Always In The Middle Of The Battle: Edward Kiniry And The 1st Illinois Light Artillery Battery D: Edward Kiniry and the 1St Illinois Light Artillery Battery D

By David Edward Wall

Chapter One: Orphaned and Alone in Manhattan
Edward was an orphan at age ten, and he was now living with relative guardians who treated him with disdain. They certainly did not need another mouth to feed.

Chapter Two: Edward Joined McAllisters Battery and went camping.
The one who attacks now will be victorious, and the enemy will have to be in a hurry if he gets ahead of me.
Ulysses S. Giant

Chapter Three: Shiloh, Nothing Would Ever Be the Same Again.
On my fall visit to Shiloh in 2006, the leaves were changing their uniforms for those of bright new fall shades, browns, oranges and reds, some so red they were almost purple. This contrasted to the green leaves and blood red earth that appeared on the ground those two deadly days in April, 1862.

Chapter Four: Vicksburg
The President then laid out the concerns and questions he had held about Grants movements and plans for capturing the city and concluded: I now wish to make the Personal acknowledgment that you were right, and I was wrong. A. Lincoln

Chapter Five: Chattanooga
On, On I must go, to meet a soldiers fate .... William T. Sherman
With the opening of the cracker line, the besieged army was eating better than the investing army.

Chapter Six: Atlanta
At this critical moment a subordinate officer pulled out a pocket handkerchief and tied it to a ramrod, and was in the act of raising it in a token of surrender. Captain Cooper struck it down with his sword, explaining Never! As long as there is a man left. They had kept track of the guns by the sound, having come to know it as it were, their voices.

Chapter Seven: Railroads, Trains, Indians, Cow Chips, and Chaps
One day as Mr. Murphy & myself was baleing hay we heard someone crossing the Creek, Mike said there were Indians and told me to go to the cabin and get the guns. I started when a big Indian said hold up. I stopped and by then there was another one between me and the cabin so it was all off.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 5, 2010
• ISBN: 9781453545270

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Copyright © 2010 by David Edward Wall.

Library of Congress Control Number:              2010910920

ISBN:                      Hardcover                       978-1-4535-4526-3

                                Softcover                         978-1-4535-4525-6

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Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Orphaned and Alone in Manhattan

Chapter Two

Fort Donelson

Chapter Three

Shiloh, Nothing Would Ever be the Same Again

Chapter Four

Vicksburg

Chapter Five

Chattanooga

Chapter Six

Atlanta

Chapter Seven

Trains, Indians, Cow Chips, and Chaps

Appendix A

Edward’s Service record during America’s Civil War

Appendix B

Roster, 1st Illinois Artillery Battery D

Appendix C

Battle Cry of Freedom

About the Author

DEDICATION

To

my mother, Velma Elizabeth Hazel Kiniry Wall

my father, George Everett Wall

my grandfather, Edward Kiniry

my grandmother, Elizabeth Dobbin Kiniry

This book and my life are a result of their sacrifices.

This book tells the story of Edward Kiniry, my grandfather, his early life of being an orphan, hisCivil War experiences, and the 1st Illinois Light Artillery Battery D, with whom he served. I have attempted to show the extent of the five campaigns he was involved in and the interesting individuals who were also present.

He helped to build the Transcontinental Railroad, the Union Pacific. Edward worked as a hired hand in Wyoming and was involved in several Indian skirmishes. He rode as a cowboy for Charles Goodnight, the famous cattle rancher who supplied beef to a growing nation, who created what became known as the Chuck Wagon. Edward then wed Elizabeth Dobbin and found employment in Pueblo, Colorado’s smelters, and raised six children.

Mock Up 1_Page_004.jpg

Edward Kiniry wearing his Grand Army of the Republic medal about 1909

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The Grand Army of the Republic Monument

Below is a document that Edward wrote in 1907. I am taking the liberty

of using it as the introduction for what is essentially his book. I am sure he

won’t mind.

Introduction

Pueblo, Colorado

November 21st 1907

To whom it may concern.

