(NOTE: Thomas W. Botts had probably never sat for a portrait prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. During the 10 months the 86th was garrisoned in and around Nashville in 1862/63, most of the men and boys of the 86th took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to their loved ones back home. These pictures came in two forms. There were paper pictures, which were called CDV's and then their were tintypes. If a CDV was made, which was the most common, many copies were usually purchased, not only to send home to their loved ones, but also to swap among their messmates and tentmates. Thomas survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During the years after the war, Thomas probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would love to see a copy of his CDV add to his Find A Grave Memorial, if he did have one made, but, at this time, I would be just thrilled to see some pictures of him as an older man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Sergeant THOMAS W. BOTTS, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Thomas W. Botts was born on March __, 1833/34/36 in Green Township in Clinton County, Ohio, the son of Coleman Botts, who was born c. July 20, 1797 in Frederick County, Virginia, and Malinda (Thurman) Botts, who was born on April 6, 1806 in Pittsylvania, Virginia.
Coleman Botts was married to Malinda Thurman on May 9, 1822 in Highland County, Ohio. Malinda is believed by some, however, to have been married briefly to Silas Mark. Malinda (Thurman) Botts is found in Green Township of Clinton County at the time of the 1840 census as the head of household. Coleman Botts is not listed as head of household. For this reason, I believed that Coleman may have passed. However, it is now believed that Coleman Botts did not die until February 23, 1842 in New Vienna, Clinton County, Ohio. See his Find A Grave Memorial 82495939.
Malinda (Thurman) Botts was then married to George Achor on November 4, 1847 in Clinton County, Ohio. The date and place of Malinda's death and burial are unknown, but Malinda probably died between the 1860 census (when she is listed with George "Aker" in Highland County) and November 13, 1864, when George Achor/Aker was married to Sarah Ann "Sallie" Williams in Highland County, Ohio.
Thomas W. Botts may have come west on his own and at the time of the 1850 census, Thomas is most likely the Thomas Botts that we find in Knox county, Illinois;
Wm M 36 Illinois
Lydia F 34 Kentucky
Rebecca E F 4 Illinois
Wickliff M 2 Illinois
Allen Castle M 13 Ohio
Rebecca Hamrick F 61 Virginia
Margaret Hamrick F 15 Ohio
Thomas Botts M 17 Ohio
Thomas W. Botts was married to Sarah J. Casford on August 31, 1856 in Bureau County, Illinois. Sarah was born on May 29, 1840 on Prince Edward Island north of Nova Scotia, Canada, the daughter of James Casford, who was born in 1801/02 in Calbourne, Isle of Wight, England, and __________ (_________) Casford, who was also born in England. At the time of the 1850 census, Sarah and her family are found in Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin;
James Casford M 48 England
M Casford F 37 England
Jas Casford M 17 Prince Edward Island
M A Casford F 15 Prince Edward Island
E Casford F 12 Prince Edward Island
S J Casford F 10 Prince Edward Island
G Casford M 8 Prince Edward Island
H Casford M 6 Prince Edward Island
J Casford M 4 Prince Edward Island
At the time of the 1860 census, the Casfords are found in Hall Township of Bureau County, Illinois;
James Cassford M 60 England
Jane Cassford F 45 New York
Heny Cassford M 16 Prince Ed Island
John Cassford M 14 Prince Ed Island
James Casford died on July 22, 1879 in Iowa at the age of 78 and his mortal remains were laid in the Keota Cemetery in Keota, Keokuk County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 98451887.
Two daughters are known to have been born to Thomas W. Botts and Sarah Jane (Casford) Botts. They are;
1. Marjorie Elma Botts, born August 9, 1857 in Kingston Mines, Peoria County, Illinois. Elma was married to John Guy Campbell on October 11, 1877 in Kingston Mines, Peoria County, Illinois. John was born on June __, 1856. Four children were born to Marjorie and John including;
A. Alla M. Campbell. born c. 1878/79 in Illinois.
B. John Guy Campbell Jr., born in 1881. John died in 1898.
C. Marjorie Campbell, born in 1889. Marjorie died in 1898.
D. _________ Campbell, born in 18__.
At the time of the 1880 census, Marjorie and her family are found in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
SELF John G. Campbell M 23 Illinois
WIFE Elma M. Campbell F 22 Illinois
DAU Alla M. Campbell F 1 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Marjorie and her family are found in Precinct 5 Tacoma city Ward 2, Pierce County, Washington. Marjorie is listed as being the mother of 4 children, only two of whom are living at this time;
John G. Campbell Head M 48 Illinois
Marjorie E Campbell Wife F 43 Illinois
Allah M Campbell Daughter F 22 Illinois
John F Culver Son-in-law M 35 Kentucky
Helen Culver Daughter F 9 Washington
Marjorie Elma (Botts) Campbell died on ___________ __, 19__ and her mortal remains were laid in the ____________ Cemetery in __________, ___________. John Guy Campbell died on ___________ __, 19__ and his mortal remains were laid in the Tacoma Cemetery in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 83025798.
2. Melinda Botts, born __________ __, 1859 in Peoria County, Illinois. Melinda was married to Orrin Peck in the 1880's. Their children include;
A. Philip F Peck, born c. 1884/85 in Illinois.
B. Margery Peck, born c. 1887/88 in Illinois.
C. Ora L Peck, born c. 1889/90 in Illinois.
D. Orrin B Peck, born c. 1893/94 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 census, seen below, Melinda and her family reside in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Melinda (Botts) Peck died on ___________ __, 1940 in __________, ___________ and her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 106428318.
