| 6. |  Daniel Webster Ridenour was born 19 Nov 1841, Campbell County, Tennessee (son of Alexandor T. Ridenour and Sara T. Loy); died 4 Jan 1902, Joliet, Will County, Illinois; was buried 6 Jan 1902, Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois. Notes:
Listed in 1850 Campbell County, Tennessee census with uncle and aunt Peter and Philpena Loy and grandmother Philpena Sharp Loy. Listed in Preble County, Ohio 1860 census living in the home of Mary Piatt.
Enlisted when 19 years old in Civil War at Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, 17 April 1861 in Company C 20th Ohio Infantry under Kelly's Command in the Army of Occupation West Virginia, mustered out 18 August 1861. After expiration of time, reenlisted 28 August 1861 in Company E 22nd Ohio and was mustered out 18 November 1864 at Benton Barracks, Missouri a corporal. He then enlisted 13 February 1865 as Private in Company I 187th regiment, was promoted to sergeant, demoted back to Private 8 September 1865 and mustered out of service 20 January 1866 at Macon, Georgia making four years and seven months service for his Country and holding three honorable discharges.
He was in many prominent battles among which was Corinth where a Texas Brigade charged them seven lines deep. Was with Grant in the fierce conflict at Shiloh, where the brave 22nd served the enemy eighty rounds in succession.
Twenty thousand were killed and wounded (both sides) in the terrific struggle, most of the three days siege was fought in the woods and at close range.
Daniel was with the taking of Forts Henry and Donelson and the thrilling siege of Vicksburg until the "planting of the Colors" upon the enemy's works. In the National Cemetery in Vicksburg among the regimental marble slabs is one denoting the position of the brave 22nd Ohio in that great battle.
Daniel was with Sherman in his March from Atlanta to the Sea. In all the experience of those exciting years he was only slightly wounded in the heel, was in a hospital a short time with malaria.
At the time of his death he was a member of W. H. L Wallace Post No. 66 G. A. R. in Eldorado, Kansas. The Chapter was draped thirty days in his memory.
Death: Pneumonia and heart failure.
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Reference:
Anna O. Sawyer Ridenour Notes, 1902, p 7.
I enlisted in Eaton, Ohio, April 17th, 1861, for three months served four months, and was discharged; re-enlisted and served four years and seven months all told. That compares well with most of the old boys.
I commenced trying to be soldier at Hamilton, Ohio, - went on guard, tackled our rations regularly, cooked, slept on the soft side of boards and thought it was great fun playing soldier. It was fun compared with the real service that awaited us when we were on the march, camping, cooking, carrying our guns, knapsacks, canteens, etc. in all 50 pounds weight. It wasn't all sweet in the south then, no indeedy. Tired and footsore, we would go into camp at night, make a supper of coffee and hard tack and when ready to fall over asleep from weariness, hear the rasping voice of the 1st Sergant: "Ridenor, you'll have to go on picket tonight" What would a good fellow do? Growl a little and say: "Why don't you detail So and so?" "Now you come along. No fooling. This is what you are here for." Away we'd go; watch all night or something to shoot and note that a little stump a foot or so tall in the evening would stretch itself up to ten feet in height and walking straight at and intending to shoot you on the picket post. Rain, sleet, snow, mud, dust, good or bad weather, it was the never-ending routine, and to obey orders and ask no questions. That's what it took to make a good soldier.
Tough as was our soldiering, we had many jolly hours. We were young and full of blood, our pulses bounding, our hearts light and we saw the bright side of about everything. I must say however that the disagreeables overbalanced the agreeables.
I tell you when we were on line of battle waiting orders to advance, "guide right; march; steady;" we lived a lifetime in a few minutes. It was waiting, inaction that tired our nerves. Our minds had time to dwell on things dangerous to our bodies. When the word came we were glad of it though no one could say whether he would come out alive.
At Shiloh our captain came along our front serving 40 rounds extra, 80 rounds in all. We knew that meant hot work. One of our men stepped out and said to the captain, "I am afraid to go into the fight." The captain's words will not bear publication and I felt it took more nerve to make an acknowledgment of cowardice than to go into the fight. I can see that "boy," after 34 years, standing before the captain who declining the service of a coward sent him to his tent where he was taken sick. Later he was sent home and in a few weeks died, really "scared to death." Twenty thousand were killed, wounded, and missing (both sides) in that great struggle. I feel pride in it. General Sherman speaks of our regiment four times in his report of the fight and the details he gives are inspiring to all who soldiered for love of country. I recall with pleasure my part in the taking of forts Henry and Donelson; Shiloh, siege of Corinth and other brushes with our recreant southern brothers.
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Reference:
Daniel W. Ridenour testimonial.
