Six men of Co. E., 104th., Illinois Infantry.

Push to enlarge.

 

CAPTAIN JOHN SAMUEL  HAY DOTY. Age 23; born In Carlylo, Pa.; carpenter: was first in the three months service  enlisting April 15, 1861; enlisted again August 7, 1862 and began raising men for a company; was elected Captain unanimously and led his men in the Kentucky campaign and the battle of Hartsville; was captured there, but escaped.  In the Tullahoma and Chickamauga campaigns. Captain Doty was present, and was in the actions of Elk River and Davis Cross Roads. and the Battle of Chickamauga. Was one of the besieged at Chattanooga, and commanded his company at Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge.

In (he Atlanta campaign he participated in the action at Buzzard Roost, of Rocky Face, the battles around Resaca. New Hope Church and Kenesaw Mountain. At Peach Tree Creek. Ga., July 20, 1864. Captain Doty fell mortally wounded pierced by five bullets, and lived but a short time. No more patriotic. brave or nobler soldier ever drew sword in his country's cause. Every man in the Regiment considered it a personal bereavement. To some of his own boys who crowded around, he said with dying breath: "Take care of those rebels first and see to me afterwards." His last words were:'Tell my father that I die for the flag. good bye. boys." His remains were borne to his home and now rest in the cemetery at Ottawa on the banks of the Illinois.

WILLIAM A. KAIN. Age 21; born in Pennsylvania; farmer; enlisted from Dayton, August 13, 1862; was in the battle of Hartsville; in the Tullahoma and Chickamauga campaigns; at Elk River, Davis Cross Roads, and the battle of Chickamauga. Was in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. In the latter battle a rebel Sharpshooter, who had brought down several of our men, was himself quieted by Kain, who shot left handed. The brave Kain was killed soon after and the Regiment lost a noble soldier, whose memory will always be pleasant to his comrades and those who knew him. William M. Wilson says: "Billy Kain, who shot left handed, soon silenced that rebel so that he did not trouble us any more." William frequently butchered cattle for the command, but his heart was larger than those of the oxen he killed.

FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM W. CALKINS. Age 19; born In the Township of Farm Ridge, but lived during the greater part of his early life in Deer Park and was raised a farmer. The family removed from old Connecticut at an early day. Lieutenant Calkins grandfather on his father's side fought under General Stark at the  battle of Bennington, and he had several brothers who were also in the army of the Revolution. The subject of this sketch enlisted from Deer Park, August 7, 1862. He was appointed First Sergeant and was with his company in the Kentucky campaign and the battle of Hartsville. Was promoted Second Lieutenant for meritorious services, his commission being dated December 22, 1862, and he was until 1864 the youngest commissioned officer in the Regiment.

When the One Hundred and Fourth was attached to Beatty's Brigade at Murfreesboro in 1863, Lieutenant Calkins was detached as Aide de Camp on the stafT of General John Beatty, and served in that capacity in the Tullahoma and Chickamauga campaigns, being present every hour, and in the actions of Elk River and Davis Cross Roads; also both days of the battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, 1863. Towards the close of the second day's battle he was wounded in the right leg on the famous ''Horseshoe Ridge" while the rebels were charging, and was taken prisoner there.

He was sent from the battle field to Libby Prison, where he remained seven months and seven days; was afterwards transferred to Macon, Ga., and there selected by the rebels as one of the five hundred officers to be put under the fire of our own batteries (Gilmore's) at Charleston, S. C. That was regarded as an amusement and the object the rebels had in view, failed. Lieutenant Calkins was next sent to Columbia, S. C, and escaped from there (Camp Sorghum) November 28, 1864. by running the guard. After ten nights of travel, he reached the sea coast at the mouth of the Santee River and was rescued by the United States Steamer Nipsic; was a prisoner of war fourteen months and sick unto dying eight months of that time.

For meritorious services promoted First Lieutenant, July 20, 1864. After his escape he partially recovered his health and rejoined the army in March, 1865, first going to Charleston, where he was put in command of the First  Battalion, Third Brigade, Coast Division, under General John P. Hatch. Subsequently, was ordered to rejoin his Regiment and did so in North Carolina, and was present at Johnston's surrender.

He marched with the army to Washington, participated in the Grand Review, and was mustered out June 6, 1865; then returning home was sick for several years in consequence of his prison life. In 1870, he removed to Chicago and still lives there. If there is one thing more than another especially valued by him, it is that he was a participant in the war for the Union, and a member of the One Hundred and Fourth, whose history he has written.

CHARLES H. BROWN. Age 29; born in Newport, R. I.; farmer; enlisted from Deer Park, August 14, 1862; was in the Kentucky campaign and the battle of Hartsville, where he was wounded in the neck. Was in the Tullahoma and Chickamauga campaigns; at Elk River, Davis Cross Roads, and the battle of Chickamauga. Was in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. Taken sick and transferred to V. R. C, February 29, 1864. Discharged September 26, 1864, on account of heart disease or neuralgia. Charley was a crack shot and faithful to his duty. Lives at Ogalalla, Neb. Is In the real estate business, but has had poor health since the war.

CAPTAIN RANSOM P. DEWEY. Age 22; born in Tioga County, Pa.; farmer; enlisted from Ottawa, April 17, 1861, in Company I, Eleventh Illinois; three months' service; enlisted again August 7, 1862; was elected Second Lieutenant; was in the Kentucky campaign and battle of Hartsville, Tenn.; promoted First Lieutenant for meritorious services; date of commission, December 22, 1862. He participated in the Tullahoma and Chickamauga campaigns and was present at the actions of Elk River and Davis Cross Roads; the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge.

Was in the skirmishes at Graysville and Taylor's Ridge. In the Atlanta campaign was present at Buzzard Roost, the battles around Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, Utoy Creek, Jonesboro. Promoted Captain for meritorious services; date of commission, July 20, 1864. He took part in the pursuit of Hood, the march to the sea and through the Carolinas, to Bentonville, closing his continuous service at the end of the war without being absent a day from the Regiment. He was a brave . and capable officer and so regarded. Mustered out June 6, 1865. Lives at Marseilles Ill..

SERGEANT WILLIAM H. CONARD. Age 18; born in Ohio: fanner; enlisted from Serena, August 14, 1862; was in the Kentucky campaign and the battle of Hartsville; in the Tullahoma and Chickamauga campaigns; was present at Elk River and Davis Cross Roads, and the battle of Chickamauga; in the battles of Lookout fountain and Mission Ridge and the skirmishes following. Promoted Corporal for meritorious services May 1, 1864; was in the Atlanta campaign at Buzzard Roost, the battles around Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek.

In the latter battle was severely wounded in the right shoulder and was sent to hospital, thence home. On recovering he rejoined the Regiment at Goldsboro, N. C^ and participated in the last campaign.
Promoted Sergeant April 7, 1865, for meritorious services. Mustered out June 6, 1865. A soldier who could be counted upon in a tight place. On his return home he was tendered a commission as Lieutenant in the Regular Army by Hon. B. C. Cook, then a member of Congress from the Ottawa district, but declined. Lives near Ransom, Ill.. Has been, since the war, engaged successfully in farming and stock raising, and has held the office of Supervisor of the Township of Allen.