Now to continue with what we know about Thomas W. Botts;
On August 9, 1862, Thomas W. Botts volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber-Hollis Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant, Allen L. Fahnestock.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BOTTS, THOMAS W
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LANCASTER, PEORIA CO, IL Age 29 Height 5' 9 Hair BLACK
Eyes BROWN Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation CAULKER
Nativity GREEN, CLINTON CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When AUG 9, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL & SERGEANT DISCHARGED MAY 13, 1865 AT MOUND CITY ILL FOR WOUNDS PVTD IN ACTION AT KENESAW MOUNTAIN GA
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including now Private Thomas W. Botts, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp. Of this time, Kinnear in his history of the 86th wrote, "On the 9th of December the command was marched to Nashville, taking up camp there, and put on duty about the city. About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within."
Kinnear continued, "Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time. The regiment was called upon to do a great deal of duty, such as picketing about the city---a business that is anything but pleasant where there are a number of generals and other fancy officers to be looked after. While on duty at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers, each bearing his own report."
Kinnear continued, "During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to it."
During the next two years, Private Thomas W. Botts would serve faithfully in Co. I as the men of McCook's Brigade served in Tennessee and Georgia. During this time, Thomas was twice elected by the men of Co. I to fill vacanties among the NCO positions, first as a Corporal and then as a Sergeant. During this time, Thomas was also witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia and finally the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.
On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves in the trenches across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. At 8:00 a.m. when the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th Illinois, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400. Among the killed in Co. K was our Orderly Sergeant Buchanan, shot in the head and died without speaking. He was a brave man."
As the men of McCook's Brigade fell back from the Confedererate fortifications, they were forced to leave most of their dead and wounded behind. These bodies laid between the lines until the 29th when a truce was called so the Union could bury it's dead because the smell from the decomposing bodies became so horrible, that neither side could stand it any longer.
Company I suffered more than their share of the 106 casualties. In less than 30 minutes, Co. I had three men killed in action and had thirteen more wounded. Of the wounded, two would die of their wounds within a month. Among the wounded was Sergeant Thomas W. Botts. Initially treated in a field hospital, Sergeant Thomas W. Botts was sent to the rear and then north where he would spend much of the next ten months in an army hospital. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts was finally discharged from the service from the hospital at Mound City, Illinois on May 13, 1865 and he returned to his family and home in Peoria County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Thomas and his family are found in Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois;
Botts Thomas 35 M corker 700 Ohio
Botts Sarah Jane 30 F wife Prince Edward Isle.
Botts Elma 13 F at home Illinois
Botts Melinda 11 F at home Illinois
In March of 1880, Thomas W. Botts began collecting in Invalid Pension for his service in the Civil War. At the time of the 1880 census, Thomas W. Botts and his family are found in Kingston, Peoria County, Illinois, where he is the Supt. Of Ice Houses;
Thomas W Botts Self M 48 Ohio
Sarah Botts Wife F 40 Canada
Malinda Botts Daughter F 21 Illinois
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th organized and held a reunion in Peoria, Illinois for the old 86th Illinois during the week of August 27, 1887, the 25th anniversary of the mustering in of the 86th back in 1862. The reunion was attended by 130 veterans of the 86th and was such a success that they decided to continue to hold them every year in Peoria on that August 27th anniversary as long as the veterans could attend. They continued to hold them every year through the year 1923, when it was tearfully decided by the 20 veterans who were able to attend that reunion that they were getting to be too old and too few to continue them after 1923. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts attended the 2nd reunion in 1888, but he never attended another reunion after that. Perhaps they were just too painful to attend.
In the 1880'sor 1890's, Thomas and Sarah were divorced. At the time of the 1900 census, Thomas is found boarding with the Evans family in Hollis Township, Peoria County, Illinois. He is listed as married, but Sarah, nor any other member of the family is found residing with the Evans family;
Evans Edward Head M Feb 1871 29 M 4 Illinois Kentucky Pennsylvania Coal miner
Evans Mary Wife F May 1875 25 M 4 3 3 Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Burnell Son M Jul 1896 3 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Mabel Daughter F Mar 1898 2 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Frank Son M Nov 1899 6/12 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Botts Thomas Boarder M Mar 1836 64 M 40 Ohio Virginia Kentucky Sept. Ice Work
At the time of the 1900 census, Sarah is found residing with her daughter, Melinda, and her family in Precinct 1 South Town Chicago city Ward 4, Cook, Illinois. Sarah is listed as divorced. She is also listed as being the mother of 2 children, both of whom are living at this time;
Orrin Peck Head M 41 Illinois
Melinda Peck Wife F 41 Illinois
Philip F Peck Son M 15 Illinois
Margery Peck Daughter F 12 Illinois
Ora L Peck Daughter F 10 Illinois
Orrin B Peck Son M 6 Illinois
Sarah Botts Mother-in-law F 60 Canada (Eng)
Sergeant Thomas W. Botts is known to have died prior to the 1910 census. The date February 13, 1907 can be seen on Thomas W. Botts' pension card, which can be seen on Fold3. This is believed to be the date of his death. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts' mortal remains were laid in the Kingston Mines Cemetery near Glasford, Peoria County, Illinois.
Sarah Jane (Casford) Botts died on October 1, 1922 in ___________, California and her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 106419302.
by Baxter B. Fite III, Vernon Botts, a great great great grandson of Coleman Botts and Find A Grave Contributor #48339273, who would like to manage Thomas W. Botts site when I am done, and Jay Wright.