This is to certify that Edward Kiniry was born in New York City on August 29th 1840 and resided there until [illegible] 1859. Then came to Mokena, Ill. and stayed there untill August 28th 1861 when I enlisted in Co. D 1st Ill. Light Artillery as private and served in that capacity until September 16th 1864. We were engaged Fort Donelson and Shiloh and Corinth in Tennessee. We went to Holly Springs then went toward Grenada. When we got orders to fall back to Holly Springs as our supplys were cut off and Holly Springs taken from the [illegible]. We went to Memphis, Tennessee. We got on boats and went to Youngs Point on the Mississippi. We then marched around through swamps and bog holes until we got below Vicksburg and then crossed the river on boats and to Port Gibson then to Jackson Mississippi turned back and had a fite at Champion Hills. Then to Black River and then at Vicksburg where we staid until it fell. In the spring 1864 went by boat up the Mississippi River to Cairo from there to Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. We then went on the campaign to Atlanta, Georgia which fell Sept 2. Was honorable discharged from the service on account of expiration of service. Then came back to Mokena, Ill. and remained there until 1866 then came to Ioway stayed there untill spring of 1867 when I came to Cheyanne, Wyoming Terry. [Territory] Then from there to South Pass City, Wyoming. In 1869 Left and came to Denver. Stayed there until the fall of 1870 when I came to Pueblo, Colorado. In 1876 I was married to Miss Lizzy Dobbin and made my home here ever since.

Signed

Ed Kiniry

Edward left out the railroad building, riding as a cowboy and Indian skirmishing parts. He had also omitted the sadness and difficulties associated with his childhood and then his adult life.

This book contains three different stories melded into one:

1. George H. Woodruff’s chapter on History of McAllister’s Battery, pages 397-422 of his larger work titled Fifteen Years Ago or the Patriotism of Will County, a compendium of the stories of the Civil War service of units from Will County, Illinois. When quoting from this chapter, I have begun each section with a heading beginning or ending with the words Battery D. These sections are also in italics, as well as writings of his daughter and the president of the United States. It is an interesting fact that Private Woodruff’s service in the war was with McAllister’s Battery 1st Illinois Light Artillery Battery D.

2. Various writings of Edward Kiniry about his war experiences and various adventures and relationships after the war. The spelling and punctuation are his, just as he wrote them, and are also italicized.

3. My own readings, experiences, and studies are the heart of this story. My various travels and actions where they pertain to Battery D cannot be omitted. The travels and actions of the Army of the Tennessee are included where the story of Edward Kiniry and Battery D are concerned. My purpose for attempting to tell this story is not for my benefit, but to tell the story of an interesting and good man who had many brushes with American history, from generals, to a future president, to explorers, to noteworthy western figures, and Indian Warriors. He helped build the Union Pacific’s portion of the Transcontinental Railway, through Wyoming, and aided in delivering beef to a hungry nation. He was an active participant in the event that defined the United States of America as we know it today, the American Civil War. His life could have been the inspiration for the movie How the West Was Won. Except Edward did not need three generations to live his adventure. The story of his interesting life must be told.

I am not a trained historian, and this is not written as a scholarly work, but many of these stories have been retold as novels and movies. I do believe it is a very readable story, and I have strived to tell it truthfully and accurately. I believe that I have uncovered new information.

The germination of this book was started when I perused my mother’s treasure box to prepare for her exit from life. She was about one hundred years of age at that time, and I discovered a small notepad that was titled Stories My Father Told Me about the Civil War. Impressed, I knew that Edward’s story must not be lost, and I promised her that I would write it. Nine years later, I have written the book I promised her. She died in 2003 and did not witness its completion.

Acknowledgments

Every person has had help traveling his own path. These are some of the people I wish to thank for making my path shorter and less strewn with difficulty.

Bonnijean Korn, who supported me when I most needed help day by day. This book would not have been completed without her help. Elizabeth Korn, who edited my meanderings. If anything is out of kilter, that is when I snuck verbiage in and she was not looking.

Two friends who have escorted me on several battlefields, whose Internet handles are MAP and GenP, who are known by their real names, Mary Alice Pickett and Jamie Pickett. They were responsible for an annual project known as CivilWarMuster. I met many new friends there, and many battlefields were marched with them. I am extremely grateful that they invited me on my first battlefield trip, Vicksburg. They convinced me to get going on this book.

Edward Kiniry’s great-great-great-granddaughter, Morgan Breazile, who asked for information on a school project about the Civil War, which convinced me that I could do this.

