30 April 1861

Tuesday, 30th Pleasant. We spent the day drilling and learning to handle our guns.

29 April 1861

[from An Ephemeris Kept by Loren Webb...]

Monday, 29th Cloudy, and some rain. To day we rec. our guns and equipments. The guns were the old flint lock changed to cap locks .

[from Belleville Weekly Advocate; Belleville, Illinois]
Letter from Camp Yates.  Springfield, April 29th, ’60

To the Editor of the Belleville Advocate.

I was requested by many friends, before leaving old St. Clair, to keep them posted in regard to our movements, etc., and in order to do so, I will make a short statement through your paper, if you will allow me.

We all arrived safely at Springfield, on Tuesday, and immediately marched out to Camp Yates, where we learned we had to reduce our company to sixty-four, in consequence of which many of the boys went out, but they came together shortly after, formed another company and elected Mr. C. Van Cleve Captain, and your humble servant First Lieutenant.  We are in the same regiment with the other St. Clair companies and are now awaiting marching orders.  Your old friend and fellow-townsman, Mr. A. J. Cox, has been elected Major of the Regiment.

To the parents and friends of the boys from Mascoutah, I will state that they are all well and in good spirits.  They seem to enjoy camp life very much.  The almost continual waving of handkerchiefs by the ladies and hats by the gentlemen, as we passed along the railroad to the place, and the very welcome reception here, have altogether seemed to inspire them with such courage that they are lifted above the true realization of the hardships of camp life.

On Sunday we had a fine sermon here at camp and from the responses, I judge that many of the officers and privates are of a religious turn of mind.

There is no more room for doubting about the matter: the Stars and Stripes will be upheld.  If the country over is responding like our State, all the minions of despotism cannot prevail against our rights.

There are several thousand troops in camp.  2,000 have already gone out, but their places are almost immediately filled by new arrivals.

I will close this letter, knowing that you have several more competent correspondents here who can do the subject more credit than I can.  I will, however, at some future time, write again.  - Loren Webb

28 April 1861

Sunday, 28th A pleasant day: milder than yesterday. We had a sermon to day by Rev (?)  It was a warm and patriotic sermon, and brought many a tear from the hearers. This was the first army sermon that we had heard, and we were told many things that we would have to endure, but it would not be hard, for we would do it for our country. Several patriotic hymns were sang, then we repaired to our camp.

27 April 1861

Saturday, 27th Rainy most of the day: chilly. We staid in our barracks nearly all day. Troops continue to arrive.

26 April 1861

April, Friday, 26th 1861 Clear: quite warm. Still engaged in organizing the company of yesterday. We completed the organization, got the required number, and in the after part of the day, were attached to the other companies of the regt. and held our election. E. A. Paine Col., Aug. Mersy Lieut. Col., J. J. Phillips Major, then we were mustered into the U. S. service.

25 April 1861

[from An Ephemeris Kept by Loren Webb...]

Thursday, 25th Pleasant most of the day. Orders being received to reduce companies to the number of 64. Many of the Mascoutah boys, myself among them, left Capt. Hawes' Company, and in connection with others similarly cut off, organized another company' of which I was selected First Lieutenant. We selected our barracks, and drew our blankets this evening and commenced operations as a Co.

[from microform Roll 47 AGO Records Admin Files, Civil War Regts 1861-65. 9th Il Co A – H]
At an election held at Camp Yates at the City of Springfield, in the State of Illinois, (Organized in pursuance of the proclamation of the Governor of the State of Illinois) of the 25th day of April 1861, the following named persons received the number of votes annexed to their names for the following described offices –
For Captain – Collins Van Cleve – 70 votes
1st Lieut – Loren Webb – 70 votes
2nd Lieut – Geo Adams – 70 votes
Ord Sergt – And. Winzenburg – 65 votes
1st Duty Sergt – Evan Knapp – 70 votes
2nd Dust Sergt – Jas. Stuart – 70 votes
3rd Duty Sergt – Jas. Herbert – 70 votes
Judges of Election – A. W. Winzenburg, James Herbert, John S. Barrow
Attest – Jas. Wm. Howland, Clerk

[from Record of Events, Company F, 9th Regt Ill Vols, 90 day service]
Certificate of Mustering Officer.  "I certify, on honor, that I have carefully examined the men whose names are borne on this roll, their horses and equipments, and have accepted them into the service of the United States for the term of three months from this 25 day of April 1861. signed Jno. Pope, Capt., USA.  Date Apr 25/61.  Station Springfield, Ill."

24 April 1861

Wednesday, 24th Pleasant. Drilled a little during the day. Several more companies came in to day. We were sworn into the state service by Capt. Pope  to day. I made the descriptive list, also the morning report of the Co. to day.