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Botts family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Thomas W. Botts and the Botts family. Baxter would also like to see copies of ANY photographs of Thomas W. Botts, which have survived the years, added to to his Find A Grave Memorial for all to see and enjoy.)
Sergeant THOMAS W. BOTTS, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Thomas W. Botts was born on March __, 1833/34/36 in Green Township in Clinton County, Ohio, the son of Coleman Botts, who was born c. July 20, 1797 in Frederick County, Virginia, and Malinda (Thurman) Botts, who was born on April 6, 1806 in Pittsylvania, Virginia.
Coleman Botts was married to Malinda Thurman on May 9, 1822 in Highland County, Ohio. Malinda is believed by some, however, to have been married briefly to Silas Mark. Malinda (Thurman) Botts is found in Green Township of Clinton County at the time of the 1840 census as the head of household. Coleman Botts is not listed as head of household. For this reason, I believed that Coleman may have passed. However, it is now believed that Coleman Botts did not die until February 23, 1842 in New Vienna, Clinton County, Ohio. See his Find A Grave Memorial 82495939.
Malinda (Thurman) Botts was then married to George Achor on November 4, 1847 in Clinton County, Ohio. The date and place of Malinda's death and burial are unknown, but Malinda probably died between the 1860 census (when she is listed with George "Aker" in Highland County) and November 13, 1864, when George Achor/Aker was married to Sarah Ann "Sallie" Williams in Highland County, Ohio.
Thomas W. Botts may have come west on his own and at the time of the 1850 census, Thomas is most likely the Thomas Botts that we find in Knox county, Illinois;
Wm M 36 Illinois
Lydia F 34 Kentucky
Rebecca E F 4 Illinois
Wickliff M 2 Illinois
Allen Castle M 13 Ohio
Rebecca Hamrick F 61 Virginia
Margaret Hamrick F 15 Ohio
Thomas Botts M 17 Ohio
Thomas W. Botts was married to Sarah J. Casford on August 31, 1856 in Bureau County, Illinois. Sarah was born on May 29, 1840 on Prince Edward Island north of Nova Scotia, Canada, the daughter of James Casford, who was born in 1801/02 in Calbourne, Isle of Wight, England, and __________ (_________) Casford, who was also born in England. At the time of the 1850 census, Sarah and her family are found in Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin;
James Casford M 48 England
M Casford F 37 England
Jas Casford M 17 Prince Edward Island
M A Casford F 15 Prince Edward Island
E Casford F 12 Prince Edward Island
S J Casford F 10 Prince Edward Island
G Casford M 8 Prince Edward Island
H Casford M 6 Prince Edward Island
J Casford M 4 Prince Edward Island
At the time of the 1860 census, the Casfords are found in Hall Township of Bureau County, Illinois;
James Cassford M 60 England
Jane Cassford F 45 New York
Heny Cassford M 16 Prince Ed Island
John Cassford M 14 Prince Ed Island
James Casford died on July 22, 1879 in Iowa at the age of 78 and his mortal remains were laid in the Keota Cemetery in Keota, Keokuk County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 98451887.
Two daughters are known to have been born to Thomas W. Botts and Sarah Jane (Casford) Botts. They are;
1. Marjorie Elma Botts, born August 9, 1857 in Kingston Mines, Peoria County, Illinois. Elma was married to John Guy Campbell on October 11, 1877 in Kingston Mines, Peoria County, Illinois. John was born on June __, 1856. Four children were born to Marjorie and John including;
A. Alla M. Campbell. born c. 1878/79 in Illinois.
B. John Guy Campbell Jr., born in 1881. John died in 1898.
C. Marjorie Campbell, born in 1889. Marjorie died in 1898.
D. _________ Campbell, born in 18__.
At the time of the 1880 census, Marjorie and her family are found in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
SELF John G. Campbell M 23 Illinois
WIFE Elma M. Campbell F 22 Illinois
DAU Alla M. Campbell F 1 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Marjorie and her family are found in Precinct 5 Tacoma city Ward 2, Pierce County, Washington. Marjorie is listed as being the mother of 4 children, only two of whom are living at this time;
John G. Campbell Head M 48 Illinois
Marjorie E Campbell Wife F 43 Illinois
Allah M Campbell Daughter F 22 Illinois
John F Culver Son-in-law M 35 Kentucky
Helen Culver Daughter F 9 Washington
Marjorie Elma (Botts) Campbell died on ___________ __, 19__ and her mortal remains were laid in the ____________ Cemetery in __________, ___________. John Guy Campbell died on ___________ __, 19__ and his mortal remains were laid in the Tacoma Cemetery in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 83025798.
2. Melinda Botts, born __________ __, 1859 in Peoria County, Illinois. Melinda was married to Orrin Peck in the 1880's. Their children include;
A. Philip F Peck, born c. 1884/85 in Illinois.
B. Margery Peck, born c. 1887/88 in Illinois.
C. Ora L Peck, born c. 1889/90 in Illinois.
D. Orrin B Peck, born c. 1893/94 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 census, seen below, Melinda and her family reside in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Melinda (Botts) Peck died on ___________ __, 1940 in __________, ___________ and her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 106428318.
