Fifth Generation

16. Capt Alexander Hugh Johnson⁶ was born on 29 Aug 1816 in New Madrid County, Missouri. He served in the military between 1860 and 1862.⁶ Captain of Company K, 30th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers He lived on Section 16 in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton County, Illinois in 1881.⁶ He died on 6 Mar 1896 in Trenton, Clinton County, Illinois. Named after his grandfather Hugh and the captain of his grandfather's company in the Revolutionary War.
He built the first house in Trenton after the town was laid out in 1855.

Muster rolls show he joined the Illinois Infantry for the Mexican War from Carlyle, Illinois, on May 4, 1847 and was mustered out October 16, 1848.

He along with William H. Johnson (could be his uncle or his cousin) joined the Illinois Infantry in Carlyle, Illinois on August 15, 1861. He was elected captain on August 28, 1861 in Cairo, Illinois under General McClernand. He left his company for various reasons and turned it over to a Lt. John L. Nichols of Carlyle.

30th Illinois Infantry
Regiment History

Adjutant General's Report

The Thirtieth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, August 28, 1861, Colonel P. B. Fouke, commanding.

September 1, 1861, moved to Cairo, Illinois, and was assigned to Brigadier General John A. McClernand's Brigade--Brigadier General U. S. Grant, commanding District of Cairo, and Major General John C. Fremont, commanding Department of Missouri.

October 22, went on scout into Kentucky, near Columbus.

November 7, was engaged in the battle of Belmont. The Regiment did gallant service during this action, and captured the celebrated "Watson's New Orleans Battery."

January 10, 1862, moved from Cairo on a reconnaissance into Kentucky, and returned on the 23rd.

February 4, moved up Tennessee river, 6th, was in the attack and taking of Fort Henry; in Colonel Oglesby's Brigade.

Was engaged in the siege and taking of Fort Donelson, 13th, 14th and 15th February, 1862.

Arrived at Pittsburg Landing, April 25. Took part in the siege of Corinth, in Colonel Logan's Brigade. June 4th and 5th, marched from Corinth to Bethel. 8th, occupied Jackson, Tennessee. 13th and 14th of August, marched to Estenaula, and the 31st to Denmark.

September 1, 1862, marched toward Medan Station, on the Mississippi Central Railroad, and about 4 miles from that place met the enemy's cavalry, 6,000 strong, under General Armstrong, and, after 4 hours' hard fighting, drove the enemy from the field, gaining a brilliant victory. The Thirtieth Brigade of 20th and 30th Illinois Infantry, one section Schwartz's Illinois Battery, Captain Foster's company of Independent Ohio Cavalry, and 34 men of fourth Illinois Cavalry.

On 2nd September, marched to Medan, 3rd, to Jackson. 2nd November, marched to Lagrange. On 11th, marched toward Water Valley, Mississippi, arriving December 19th. 21st, marched for Memphis, Tennessee, arriving January 19, 1863. Were stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, in Colonel Leggett's Brigade, Major General Logan's Division, Major General McPherson's Corps.

February 22nd, 1863, moved to Lake Providence, Louisiana. Moved, soon after, to Vista's plantation. April 17, to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana. Joined Grant's army, and moved to Bruinsburg, Mississippi--crossing Mississippi river. May 1st, moved to Thompson's Hill. Moved to Hankinson's Ferry in Black River, skirmishing with the enemy en route. Moved to Raymond, Mississippi. Engaged in the battle of Raymond May 12. Moved via Clinton, to Jackson. Pursued the retreating enemy, after their defeat on 14th May. May 16, engaged in the battle of Champion Hills, losing heavily. Crossed Black river with the army, and arrived in the rear of Vicksburg, 19th May, 1863.

May 25, moved with expedition to Mechanicsburg, under General Blair. Returning, actively participating in the siege of Vicksburg, until June 23, and then moved to Black river, under General Sherman, to watch the rebel General Johnson.

Moved with General Sherman's army to Jackson, and assisted in the investment of that place; after which the Regiment moved to Vicksburg, arriving July 25. Remained in camp until August 20, when it moved to Monroe, Louisiana--returning 28th. October 14, moved, under General McPherson, toward Canton, Mississippi. Was in engagement at Bogachitta Creek. Returned same month.

January 1st, 1864, mustered in as veteran organization. 10th, moved with expedition up the Mississippi river, against guerrillas, and returned on 15th. February 3, left Vicksburg, on Meridian Campaign, under General Sherman. Participated in the several skirmishes with the enemy, and arrived at Meridian, February 15. Returned, March 3. Distance, 300 miles.

March 5, left Vicksburg on veteran furlough to the State, and arriving at Camp Butler, March 12.

April 18, left Camp Butler, 28th, left Cairo with "Tennessee River Expedition," under General W. Q. Gresham. Arrived at Clinton, Tennessee, 30th. May 5, marched, via Pulaski, Tennessee, and Athens, Alabama, to Huntsville, Alabama. May 35, moved to Decatur, crossing Tennessee river, 27th. Thence via Warrentown, Alabama, to Rome, Georgia; thence, via Kingston, joining General Sherman's "Grand Army" at Ackworth, June 8th. 10th, moved to Big Shanty, and commenced skirmishing with the enemy. 27th, moved out to make a demonstration in front, losing about 20 killed and wounded.

On the night of July 2, moved, with Seventeenth Army Corp, to the right of General Sherman's army. 5th, moved to Nickajack creek. 9th, Regiment sent to guard Department Headquarters. 12th, moved to Sweet Water Creek.

July 17, moved towards Decatur, via Marietta, crossing the Chattahoochie at Roswell's and arriving at Decatur on 20th. Was in battle of July 21st near Atlanta. Also, in battle of July 22nd, near Atlanta--lost heavily. Actively engaged until the fall of Atlanta and Jonesboro. Camped at East Point, September 6.

October 4, 1864, moved northward, in the pursuit of General Hood, via Kenesaw Mountain, to Resaca, and returned to Smyrna Camp Ground, via Galesville, Alabama, arriving November 5.

November 13, moved to Atlanta. 15th, moved with General Sherman's army in the "March to the Sea," participating in the capture of Savannah, Georgia, December 21st. Left Savannah January 4, 1865, and moved, by water, to Beaufort, South Carolina. Left Beaufort, January 13th, and participated in the capture of Pocotaligo, on the 15th. Remained at Pocotaligo until 30th. Marched, with Sherman's army to Goldsboro, North Carolina, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, besides destroying railroad track, etc.

April 10, moved to Raleigh, arriving there on the 14th. Remained in camp until the surrender of the rebel army, under General Johnson.

April 29, marched northward, via Richmond, to Alexandria, Virginia, arriving May 19th.

The Regiment took part in the grand review, May 24, 1865, at Washington, D.C. Camped near Washington same day. Left Washington June 7, via Baltimore and Ohio railroad, arriving at Parkersburg, Virginia, 9th. Proceeded, by steamboat, to Louisville, Kentucky. Remained in camp at Louisville.

Mustered out of United States service July 17 1865, by First Lieutenant Aug. P. Noyes, A. C. M. Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps.

Arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, July 10. Received final payment and discharge July 27, 1865.





Resignation Letter written by Capt. Alexander Hugh Johnson.

Head Quarters 30th Regt Ills Vols Fort Donelson Tenn March 17th 1862


I hereby tender my resignation as Captain of Company "K" 30th Regt Ills Vols This to be immediate and uncenditional
A H Jonson Capt Co "K" 30 Regt Ils Vols


The reasons which impel me to this act are breifly as follows~ My Brother J.P. Johnson with whom I have been a Partner and owner in a large flouring mill died on the 15th ___.~ A capital of ($40000) Forth Thousand was involved and I alone am acquainted with the circumstances of the concern, which require immediate adjustment as well as the necessity which demand my presence there~ Prudent and judicious administration alone can make the assets of the business meet its liabilities, as the accounts are complicated , and the establishment heavily involved~ There is no person to whom that duty can be satisfactorily or safely committed but myself~ My taking charge of the affairs alone will satisfy our endorsers~ Much as I regret that personal and pecuniary reasons should determine my service to the Govt at such time as this, yet justice and the interest of those whose all now depends upon a careful settlement of this business demand my immediate presence at home~ This to be immediate and unconditional~

A H Johnson Capt Co "K" 30 Regt
Ills Vols


Approved
Elias S. Dennis
Lieut Col. 30 Regt.
Comd, Ill. Vol





Obituary of Capt. Alexander Hugh Johnson

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…..country from whose bourne not traveler returns, there to rest and dwell in communion with loved ones gone before. Last Monday it began to be whispered about that Capt. A. H. Johnson was sick with pneumonia. The word passed quickly among his host of friends, who felt that, considering the advanced age of the captain, it was only a question of a few days at most ere he would pay the penalty of nature and succumb of the fatal disease.
His children were summoned from far and near, and responded by hastening to his bedside, to ease his last hours on earth. Friends constantly called at the house to offer sympathy and proffer any assistance that might be of service.
He died Friday, March 6, 1896, at 4:30 o'clock p.m., aged 80 years, 6 months and 7 days.
His funeral will take place Sunday afternoon, March 8th, at 2 o'clock, from the Trenton Mt. E. (Methodist Episcopal) church, under auspices of the Masonic order.
ALEXANDER HUGH JOHNSON
Was born in New Madrid county, Mo., Aug. 29th, 1815, and came to Clinton county with his parents in the spring of the(His father came in 1817, but he did not come until 1818.) 1817-one year ere Illinois was admitted into the Union as a state. The old well, at the top of the hill, on the north side of the road, this side of little Sugar Creek, and what is known as the Twiss hill, on the state road, east of town, is almost the exact spot where his father pitched his tent upon their arrival here, and where they lived until a log cabin could be put up, which was done on what is sometimes called the Boetiger place, the farm now owned by Chris Emig, southeast of town, Here the subject of our sketch grew to manhood amid the usual surroundings and meager advantages of the early pioneers. He attended school only a few months, though his father taught the children at home, and required them to study regularly. His father died on this place in the year 1833.
In the year 1837 he had wooed and won the heart of Rebecca Phelps. A marriage license was procured in Belleville, St. Clair Co., and on April 18th, of that year, the wedding party drove from his home across the dividing line between Clinton and St. Clair counties and were married on the open prairie, The newly married couple then moved to a new home, a little south-west of this father's, on what is now Uncle Thomas Graesser's home. Only last summer were we shown two large pear trees on the above farm, which Mr. Graesser informed us had been planted by Capt. A. H. Johnson over fifty-five years ago. One of the houses he built is standing yet. The large barn, built in 1842, also is quite sound and in use. Two finely hewed gate posts, over a foot square, stood for a long time. In fact, the last one only crumbled to pieces this year, and Mr. Graesser said he feared it was a sign that the one who formed it would soon be claimed by Mother Earth. In the year 1945 was a year of much sickness in the Sharon settlement, as well as in this whole region. That year he lost his two oldest children, also two adopted children and his wife, who died from what was then called winter fever, about the same disease as the pneumonia of to-day. He was critically ill …….

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(This all seems to be paraphrased from the sketch on him written the the 1881 Clinton County)
From there they went to California, having all engagement at Santa Cruz [This could be Vera Cruz.] and skirmishes all along the line. After several months stay in California, they returned by the ame route, learning at Albuquerque that a treaty of peace had been signed. He arrived home again in 1848.
Just previous to being ordered into service in above war, on march 11th, 1847, he was married to Cynthia Ann Tozer, of Shiloh, his now surviving widow.
He now moved to a house which stood on the hill, across the road from the Jacob Wagner farm, where A. Hrumrey now lives, on the Rocky Ford road.
He was a charter member of Trenton lodge at that time, known as Sharon lodge, No. 109, A.F. and A.M., which was organized Oct. 7, 1851, and which, for a number of years, met in the second story of his home. He was its first Worshipful Master.
On his return from the Mexican war, he again engaged in farming, and also ran a saw mill, which was situated along Sugar Creek, at the rock quarry on the farm recently sold by Frank Leonard to And. Knaus.
In 1855 he resolved to move to the newly laid out town of Trenton, where he built a two story dwelling house, abut the second building within the present limits of Trenton. It was an imposing structure in its day, and still holds out well; the same being a protion of the bresent building occupied by the Post office. In connection with Mr. Lewis, he built the Trenton Star mills, and carried the same on for several years, or until he sold out to the Emig Bros.
In 1860 he moved to Henry county, Mo., but finding that section suffering from a drouth, he returned to Illinois without unloading his wagons. He thought when he was obliged to pay twenty-five cents for a bucket of water he had better return to Illinois. Nest year he enlisted in the Civil war, and though his sympathies had been with the south, when the U.S. flag, under which he had served before, was fired on at Ft. Sumpter, it was more than his patriotic hear could endure, and he promptly joined the Union army. Among other engagements, he took part in the capture of Fts. Henry and Donelson. While lying in the trenches at Ft. Donelson, stooping down to light a fire he had kindled under his coffee pot, a ball from the enemy passed through the coffee pot, putting a stop to further cooking operations.
In 1862 his brother died, when he resigned his commission and returned to this vicinity, living on the farm one and one-half miles east of town, which he had bought in 1860, upon his return from Missouri, and which is now occupied by his son-in-law, Chester Moffatt, until a few years ago, since which time he has lived in town.
He was associate judge of the county court for four years, a justice of the peace for about 20 years, and a county surveyor for about 25 years.
Besides the children above mentioned, he leaves six by his second wife, vie., Mrs W. Cordell, Leaton S., Mrs J. Adams, Mrs. C. Moffatt, Stephen and George; 24 grand-children and 4 great grand-children.
He had been a tireless worker in his day, the typical trait of the pioneer. He was honest st the day is long, social and kind-hearted to a fault, as the considerable financial losses he sustained at different time amply prove. Though kenly feeling his vicissitudes, he kept up his cheerful, jovial nature, and thus was kept young at heart. But his course is run, and he has gone from among us-a community where he spent over 77 of the 80 years of his life. However, our loss is his gain, and we bow in submission to the Divine Power, and will long remember Capt. A. H. Johnson. May he rest in peace!
Capt Alexander Hugh Johnson and Cynthia Ann Tozer were married on 11 Mar 1847 in Shiloh, St. Clair County, Illinois.⁶ They appeared in the census on 28 Aug 1850 in District 68, Clinton County, Illinois.¹⁷

17. Cynthia Ann Tozer⁶ was born on 20 Sep 1825 in Shiloh, St. Clair County, Illinois. She died on 5 Mar 1903 in Trenton, Clinton County, Illinois.¹⁸ Children were:

	i.	Lenora Johnson6 was born in 1849. She lived on Section 22 in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton County, Illinois in 1881.6
8	ii.	Samuel Leaton Johnson.
	iii.	Julia Johnson6 was born in 1852.
	iv.	Salena H "Harriet" Johnson6 was born in 1853.
	v.	Maria Johnson6 was born in 1856.
	vi.	Stephen A Johnson6 was born in 1858.
	vii.	George Johnson6 was born in 1863. He died in Saint Louis, St. Louis (city), Missouri.