Civil War: July 1865: Huzzah for the 100th!
By Sandy Vasko
Patriotic fever had hit epidemic proportions during the first week of July, 1865. The war was over, and surely good times lay ahead. The 100th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, made up of only Will County men, were finally home. Let the celebrations begin!
The Wilmington Advocate covered their homecoming: “The gallant officers and soldiers of the 100th Illinois Regiment Veteran Volunteers, were mustered out and paid off on Saturday morning last. The Regiment now numbers 298 officers and men, exclusive of 23 men transferred to the 51st Illinois, who are still to remain in the service, having been recruited since the organization of the Regiment.
“They left Chicago at 5 p.m. on Saturday (July 1st), and arrived at Joliet at 7 p.m., where a large party of ladies and gentlemen were in waiting to receive and conduct them to the Court House. Arriving there, Hon G. D. A. Parks, received them in an eloquent speech of welcome, which was responded to by Col. Waterman. After this, the Regiment was conducted to Young’s Hall, where the ladies had a fine supper in waiting. The tables were luxuriously spread, and every one enjoyed the affair immensely.”
The Joliet Signal added the following: “When this noble regiment left Joliet, it required twenty passenger cars to convey them. They returned in four cars, having been reduced from nearly one thousand to less than 250.”
George Woodruff in his book, “Fifteen Years Ago,” just says, “They were received by the Mayor and Council, with the music of bands, the firing of cannon, and the shouts and huzzahs of the assembled thousands. The members of the Soldiers Aid Society in their sanitary uniform, and many other ladies lined the streets through which they marched, and welcomed them with smiles and the waving of flags and handkerchiefs.”
The Signal also complained about a “social faux pas” on that occasion: “For some unexplained cause, no Democrats or Democratic ladies were invited by those having charge of the affair, though the supper had been contributed by our citizens, without distinction of party. Democrats were, perhaps excluded for the sake of manufacturing political capital, but it will prove a failure. The soldiers expressed themselves disgusted at such a petty exhibition of political intolerance.”
Three days later, it was Wilmington’s turn to show their gratitude. “Before dawn, on Tuesday, July 4th all the bells of the town started to ring, and cannons started to roar. This continued until 10 a.m., when a procession formed on the public square. Col. Hammond as Marshal, with his deputies Capt. M. N. M. Stewart and Lieut. F. Keeley leading it. Then came the honorary president, Peter Stewart, the orator Hon. Judge Harris and Chaplain G. D. A. Parks.
“Following the parade officials, a wagon drawn by four horses carrying 34 beautiful young ladies representing the states of the Union with the motto ‘Union Forever’ blazoned on the side. This was greeted by the crowd, numbering an estimated 6,000 people, with constant cheering. A second wagon containing a number of young boys with a banner stating ‘Wait until we grow up!’ followed.
“The Good Templar’s’ organization came next on horseback, then came the parade of town delegations from Florence, Wesley, Reid, Channahon, etc. After marching through the town, they repaired to Alden’s Island were the crowd was called to order. After a prayer, the Declaration of Independence was read and then the Hon. S. W. Harris addressed the people. Most of his speech has been lost to history, but one paragraph remains, written down by Editor Steele. He reminded his hearers ‘of the days that tried men’s souls, of the dear rights of liberty our fathers purchased with their blood, of the internal struggle that now shakes our beloved country from center to circumference.’ He predicted a bright future when ‘we shall have passed the fiery furnace of rebellion, and come out like gold, purified by the ordeal.’
“The procession was reformed and marched to the tables where ample provision had been made for the accommodation of 1,500 people. Veterans and their families were seated and waited upon. Thirteen toasts were read and responded to. The first was to our country, the second to the President, the third to the day. The fourth to the orator, the fifth to the chaplain, the sixth to the patriots of ’76, the seventh to the men who were still doing their duty in the military, the eighth to the loyal men of the South, the ninth to ‘The Chivalry — harpies of the south who have to laugh on the other side of their mouths, the tenth to the late Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, the eleventh to Governor Yates of Illinois, the twelfth to the Press, and the thirteenth to the ladies.”
At the same time, far to the east, the 39th Illinois Voluntary Infantry was still on duty near Richmond, Virginia. In a letter home dated June 26th Ed Conley wrote, “The friends of the Regiment are anxious to know when the 39th are to be mustered out to return home. We feel an interest in the same question, but cannot throw any light on the subject whatever.
“Being a veteran organization, it will probably be retained while there remains any necessity for volunteer troops. The retention of the veterans is a source of much dissatisfaction among those who, for three and four years have been cut off from civilization itself. In the meantime, our one-year heroes, with bloodless hands and large bounties, are returned to their homes and friends with the ‘honors of war,’ to celebrate the Fourth and fill the lucrative positions and vacancies everywhere.”
That regiment would not see home until December 1865.
For those still in uniform, the wait was becoming intolerable. For those who had made it home, the long summer of peace had finally become a reality.
This ends our series on Will County in the Civil War. I hope you found it to your liking.