Chapter 2: New Alliances (1890-1894)
Col. Friedrich K. Hecker Camp #443
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Department of Illinois
Belleville, Illinois
By Jon Stacy, Camp Historian
Chapter 2: New Alliances (1890-1894)
With the election of Peter Romeiser to the position to Post Commander, whether it be a matter of coincidence, or by the doing of Comrade Romeiser, there was almost an immediate ripple of disruption through the Belleville Civil War veterans community. However it unfolded, January 1st, 1890; was the high water mark for the Hecker Post.
The 1890 Post officers were installed on 22 January, 1890. The Mersy Camp & Ladies Aide Society, under direction of their National Commander, were instructed to do something for “Union Defenders Day”, to which they decided to host the Hecker Post Comrades, for a meet and greet at the GAR Hall in the Buchanan Building.
Page from:
(They Will Not Be Forgotten- Hecker Camp Newsletter, September-October 2005)
From the collection of Dennis A. Hermann
The Belleville Weekly Advocate reported in the February 21, 1890 edition, a small article appeared stating that a group of Comrades were attempting to establish a second GAR Post in West Belleville. Unfortunately, a second Post was never established.
For Washington’s Birthday, the Mersy Camp began to illustrate the early signs of their eventual demise and a fracturing rift between them and the Ladies Aide Society. Neither organization took a sincere interest in the event, as they hired the Hatton Glee Club, of St. Louis to perform. The Belleville Weekly Advocate gave the entertainment high marks with their summary: “First Class in every respect and the Sons are deserving of much credit for the excellent program that was presented on the occasion.”
The Hecker Post attended the Illinois Department Encampment that was held in Quincy, Illinois; between 11-12 March, 1890; as the Illinois Department Commander General J.S. Martin presided over the encampment. Hecker Post sent a delegation to Quincy that included Post Commander Romeiser, and Delegates George W. Shipman, Adam J. Grantz, William H. Powell, Joseph Dietz and Lewis Moore.
The Post accepted an invitation by the Lyons Post #9, in St. Louis, MO; to attend the 25th Anniversary of Lincoln’s Death at Lincoln’s Tomb in Springfield, on 15 April, 1890. The Lyons Post chartered a train, as a committee was set up to handle the influx of Hecker Comrades wishing to pay their respects.
With Memorial Day 1890; the Hecker Post Ceremony was a first class event in the City of Belleville. First was the Memorial Day Divine Service, which was held at the First Methodist Evangelical (M.E.) Church, with Pastor Groves presiding, on May 25th. The Hecker Post, Mersy Camp & Ladies Aide Society and the Bavarian Band were all in attendance. May 30th, the parade and Walnut Hill ceremony were held. The ceremony was then held at the grave of Lt. William Aulbach, of Company C, 2nd Missouri Infantry.
The Mersy Camp and Ladies Aide Society traveled to Jacksonville, Illinois; for the SVUSA Department Encampment, hosted by the Colonel William Kinman Camp #119, which was held between 22 & 28 June, 1890. Nearly 200 camps within the State, with a membership of 4,500.
On Independence Day, the Post traveled to Mascoutah, where they were hosted to a Grand Celebration held by the Mascoutah Post #682. Nearly 150 Hecker Comrades were in attendance as they enlisted the Bavarian Band, to provide additional music for the occasion. Comrade Powell was one of the main speakers for the day.
Later in the month of July 1890; Brevet Major General W.H. Powell, received a telegram from the Secretary of War, stating that he had been chosen as a recipient of the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Sinking Creek Raid, in what is know West Virginia. The Sinking Creek Raid was a daring, bloodless and bold action that captured half of the 14th Virginia Cavalry; to include its Commanding Officer and it’s Battle Flag, as well with over 500 prisoners, on a cold, bitter snow covered day in the Appalachian Mountains. The Medal of Honor, was sent to him via registered mail.
The U.S. Army Medal of Honor (1862-1895)
Picture from the National Parks Service – (www.nps.gov)
The Hecker Post attended the 8th Annual Southern Illinois Soldiers & Sailor Reunion, which was held in Du Quoin, which was held between 24-26 September, 1890. Over 315 from Belleville in support of the reunion (which included Comrades from the Post, Brothers from the Mersey Camp and Sisters from the Ladies Aide Society, along with the Bavarian Band). The Post chartered a train with five coaches for the reunion. As a result, the Post had the largest delegation on hand for the reunion, and won an elegant silver water set. Due to near constant rain, the Grand Parade was cancelled which would have featured between 15,000 to 20,000 veterans.