Now to continue with what we know about Thomas W. Botts;
On August 9, 1862, Thomas W. Botts volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber-Hollis Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant, Allen L. Fahnestock.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BOTTS, THOMAS W
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LANCASTER, PEORIA CO, IL Age 29 Height 5' 9 Hair BLACK
Eyes BROWN Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation CAULKER
Nativity GREEN, CLINTON CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When AUG 9, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL & SERGEANT DISCHARGED MAY 13, 1865 AT MOUND CITY ILL FOR WOUNDS PVTD IN ACTION AT KENESAW MOUNTAIN GA
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including now Private Thomas W. Botts, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp. Of this time, Kinnear in his history of the 86th wrote, "On the 9th of December the command was marched to Nashville, taking up camp there, and put on duty about the city. About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within."
Kinnear continued, "Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time. The regiment was called upon to do a great deal of duty, such as picketing about the city---a business that is anything but pleasant where there are a number of generals and other fancy officers to be looked after. While on duty at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers, each bearing his own report."
Kinnear continued, "During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to it."
During the next two years, Private Thomas W. Botts would serve faithfully in Co. I as the men of McCook's Brigade served in Tennessee and Georgia. During this time, Thomas was twice elected by the men of Co. I to fill vacanties among the NCO positions, first as a Corporal and then as a Sergeant. During this time, Thomas was also witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia and finally the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.
On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves in the trenches across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. At 8:00 a.m. when the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th Illinois, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400. Among the killed in Co. K was our Orderly Sergeant Buchanan, shot in the head and died without speaking. He was a brave man."
As the men of McCook's Brigade fell back from the Confedererate fortifications, they were forced to leave most of their dead and wounded behind. These bodies laid between the lines until the 29th when a truce was called so the Union could bury it's dead because the smell from the decomposing bodies became so horrible, that neither side could stand it any longer.
Company I suffered more than their share of the 106 casualties. In less than 30 minutes, Co. I had three men killed in action and had thirteen more wounded. Of the wounded, two would die of their wounds within a month. Among the wounded was Sergeant Thomas W. Botts. Initially treated in a field hospital, Sergeant Thomas W. Botts was sent to the rear and then north where he would spend much of the next ten months in an army hospital. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts was finally discharged from the service from the hospital at Mound City, Illinois on May 13, 1865 and he returned to his family and home in Peoria County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Thomas and his family are found in Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois;
Botts Thomas 35 M corker 700 Ohio
Botts Sarah Jane 30 F wife Prince Edward Isle.
Botts Elma 13 F at home Illinois
Botts Melinda 11 F at home Illinois
In March of 1880, Thomas W. Botts began collecting in Invalid Pension for his service in the Civil War. At the time of the 1880 census, Thomas W. Botts and his family are found in Kingston, Peoria County, Illinois, where he is the Supt. Of Ice Houses;
Thomas W Botts Self M 48 Ohio
Sarah Botts Wife F 40 Canada
Malinda Botts Daughter F 21 Illinois
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th organized and held a reunion in Peoria, Illinois for the old 86th Illinois during the week of August 27, 1887, the 25th anniversary of the mustering in of the 86th back in 1862. The reunion was attended by 130 veterans of the 86th and was such a success that they decided to continue to hold them every year in Peoria on that August 27th anniversary as long as the veterans could attend. They continued to hold them every year through the year 1923, when it was tearfully decided by the 20 veterans who were able to attend that reunion that they were getting to be too old and too few to continue them after 1923. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts attended the 2nd reunion in 1888, but he never attended another reunion after that. Perhaps they were just too painful to attend.
In the 1880'sor 1890's, Thomas and Sarah were divorced. At the time of the 1900 census, Thomas is found boarding with the Evans family in Hollis Township, Peoria County, Illinois. He is listed as married, but Sarah, nor any other member of the family is found residing with the Evans family;
Evans Edward Head M Feb 1871 29 M 4 Illinois Kentucky Pennsylvania Coal miner
Evans Mary Wife F May 1875 25 M 4 3 3 Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Burnell Son M Jul 1896 3 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Mabel Daughter F Mar 1898 2 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Frank Son M Nov 1899 6/12 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Botts Thomas Boarder M Mar 1836 64 M 40 Ohio Virginia Kentucky Sept. Ice Work
At the time of the 1900 census, Sarah is found residing with her daughter, Melinda, and her family in Precinct 1 South Town Chicago city Ward 4, Cook, Illinois. Sarah is listed as divorced. She is also listed as being the mother of 2 children, both of whom are living at this time;
Orrin Peck Head M 41 Illinois
Melinda Peck Wife F 41 Illinois
Philip F Peck Son M 15 Illinois
Margery Peck Daughter F 12 Illinois
Ora L Peck Daughter F 10 Illinois
Orrin B Peck Son M 6 Illinois
Sarah Botts Mother-in-law F 60 Canada (Eng)
Sergeant Thomas W. Botts is known to have died prior to the 1910 census. The date February 13, 1907 can be seen on Thomas W. Botts' pension card, which can be seen on Fold3. This is believed to be the date of his death. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts' mortal remains were laid in the Kingston Mines Cemetery near Glasford, Peoria County, Illinois.
Sarah Jane (Casford) Botts died on October 1, 1922 in ___________, California and her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 106419302.
by Baxter B. Fite III, Vernon Botts, a great great great grandson of Coleman Botts and Find A Grave Contributor #48339273, who would like to manage Thomas W. Botts site when I am done, and Jay Wright.
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Botts family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Thomas W. Botts and the Botts family. Baxter would also like to see copies of ANY photographs of Thomas W. Botts, which have survived the years, added to to his Find A Grave Memorial for all to see and enjoy.)