The staff at the National Military Parks that I have visited. They all were most helpful and forthcoming with information. I am especially thankful to Terrence (Terry) J. Winschel, chief historian at Vicksburg National Park, for the time he spent with me and for the information he provided. Timothy Smith who was on staff at Shiloh NMP kindly provided me with valuable source material. Americans can be grateful to all the park rangers and staff for protecting and preserving our national heritage.

Rebecca Blackwell Drake, a Civil War writer and lecturer, who escorted Bonni and me on a visit to Champion Hill and environs. Her knowledge and presence made that an experience never to be forgotten. She was more than generous with her time. My trip to aid hurricane Katrina victims was of benefit not only to the citizens of Mississippi, whom I was there to help, but also enriched my life, intellectually and spiritually, for which I am grateful to them.

My thanks also to Irene Wilson and Carol Mize who helped me with research of Edward Kiniry. To Tony Gunter for providing me with much information and reminding me of the importance of the Original Records, which greatly helped me; my thanks.

And a thank you to Hal Jesperson for the use of some of the maps that appear in this book. They can also be found at www.posix.com/cw.

My special appreciation goes to all of you.

David

Chapter One

Orphaned and Alone in Manhattan

"Papa, Edward Kiniry, was born 1840 or 1842 [August 29th, 1842, New York City, New York]. His Mother gave birth to him soon after landing in N.Y.C.-knew nothing of his father [Thomas]. Mother-Hannorah [sp] Fitzgibbons and sister Catherine May died when papa was 10, just a few weeks apart. Papa went to live with Aunt and Uncle, he did not tell me where. Brother Thomas went [He eventually went to Cairo, Illinois; when, I don’t know]. They abused him-fed him in corner of room-never at table. Shoes needed repair-sold newspapers on the street corners of N.Y.C.-left when in teens and went to his brother in

Cairo, Ill."

This story was recorded by my mother, Edward’s last born, as she heard it in about 1917, as Papa related it to her. Edward was about fifty-seven years old when my mother was born. And he would have been approximately seventy-three years old when he related this to her. She attended Colorado Teachers College in Greeley, Colorado, the year following the

writing of this tale.

I discovered a census for September 15 of 1850 that listed Edward as age nine of that year. He and his father (Thomas), mother (Hanora), brother (also Thomas), and sister (Catherine May) were living in the Nineteenth Ward of Manhattan, New York City, New York, which was referred to as Midtowne East. This is bounded by Central Park and the East River and from Eighty-sixth Street to Fortieth Street and west to Sixth Avenue south of the park. That 1850 census indicates that Edward did barely know his father, who died August 7 the next year, 1851. Hanora’s death was February 11, 1853, and Catherine’s death was August 4, 1854. What a sad three years for such a young man; at ten years old, he already had a lifetime of sorrows, with more to come.

Edward was now living with relative guardians who treated him with disdain. They certainly did not need another mouth to feed. Coupled with the poverty and the living conditions of early New York City, his early life as an orphan must have been very unhappy for my grandfather. He had no one near who wanted or loved him. His daily fodder was contempt and abuse. A boy with all that heartache and no one to comfort him.

A Timothy Mahoney, age thirty, also lived in the Kiniry residence for that 1850 census. In addition, Edward had a half brother, Michael Burke, who served in the Civil War. I know of no details about Michael, except that he was not present for that census and that he came west with John C. Fremont as recorded by Edward in his Grand Army of the Republic Civil War membership booklet.

Edward was at an age where this terrible treatment by his guardians must have grated on his sensibilities and pride. In the last three years, he had lost his family, and now his identity was being stolen. One day he arose from his assigned place at his little table where he took his meals apart from his guardians and stated, I am not going to take this treatment anymore. He left, never to return. He must have had, at most, nickels and pennies in his pocket. He was alone in New York, with one thousand miles to travel to his destination, where his older Brother lived in Cairo, Illinois. How did he know where Cairo was located or how to get there? Edward’s sudden adventure was off to a bad start; he was sixteen years old, broke, orphaned, and alone in Manhattan.

Damn these tears. Tears for my grandfather and tears for my father, George, and mother, Velma, who recorded this story as Edward recalled it for her. Edward and his youngest daughter had more difficulties to overcome in their lives than I. Certainly my father did; his young wife died early in her life and left George with two small children to raise, my half brother and sister. Some of this story is verbal history, and it represents Edward and Mom (I almost never referred to her as Velma, only as Mom or Mother) attempting to leave a record. I can’t explain the tears; only let me say, I’m Irish. We were born to laugh and cry, especially with and for our mothers.