Shortly after their return from Du Quoin, in early October 1890; disaster struck with the sudden passing of Brevet Brigadier General Adolph Engelmann, on the 5th of October. He was in attendance at Du Quoin and was seen the previous day in Belleville. By all accounts he seemed in good health, but it was learned that by the evening of the October 4th, he began to feel ill. His health took a sudden turn for the worse and passed away on the 5th. The news shocked the local residents. The over fifty comrades of the Hecker Post traveled to his farm in Shiloh, to pay their last respects and to honor him with a soldiers burial. Members of the 43rd Illinois Infantry came from far and wide to attend the service, along with dignitaries of fellow Grand Army Posts, namely the Raith Post #587 in O’Fallon.
Colonel Adolph Engelmann
The Mersy Ladies Aide Society, hosted a performance of the Detroit Philharmonic Club, which gave a concert at Liederkranz Hall, on the evening of 8 November, 1890. The Post turned to themselves and held a Camp Fire for their membership and for the Brothers in the Mersy Camp, on the evening of December 11th, with music provided by the Hecker Quartette and the Bavarian Band. Comrade Powell, also read a descriptive of the Battle of Opequan, as he commanded a Cavalry Brigade in that action, under the command of General Philip H. Sheridan. The comrades of Hecker Post elected Peter Romeiser for another year as Post Commander on December 17th, 1890.
With the year 1891 underway the Post installed their Officers sometime in January, but all remained quiet until April. The Post under General Orders from the National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the order, on April 6, 1891. The Post rented out Liederkrantz Hall and had it decorated with patriotic banners and buntings, as well as Post banners. Potted plants were placed throughout the hall, as this was a public event. Comrade Powell gave the history of the Hecker Post. He was followed by Comrade Kueffner, which gave the talk on the Battle of Shiloh, as it was the 29th Anniversary of the Confederate attack on Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee. General Kueffner gave numerous interesting facts about the battle, to which the veterans of the 9th and 43rd Illinois Infantries paid particularly close attention too. Music soon followed, with song provided by the Hecker Quartette and music by the Bavarian Orchestra. Immediately following the 25th Anniversary of the Grand Army celebration, the Hecker delegates left for Decatur, Illinois; to attend the Illinois Department Encampment, that was held on 8-10 April, 1891.
It was announced on May 8th, 1891; that Belleville was in the running for the Annual Southern Illinois Soldiers & Sailors reunion. The Hecker Post immediately put together a committee which consisted of General Powell, Captain Fuess and Captain Wangelin. The committee then set forth for a “strong pull to secure the holding of the next annual reunion of the Southern Illinois Soldier’s and Sailors Association.” Unfortunately, it was announced on July 10th, that Belleville lost out to Murphysboro.
Memorial Day 1891, was another grand event put on by the Hecker Post, which was supported by the Mersey Camp, the Ladies Aid Society and the Bavarian Band. General Powell was the ceremony’s speaker, as the grave of Thomas England represented all the graves.
The Epworth League in Belleville hosted a reception for the Hecker Post and Mersey Camp, on June 27th. Their hall was handsomely decorated as they enjoyed a soldiers dinner of Pork & Beans with their choice of coffee or lemonade. Those that wore a uniform received free admission, and it was commented that everyone had a good time. Not to be outdone, the Baptist Church hosted a “Patriotic Day” and extended a cordial invitation to the Hecker Post, Mersy Camp or any ex-soldier, that was held on July 5th, 1891.
Several Hecker comrades attended the Grand Army’s National Encampment which was held in Detroit, Michigan between 3-8 August, 1891. During the same week, the Mersy Camp attended the Department of Illinois SVUSA Encampment, that was held in Decatur. The Department must have realized what was going on in Belleville, elected Mersy Camp charter member George C. Rebhan, their Lieutenant Colonel (Senior Vice Commander).