(NOTE: Thomas W. Botts had probably never sat for a portrait prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. During the 10 months the 86th was garrisoned in and around Nashville in 1862/63, most of the men and boys of the 86th took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to their loved ones back home. These pictures came in two forms. There were paper pictures, which were called CDV's and then their were tintypes. If a CDV was made, which was the most common, many copies were usually purchased, not only to send home to their loved ones, but also to swap among their messmates and tentmates. Thomas survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During the years after the war, Thomas probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would love to see a copy of his CDV add to his Find A Grave Memorial, if he did have one made, but, at this time, I would be just thrilled to see some pictures of him as an older man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Sergeant THOMAS W. BOTTS, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Thomas W. Botts was born on March __, 1833/34/36 in Green Township in Clinton County, Ohio, the son of Coleman Botts, who was born c. July 20, 1797 in Frederick County, Virginia, and Malinda (Thurman) Botts, who was born on April 6, 1806 in Pittsylvania, Virginia.
Coleman Botts was married to Malinda Thurman on May 9, 1822 in Highland County, Ohio. Malinda is believed by some, however, to have been married briefly to Silas Mark. Malinda (Thurman) Botts is found in Green Township of Clinton County at the time of the 1840 census as the head of household. Coleman Botts is not listed as head of household. For this reason, I believed that Coleman may have passed. However, it is now believed that Coleman Botts did not die until February 23, 1842 in New Vienna, Clinton County, Ohio. See his Find A Grave Memorial 82495939.
Malinda (Thurman) Botts was then married to George Achor on November 4, 1847 in Clinton County, Ohio. The date and place of Malinda's death and burial are unknown, but Malinda probably died between the 1860 census (when she is listed with George "Aker" in Highland County) and November 13, 1864, when George Achor/Aker was married to Sarah Ann "Sallie" Williams in Highland County, Ohio.
Thomas W. Botts may have come west on his own and at the time of the 1850 census, Thomas is most likely the Thomas Botts that we find in Knox county, Illinois;
Wm M 36 Illinois
Lydia F 34 Kentucky
Rebecca E F 4 Illinois
Wickliff M 2 Illinois
Allen Castle M 13 Ohio
Rebecca Hamrick F 61 Virginia
Margaret Hamrick F 15 Ohio
Thomas Botts M 17 Ohio
Thomas W. Botts was married to Sarah J. Casford on August 31, 1856 in Bureau County, Illinois. Sarah was born on May 29, 1840 on Prince Edward Island north of Nova Scotia, Canada, the daughter of James Casford, who was born in 1801/02 in Calbourne, Isle of Wight, England, and __________ (_________) Casford, who was also born in England. At the time of the 1850 census, Sarah and her family are found in Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin;
James Casford M 48 England
M Casford F 37 England
Jas Casford M 17 Prince Edward Island
M A Casford F 15 Prince Edward Island
E Casford F 12 Prince Edward Island
S J Casford F 10 Prince Edward Island
G Casford M 8 Prince Edward Island
H Casford M 6 Prince Edward Island
J Casford M 4 Prince Edward Island
At the time of the 1860 census, the Casfords are found in Hall Township of Bureau County, Illinois;
James Cassford M 60 England
Jane Cassford F 45 New York
Heny Cassford M 16 Prince Ed Island
John Cassford M 14 Prince Ed Island
James Casford died on July 22, 1879 in Iowa at the age of 78 and his mortal remains were laid in the Keota Cemetery in Keota, Keokuk County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 98451887.
Two daughters are known to have been born to Thomas W. Botts and Sarah Jane (Casford) Botts. They are;
1. Marjorie Elma Botts, born August 9, 1857 in Kingston Mines, Peoria County, Illinois. Elma was married to John Guy Campbell on October 11, 1877 in Kingston Mines, Peoria County, Illinois. John was born on June __, 1856. Four children were born to Marjorie and John including;
A. Alla M. Campbell. born c. 1878/79 in Illinois.
B. John Guy Campbell Jr., born in 1881. John died in 1898.
C. Marjorie Campbell, born in 1889. Marjorie died in 1898.
D. _________ Campbell, born in 18__.
At the time of the 1880 census, Marjorie and her family are found in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
SELF John G. Campbell M 23 Illinois
WIFE Elma M. Campbell F 22 Illinois
DAU Alla M. Campbell F 1 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Marjorie and her family are found in Precinct 5 Tacoma city Ward 2, Pierce County, Washington. Marjorie is listed as being the mother of 4 children, only two of whom are living at this time;
John G. Campbell Head M 48 Illinois
Marjorie E Campbell Wife F 43 Illinois
Allah M Campbell Daughter F 22 Illinois
John F Culver Son-in-law M 35 Kentucky
Helen Culver Daughter F 9 Washington
Marjorie Elma (Botts) Campbell died on ___________ __, 19__ and her mortal remains were laid in the ____________ Cemetery in __________, ___________. John Guy Campbell died on ___________ __, 19__ and his mortal remains were laid in the Tacoma Cemetery in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 83025798.
2. Melinda Botts, born __________ __, 1859 in Peoria County, Illinois. Melinda was married to Orrin Peck in the 1880's. Their children include;
A. Philip F Peck, born c. 1884/85 in Illinois.
B. Margery Peck, born c. 1887/88 in Illinois.
C. Ora L Peck, born c. 1889/90 in Illinois.
D. Orrin B Peck, born c. 1893/94 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 census, seen below, Melinda and her family reside in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Melinda (Botts) Peck died on ___________ __, 1940 in __________, ___________ and her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 106428318.
