85th ILL Inf Co B

History of the 85th Illinois Volunteers

Illinois Volunteer Infantry

by Henry J. Aten 1901

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Pages 360-374

CHARLES D. DARE was born in Highland county, Ohio, May 3, 1839, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1844, and enlisted August 4, 1862. He served with the company until knocked down and captured at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864, and was exchanged in October following. Returning to duty he was mounted as a scout in the campaign through the Carolinas and was again captured near Goldsboro, N. C. He was held in Salisbury, Danville and Libby prisons until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged July 18, 1865. He resides at Duncan's Mills, Fulton county, Illinois.

Company B was enrolled at Havana by James R. Griffith between July 18 and August 22, 1862. This company was credited to Mason, nut in fact very many of the men enlisted from Fulton county. Unfortunately the muster-in roll of this company is defective, seldom if ever giving the residence at enlistment, and not often the occupation or birth-place of the men.

At the organization of the company the following commissioned officers were elected: James R. Griffith, captain; Charles W. Pierce, first lieutenant, and John A. Mallory, second lieutenant.

The company was mustered in with 96 officers and men, of whom 11 were killed in battle or died of wounds received in action, and 19 were wounded who lived to be discharged or mustered out, 12 died of disease, 22 were discharged, 6 were transferred, and but 33 present at the final muster out.

During the three years' service Company B was never found wanting, and now at the end of thirty-five years its survivors look with pride upon its record. Three of its members lost and arm and seven were killed within thirty minutes at the battle of Peach Tree creek.