However, the year wound down quietly, as no news was reported until December 1891; when the 1892 Officers were elected; and Peter Romeiser handed the Command duties back to John Heinzelman. During the quiet time, many things did happen, that directly effected the Post. First, several Post comrades helped charter the local encampment of the Union Veterans Legion, on September 7th in Belleville, which ended the sole authority of the Hecker Post in veteran’s affairs. Second; for whatever reason, the Mersy Camp became severely demoralized and was on the verge of collapse. Third, the Mersy Camp’s Auxiliary the Ladies Aide Society, had disbanded and donated all their treasury holdings to the Women’s Relief Committee, that they were forming.
With the beginning of 1892; the new officers were installed on 21 January, and then entered into another period of relative quiet. The Hecker Post did send a large delegation to the Illinois Department Encampment that was held between 5-8 April, 1892, in Springfield. Those that went were Commander Heinzelmann, Romeiser, General Kueffner, Major Sunkel, C.P. Knispel, A.J. Grantz and Charles Horttmann.
Memorial Day 1892; was the first that the occasion was designated a National Holiday; and the Hecker Post planned for a large turn out. By the workings of Commander Heinzelmann, the brothers of the Mersey Camp came together one last time, to participate in the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. The Women’s Relief Committee was also in attendance, along with the Bavarian Band. The parade was long with over 5,000 in attendance, and the ceremony went on without a hitch, although it wasn’t mentioned who the one grave belonged too.
The Women’s Relief Committee, was chartered as the Hecker Women’s Relief Corps #207, on 22 June, 1892; with Mrs. Elise Kueffner as their first President. The Hecker Post received some acceptable news, following the nearly complete implosion of the Mersey Camp. Shortly after their chartering, General William C. Kueffner; spoke to the Hecker Corps; about the need of a soldiers monument or memorial in Belleville, to the memory and service of the Soldiers of the last war, from St. Clair County.
In late July, the city of Belleville landed the Annual Soldiers and Sailors Reunion, which would take place between October 5-7; and several committees were established. Many reunions would be held for the 9th Illinois, 59th Illinois, 117th Illinois, 13th Illinois Cavalry. Many activities were planned that included bicycle races, concerts, speeches, fireworks and the Grand Parade, which had Captain Casimir Andel as the Grand Marshall. General Powell welcomed the veterans on behalf of the Post & Mayor Weber welcomed them on behalf of the city. GAR Posts from all around were present, and the Post with the most comrades in attendance received a flag bunting (Hecker Post was not permitted to engage in this activity as they were the host Post). The Hecker Corps were invited to participate and took charge of the third day’s activities. The Ladies of the Baptist Church also participated, as they sold hot meals for .25 cents each, at noon and in the evening, on each day of the reunion, as they cleared over $125 in profit afterwards. The Mersy Camp as a body did not participate, however W.S. Hay and George C. Rehban; were there to support the visiting SV Camps.
Regimental Reunion Ribbon for the 9th Illinois
From the Collection of: Bob Mohrman
General Powell went to the Grand Army’s 26th Annual National Encampment which was held in Washington D.C.; to represent the Hecker Post. He also joined his old Division at their reunion, during the event which was held between 20-22 September, 1892.
With the year winding down, the Post went into another quiet spell, however they elected Major Frederick Sunkel as Post Commander for 1893 & he relieved John Heinzelman.
1893 started off quiet, as the year’s Post Officers were installed on 25 January. The ladies of the Hecker Corps carried forward entertainment established by the Mersy Camp on Washington’s Birthday. The gathered crowd exceeded all expectations, as many found themselves admitted as ‘Standing Room Only’. The crowd was not disappointed as Comrade C.W. Thomas & Edward Woelk addressed them. Music was furnished by the Heidinger Children, Miss Mattie Stanley and others. The feature presentation was a rendition of “Sing a Song of Sixpence”, that featured twenty-four young misses all dressed in black gowns, representing the “Four and Twenty Blackbirds, baked in a pie.” The admission price was .25 cents for all, over the age of 14.
However, the quiet of ‘93 was brought to sudden abrupt halt, with the sudden passing of Brevet Brigadier General William C. Kueffner; of Typhoid Pneumonia; on 19 March 1893. General Kueffner was one of the main building blocks of the Post, and his passing would be tough to bare. However, the comrades of the Post did their duty, as they gave the General a soldiers burial in Walnut Hill. Tributes were held in his memory by the veterans of the 9th and 149th Illinois along with the ladies of the Hecker Corps. Funeral delegations were sent by the Raith Post #587 & McPherson Post #684; members of the 9th Illinois Veterans Association, and the St. Clair County Bar Association.