Now to continue with what we know about Thomas W. Botts;
On August 9, 1862, Thomas W. Botts volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber-Hollis Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant, Allen L. Fahnestock.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BOTTS, THOMAS W
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LANCASTER, PEORIA CO, IL Age 29 Height 5' 9 Hair BLACK
Eyes BROWN Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation CAULKER
Nativity GREEN, CLINTON CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When AUG 9, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL & SERGEANT DISCHARGED MAY 13, 1865 AT MOUND CITY ILL FOR WOUNDS PVTD IN ACTION AT KENESAW MOUNTAIN GA
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including now Private Thomas W. Botts, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp. Of this time, Kinnear in his history of the 86th wrote, "On the 9th of December the command was marched to Nashville, taking up camp there, and put on duty about the city. About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within."
Kinnear continued, "Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time. The regiment was called upon to do a great deal of duty, such as picketing about the city---a business that is anything but pleasant where there are a number of generals and other fancy officers to be looked after. While on duty at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers, each bearing his own report."
Kinnear continued, "During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to it."
During the next two years, Private Thomas W. Botts would serve faithfully in Co. I as the men of McCook's Brigade served in Tennessee and Georgia. During this time, Thomas was twice elected by the men of Co. I to fill vacanties among the NCO positions, first as a Corporal and then as a Sergeant. During this time, Thomas was also witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia and finally the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.
On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves in the trenches across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. At 8:00 a.m. when the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th Illinois, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400. Among the killed in Co. K was our Orderly Sergeant Buchanan, shot in the head and died without speaking. He was a brave man."
As the men of McCook's Brigade fell back from the Confedererate fortifications, they were forced to leave most of their dead and wounded behind. These bodies laid between the lines until the 29th when a truce was called so the Union could bury it's dead because the smell from the decomposing bodies became so horrible, that neither side could stand it any longer.
Company I suffered more than their share of the 106 casualties. In less than 30 minutes, Co. I had three men killed in action and had thirteen more wounded. Of the wounded, two would die of their wounds within a month. Among the wounded was Sergeant Thomas W. Botts. Initially treated in a field hospital, Sergeant Thomas W. Botts was sent to the rear and then north where he would spend much of the next ten months in an army hospital. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts was finally discharged from the service from the hospital at Mound City, Illinois on May 13, 1865 and he returned to his family and home in Peoria County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Thomas and his family are found in Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois;
Botts Thomas 35 M corker 700 Ohio
Botts Sarah Jane 30 F wife Prince Edward Isle.
Botts Elma 13 F at home Illinois
Botts Melinda 11 F at home Illinois
In March of 1880, Thomas W. Botts began collecting in Invalid Pension for his service in the Civil War. At the time of the 1880 census, Thomas W. Botts and his family are found in Kingston, Peoria County, Illinois, where he is the Supt. Of Ice Houses;
Thomas W Botts Self M 48 Ohio
Sarah Botts Wife F 40 Canada
Malinda Botts Daughter F 21 Illinois
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th organized and held a reunion in Peoria, Illinois for the old 86th Illinois during the week of August 27, 1887, the 25th anniversary of the mustering in of the 86th back in 1862. The reunion was attended by 130 veterans of the 86th and was such a success that they decided to continue to hold them every year in Peoria on that August 27th anniversary as long as the veterans could attend. They continued to hold them every year through the year 1923, when it was tearfully decided by the 20 veterans who were able to attend that reunion that they were getting to be too old and too few to continue them after 1923. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts attended the 2nd reunion in 1888, but he never attended another reunion after that. Perhaps they were just too painful to attend.
In the 1880'sor 1890's, Thomas and Sarah were divorced. At the time of the 1900 census, Thomas is found boarding with the Evans family in Hollis Township, Peoria County, Illinois. He is listed as married, but Sarah, nor any other member of the family is found residing with the Evans family;
Evans Edward Head M Feb 1871 29 M 4 Illinois Kentucky Pennsylvania Coal miner
Evans Mary Wife F May 1875 25 M 4 3 3 Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Burnell Son M Jul 1896 3 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Mabel Daughter F Mar 1898 2 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Frank Son M Nov 1899 6/12 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Botts Thomas Boarder M Mar 1836 64 M 40 Ohio Virginia Kentucky Sept. Ice Work
At the time of the 1900 census, Sarah is found residing with her daughter, Melinda, and her family in Precinct 1 South Town Chicago city Ward 4, Cook, Illinois. Sarah is listed as divorced. She is also listed as being the mother of 2 children, both of whom are living at this time;
Orrin Peck Head M 41 Illinois
Melinda Peck Wife F 41 Illinois
Philip F Peck Son M 15 Illinois
Margery Peck Daughter F 12 Illinois
Ora L Peck Daughter F 10 Illinois
Orrin B Peck Son M 6 Illinois
Sarah Botts Mother-in-law F 60 Canada (Eng)
Sergeant Thomas W. Botts is known to have died prior to the 1910 census. The date February 13, 1907 can be seen on Thomas W. Botts' pension card, which can be seen on Fold3. This is believed to be the date of his death. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts' mortal remains were laid in the Kingston Mines Cemetery near Glasford, Peoria County, Illinois.
Sarah Jane (Casford) Botts died on October 1, 1922 in ___________, California and her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 106419302.
by Baxter B. Fite III, Vernon Botts, a great great great grandson of Coleman Botts and Find A Grave Contributor #48339273, who would like to manage Thomas W. Botts site when I am done, and Jay Wright.
