Major John R. Hotaling[Frontispiece]
Captain William B. CumminsFacing[preface]
Lieutenant Frank B. BennettFacing Chapter I, page[1]
Lieutenant Albert J. JacksonFacing Chapter II, page[5]
Lieutenant James S. McHenryFacing Chap. III, page[25]
Cut Site of Fort HenryFacing Chapter III, page[25]
Calvin SteelFacing Chapter IV, page[45]
View of Pittsburg LandingFacing Chapter IV, page[45]
Samuel H. FletcherFacing Chapter V, page[59]
Shiloh Monument (Cut) Special CommandsFacing Chapter V, page[59]
Joseph SheaffFacing Chapter VI, page[77]
Peter SheaffFacing Chapter VI, page[77]
Osborn ShannonFacing Chapter VII, page[99]
James BowersFacing Chapter VIII, page[113]
James L. PadgettFacing Chapter IX, page[135]
E. C. ChattertonFacing Chapter X, page[155]
Lieutenant-Colonel Harvey HoggFacing page[181]
Colonel John J. MuddFacing page[189]
Colonel Benjamin F. MarshFacing page[199]
Major John R. HotalingFacing page[203]
Hotaling GroupFacing page[207]
Illinois State Monument at ShilohFacing page[213]

Capt. William B. Cummins

PREFACE

The purpose of this sketch is to keep green the memory of that little band of men known as Company A, of the Second Illinois Cavalry, who fought in the Civil War. It is to be regretted that no record has been preserved and no attempt made to write a history of the company while the incidents involved were fresh in the minds of its members. As a result, the essential features of the story are based directly upon the memory of one of them and that without any memoranda made at the time. It is not strange therefore, if errors should occur after the lapse of fifty years.

This little book does not pretend to be an accurate history but rather a fragmentary and imperfect sketch in which the aim has been to recount some of the worthy deeds and to recall some of the hardships endured by those who risked all and suffered much in an effort to do their part towards the preservation of freedom and right and justice among men.

No apology is offered for its meagerness or fragmentary character. Should it meet the approval of the few comrades now living or receive a sympathetic response from others, the time and care expended upon it will have been rewarded.

The writers desire to acknowledge their indebtedness to the Association of the Survivors of the Second Regiment, Illinois Veteran Cavalry Volunteers, from whose report of "Reunion Proceedings," published in 1907, the biographical sketches of Colonels Noble, Hogg, Mudd and Marsh have been prepared. They also desire to show their appreciation of the interest and sympathy manifested by Mr. James O. McConaughy, of Rochelle, Illinois, who was one of the first, if not the first, to suggest the writing of the book, and whose generous aid, rendered in every way, has made its publication possible.

D. H. F.