Colonel William C. Kueffner, 149th Illinois Infantry
The Memorial Day exercises (as they were referred too) began with the Divine Service that was held at the Presbyterian Church on May 28th at 3 PM. The church extended invitations to the Hecker Post, Hecker Corps and Mersy Camp. The Parade and Ceremony were held on May 30th, with the Hecker Corps and Bavarian Band; as the Honorable Jehu Baker was the guest speaker for the ceremony. Replacing the Mersy Camp, the Post selected six veterans to conduct the rifle salute, over the one grave, which can be presumed to be that of General Kueffner, as it was not mentioned.
With things quieted down, during the summer months; the Post enlisted the Bavarian Band for the 11th Annual Soldiers and Sailors Reunion, which was held in Centralia. The Post had about 150 members in attendance, as they chartered a special train for transportation too and from Centralia. Mrs. Kueffner was appointed by the Hecker Corps to represent the city of Belleville during the reunion, in the Ladies Reception Committee.
Hecker Post was chosen as the host for the Belmont Veterans Association (7th Iowa, 22nd Illinois, 30th Illinois, 31st Illinois & 2nd Illinois Cavalry) reunion, that would be held on the 32nd Anniversary of the Battle of Belmont, on 7 November, 1893. The Hecker Corps quickly volunteered their services for the reunion, which took place at the Belleville Opera House. They were welcomed by Mayor Knoebel and Commander Sunkel, before a short business meeting. Afterwards, they were treated by the Hecker Corps to a wonderful dinner. The Hecker Post held a Camp Fire in their honor, with several addresses following, from General Powell, the Honorable J. Nick Perrin, the Honorable L.D. Turner and Mrs. Emma L. Halbert of the Hecker Corps.
The Hecker Post elected their 1894 Officers on 26 December, 1893; and Captain Joseph Fuess relieved Major Fred Sunkel as Post Commander. Sophia Wangelin relieved Elise Kueffner as President of the Hecker Corps.
A Double Installation was held on 24 January, 1894, to install the Officers of the Hecker Post and Corps; which was conducted by Department Commander Edward A. Blodgett (who was the Quartermaster Sergeant of the 37th Illinois “Fremont Rifles” during the Battle of Pea Ridge) at Liederkrantz Hall. Commander Blodgett read a paper he wrote on the subject “The Army of the Southwest and the Battle of Pea Ridge”, which was a descriptive account of the battle and of the first troops to be organized in the west. The Bavarian Orchestra provided the music for the evening, which featured special bugle calls and their accompanying echoes. The musical highlight was Mrs. Ernest Wangelin’s soprano solo with piano accompaniment. Afterwards, coffee and sandwiches were served.
In mid March 1894; the Hecker Post was placed in charge of the burial of Major Thomas K. Challenor, who was well respected in Belleville. He organized Co. K “The Brawny Miners” of the 22nd Illinois and was elected the Company Captain. His burial was held at Green Mount Cemetery with the Honorable Jehu Baker delivering the eulogy.
Members of the St. Clair County Grand Army Posts came together on April 7th, at the County Court House for the purpose of considering the question of erecting a monument to the soldiers of St. Clair County. The meeting was spearheaded by General W.H. Powell. The small group formed the “Soldiers and Sailors Monument Association of St. Clair County” and began preparations to secure a charter so they could solicit money. The Monument Association was chartered on 21 April, 1894; with members from seven county G.A.R. Posts and the UVL Encampment. The Hecker Corps was extremely interested in joining the cause and set forth to begin collecting money for the project. It was planned to place the monument in the Belleville Public Square, inside of a circular grass plot. Unfortunately, on July 9th, St. Clair County and the City of Belleville rejected the plans for a monument in the Public Square. It was announced in October 1894, by General Powell that the project was postponed, and not abandoned.
