John Whitlock 1844-1922

John W. Whitlock was the third son of Johnson and Rebecca Whitlock. According to his obituary he was born on July, 4, 1844 in Fall Branch, Tenn.; however, his headstone states he was born in 1843. The family moved to Morgan County, Ill. in 1850 and settled west of Waverly. In 1862 he joined the 13th Illinois Cavalry with his brother, Amasa (aka Macey). Both he and Macey were mustered in at Camp Douglas, Ill. in Chicago. Although John initially was sick, he recovered and went on to serve the full three years of his enlistment. Here is a photo of John presumably taken around the time of his service, as well as image from his official records that contains his description.

During his term of service the 13th Ill. Cavalry saw extensive service in Missouri and Arkansas. There were three major engagements the regiment was involved in--Prairie D'Ane, Bayou Fourche, and Jenkins' Mill (click on the link to go to the National Park Service website for the battle summary). During this time John served as a cook, either for a company or the regiment. One interesting incident listed on his records is that in early 1864 he was charged $2.35 for lost "Ordnance and Ordnance Stores." Presumably he lost something list a pistol and ammunition. In January 1865 he was discharged upon completion of his three years of service. He presumably was paid the $100 bounty he was promised at that time.

After the war he returned to Morgan County and farmed. On January 9, 1868 he married Martha G. Wood in Sangamon County (according to the Illinois State Marriage Database). Martha died in 1914 and John died in 1922. They are buried together in Franklin, Ill. cemetery. Here is a photo of their headstone.

Apparently John and Martha had no children, or at least none survived them. None are listed on John's obituary and there are no other family records that state they had children.

According to John's obituary which was printed in the Feb. 16, 1922 Franklin Times he had moved to Franklin in 1895 and had been in poor health for the last nine years of his life. The obituary incorrectly lists his service with the 101st Ill. Infantry. This is probably attributable to the fact there was a John Whitlock who served in that regiment (John's brother and my great-great-grandfather Alexander served in that regiment).

The history of the 13th Ill. Cavalry is recounted here in the Illinois Adjutant General's Report. If anyone is interested you can download a free history of all the Illinois military units that served in the Civil War. Click here to download this pdf.

The Thirteenth Cavalry was organized at Camp Douglas, Illinois, in December 1861, by Colonel J.W. Bell.

Moved to Benton Barracks, Missouri, where the Regiment was armed and equipped. Moved for the field, in February 1862. Was on duty in southeast Missouri until June 1, 1862, when it joined General Curtis' army, at Jacksonport, Ark. Moved, with General Curtis through Arkansas, taking part in the skirmishes of the campaign, to Helena, Ark. Returned, with General Curtis, to Missouri, in the fall of 1862, and was engaged with General Davidson in the campaign of southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, driving Marmaduke and his command from the State.

In July 1863, the Regiment moved, with General Davidson's Cavalry Division, into Arkansas, taking part in the battles of Brownsville, August 24 and 25; Bayou Metre, 27th and 28th; Austin, August 31; and again at Bayou Metre, September 4. The Thirteenth was the first Regiment to enter Little Rock, on its capture, September 10, 1863, and was engaged in the pursuit of Price, to Red River.

In the spring of 1864, the Regiment accompanied General Steele in the expedition to Camden, taking prominent parts in the actions at Arkadelphia, Okolona, Little Missouri River, Prairie du Anne, Camden and Jenken's Ferry, during the month of April. After returning to Little Rock, the Regiment was engaged in many raids and scouts, and in skirmishing with the forces of Shelby and Marmaduke, defeating them at Clarendon and Pine Bluff. In the summer of 1864, the Regiment was stationed at Pine Bluff, in Colonel Clayton's Brigade, and engaged in scouting and picketing.

On January 25, 1865, the Cavalry Division having been discontinued, the Regiment was assigned to duty at the post of Pine Bluff. In April, detachments of the Regiment were sent to take possession of Monticello, Camden and Washington, leaving Headquarters at Pine Bluff. Mustered out August 31, 1865, and received final pay and discharge at Springfield, Ill., Sept. 13, 1865.

List of battles and skirmishes in which the Thirteenth Cavalry was engaged:

Pitman's Ferry, Ark., July 20, 1862; Cotton Plant, Ark., July 25, 1862; Union City, Mo., August 22, 1862; Camp Pillow, Mo., August 29, 1862; Bloomfield, Mo., September 13, 1862; Van Buren, Mo., December 21, 1862; Allen, Mo., January 17, 1863; Eleven Point River, Mo., March 26, 1863; Jackson, Mo., April 22, 1863; White River, Mo., April 23, 1863; Bloomfield (2d), Mo., April 24, 1863; Union City and Chalk Bluff, Mo., April 25, 1863; Bushy Creek, Mo., May 31, 1863; near Helena, Ark., August 8, 1863; Grand Prairie and White River, Ark., August 16, 1863; Deadman's Lake, Ark., August 17, 1863; Brownsville, Ark., August 24 and 25, 1863; Bayou Metre, Ark., August 27 and 28, 1863; Austin, Ark., August 31, 1863; Bayou Metre (second), Ark., September 4, 1863; Little Rock, Ark., September 10, 1863; Benton, Ark., September 11, 1863; Batesville, Ark., October 22, 1863; Pine Bluff, Ark., November 28, 1863; Arkadelphia, Ark., April 2, 1864; Okolona, Ark., April 3, 1864; Little Missouri River, Ark., April 4, 1864' Prairie de Anne, Ark., April 10, 11 and 12, 1864; Camden, Ark., April 15, 1864; Jenken's Ferry, Ark., April 30, 1864; Cross Roads, Ark., September 11, 1864; Mount Elba, Ark., October 18, 1864; Douglas Landing, Ark., February 22, 1865; Monticello, Ark., March 28, 1865.