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Botts family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Thomas W. Botts and the Botts family. Baxter would also like to see copies of ANY photographs of Thomas W. Botts, which have survived the years, added to to his Find A Grave Memorial for all to see and enjoy.)
Sergeant THOMAS W. BOTTS, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Thomas W. Botts was born on March __, 1833/34/36 in Green Township in Clinton County, Ohio, the son of Coleman Botts, who was born c. July 20, 1797 in Frederick County, Virginia, and Malinda (Thurman) Botts, who was born on April 6, 1806 in Pittsylvania, Virginia.
Coleman Botts was married to Malinda Thurman on May 9, 1822 in Highland County, Ohio. Malinda is believed by some, however, to have been married briefly to Silas Mark. Malinda (Thurman) Botts is found in Green Township of Clinton County at the time of the 1840 census as the head of household. Coleman Botts is not listed as head of household. For this reason, I believed that Coleman may have passed. However, it is now believed that Coleman Botts did not die until February 23, 1842 in New Vienna, Clinton County, Ohio. See his Find A Grave Memorial 82495939.
Malinda (Thurman) Botts was then married to George Achor on November 4, 1847 in Clinton County, Ohio. The date and place of Malinda's death and burial are unknown, but Malinda probably died between the 1860 census (when she is listed with George "Aker" in Highland County) and November 13, 1864, when George Achor/Aker was married to Sarah Ann "Sallie" Williams in Highland County, Ohio.
Thomas W. Botts may have come west on his own and at the time of the 1850 census, Thomas is most likely the Thomas Botts that we find in Knox county, Illinois;
Wm M 36 Illinois
Lydia F 34 Kentucky
Rebecca E F 4 Illinois
Wickliff M 2 Illinois
Allen Castle M 13 Ohio
Rebecca Hamrick F 61 Virginia
Margaret Hamrick F 15 Ohio
Thomas Botts M 17 Ohio
Thomas W. Botts was married to Sarah J. Casford on August 31, 1856 in Bureau County, Illinois. Sarah was born on May 29, 1840 on Prince Edward Island north of Nova Scotia, Canada, the daughter of James Casford, who was born in 1801/02 in Calbourne, Isle of Wight, England, and __________ (_________) Casford, who was also born in England. At the time of the 1850 census, Sarah and her family are found in Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin;
James Casford M 48 England
M Casford F 37 England
Jas Casford M 17 Prince Edward Island
M A Casford F 15 Prince Edward Island
E Casford F 12 Prince Edward Island
S J Casford F 10 Prince Edward Island
G Casford M 8 Prince Edward Island
H Casford M 6 Prince Edward Island
J Casford M 4 Prince Edward Island
At the time of the 1860 census, the Casfords are found in Hall Township of Bureau County, Illinois;
James Cassford M 60 England
Jane Cassford F 45 New York
Heny Cassford M 16 Prince Ed Island
John Cassford M 14 Prince Ed Island
James Casford died on July 22, 1879 in Iowa at the age of 78 and his mortal remains were laid in the Keota Cemetery in Keota, Keokuk County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 98451887.
Two daughters are known to have been born to Thomas W. Botts and Sarah Jane (Casford) Botts. They are;
1. Marjorie Elma Botts, born August 9, 1857 in Kingston Mines, Peoria County, Illinois. Elma was married to John Guy Campbell on October 11, 1877 in Kingston Mines, Peoria County, Illinois. John was born on June __, 1856. Four children were born to Marjorie and John including;
A. Alla M. Campbell. born c. 1878/79 in Illinois.
B. John Guy Campbell Jr., born in 1881. John died in 1898.
C. Marjorie Campbell, born in 1889. Marjorie died in 1898.
D. _________ Campbell, born in 18__.
At the time of the 1880 census, Marjorie and her family are found in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
SELF John G. Campbell M 23 Illinois
WIFE Elma M. Campbell F 22 Illinois
DAU Alla M. Campbell F 1 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Marjorie and her family are found in Precinct 5 Tacoma city Ward 2, Pierce County, Washington. Marjorie is listed as being the mother of 4 children, only two of whom are living at this time;
John G. Campbell Head M 48 Illinois
Marjorie E Campbell Wife F 43 Illinois
Allah M Campbell Daughter F 22 Illinois
John F Culver Son-in-law M 35 Kentucky
Helen Culver Daughter F 9 Washington
Marjorie Elma (Botts) Campbell died on ___________ __, 19__ and her mortal remains were laid in the ____________ Cemetery in __________, ___________. John Guy Campbell died on ___________ __, 19__ and his mortal remains were laid in the Tacoma Cemetery in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 83025798.
2. Melinda Botts, born __________ __, 1859 in Peoria County, Illinois. Melinda was married to Orrin Peck in the 1880's. Their children include;
A. Philip F Peck, born c. 1884/85 in Illinois.
B. Margery Peck, born c. 1887/88 in Illinois.
C. Ora L Peck, born c. 1889/90 in Illinois.
D. Orrin B Peck, born c. 1893/94 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 census, seen below, Melinda and her family reside in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Melinda (Botts) Peck died on ___________ __, 1940 in __________, ___________ and her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 106428318.