Edward’s youngest daughter, Velma Elizabeth Hazel Kiniry, when about 102 years old and bedridden in a retirement home, told me one day that, When I get well I am going to go and live with mama and papa. She was confused about where she was in time or what her capabilities were. She still had a deep love and happy memories of her parents. It was more than just that Irish thing; Edward and Elizabeth Kiniry were good and caring parents. My mother told me that a disapproving look from her mother when she was a child was enough to freeze her actions and cause her to stop whatever behavior had caused Elizabeth’s displeasure. A look was all the punishment she ever suffered from her mother or father. I was also the fortunate beneficiary of that treatment from my parents, although I am sure that I deserved a more harsh communication on occasion.

My mother’s writing continues:

"In Cairo papa enlisted in army. He said he was 19 but gave his age as 21. [This will be discussed in the next chapter.] Mama, Elizabeth Holmes Dobbin, July 11, 1856 in St. John, N.B. [New Brunswick, Canada]. [Her] Mother and 3 week old bro. died when mamma was 3. Her father boarded her for 6 years with the Masten family in St. John. They had a daughter, Annie, about 1 yr. older than mama. She stayed with them until she was 9 when father remarried. I never knew her name. At age 14 [1870] she and her Grandmother, Elizabeth Holmes Sproule Corbett, came west to live in Pueblo, Colorado, with my mother’s Aunt and Uncle, Rebecca and Mike Mahoney."

Both Edward and Elizabeth had been orphaned by at least one parent, and for all practical purposes, by both parents. Elizabeth Dobbin had apparently also lived for a time in Boston, Massachusetts, before heading West. On one occasion, I had returned from a visit there with a souvenir of the Old North Church for my mother. She was pleased to have a souvenir of where she told me her mother had attended services as a parishioner and worshiped there. Her mother had worshiped in the church that had figured so prominently in the American Revolutionary War.

Edward may have "went to his brother in Cairo, Ill, but he eventually located to Hadley, Will County, Illinois, as listed by the USGS. It is also listed as in Cook County in a historical Illinois document. Thomas also changed addresses at some point; he chose Mokena, Will County, Illinois. Hadley in Will County has disappeared, leaving behind only a Hadley Cemetery and a West Hadley Road. Hadley populated place, as recorded on early Illinois records, was eventually folded into the Village of Homer Glen, Illinois. Both Edward and Thomas were living adjacent to Joliet, Illinois, which is about thirty miles from Chicago, Illinois. Those enlistment papers also listed Edward’s height as 5 feet 4 3/4 inches, his hair as brown, eyes as blue, and complexion as light. His occupation was stated as farmer."

On April 12, 1861, the United States of America opened the door to a CATASTROPHE, and Edward’s life would soon be altered forever. One door would be closed behind Edward Kiniry, with many more waiting for him to enter. His occupation would soon be stated as an artillerist. Some doors, soon to be presented to Edward, hid ADVENTURE, some were concealing SUCCESS, but too many would present the promise of DIFFICULTY and DANGER.

Chapter Two

Fort Donelson

Our Union: It must be preserved.

Toast by Andrew Jackson,

April 13, 1830

Events were now taking form that would forever shape the destiny of America and the life of Edward Kiniry. Death and destruction across this great land would soon be the norm; horror and misery would become daily events. In November 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States of America. This was followed three months later with the election of Jefferson Davis to the self-declared Confederate States of America by the seceding states of the Deep South. From Texas to South Carolina, they had all gone to the Confederacy. Even the Choctaw Indian Nation in the Indian Territory declared its sympathies for the rebels.

When Lincoln issued orders for troops to suppress the rebellion of the secessionists, the states of the middle South, including Virginia, seceded, claiming they would not be party to the invasion and suppression of sister states. Various maneuvers kept the border states in the Union. The Missouri government tried to secede but could not enforce their wishes. Kentucky’s legislature declared the state’s neutrality, that is, until the Confederates entered the state first, allowing the Union to reply in kind. For most of the war, Kentucky would remain in Federal hands. Lincoln ordered troops to Maryland and ordered martial law, which kept her in the United States.

When it