Diana Dretske * * * The Bonds of War offers a unique look at the esprit de corps between men from the same Illinois hometown with similar but dissimilar immigrant experiences. More than a regimental history, Diana Dretske’s book provides a window into the wartime experience of an entire community. Here are […]
Read more...The Bonds of War: Edward Murray’s Pension Application
by Diana Dretske * * * Copy of Edward Murray’s “Application for Increase of Invalid Pension.” The application dated March 5, 1867, gives an account of Murray’s disability due to wounds suffered at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863. On the form, Murray noted that he had been “shot between the […]
Read more...The Bonds of War: Edward and Nancy Murray home
by Diana Dretske * * * Edward and Nancy Murray home on Stateline Road in Lake County, Illinois When Edward Murray and Nancy Dixon married in February 1853, they lived with Edward’s parents on the family’s homestead along Stateline Road in Lake County, Illinois. After the birth of their second child in spring […]
Read more...The Bonds of War: John Y. Taylor letter to his sister
by Diana Dretske * * * John Y. Taylor letter to his sister Isabella Low Days before the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, on September 20, 1863, Scottish immigrant, John Y. Taylor of Company C, 96th Illinois, wrote a letter to his sister Isabella Low in Lake County, Illinois. John and his older brother, […]
Read more...The Bonds of War: Lt. Col. Isaac L. Clarke
by Diana Dretske * * * Lt. Col. Isaac L. Clarke (1824-1863) Isaac L. Clarke, was an associate principal and teacher at the abolitionist-leaning Waukegan Academy in Waukegan, Illinois from 1848-1850, and subsequently a lawyer. In 1862, he raised a company of men, and on the formation of the 96th Illinois was elected […]
Read more...The Bonds of War: New Flag for 96th Illinois
by Diana Dretske * * * “New Flag for 96th Ill.,” Waukegan Weekly Gazette, November 7, 1863 Article in the Waukegan Weekly Gazette announcing a subscription to raise money to procure a new flag for the “glorious 96th Reg’t.” After the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863, the citizens of Lake and […]
Read more...The Bonds of War: Mother of the Regiment
by Diana Dretske * * * “Mother of the Regiment,” Mrs. Gen. John C. Smith Mrs. Charlotte Gallagher Smith was affectionately called the “Mother of the Regiment” by the soldiers of the 96th Illinois. Charlotte Smith (1838-1915) was the wife of Lt. Col. John C. Smith (1932-1910) of Galena, Illinois. Mrs. Smith and […]
Read more...The Bonds of War
The Bonds of War:A Story of Immigrants and Esprit de Corpsin Company C, 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantryby Diana L. Dretske “Engaging the Civil War” SeriesSouthern Illinois University Press,2021 Click here for ordering information When curator Diana L. Dretske discovered that the five long-gone Union soldiers in a treasured photograph in the Bess Bower Dunn Museum were not […]
Read more...The Bonds of War: Imprisoned Members of the 96th Illinois
by Diana Dretske * * * List of 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Soldiers from Lake County Imprisoned at Camp Sumter/Andersonville “Some of our men, taken prisoners, endured all that could be endured, and cannot be described, of the miseries and horrors of Libby and Andersonville. How many of the wounded, how many of […]
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