CHAPTER I.
The One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was mustered into the service of the United States, on the third day of September, Eighteen Hundred and Sixty Two, to serve for three years or during the war. The Regiment was made up in the counties of Champaign and Vermilion. Champaign furnishing three companies and Vermilion seven. These companies averaged ninety men each; making a total of nine hundred men, rank and file. The Regiment came into the field under the call for "three hundred thousand more," to assist in putting down what had been familiarly called by some, a "tempest in a tea pot." Four years of bloody strife, and millions of treasure, proved that it was the most tumultuous "tea pot tempest," that ever was heard of in this or any other land. The companies rendezvoused at Danville, the county seat of Vermilion County, and went into camp on the old "Fair Grounds," utilizing the sheds and booths that had been put up there for the exhibition of cattle, sheep, etc. Here it was that comparative order was obtained out of chaos. The companies were composed of men in the prime of life, who had, for the most part, been engaged in farming, and were used to out-door life; the best material to make soldiers of that could be procured in any land. The commander of the Regiment was Oscar F. Harmon, a young and promising lawyer of Danville; the Lieut. Colonelcy was filled by J. W. Langley, of Champaign, who was also a member of the bar. The Major was John B. Lee, of Vermilion, a civil engineer by profession; while from the busy marts of trade came the Adjutant, Wm. Mann, of Danville. The Surgeon was John J. McElroy, of Vermilion; the Assistant Surgeon, C. H. Mills, of Champaign; the Chaplain, Levi Sanders, of Vermilion, while from Champaign came the Quartermaster, A. M. Ayres. The companies were officered as follows:
Co. A. Capt. Clark Ralston; 1st. Lt. Jackson Charles; 2nd. Lt. Harrison Low; Enlisted men, eighty-six.
Co. B. Capt. Robt. Stewart; 1st. Lt. W. R. Wilson; 2nd. Lt. S. D. Connover; Enlisted men, eighty-eight.
Co. C. Capt. W. W. Fellows; 1st. Lt. Alexander Pollock; 2nd. Lt. Jas. D. New; Enlisted men, eighty-eight.
Co. D. Capt. Geo. W. Galloway; 1st. Lt. Jas. B. Stevens; 2nd. Lt. John L. Jones; Enlisted men, eighty-six.
Co. E. Capt. N. M. Clark; 1st. Lt. W. G. Isom; 2nd. Lt. John Urquhart; Enlisted men, eighty-seven.
Co. F. Capt. F. B. Sale; 1st. Lt. John B. Lester; 2nd. Lt. Alfred Johnson; Enlisted men, ninety-two.
Co. G. Capt. John H. Gass; 1st. Lt. Eph. S. Howell; 2nd. Lt. Josiah Lee; Enlisted men, ninety.
Co. H. Capt. P. M. Parks; 1st. Lt. D. A. Brenton; 2nd. Lt. J. C. Harbor; Enlisted men, eighty-six.