H. G. McPike to Richard Yates

with Cyrus Edwards and H. G. McPike letter 8/20/64

with W. C. Flagg letter 8/22/64

Alton, Aug 20 1864.

Gov. Yates,

Sir: I send also herewith a full Report of action had by us as requested by Gen'l Rosecrans that you may have it before you, as well as the speech of the Gen'l desiring us to do so.

The first petition which we made & which was our choice, was -

For Col. - Maj Geo Abbott

" Lt. Col. - Maj John Kuhn

" Maj - Capt J. N. Morgan

this is the ticket you indorsed.

After Gen. Rosecrans came up, made his speech &c the following names were presented by Citizens Committee appointed by said meeting, viz -

For Col - Maj Geo Abbott

" Lt. Col - R. W. English

" Maj - Maj John Kuhn

" Surgeon - Chas Skillman

" Qt. Master - David Simms

which was a Compromise, and which will give as general satisfaction as any we can probably get under all the Circumstances. If we must compromise this will do: but we feel we cannot do

without the Colonel as petitioned. I may say here that the political bearing is a vital point. You fully understand it. Give us this much and as much more as can be reasonably asked for. We will be sold to the opposition should Rogers get the Regiment and would entirely Crush us. We have Concentrated our whole strength on Abbott. We want no half=way man and no change. Some of the opposition have proposed H. S. Baker - this was talked over in Committee & would suit no one

Maj Abbott has bee besieged with many Companies already organized. our people are awaiting a decision; the time (Sept 5) is very near at hand, and prompt steps should be taken;

Very Respectfully

Your Obt. Servt.

H. G. McPike

The Daily Telegraph.

Alton, Illinois.

Friday Evening Aug. 19, 1864.

Meeting. - Gen. Rosecrans.

On last Monday evening, according to previous notice Gen. Rosecrans met out citizens at the City Hall to present to them a plan to organize a regiment, to be known as "Alton Guards." The meeting was organized by the appointment of Mayor Hollister as chairman. R. W. English and W. T. Miller Vice Presidents; H. G. McPike Sec'y and D. D. Ryrie As't Sec'y. The General being introduced, was received with much enthusiasm. He proceeded to explain the object of his coming to Alton:

"He said he desired to have a regiment organized in the city of Alton, to be called the "Alton Guards," who should stay at Alton - not to go into the field. I hope to show you the way to accomplish the organization. I want a home guard - a regiment of good men, a military organization that I will not be ashamed of. To effect this we want the joint action of citizens. The city of Alton can furnish this regiment. It will not go to the field but the duties will nevertheless be arduous. Guard duty you will find a hard duty; I draw your attention to [illegible], that officers drilled should be had, or [illegible] officers who stand highly in this community. I cannot too strongly impress upon you the importance of making it a good regiment - so you will be proud of it, not ashamed for visitors to examine it. I shall stay here to-morrow, and you will select men for the officers of the regiment. I want it to be an Alton Regiment, and not a party matter, but an organization to be proud of. Therefore, take council, and select your officers, and I will see you to-morrow.

As to the pay the men will get, the bounty will be one hundred dollars, and each man will be credited on the draft. At the end of twevle months we hope and trust there may not be any need of a draft.

There is a matter I would refer to the citizens: while the country is in trouble we owe the country service. Here tofore Illinois has done nobly. While citizens are getting three or four dollars per day, it would be unreasonable to expect them to come forward without some assistance.

We should make up the difference between the Government pay and usual citizen's wages. Let the city and county supply funds to make up that difference.

Having said thus much, I will submit the whole matter to your action.

The General took his seat amid hearty cheers.

General Copeland, Dr. Rutherford and R. W. English, each made pertinent remarks in furtherance of the same object.

General Rosecrans arose and said, "I propose that a working committee be appointed to select officers and raise means.

On motion, the following resolutions were read, having been previously passed in the Common Council.

Resolved, That the Appeal of Major General Rosecrans read by the Mayor, the organization of a regiment of one year volunteers in Alton and vicinity, receive the cordial endorsement of this Council.

Resolved, That Mayor Hollister and Aldermen Schweppe, Burns, Simms and Regan, be and they are hereby appointed a special committee on behalf of this Council, to promote as far as possible the object desired, by calling public meetings or in any other manner that may seen most efficient and practical.

On motion the following names were added to the above list, viz: R. W. English, V. Walter, R. DeBow, C. A. Murray, C. Ryan, C. W. Dimmock, M. H. Topping,

H. G. McPike, W. C. Quigley and W. T. Miller.

The committee met and organized by electing Mayor Hollister President, and H. G. McPike and R. DeBow Secretaries, Wm. C. Ryan being absent from Alton, Mr. P. H. McKenna was substituted.

There not being a full meeting, adjourned to meet at City Counil Room at two o'clock p.m.

Council Room, Aug. 16, 2 p.m.

Committee met pursuant to adjournment. The Mayor stated the object of the meeting, there being a full attendance, fifteen in number.

On motion, the following named gentlemen were appointed a committee to select officers for the regiment; viz:

R. W. English, H. G. McPike, V. Walters, J. W. Schweppe, and P. Regan. The said committee retired to the anti room.

On motion, the following committee were appointed to collect subscriptions, which were to be paid into the Treasury War Fund, to be disbursed by said agent. viz:

W. T. Miller, R. DeBow, C. A. Murray, C. W. Dimmock and Mayor Hollister.

Committee for selecting officers submitted the following report; viz:

Disagreement on name for Colonel, and reported two names, G. S. Ferguson, and Major Geo. Abbott.

Lieutenant Colonel - Dr. R. W. English.

Major - Major John Kuhn.

Surgeon - Dr. Gullick.

Quartermaster - P. Regan.

On motion the committee proceeded to ballot for Colonel, which resulted in the election of Major Geo. Abbott.

Lieutenant Colonel - R. W. English.

Major - Major John Kuhn.

Surgeon - Charles Skillman.

Quartermaster - Davis Simms.

On the announcement of the election of the above named officers, a committee consisting of H. G. McPike, R. W. English and V. Walter was appointed to report the action of the committee of the whole to Major General Rosecrans, which they did by submitting the above names as selected for officers for "Alton Guards."

On motion adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning.

Nine o'clock, A. M.

Committee met pursuant to adjournment - all present. The subject of recruiting officers being before the committee.

On motion a committee was appointed consisting of three, to report names for such recruiting officers.

Said committee, after consultation, report following names, viz:

By authority of the War Department and an agreement with Governor Yates, General Rosecrans calls upon the citizens of Alton to raise a regiment of twelve months' volunteers to guard the prison at that place Each man receives a bounty of a hundred dollars, he is exempt from the draft, and counts on the Illinois quota. Officers will be commissioned by Gov. Yates on recommendation.