10/08/2026
155 years ago the Illinois State Militia responded to the devastating Chicago fire of 1871.
Head Quarters Mil. Div. of the Missouri,
Chicago, III., October 24, 1871.
General Orders, No. 5.
The First Regiment Chicago Volunteers, raised with the approbation of the Mayor, and in pursuance of orders dated October 11, 1871, from these Headquarters, is here by honorably mustered out of service and discharged. This regiment was constituted as follows : Colonel Frank T. Sherman, First Chicago Volunteers, commanding.
Major C. H. Dyer, Adjutant. Major Charles T. Scammon, Aide-de-Camp.
Lieut. -Colonel H. Osterman, First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia.Major G. A. Bender, First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Fischer's Company (A), First Regiment National Guards, Ills. State Militia.Captain Pasch's Company (D), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia.Captain Cronas' Company (G), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia.
Captain Paul's Company (H), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Kelter's Company (I), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Rogers' Company (B), First Chicago Volunteers, Lieut. Adams commanding.
Captain Merrill's Company (C), First Chicago Volunteers.
Captain Baker's Company (K), First Chicago Volunteers, recruited by Capt. Whittlesey.
Captain Colson's Company, University Cadets.
Captain Croley's Company, Montgomery Light Guards.
Captain McCarthey's Company, Mulligan Zouaves.
Captain Ryan's Company, Sheridan Guards.
Captain Suiter's Company, Chicago Cadets.
Captain Williams' Company, Hannibal Zouaves.
The Norwegian Battalion of National Guards, Major Alstrup commanding, Ole Bendixen, adjutant.
Captain Paulsen's Company, (A.)
Captain Eck's Company, (B.)
Captain Johnson's Company, (C.)
Captain Bentzen's Company, (D.)
The troops were suddenly called from civil pursuits to aid Lieutenant-General Sheri- dan in preserving peace and good order, and in protecting the property in the unburned portion of the city —a duty intrusted to him during the emergency resulting from the late fire. They came forward promptly and cheerfully, at a time rendered critical by the unparalleled disaster which visited the city on the 8th and 9th instants, a calamity producing general distrust and distress, leaving a large part of the city in smouldering ruins, a large part in darkness by the destruction of the gas works, and the whole of it without water, and this with a fire department crippled and exhausted by the struggle it had gone through.
They have performed the arduous and delicate duties falling to them under these circumstances with marked industry, fidelity and intelligence. The Lieutenant-General thanks officers and men of the command, for the services rendered, and commends them to the kind consideration of their fellow citizens; and he makes special acknowledgment of the valuable aid received from their commander, General Frank T. Sher- man—distinguished upon the battle fields of the late war—as well as from his official staff, Major C. H. Dyer, Adjutant, and Major Charles T. Scammon, Aid-de-Camp.
By command of Lieutenant-General Sheridan.
JAMES B. FRY,
Asst Adj't Gen.
