Newspaper Clippings for
April, 1861
27 April 1861The war spirit seems to have become general all over Lake County.
From Millburn we have two letters giving glowing accounts of an
enthusiastic meeting which was held there on Monday evening last,
but our space forbids our publishing them both entire, as we
should like to do, we must therefore content ourselves with giving
such extracts as we can find room for. Edward Hearns, Esq. writes
us that the meeting surpassed his power of description. He
further says: "The whole is presented to my mind, confused but yet
consistent, like a dream that flits in form yet constantly
changing and still bearing some relation to the mind in matter and
substance. I don't know where to begin, nor how to disconnect
what was so well connected. The resolves of the meeting and the
enthusiasm manifested, with every thing so well in place and done
with so much connected order, in the midst of what to one not
understanding the call would have seemed a confused and tremendous
disorder of unbounded joy."
In speaking further of the meeting Mr. Hearne says: "The oldest
and all who have lived here from the beginning, recollect no scene
like it, the insides of the Meeting House crammed to its utmost
capacity, the windows besieged, the doors thrown open, could not
make room for seeing and hearing."
In alluding to the parting with the Millburn boys, he further
says: "And as we shook hands on Tuesday morning with this band of
youthful patriots, we heard one noble girl say, "I wish I could go
with them to nurse them if they are sick,". but I cannot finish
without one further notice, the son of Mr. Gideon Thayer leaves
behind him a bride of scarce 2 weeks to fight the mad and besotted
traitor who would destroy the liberty of his country and honor,
and who would render her declaration of independence a mockery
before the civilization of the world."
Mr. Richard Pantall, Secretary of the meeting writes, as follows,
under date of April 23: "We had a glorious meeting here last
night, men of all parties heartily joining. We raised nine
volunteers in no time. It was resolved that a bounty of Ten
dollars be given to each Volunteer and it was further resolved
that we pledge ourselves to provide for the families of married
men who volunteer.
The sum of one hundred and two dollars was raised immediately,
twelve dollars was given as Tobacco money and the ninety will be
divided amongst the Volunteers in accordance with the above
resolution. One person was appointed in each adjacent School
District, to solicit subscriptions for the relief of Families who
are left without a provider.
Intense enthusiasm prevails and you may set Millburn down all
right, every time.
Three cheers were given, with a will, for our Volunteers, then for
our Flag; then for General Scott; three for Major Anderson and
also three for the Union and the Constitution. We made the old
Meeting House tremble, and then adjourned till next Saturday
evening.
The following are the names of those who volunteered at Millburn.
They have joined Capt. J. R. Hagunin's Company at Chicago which
was accepted by the Governor, and are now at Springfield:
Walter Hastings
Jas. Jamison
Wm. R. Wilson
Andrew Bensinger
Eli Thayer
Andrew P. White
Simon W. Ames
Henry Bater
Peter Strang, Jr.
John Hoffman.
