camp douglas

In August of 1862, a meeting was held at the Palatine Methodist Church by Judge James Bradwell and Mason Sutherland. The state of Illinois was mustering troops to fight in the Civil War and the two men had gotten permission to muster a company of soldiers. After talking to the men a muster roll was laid out and men were asked to enlist. After another meeting held in Barrington, there were enough men to form Company E of the 113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The men went to Camp Douglas in Chicago to train for the war. In October, Mason Sutherland was elected their captain. For three years these men fought, suffered illnesses, were disabled, died, or survived. Their experiences were like none these men had ever known and their camaraderie for each other would never die. The whole regiment, not just Company E, formed a veteran’s association and each summer they met in some city or town where members lived and expressed their friendship for each other and sympathy for those who were gone through church services, speeches, concerts, meals prepared by the ladies of the town, and yes, a few drinks. This photograph is from the 1903 reunion in Palatine. Some of these men were local veterans of other units but were welcomed into the activities. Three of these men are known by name. The man sitting on the ground with the hand of the man behind him on his shoulder is Charlie Fosket. His very good friend behind him was Anson Baldwin. To Fosket’s own left is August Kimmet who was not in the 113th but was a Palatine man and the last Civil War soldier to die here. — Connie Rawa