Three Years on the Saddle - From 1861 to 1865, Memoirs of Charles D. Field; Thrilling Stories of the War in Camp and of the Field of Battle; The Cavalry Soldier Scout and Dispatch Bearer Private, Non-Commissioned Officer Commander of S... #247338

Colonel Dement was raising an Infantry Regiment at this place. Dixon being within about sixty miles of my home. I, in company with my brother, W. F. Reed, asked for a furlough. Our Captain urged our case for us but none could be obtained. He told me, however, to take my brother and go outside the lines at night and go home and when we received a letter from him we were to report immediately. After taps that night we went. Outside the lines and our elder brother met us in Dixon and we rode home with him, arriving there about P. M. The next day. We had only 48 hours stay before we received orders to report at once at a certain number on Randolph street, Chicago, which we regretfully complied with. This was made headquarters of the 'i3th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, to which our company was assigned. The next day I, in comany with nine of my comrades, were ordered to re cruit within the limits of Chicago and thus help fill our company and regiment. We had a sign over the door of the headquarters which read as follows: 'men wanted for three years or during the war; 160 acres of land will be given to each soldier and if any are disabled, a pension for life. I recruited seven men during our stay on Randolph Street and in the two weeks of our stay our com pany increased from thirty to eighty men.