Bruce E. Ridenour writes A. L. L. Hamilton from Joliet, Illinois, under date of
January 4th, as follows:
I take this means of informing you that Dan W. Ridenour, my father, was taken sick Sunday morning, December 29th, with a heavy chill. Monday and Tuesday he was some better and the doctor pronounced it grippe, but Wednesday night he was suddenly taken worse and his case speedily developed into pneumonia. He suffered untold agonies until he became unconscious this morning at 11 o'clock. He died this afternoon at ten minutes past three, January 4th. Our doctor could have saved him had it not been for an attack of heart failure.
Yours in sorrow,
Bruce E. Ridenour.
518 Oneida Street, Joliet, Illinois
Mr. Ridenour was a resident of El Dorado for thirteen years. He was born in Ohio and was a harness maker by trade. In 1886 he moved from Clarinda, Iowa to Caldwell this state. Two years later he purchased the harness business of James Dodwell at El Dorado and moved his family here. About a year ago his son, Bruce, secured a position as book keeper for an electric light company of Joliet. A short time after that Mr. Ridenour moved his family to Joliet and he went to work at his trade. Mr. Ridenour was a soldier and enjoyed living over those strenuous times with the old boys, as much as any of them. He served in Ohio regiments for four years and seven months service. When the first call was made he went for three months service. When his time expired he re-enlisted for three years and after that he veterened for the war.
Mr. Ridenour was a good man, a kind and loving husband and father. Besides his wife he leaves a son and two daughters, all grown, Bruce E., and Misses Myrth and Blanche.
Mr. Ridenour, speaking of his service during the war, said, not long before he left El Dorado:
At Corinth a Texas brigade charged us seven lines deep. The gunners mowed swaths through their ranks with grape and canister and yet they closed up their ranks and came on, stopping for nothing until they came to our breast works. Their Colonel was killed in the charge and left on the field. No words can express the awfulness I felt in going over that field where the dead were literally piled up and the cries of the wounded will never be forgotten while life lasts.
Some think we old boys are not dying fast enough. We are satisfied to stay a little longer and as a comrade falls out, slain by the common enemy, Death, we just close up ranks as we did in the battles for the Union; where if a soldier was shot we would close up the gap and move forward, not stopping to think of the fallen one.
It is only a question of time when the last of us must fall out, with no rank to close. We need not fear, we fought the good fight, won the greatest victories of modern times and when we bivouac
"On Fames's eternal camping ground,"
it will be with the consciousness that we have left the noblest heritage to our children, a united country.
I did my duty as a soldier to the best of my ability. I am proud of my record. I would not change it if I could. I feel that I was fortunate to escape the dangers that threatened me and all soldiers during the Civil war.
D. W. Ridenour
D. W. Ridenour -- comrade, good citizen and honest man died at his home Joliet, Illinois last Saturday. Another soldier of the trying times of 1863 to '65 gone. When I heard the news this morning how the memories of old association came thronging through the mind. The hours of pleasure spent in his shop when he was a resident of our city, where we could talk over our old times with kindred spirits -- how vividly this last drama awakens us to the fact that we have lost a friend.
If we miss him from memory how much more does the family circle with the familiar face of father and husband gone from every place in the home?
R. C. Young
El Dorado Times
Daniel Webster Ridenour built a house in Clarinda, Iowa in 1875.
Buried in SE 1/4 Lot 66 Block D in Oakwood Cemetery with wife and only son.
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Reference:
"Anna O Sawyer notes", 1902, p 6.
Daniel W. Ridenour Civil War Pension Papers, US National Archives.
Delores A. Wood, dawood@usit.net.
21 May 1998, Becky Hilbert, RJH885@aol.com.
Military details:
OHIO
TWENTIETH INFANTRY
(Three Months)
Twentieth Infantry. - (Three Months' Service.) Col., Thomas Morton; Lieut.-Col., John W. Cruikshank; Maj., Charles N. Lamison. The companies composing this organization were enrolled as follows: A and F, April 20, at Lima; B, April 19, at Oxford; C and D, April 22, at Eaton; E, April 17, at St. Mary's; G, April 25, at Chesterville; H, April 27, at Sidney; I, April 22, at Steubenville, and K, April 25, at Columbus. Cos. A, B, C, D, I and K were ordered to Camp Jackson, Columbus, and E F, G and H to Camp Goddard, Zanesville. The quota being full under the president's first call for 75,000 troops, the muster and regimental organization was delayed for several weeks, until the companies were mustered into state service. After being mustered in the six companies at Camp Jackson joined the remainder of the regiment at Zanesville and there the regimental organization was formed and the equipment and drilling for the field actively engaged in until early in June, when it was ordered to move to Virginia. Arriving at Bellaire, it crossed the Ohio river to Benwood, and was distributed along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad as far as Grafton, with headquarters at Fairmount. The regiment performed a large amount of marching and guard duty, and rendered valuable service to the government in assisting to stay the progress of the Confederates, who were endeavoring to carry the war into the North. Its entire service was in this direction, with the exception of one expedition made to counteract the retreat of the Confederates from Carrick's ford. It would have been successful in this expedition if the news had not been carried to the enemy of its approach. The regiment then being on top of Knobby mountain, the Confederates at once broke camp and moved towards Petersburg. Its term of enlistment about to expire, the regiment moved back on the railroad for a few days and was then ordered home to be mustered out, which was done on Aug. 18, 1861. The casualties during its brief period of service were 2 killed in a railroad accident, 1 died from accidental gunshot wound, and 7 died of disease.
