Community News
County soldier left letters from Civil War
A surprising number of letters and diaries from Civil War soldiers exist today, particularly from area troops. An example is Duncan Ingraham, who lived in Macoupin County before the war.
Ingraham, who served in the 33rd Illinois, penned a number of letters to relatives that are cited by some Civil War scholars today. The letters are part of the Ingraham family papers, which are held by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield.
Born on April 10, 1838, in Orange, N.J., Ingraham was listed from Carlinville when he entered Illinois State University on April 14, 1858. The university was in its infancy, as it was established as the state’s first public institution of higher learning just a year before. One source called him “a studious and painstaking young fellow.”
Ingraham apparently planned to pursue a career in education, as teacher training was the original mission of ISU. He was not in Carlinville for long, as he joined the rest of his family in Peoria County. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Ingraham’s hometown was listed as the oddly-named hamlet of Robin’s Nest. There, he apparently landed a teaching job.
Muster rolls show Ingraham as standing five-feet, six-inches tall with brown hair, gray eyes, and a light complexion. Ingraham was mustered as corporal of Company B and worked his way up the ranks, first to sergeant major, followed by a promotion to regimental quartermaster on Aug. 9, 1864.
One of Ingraham’s siblings, Edward, was also in Company B of the 33rd. Like Duncan, Edward, who was six years older, left letters of his war experiences, as well as a diary.
The 33rd fought with distinction at the battle of Cache River, Ark. on July 7, 1862 and, the following year, was in the campaign and siege against the Mississippi River stronghold of Vicksburg.
The regiment, however, suffered with the rest of the Union army in the Red River campaign of 1864, a joint land-naval expedition designed to push into Texas. Federal commanders, however, bungled the offensive, as the ground forces suffered a string of defeats, while the naval vessels were threatened by low water as they struggled downriver in retreat.
Like many other Union soldiers, Ingraham was furious at the hapless command. “We are living in the land of plenty,” fumed Ingraham, “yet on the worst commissary stores we ever had – wormy crackers and stinking beef and pork.”
A year later, the news of President Lincoln’s assassination rocked the Federal armies, including the 33rd. News traveled slowly in that time, and the regiment did not learn of the assassination until May 1, sixteen days later.
“It may be weak,” lamented Ingraham, “…but tears will come this and every time I think of our loved President. For his life I would have given my own.”
Ingraham was finally mustered out on Nov. 24, 1865. From there, his career was described by one account as “varied, but a success.”
His pursuits took him across the country. Like many others, he was drawn to the West, where he eventually settled in 1869. He spent four years as a Unitarian minister, with assignments in Pennsylvania as well as Ripon, Wis. and Santa Cruz, Calif.
Eleven years were also spent in teaching in California, Oregon, and Washington. In addition, Ingraham worked for five years as a railroad surveyor in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
In 1880, Ingraham made his permanent home in Waitsburg, Wash., where he was appointed postmaster on Dec. 26, 1889. After six years as postmaster, he took up farming.
Certainly, his life was not all happiness. He was joined in Oregon by his brother Edward, who was a doctor in Clackamas. Sadly, Edward suffered from severe mental illness. By 1890, he was twice committed to a state asylum in the state capital of Salem, where he died that July 15.
Duncan Ingraham outlived many of his comrades in the 33rd. He died at the home of a daughter in Waitsburg on Nov. 5, 1923, two months after the death of his wife of 65 years, Marion. Ingraham, who was survived by four children, is buried in Waitsburg.
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FELONIES
Bradley W. Crane, 47 of Brighton, is charged with aiding/abetting/possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with a December 28, 2024 incident.
Donavon M. Holmes, 24 of Benld, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 11 incident.
Natosha L. Michaelis, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of forgery/making/altering a document in connection with a February 10 incident.
Bradley S. Watters, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a March 12 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with unlawful possession of a knife in connection with a March 9 incident.
Tonya L. Pfeiler, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with theft control/intent (<$500) in connection with a March 1 incident.
Timothy A. Dugger, 23 of Palmyra, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 29 incident.
Dalton W. Branham, 27 of Springfield, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 23 and January 29 incident.
Crystal A. Holland, 50 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a January 18 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 59 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a February 13 incident.
Mark B. Bersch, 68 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with February 4 incident.
Robert D. Lindsey, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a March 3 incident.
Thomas W. Gray, 35 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a February 26 incident.
Ronnie E. Reyes, 40 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a March 13 incident.
TRAFFIC
Bethany E. Robinson, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year, passing a school bus while loading/unloading, and improper traffic lane usage in connection with a February 27 incident.
Timothy R. Galston, 46 of Harvey, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 11-14 mph above the limit in connection with a March 2 incident.
Hector R. Herrera Pena, 39 of Guadalupe, NL, is charged with CDL not obtained in connection with a March 4 incident.
Stephen L. Barrick, 50 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 2 incident.
Kyle L. Stiltz, 32 of Virden, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with a February 28 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Angela M. Berndt versus Travis E. Berndt
- Melissa K. Porter versus Kevin W. Porter
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Bunker Hill – Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill is excited to announce a rummage sale taking place on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22. The sale will be held at the church located at 609 East Warren Street in Bunker Hill. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Illinois Valley Meals on Wheels in Macoupin County, a vital program that prepares and delivers over 1,500 meals daily to those in need across three counties.
Donations for the rummage sale are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the church’s north entrance starting Monday, March 17. Items of all kinds are appreciated, and your contributions will directly support the dedicated efforts of volunteers who ensure that nutritious meals reach our community members.
The sale will run from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday and then 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it convenient for everyone to stop by and find great deals while supporting a crucial service in our area.
For more information about the rummage sale or how to donate, please contact Jane Baker at 618-973-2666.
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FELONIES
Bryer D. Greff, 30 of Virden, is charged with retail theft (<$300) with a previous conviction in connection to a March 1 incident.
Michael J. Weaver, 34 of Carlinville, is charged with methamphetamine delivery (400<900 grams), possession of methamphetamine (400<900 grams), and felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 3 incident.
Patrick D. Greer, 39 of Mount Olive, is charged with burglary and theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 23 and March 3 incident .
Brian H. Duff, 50 of Alton, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Allison S. Cisco, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 1 incident.
Andrew C. London, 19 of Wilsonville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with a March 5 incident.
Shelby L. Veach, 23 of Staunton, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee and criminal damage to property in connection with a December 16 and December 21 incident.
Robert J. Zumwalt, 43 of Livingston, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a December 21 incident.
TRAFFIC
Andrew J. McDaniel, 56 of Littleton, CO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 23 incident.
Connor E. O’Brien, 25 of Riverside, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 24 incident.
Anthony M. Reed, 29 of Fayette, MS, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a February 22 incident.
Patrick M. Nejmanowski, 58 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a February 25 incident.
Michael A. Coates, 49 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a February 16 incident.
Carl R. Albracht, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 25 incident.
Jessica M. Jenkins, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 24 incident.
Jason L. Peter, 48 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 22 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 21 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on suspended license in connection with a February 27 incident.
Julia A. Schall, 68 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a February 27 incdient.
Amy N. Gomer, 39 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 4 incident.
Dalton C. Bunyard, 32 of Wood River, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 28 incident.
Edward Tumpach III, 33 of Hillsboro, is charged with reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, and disregarding a traffic control device in connection with a March 5 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Neil Ringer versus Whitney Ringer
- Christina Essington versus John Essington
- Scott Huddleston versus Jessica Huddleston
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Zion Lutheran School to host open house on March 18 for preschool and kindergarten programs
Illinois Farm Bureau to host ‘Rules for the Road’ trucking seminar in Carlinville on March 20