Now to continue with what we know about Thomas W. Botts;
On August 9, 1862, Thomas W. Botts volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber-Hollis Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant, Allen L. Fahnestock.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BOTTS, THOMAS W
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LANCASTER, PEORIA CO, IL Age 29 Height 5' 9 Hair BLACK
Eyes BROWN Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation CAULKER
Nativity GREEN, CLINTON CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When AUG 9, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL & SERGEANT DISCHARGED MAY 13, 1865 AT MOUND CITY ILL FOR WOUNDS PVTD IN ACTION AT KENESAW MOUNTAIN GA
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including now Private Thomas W. Botts, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp. Of this time, Kinnear in his history of the 86th wrote, "On the 9th of December the command was marched to Nashville, taking up camp there, and put on duty about the city. About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within."
Kinnear continued, "Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time. The regiment was called upon to do a great deal of duty, such as picketing about the city---a business that is anything but pleasant where there are a number of generals and other fancy officers to be looked after. While on duty at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers, each bearing his own report."
Kinnear continued, "During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to it."
During the next two years, Private Thomas W. Botts would serve faithfully in Co. I as the men of McCook's Brigade served in Tennessee and Georgia. During this time, Thomas was twice elected by the men of Co. I to fill vacanties among the NCO positions, first as a Corporal and then as a Sergeant. During this time, Thomas was also witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia and finally the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.
On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves in the trenches across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. At 8:00 a.m. when the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th Illinois, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400. Among the killed in Co. K was our Orderly Sergeant Buchanan, shot in the head and died without speaking. He was a brave man."
As the men of McCook's Brigade fell back from the Confedererate fortifications, they were forced to leave most of their dead and wounded behind. These bodies laid between the lines until the 29th when a truce was called so the Union could bury it's dead because the smell from the decomposing bodies became so horrible, that neither side could stand it any longer.
Company I suffered more than their share of the 106 casualties. In less than 30 minutes, Co. I had three men killed in action and had thirteen more wounded. Of the wounded, two would die of their wounds within a month. Among the wounded was Sergeant Thomas W. Botts. Initially treated in a field hospital, Sergeant Thomas W. Botts was sent to the rear and then north where he would spend much of the next ten months in an army hospital. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts was finally discharged from the service from the hospital at Mound City, Illinois on May 13, 1865 and he returned to his family and home in Peoria County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Thomas and his family are found in Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois;
Botts Thomas 35 M corker 700 Ohio
Botts Sarah Jane 30 F wife Prince Edward Isle.
Botts Elma 13 F at home Illinois
Botts Melinda 11 F at home Illinois
In March of 1880, Thomas W. Botts began collecting in Invalid Pension for his service in the Civil War. At the time of the 1880 census, Thomas W. Botts and his family are found in Kingston, Peoria County, Illinois, where he is the Supt. Of Ice Houses;
Thomas W Botts Self M 48 Ohio
Sarah Botts Wife F 40 Canada
Malinda Botts Daughter F 21 Illinois
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th organized and held a reunion in Peoria, Illinois for the old 86th Illinois during the week of August 27, 1887, the 25th anniversary of the mustering in of the 86th back in 1862. The reunion was attended by 130 veterans of the 86th and was such a success that they decided to continue to hold them every year in Peoria on that August 27th anniversary as long as the veterans could attend. They continued to hold them every year through the year 1923, when it was tearfully decided by the 20 veterans who were able to attend that reunion that they were getting to be too old and too few to continue them after 1923. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts attended the 2nd reunion in 1888, but he never attended another reunion after that. Perhaps they were just too painful to attend.
In the 1880'sor 1890's, Thomas and Sarah were divorced. At the time of the 1900 census, Thomas is found boarding with the Evans family in Hollis Township, Peoria County, Illinois. He is listed as married, but Sarah, nor any other member of the family is found residing with the Evans family;
Evans Edward Head M Feb 1871 29 M 4 Illinois Kentucky Pennsylvania Coal miner
Evans Mary Wife F May 1875 25 M 4 3 3 Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Burnell Son M Jul 1896 3 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Mabel Daughter F Mar 1898 2 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Evans Frank Son M Nov 1899 6/12 S Illinois Illinois Illinois
Botts Thomas Boarder M Mar 1836 64 M 40 Ohio Virginia Kentucky Sept. Ice Work
At the time of the 1900 census, Sarah is found residing with her daughter, Melinda, and her family in Precinct 1 South Town Chicago city Ward 4, Cook, Illinois. Sarah is listed as divorced. She is also listed as being the mother of 2 children, both of whom are living at this time;
Orrin Peck Head M 41 Illinois
Melinda Peck Wife F 41 Illinois
Philip F Peck Son M 15 Illinois
Margery Peck Daughter F 12 Illinois
Ora L Peck Daughter F 10 Illinois
Orrin B Peck Son M 6 Illinois
Sarah Botts Mother-in-law F 60 Canada (Eng)
Sergeant Thomas W. Botts is known to have died prior to the 1910 census. The date February 13, 1907 can be seen on Thomas W. Botts' pension card, which can be seen on Fold3. This is believed to be the date of his death. Sergeant Thomas W. Botts' mortal remains were laid in the Kingston Mines Cemetery near Glasford, Peoria County, Illinois.
Sarah Jane (Casford) Botts died on October 1, 1922 in ___________, California and her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 106419302.
by Baxter B. Fite III, Vernon Botts, a great great great grandson of Coleman Botts and Find A Grave Contributor #48339273, who would like to manage Thomas W. Botts site when I am done, and Jay Wright.
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Botts family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Thomas W. Botts and the Botts family. Baxter would also like to see copies of ANY photographs of Thomas W. Botts, which have survived the years, added to to his Find A Grave Memorial for all to see and enjoy.)
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