Hecker Post and Corps traveled to Rockford for the Illinois Department of the Grand Army of the Republic’s Encampment which was held between May 15-17, 1894. Outgoing Department Commander Blodgett reported that they gained 969 by muster, 384 by transfer, 1,015 by reinstatement and 621 from delinquent reports, for a total gain of 2,989. The Department’s losses were 545 by death, 90 by Honorable Discharge, 521 by transfer, 2,390 by suspension, 382 by delinquent reports, for a total loss of 4,430. The Department had a total membership in good standing on 31 December, 1893; of 29,521 comrades in 599 posts. The ladies joined the Grand Army for the Illinois Department of the Relief Corps encampment, that was also held in Rockford, Illinois. Mrs. Carrie Thomas-Alexander was elected as a Department delegate to the National Encampment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Post’s Memorial Day Divine Service was held at the M.E. Church on May 27th at 3:30 PM. The Post published a special invitation for the Mersey Camp to act as escorts for the Women’s Relief Corps, however it is unknown if any of the former Camp brothers showed up. The Parade and Ceremony were much grander than in years past, with the addition of Company D, 4th Illinois National Guard, which was under the command of Captain Casimir Andel, the students of the Belleville High School and the veterans of the UVL Encampment #99. The Honorable L.D. Turner was the guest orator for the ceremony. The Post and it’s allies decorated the 21 graves at Green Mount, the 13 graves at the County Farm and the 4 graves at Engelmann’s Farm; before the Parade. After the ceremony all of them split up and decorated the 165 graves at Walnut Hill. No word was printed on who’s grave the one grave belonged too, but Captain Andel did march Company D over to the grave of General W.C. Kueffner and honored him with a rifle salute, after the ceremony.
The Post provided a security detail for the ladies of the WRC, by special request of Chairwoman Carrie Thomas-Alexander; for their “Salmagundi Lawn Fete” fundraiser for the Soldiers Monument, which was held on 27 July, at the residence of Mrs. Thomas-Alexander and her father Col. John Thomas and was held at the residence & their neighbors, at the corner of “A” and High Streets. A wide variety of activities were presented that included, Music, songs, games, gypsy fortune tellers, various booths, with all kinds of refreshments, with admission was set a ten cents a person. The Weekly Advocate wrote: “The Lawns were transformed into bowers of enchantment and rivaled fairyland in the judicious display of transparencies…”
A small delegation traveled from Belleville to the 28th National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania between 15-18 September. The delegates included Peter M. Romeiser (Official Hecker Post delegate), George W. Shipman, Frederick Sunkel and Louis A. Vogel. For the WRC, Mrs. Carrie Thomas-Alexander was the Corps official delegate, and was accompanied by Mrs. Rebecca A. Shipman.
The Post decided to attend the Southern Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Reunion as a post on the second of the three day event, September 27th, which was hosted by the Sparta Post #181, in Sparta.
On December 19th, 1894; the Post elected their 1895 Post Officers. William T. Crouch was elected as Post Commander, relieving Joseph Fuess. The Relief Corps held a vote of acclamation to keep their existing officers. After suffering some lows, the Post managed to keep things together and forge new alliances within the Belleville veterans community.
Information from:
Belleville Weekly Advocate – 17 January, 1890; 7 February, 1890; 21 February, 1890; 28 February, 1890; 28 March, 1890; 25 April, 1890; 30 May, 1890; 6 June 1890; 11 July 1890; 25 July, 1890; 5 September 1890; 26 September, 1890; 3 October 1890; 10 October 1890; 7 November, 1890; 19 December, 1890; 3 April 1891; 10 April 1891; 8 May 1891; 29 May 1891; 5 June 1891; 26 June 1891; 3 July 1891; 10 July 1891; 31 July 1891; 23 December 1891; 8 April 1892; 27 May 1892; 3 June 1892; 25 June 1892; 29 July 1892; 26 August 1892; 9 September 1892; 16 September, 1892; 23 September, 1892; 30 September, 1892; 7 October 1892; 14 October; 1892; 20 January, 1893; 24 January, 1893; 26 May 1893; 2 June 1893; 6 October 1893; 27 October, 1893; 10 November 1893; 12 January, 1894; 26 January 1894; 2 February 1894; 16 March 1894; 13 April 1894; 27 April, 1894; 11 May 1894; 25 May 1894; 1 June 1894; 13 July 1894; 27 July 1894; 3 August 1894; 31 August 1894; 14 September 1894; 19 October 1894 and 21 December 1894.
Picture of Adolph Engelmann, courtesy of Mr. Tom Schwarztrauber
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