Waukegan Gazette
(Illinois)
April 27, 1861
The 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