OHIO
TWENTY-SECOND INFANTRY
(Three Years)
Twenty-second Infantry. - (Three Years' Service.) Cols., Crafts J. Wright, Oliver Wood; Lieut.-Cols., Joseph Felix St. James, Benjamin T. Wright, Homer Thrall; Majs., Charles W. Anderson, George R. French. This regiment, although originally known as the 13th Mo., organized at St. Louis, from Aug. 9 to Nov. 5, 1861, to serve for three years, was commanded by Ohio officers and its ranks filled mainly by soldiers from this state. Its designation was changed to the 22nd Ohio infantry by order of the secretary of war, May 29, 1862. Its first baptism of fire was at Fort Donelson, Tenn., and in that engagement the regiment behaved very creditably. At Shiloh the numerical force of the regiment was 450 officers and men and during the two days of that well-contested battle it was warmly engaged, losing in killed and wounded 89 officers and men. In the slow and tedious advance on Corinth, succeeding the battle of Shiloh, the regiment was continually in the front. On the evacuation of Corinth by the enemy it marched with the army to Booneville, Miss., in pursuit and then returned to Corinth. It joined in the pursuit of the Confederates after their attempt to recapture the place had been repulsed in October, but, like the whole army engaged in that fruitless race, gained no laurels. While on garrison duty at Trenton, Tenn., in Dec., 1862, a detachment of the 22nd captured the notorious guerrilla chief, Col. Dawson, who afterward died in the Alton (Ill.)
penitentiary. The regiment participated in the occupation of Little Rock, Ark., in Sept., 1863, and during the year following remained on guard duty in that state. In Oct., 1864, it received orders to report at Camp Dennison, Ohio, to complete its record and be mustered out of service, which was done on Nov. 18.
22nd OH Infantry
Organized: on 3/29/62
Mustered Out: 11/18/64
Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded: 2
Officers Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 2
Enlisted Men Killed or Mortally Wounded: 36
Enlisted Men Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 167
From
To
Brigade
Division
Corps
Army
Comment
Jul '62
Sep '62
2
2
District of Corinth
District and Army of West Tennessee
Sep '62
Oct '62
1
2
District of Corinth
District and Army of West Tennessee
Sep '62
Nov '62
2
2
District of Corinth
District and Army of West Tennessee
Oct '62
Dec '62
2
District Corinth, 13
District and Army of West Tennessee
Desig changed from 14th MO Inf 11/20/62
Dec '62
Dec '62
2
District of Corinth
17
Department of the Tennessee
Dec '62
Mar '63
4
District of Jackson
Left Wing, 16
Department of the Tennessee
Mar '63
May '63
2
3
16
Department of the Tennessee
May '63
Jul '63
2
Kimball's Provisional
16
Department of the Tennessee
Jul '63
Aug '63
2
Kimball's
District of East AR
Department of the Tennessee
Aug '63
Jan '64
2
2nd
Arkansas Expedition
Jan '64
Mar '64
2
2
7
Department of Arkansas
Mar '64
May '64
3
3
7
Department of Arkansas
May '64
Feb '65
2
2
7
Department of Arkansas
Feb '65
Aug '65
1
3
7
Department of Arkansas
Mustered Out
OHIO
ONE HUNDRED and EIGHTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY
(One Year)
One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Infantry. - Col., Andrew R. Z. Dawson; Lieut-Col., Llewellyn R. Davis; Maj., Daniel A. Russell. This regiment was organized at Camp Chase, March 2, 1865, to serve for one year, and left on March 3 for Nashville, Tenn. On its arrival at Nashville it was met by orders to report at Dalton, Ga. From Dalton the regiment marched to Kingston. Marching back to Dalton it went into camp for some 30 days, when the railroad being repaired it was placed on the cars and sent to Macon, Ga. It performed provost duty in Macon until Jan. 20, 1866, when it was mustered out in mustered out in accordance with orders from the war department.
Daniel married Anna Olivia Sawyer 3 May 1872, Clarinda, Page County, Iowa. Anna (daughter of Alfred Sawyer and Lury Ann Macomber Fay) was born 22 Jan 1848, Westford, Chittenden County, Vermont; died 23 Mar 1932, Joliet, Will County, Illinois; was buried 25 Mar 1932, Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]
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1908 - 2002 (93 years)
Fred De Loss Mateer was born 8 Sep 1876, Joliet, Will County, Illinois (son of Samuel Alexander Mateer and Mary Charlotte Butler); died 12 Dec 1971, Evanston, Cook County, Illinois; was buried Elmhurst Memorial Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois.