Private SAMUEL BITNER, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Samuel Bitner was born on __________ __, 1829 near ___________, Pennsylvania in Perry County, one of four children known to have been born to Adam Bitner and his 2nd wife, Sarah (Yohn) Bitner. Adam Bitner was born in 1797 near Ickesburg, Pennsylvania in Perry County. He is known to have been married three times. Adam Bitner is believed to have had as many as 16 children, including;
1. John Orris Bitner, born c. 1821 in Pennsylvania.
2. Daniel Bitner, born c. 1822 in Pennsylvania.
3. William Bitner, born c. 1825 in Pennsylvania.
4. Samuel Bitner, born c. 1829 in Pennsylvania.
5. Jeremiah Bitner, born c. 1830 in Pennsylvania. Jeremiah was married to Elizabeth A. Brandt. Elizabeth was born on ___________ __, 18__ in Pennsylvania. Their children include;
A. William H Bitner, born December 8, 1860 near Lancaster, Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. William farmed for a living and was married to Mary ____________. William died on November 25, 1935 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Trivoli Cemetery in Trivoli, Peoria County, Illinois.
6. Martin Bitner, born c. 1839/40 in Pennsylvania.
Adam Bitner is believed to have been married 1st to Rosanna (or Anna Maria) Orris, the daughter of Henrich Orris (July 13, 1770 - June 6, 1833) and Anna Maria (Eichelberger) Orris (November 23, 1770 - June 16, 1831).
Adam Bitner was married 2nd to Sarah Yohn c. 1827. Sarah was born in 18__ in Saville Township in Perry County, Pennsylvania the daughter of Johann Wilhelm Yohn and Margaret E. (Hartman) Yohn. Adam and Sarah are believed to have had at least three children, William, Samuel and Jeremia before her death. Sarah is believed to have died in Saville Twp., Perry Co., Pennsylvania sometime before 1840.
Adam Bitner was then married 3rd to Rosanna __________. At the time of the 1850 census, the Bitners are found in Saville, Perry County, Pennsylvania;
Adam Bitner F 53 Pennsylvania
Rosanah Bitner F 50 Pennsylvania
Saml Bitner M 22 Pennsylvania
Jeremiah Bitner M 20 Pennsylvania
Martin Bitner M 10 Pennsylvania
Catherine Kochenderfer F 7 Pennsylvania
The Bitner family is believed to have migrated west, possible in groups between 1852 and 1854, settling in Peoria County, Illinois, about half way between Trivoli, Illinois and Lancaster, Illinois in Peoria County. Adam Bitner died there on November 22, 1859 in Peoria County. His earthly remains were laid to rest in the Penn Ridge Cemetery south of Trivoli and north of Lancaster, Illinois.
Now to continue with the biography of Samuel Bitner;
Samuel Bitner was married to Mary L. Wolgamott on August 8, 1852. Mary was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1832/34) at __________, Ohio, the oldest of nine children known to have been born to Washington Wolgamott and Nancy (Dawson) Wolgamott. Washington Wolgamott was born in March of 1813, the son of David Wolgamott and Catherine (Lemmon) Wolgamott, while Mary (Dawson) Wolgamott was born in 1817. Washington and Nancy are buried in the Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster, Peoria County, Illinois. Three sons are believed to have been born to Samuel and Mary. They are;
1. Joseph Lemuel Bitner, born December 2, 1855 in Peoria County, Illinois. Joseph was married to Mary Elizabeth Beck c. 1873/74 in ___________ County, ___________.. #_________ children were born to Joseph and Mary, including;
A. Nellie Gertrude Bitner (1875 - 1969). Nellie was married to ____________ Rall.
B. Francis Arthur "Frank" Bitner (1878 - 1955)
C. Dora Bitner, born c. 1881/82 in Kansas
D. August Carl Bitner (1885 - 1948)
At the time of the 1880 census, Joseph and his family are found in Osage, Crawford County, Kansas, where he is farming;
J L Bitner Self M 25 Illinois
M E Bitner Wife F 27 Ohio
N G Bitner Daughter F 4 Illinois
F A Bitner Son M 2 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Joseph and his family are found in Pittsburg city Ward 2, Crawford County, Kansas;
Joseph L Bittner Head M Dec 1855 45 Illinois
Mary E Bittner Wife F 46 Ohio
Nellie Bittner Daughter F 14 Illinois
Francis A Bittner Son M 22 Illinois
Dora Bittner Daughter F 18 Kansas
Gussie Bittner Son M 15 Kansas
Joseph Lemuel Bitner died on January 3, 1929 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mount Olive Cemetery in Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 33973961.
2. Taylor Alexander Bitner, born June 1, 1857/59 in Peoria County, Illinois. Taylor Bitner was married to Lydia/Liddia Ann "Liddie" Stone on March 20, 1879 in Mason County, Illinois. Their children include;
A. Truman S. Bitner, born November 6, 1883 in Illinois. Truman S Bitner died on March 27, 1946 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975172.
B. Mary Bitner, born c. 1884/85 in Illinois.
C. Lulu Bitner, born c. 1888/89 in Illinois.
D. Jennie I. Bitner, born c. 1891/92 in Illinois.
E. Claude Channing Bitner, born November 26, 1895 in Illinois. Claude C Bitner served as a P.F.C. in the U. S. Army during WWI in the 106 A.M.T.R. Claude was married to Hulda I. Cochran in 1924. Hulda was born on July 19, 1902 and died on March 3, 2004 at the age of 101. Hulda was a cook at Robertsons' Cafe in Mason City for many years. Claude died on October 5, 1959 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975163.
F. Russell M. Bitner, born February 25, 1897 in Illinois. Russell Bitner died on July 14, 1973 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975171.
G. Wilford O. Bitner, born February 8, 1899 in Illinois. Wilford was married to Barbara Bennett in 19__. Eight children were born to Wilford and Barbara including;
1. Ruth "Rose" Bitner, born c. 1919/20 in Illinois.
2. Eleanor Bitner, born May 4, 1921 in Illinois. Eleanor Bitner was married to Charles Hasty (1917-1985) on March 16, 1942 in Danville,Illinois. Five children were born to them. Eleanor (Bitner) Hasty died on December 11, 2011 in
Havana, Mason County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Meadow Lawn Cemetery in Manito, Mason County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 81954856.
3. Raymond O. "Bud" Bitner, born c. 1923/24 in Illinois.
4. Clyde E. "Gene" Bitner, born c. 1925/26 in Illinois.
5. Leonard Bitner, born _________ __, 19__ (c. 1930/31) in Illinois. Leonard was married to Donna __________.
6. Wilford Bitner, born _________ __, 19__. Wilford was married to Nancy __________.
7. Elizabeth A. Bitner, born _________ __, 19__. Elizabeth was married to Charles Ragland.
8. Clark N. Bitner, born April 5, 1939 in Mason County, Illinois. Clark N. Bitner, of Kaneville, Illinois, died on September 29, 2014. Clark served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corp from 1956 to 1962. He also was a bus driver for the City of Chicago, a volunteer fireman for the Village of Glendale Heights and had a total of 36 years with Jewel Foods as both a truck driver and deli clerk. Clark was an avid hunter, gardener and dedicated family man who was commonly described by those that knew him as a “diamond in the rough.” Clark's mortal remains were laid in the _____________ Cemetery in __________, Illinois.
At the time of the 1930 census, Wilford and his family are found in Sheridan, Logan County, Illinois;
Wilfred Bitner Head M 31 Illinois
Barbara Bitner Wife F 29 Illinois
Ruth Bitner Daughter F 10 Illinois
Eleanor Bitner Daughter F 8 Illinois
Raymond Bitner Son M 6 Illinois
Clyde Bitner Son M 4 Illinois
At the time of the 1940 census, Wilford and his family are found in Quiver Township, Mason County, Illinois;
Wilfred O Bitner Head M 41 Illinois
Barbara A Bitner Wife F 39 Illinois
Raymond O Bitner Son M 17 Illinois
Clyde E Bitner Son M 15 Illinois
Leonard C Bitner Son M 9 Illinois
Wilfred Bitner Son M 5 Illinois
Elizabeth A Bitner Daughter F 4 Illinois
Clark N Bitner Son M 0 Illinois
Wilford Bitner died on June 23, 1956 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975175.
H. Hattie M. Bitner, born c. 1900/01 in Illinois.
I. ___________ (Daughter) Bitner, born c. 1904/05 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, Taylor and his family are found in Salt Creek, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor Bitner Self M 23 Illinois
Lydia Bitner Wife F 19 Illinois
Myrta Bitner Daughter F 0 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Taylor and his family are found on Crane Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor Bitner Head M 43 Illinois
Lydia Bitner Wife F 39 Illinois
Truman Bitner Son M 16 Illinois
Mary Bitner Daughter F 15 Illinois
Lulu Bitner Daughter F 11 Illinois
Jennie Bitner Daughter F 8 Illinois
Claudie Bitner Son M 6 Illinois
Russel Bitner Son M 3 Illinois
Wilford Bitner Son M 1 Illinois
Lonnie Gilmore Servant M 18 Illinois
At the time of the 1910 census, Taylor A. Bittner and his family are found in Salt Creek, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor A Bittner Head M 52 Illinois
Lydia L Bittner Wife F 48 Illinois
Jennie I Bittner Daughter F 18 Illinois
Claude C Bittner Son M 15 Illinois
Russell M Bittner Son M 13 Illinois
Wilford O Bittner Son M 11 Illinois
Hattie M Bittner Daughter F 9 Illinois
Bittner Daughter F 5 Illinois
His death record found on familysearch states that his father was John Bitner, who was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother as Mary Walgomott, who was born in Peoria County, Illinois. Taylor was a retired farmer and died on February 16, 1929 in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Walkers Grove Cemetery in Easton, Crane Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois.
3. Samuel Sylvester Bitner, born March 4, 1863 near Lancaster, Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. Samuel was married to Martha "Mattie" Colvin, who was born in 1867 in Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. Samuel Sylvester Bitner died on __________ __, 1931. See his Find A Grave Memorial for more information about him and his family.
At the time of the 1860 census, the Bitner family is found in Timber Township near Lancaster, Illinois.
2557 Bickner Samuel 32 M farmer 800 100 PA
2557 Bickner Mary [1] 25 F OH
2557 Bickner Joseph 5 M IL
2557 Bickner Alexander 3 M IL
2558 Bickner Jeremiah 28 M farming 400 PA
2558 Bickner Elizabeth 22 F PA
2558 Bickner Mary [2] 2 F PA
2559 Bickner Wm. 33 M farmer 300 PA
2559 Bickner Nancy 25 F PA
2559 Bickner Catharine 9 F PA
2559 Bickner Adam L. 1 M IL
2560 Bickner Rosanna 60 F 300 PA
2594 Bickner John 39 M farmer 1,000 1,055 PA
2594 Bickner Elizabeth 33 F PA
2594 Bickner Sarah J. 14 F PA
2594 Bickner Daniel 12 M PA
2594 Bickner Catharine 10 F PA
2594 Bickner Ann 6 F PA
2594 Bickner Nancy 3 F IL
2594 Bickner Emma E. 1/12 F IL
On August 8, 1862, Samuel Bitner volunteered at Lancaster, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber-Hollis Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant, Allen L. Fahnestock for service in the Union army.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BITNER, SAMUEL
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LANCASTER, PEORIA CO, IL Age 33 Height 5' 9 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes HAZEL Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity PERRY CO, PA
Service Record
Joined When AUG 8, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks KILLED IN ACTION JUN 27, 1864 AT KENNESAW MOUNTAIN GA
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including now Private Samuel Bitner, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot. There in that throng of people may very well been a There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp. Of this time, Kinnear in his history of the 86th wrote, "On the 9th of December the command was marched to Nashville, taking up camp there, and put on duty about the city. About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within."
Kinnear continued, "Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time. The regiment was called upon to do a great deal of duty, such as picketing about the city---a business that is anything but pleasant where there are a number of generals and other fancy officers to be looked after. While on duty at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers, each bearing his own report."
Kinnear continued, "During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to it."
Back in Peoria, on March 4, 1863, Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner gave birth to her fourth son. It would probably be some time before Private Samuel Bitner would find out that he was the father of a 4th son. During the next two years, Private Samuel Bitner would serve faithfully in Co. I as the men of McCook's Brigade served in Tennessee and Georgia. During this time, Samuel was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia and finally the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.
On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves in the trenches across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. At 8:00 a.m. when the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th Illinois, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400. Among the killed in Co. K was our Orderly Sergeant Buchanan, shot in the head and died without speaking. He was a brave man."
As the men of McCook's Brigade fell back from the Confedererate fortifications, they were forced to leave most of their dead and wounded behind. These bodies laid between the lines until the 29th when a truce was called so the Union could bury it's dead because the smell from the decomposing bodies became so horrible, that neither side could stand it any longer.
Company I suffered more than their share of the 106 casualties. In less than 30 minutes, Co. I had three men killed in action and had thirteen more wounded. Of the wounded, two would die of their wounds within a month. Among the Killed In Action was Private Samuel Bitner. Samuel Bitner's earthly remains were initially buried on the 29th of July, there on the battlefield. Several years later, after the Civil War was over, the Government had the Kennesaw Mountain dead exhumed and moved to what is today the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia. Today, Private Samuel Bitner's earthly remains lie in Grave # 9226 in SECTION I of the Matietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.
Samuel's youngest son's obituary, the obituary of Samuel Sylvester Bitner, states that "after the death of his father he went to live with his grandparents, after whose death he spent several years in the Soldiers Orphan home at Normal. Ill.
Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner was married to Ezekial Petty on April 18, 1866 in Peoria County. Ezekial was also a member of the 86th Illinois, having also served in Co. I of the 86th. This marriage apparently did not last long as Mary was married a 3rd time, this time to Thomas G. or B. Davis on December 24, 1874 in Peoria County. Mary is listed as Mrs. Mary L. Bitner in the marriage record. Thomas is believed to have been a member of Co. I of the 32nd Illinois Infantry. He is buried in the Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton, Peoria County, Illinois. If this is who she was married to, then all three of her husbands were veterans of the Civil War.
At this time, it is not known when Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner Petty Davis died or where she is buried.
By Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bitner family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Samuel Bitner and the Bitner family. Baxter also believes that during his time in Nashville, Tennesssee, in 1863/64, that Samuel Bitner would have taken the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the family. If a copy of this still exists and can be located, Baxter would also love to see a copy of that photograph of Samuel Bitner be added to his Find A Grave site for all to see and enjoy.)
Samuel Bitner was born on __________ __, 1829 near ___________, Pennsylvania in Perry County, one of four children known to have been born to Adam Bitner and his 2nd wife, Sarah (Yohn) Bitner. Adam Bitner was born in 1797 near Ickesburg, Pennsylvania in Perry County. He is known to have been married three times. Adam Bitner is believed to have had as many as 16 children, including;
1. John Orris Bitner, born c. 1821 in Pennsylvania.
2. Daniel Bitner, born c. 1822 in Pennsylvania.
3. William Bitner, born c. 1825 in Pennsylvania.
4. Samuel Bitner, born c. 1829 in Pennsylvania.
5. Jeremiah Bitner, born c. 1830 in Pennsylvania. Jeremiah was married to Elizabeth A. Brandt. Elizabeth was born on ___________ __, 18__ in Pennsylvania. Their children include;
A. William H Bitner, born December 8, 1860 near Lancaster, Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. William farmed for a living and was married to Mary ____________. William died on November 25, 1935 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Trivoli Cemetery in Trivoli, Peoria County, Illinois.
6. Martin Bitner, born c. 1839/40 in Pennsylvania.
Adam Bitner is believed to have been married 1st to Rosanna (or Anna Maria) Orris, the daughter of Henrich Orris (July 13, 1770 - June 6, 1833) and Anna Maria (Eichelberger) Orris (November 23, 1770 - June 16, 1831).
Adam Bitner was married 2nd to Sarah Yohn c. 1827. Sarah was born in 18__ in Saville Township in Perry County, Pennsylvania the daughter of Johann Wilhelm Yohn and Margaret E. (Hartman) Yohn. Adam and Sarah are believed to have had at least three children, William, Samuel and Jeremia before her death. Sarah is believed to have died in Saville Twp., Perry Co., Pennsylvania sometime before 1840.
Adam Bitner was then married 3rd to Rosanna __________. At the time of the 1850 census, the Bitners are found in Saville, Perry County, Pennsylvania;
Adam Bitner F 53 Pennsylvania
Rosanah Bitner F 50 Pennsylvania
Saml Bitner M 22 Pennsylvania
Jeremiah Bitner M 20 Pennsylvania
Martin Bitner M 10 Pennsylvania
Catherine Kochenderfer F 7 Pennsylvania
The Bitner family is believed to have migrated west, possible in groups between 1852 and 1854, settling in Peoria County, Illinois, about half way between Trivoli, Illinois and Lancaster, Illinois in Peoria County. Adam Bitner died there on November 22, 1859 in Peoria County. His earthly remains were laid to rest in the Penn Ridge Cemetery south of Trivoli and north of Lancaster, Illinois.
Now to continue with the biography of Samuel Bitner;
Samuel Bitner was married to Mary L. Wolgamott on August 8, 1852. Mary was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1832/34) at __________, Ohio, the oldest of nine children known to have been born to Washington Wolgamott and Nancy (Dawson) Wolgamott. Washington Wolgamott was born in March of 1813, the son of David Wolgamott and Catherine (Lemmon) Wolgamott, while Mary (Dawson) Wolgamott was born in 1817. Washington and Nancy are buried in the Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster, Peoria County, Illinois. Three sons are believed to have been born to Samuel and Mary. They are;
1. Joseph Lemuel Bitner, born December 2, 1855 in Peoria County, Illinois. Joseph was married to Mary Elizabeth Beck c. 1873/74 in ___________ County, ___________.. #_________ children were born to Joseph and Mary, including;
A. Nellie Gertrude Bitner (1875 - 1969). Nellie was married to ____________ Rall.
B. Francis Arthur "Frank" Bitner (1878 - 1955)
C. Dora Bitner, born c. 1881/82 in Kansas
D. August Carl Bitner (1885 - 1948)
At the time of the 1880 census, Joseph and his family are found in Osage, Crawford County, Kansas, where he is farming;
J L Bitner Self M 25 Illinois
M E Bitner Wife F 27 Ohio
N G Bitner Daughter F 4 Illinois
F A Bitner Son M 2 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Joseph and his family are found in Pittsburg city Ward 2, Crawford County, Kansas;
Joseph L Bittner Head M Dec 1855 45 Illinois
Mary E Bittner Wife F 46 Ohio
Nellie Bittner Daughter F 14 Illinois
Francis A Bittner Son M 22 Illinois
Dora Bittner Daughter F 18 Kansas
Gussie Bittner Son M 15 Kansas
Joseph Lemuel Bitner died on January 3, 1929 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mount Olive Cemetery in Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 33973961.
2. Taylor Alexander Bitner, born June 1, 1857/59 in Peoria County, Illinois. Taylor Bitner was married to Lydia/Liddia Ann "Liddie" Stone on March 20, 1879 in Mason County, Illinois. Their children include;
A. Truman S. Bitner, born November 6, 1883 in Illinois. Truman S Bitner died on March 27, 1946 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975172.
B. Mary Bitner, born c. 1884/85 in Illinois.
C. Lulu Bitner, born c. 1888/89 in Illinois.
D. Jennie I. Bitner, born c. 1891/92 in Illinois.
E. Claude Channing Bitner, born November 26, 1895 in Illinois. Claude C Bitner served as a P.F.C. in the U. S. Army during WWI in the 106 A.M.T.R. Claude was married to Hulda I. Cochran in 1924. Hulda was born on July 19, 1902 and died on March 3, 2004 at the age of 101. Hulda was a cook at Robertsons' Cafe in Mason City for many years. Claude died on October 5, 1959 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975163.
F. Russell M. Bitner, born February 25, 1897 in Illinois. Russell Bitner died on July 14, 1973 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975171.
G. Wilford O. Bitner, born February 8, 1899 in Illinois. Wilford was married to Barbara Bennett in 19__. Eight children were born to Wilford and Barbara including;
1. Ruth "Rose" Bitner, born c. 1919/20 in Illinois.
2. Eleanor Bitner, born May 4, 1921 in Illinois. Eleanor Bitner was married to Charles Hasty (1917-1985) on March 16, 1942 in Danville,Illinois. Five children were born to them. Eleanor (Bitner) Hasty died on December 11, 2011 in
Havana, Mason County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Meadow Lawn Cemetery in Manito, Mason County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 81954856.
3. Raymond O. "Bud" Bitner, born c. 1923/24 in Illinois.
4. Clyde E. "Gene" Bitner, born c. 1925/26 in Illinois.
5. Leonard Bitner, born _________ __, 19__ (c. 1930/31) in Illinois. Leonard was married to Donna __________.
6. Wilford Bitner, born _________ __, 19__. Wilford was married to Nancy __________.
7. Elizabeth A. Bitner, born _________ __, 19__. Elizabeth was married to Charles Ragland.
8. Clark N. Bitner, born April 5, 1939 in Mason County, Illinois. Clark N. Bitner, of Kaneville, Illinois, died on September 29, 2014. Clark served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corp from 1956 to 1962. He also was a bus driver for the City of Chicago, a volunteer fireman for the Village of Glendale Heights and had a total of 36 years with Jewel Foods as both a truck driver and deli clerk. Clark was an avid hunter, gardener and dedicated family man who was commonly described by those that knew him as a “diamond in the rough.” Clark's mortal remains were laid in the _____________ Cemetery in __________, Illinois.
At the time of the 1930 census, Wilford and his family are found in Sheridan, Logan County, Illinois;
Wilfred Bitner Head M 31 Illinois
Barbara Bitner Wife F 29 Illinois
Ruth Bitner Daughter F 10 Illinois
Eleanor Bitner Daughter F 8 Illinois
Raymond Bitner Son M 6 Illinois
Clyde Bitner Son M 4 Illinois
At the time of the 1940 census, Wilford and his family are found in Quiver Township, Mason County, Illinois;
Wilfred O Bitner Head M 41 Illinois
Barbara A Bitner Wife F 39 Illinois
Raymond O Bitner Son M 17 Illinois
Clyde E Bitner Son M 15 Illinois
Leonard C Bitner Son M 9 Illinois
Wilfred Bitner Son M 5 Illinois
Elizabeth A Bitner Daughter F 4 Illinois
Clark N Bitner Son M 0 Illinois
Wilford Bitner died on June 23, 1956 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975175.
H. Hattie M. Bitner, born c. 1900/01 in Illinois.
I. ___________ (Daughter) Bitner, born c. 1904/05 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, Taylor and his family are found in Salt Creek, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor Bitner Self M 23 Illinois
Lydia Bitner Wife F 19 Illinois
Myrta Bitner Daughter F 0 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Taylor and his family are found on Crane Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor Bitner Head M 43 Illinois
Lydia Bitner Wife F 39 Illinois
Truman Bitner Son M 16 Illinois
Mary Bitner Daughter F 15 Illinois
Lulu Bitner Daughter F 11 Illinois
Jennie Bitner Daughter F 8 Illinois
Claudie Bitner Son M 6 Illinois
Russel Bitner Son M 3 Illinois
Wilford Bitner Son M 1 Illinois
Lonnie Gilmore Servant M 18 Illinois
At the time of the 1910 census, Taylor A. Bittner and his family are found in Salt Creek, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor A Bittner Head M 52 Illinois
Lydia L Bittner Wife F 48 Illinois
Jennie I Bittner Daughter F 18 Illinois
Claude C Bittner Son M 15 Illinois
Russell M Bittner Son M 13 Illinois
Wilford O Bittner Son M 11 Illinois
Hattie M Bittner Daughter F 9 Illinois
Bittner Daughter F 5 Illinois
His death record found on familysearch states that his father was John Bitner, who was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother as Mary Walgomott, who was born in Peoria County, Illinois. Taylor was a retired farmer and died on February 16, 1929 in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Walkers Grove Cemetery in Easton, Crane Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois.
3. Samuel Sylvester Bitner, born March 4, 1863 near Lancaster, Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. Samuel was married to Martha "Mattie" Colvin, who was born in 1867 in Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. Samuel Sylvester Bitner died on __________ __, 1931. See his Find A Grave Memorial for more information about him and his family.
At the time of the 1860 census, the Bitner family is found in Timber Township near Lancaster, Illinois.
2557 Bickner Samuel 32 M farmer 800 100 PA
2557 Bickner Mary [1] 25 F OH
2557 Bickner Joseph 5 M IL
2557 Bickner Alexander 3 M IL
2558 Bickner Jeremiah 28 M farming 400 PA
2558 Bickner Elizabeth 22 F PA
2558 Bickner Mary [2] 2 F PA
2559 Bickner Wm. 33 M farmer 300 PA
2559 Bickner Nancy 25 F PA
2559 Bickner Catharine 9 F PA
2559 Bickner Adam L. 1 M IL
2560 Bickner Rosanna 60 F 300 PA
2594 Bickner John 39 M farmer 1,000 1,055 PA
2594 Bickner Elizabeth 33 F PA
2594 Bickner Sarah J. 14 F PA
2594 Bickner Daniel 12 M PA
2594 Bickner Catharine 10 F PA
2594 Bickner Ann 6 F PA
2594 Bickner Nancy 3 F IL
2594 Bickner Emma E. 1/12 F IL
On August 8, 1862, Samuel Bitner volunteered at Lancaster, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber-Hollis Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant, Allen L. Fahnestock for service in the Union army.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BITNER, SAMUEL
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LANCASTER, PEORIA CO, IL Age 33 Height 5' 9 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes HAZEL Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity PERRY CO, PA
Service Record
Joined When AUG 8, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks KILLED IN ACTION JUN 27, 1864 AT KENNESAW MOUNTAIN GA
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including now Private Samuel Bitner, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot. There in that throng of people may very well been a There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp. Of this time, Kinnear in his history of the 86th wrote, "On the 9th of December the command was marched to Nashville, taking up camp there, and put on duty about the city. About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within."
Kinnear continued, "Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time. The regiment was called upon to do a great deal of duty, such as picketing about the city---a business that is anything but pleasant where there are a number of generals and other fancy officers to be looked after. While on duty at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers, each bearing his own report."
Kinnear continued, "During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to it."
Back in Peoria, on March 4, 1863, Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner gave birth to her fourth son. It would probably be some time before Private Samuel Bitner would find out that he was the father of a 4th son. During the next two years, Private Samuel Bitner would serve faithfully in Co. I as the men of McCook's Brigade served in Tennessee and Georgia. During this time, Samuel was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia and finally the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.
On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves in the trenches across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. At 8:00 a.m. when the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th Illinois, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400. Among the killed in Co. K was our Orderly Sergeant Buchanan, shot in the head and died without speaking. He was a brave man."
As the men of McCook's Brigade fell back from the Confedererate fortifications, they were forced to leave most of their dead and wounded behind. These bodies laid between the lines until the 29th when a truce was called so the Union could bury it's dead because the smell from the decomposing bodies became so horrible, that neither side could stand it any longer.
Company I suffered more than their share of the 106 casualties. In less than 30 minutes, Co. I had three men killed in action and had thirteen more wounded. Of the wounded, two would die of their wounds within a month. Among the Killed In Action was Private Samuel Bitner. Samuel Bitner's earthly remains were initially buried on the 29th of July, there on the battlefield. Several years later, after the Civil War was over, the Government had the Kennesaw Mountain dead exhumed and moved to what is today the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia. Today, Private Samuel Bitner's earthly remains lie in Grave # 9226 in SECTION I of the Matietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.
Samuel's youngest son's obituary, the obituary of Samuel Sylvester Bitner, states that "after the death of his father he went to live with his grandparents, after whose death he spent several years in the Soldiers Orphan home at Normal. Ill.
Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner was married to Ezekial Petty on April 18, 1866 in Peoria County. Ezekial was also a member of the 86th Illinois, having also served in Co. I of the 86th. This marriage apparently did not last long as Mary was married a 3rd time, this time to Thomas G. or B. Davis on December 24, 1874 in Peoria County. Mary is listed as Mrs. Mary L. Bitner in the marriage record. Thomas is believed to have been a member of Co. I of the 32nd Illinois Infantry. He is buried in the Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton, Peoria County, Illinois. If this is who she was married to, then all three of her husbands were veterans of the Civil War.
At this time, it is not known when Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner Petty Davis died or where she is buried.
By Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bitner family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Samuel Bitner and the Bitner family. Baxter also believes that during his time in Nashville, Tennesssee, in 1863/64, that Samuel Bitner would have taken the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the family. If a copy of this still exists and can be located, Baxter would also love to see a copy of that photograph of Samuel Bitner be added to his Find A Grave site for all to see and enjoy.)
Private SAMUEL BITNER, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Samuel Bitner was born on __________ __, 1829 near ___________, Pennsylvania in Perry County, one of four children known to have been born to Adam Bitner and his 2nd wife, Sarah (Yohn) Bitner. Adam Bitner was born in 1797 near Ickesburg, Pennsylvania in Perry County. He is known to have been married three times. Adam Bitner is believed to have had as many as 16 children, including;
1. John Orris Bitner, born c. 1821 in Pennsylvania.
2. Daniel Bitner, born c. 1822 in Pennsylvania.
3. William Bitner, born c. 1825 in Pennsylvania.
4. Samuel Bitner, born c. 1829 in Pennsylvania.
5. Jeremiah Bitner, born c. 1830 in Pennsylvania. Jeremiah was married to Elizabeth A. Brandt. Elizabeth was born on ___________ __, 18__ in Pennsylvania. Their children include;
A. William H Bitner, born December 8, 1860 near Lancaster, Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. William farmed for a living and was married to Mary ____________. William died on November 25, 1935 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Trivoli Cemetery in Trivoli, Peoria County, Illinois.
6. Martin Bitner, born c. 1839/40 in Pennsylvania.
Adam Bitner is believed to have been married 1st to Rosanna (or Anna Maria) Orris, the daughter of Henrich Orris (July 13, 1770 - June 6, 1833) and Anna Maria (Eichelberger) Orris (November 23, 1770 - June 16, 1831).
Adam Bitner was married 2nd to Sarah Yohn c. 1827. Sarah was born in 18__ in Saville Township in Perry County, Pennsylvania the daughter of Johann Wilhelm Yohn and Margaret E. (Hartman) Yohn. Adam and Sarah are believed to have had at least three children, William, Samuel and Jeremia before her death. Sarah is believed to have died in Saville Twp., Perry Co., Pennsylvania sometime before 1840.
Adam Bitner was then married 3rd to Rosanna __________. At the time of the 1850 census, the Bitners are found in Saville, Perry County, Pennsylvania;
Adam Bitner F 53 Pennsylvania
Rosanah Bitner F 50 Pennsylvania
Saml Bitner M 22 Pennsylvania
Jeremiah Bitner M 20 Pennsylvania
Martin Bitner M 10 Pennsylvania
Catherine Kochenderfer F 7 Pennsylvania
The Bitner family is believed to have migrated west, possible in groups between 1852 and 1854, settling in Peoria County, Illinois, about half way between Trivoli, Illinois and Lancaster, Illinois in Peoria County. Adam Bitner died there on November 22, 1859 in Peoria County. His earthly remains were laid to rest in the Penn Ridge Cemetery south of Trivoli and north of Lancaster, Illinois.
Now to continue with the biography of Samuel Bitner;
Samuel Bitner was married to Mary L. Wolgamott on August 8, 1852. Mary was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1832/34) at __________, Ohio, the oldest of nine children known to have been born to Washington Wolgamott and Nancy (Dawson) Wolgamott. Washington Wolgamott was born in March of 1813, the son of David Wolgamott and Catherine (Lemmon) Wolgamott, while Mary (Dawson) Wolgamott was born in 1817. Washington and Nancy are buried in the Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster, Peoria County, Illinois. Three sons are believed to have been born to Samuel and Mary. They are;
1. Joseph Lemuel Bitner, born December 2, 1855 in Peoria County, Illinois. Joseph was married to Mary Elizabeth Beck c. 1873/74 in ___________ County, ___________.. #_________ children were born to Joseph and Mary, including;
A. Nellie Gertrude Bitner (1875 - 1969). Nellie was married to ____________ Rall.
B. Francis Arthur "Frank" Bitner (1878 - 1955)
C. Dora Bitner, born c. 1881/82 in Kansas
D. August Carl Bitner (1885 - 1948)
At the time of the 1880 census, Joseph and his family are found in Osage, Crawford County, Kansas, where he is farming;
J L Bitner Self M 25 Illinois
M E Bitner Wife F 27 Ohio
N G Bitner Daughter F 4 Illinois
F A Bitner Son M 2 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Joseph and his family are found in Pittsburg city Ward 2, Crawford County, Kansas;
Joseph L Bittner Head M Dec 1855 45 Illinois
Mary E Bittner Wife F 46 Ohio
Nellie Bittner Daughter F 14 Illinois
Francis A Bittner Son M 22 Illinois
Dora Bittner Daughter F 18 Kansas
Gussie Bittner Son M 15 Kansas
Joseph Lemuel Bitner died on January 3, 1929 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mount Olive Cemetery in Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 33973961.
2. Taylor Alexander Bitner, born June 1, 1857/59 in Peoria County, Illinois. Taylor Bitner was married to Lydia/Liddia Ann "Liddie" Stone on March 20, 1879 in Mason County, Illinois. Their children include;
A. Truman S. Bitner, born November 6, 1883 in Illinois. Truman S Bitner died on March 27, 1946 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975172.
B. Mary Bitner, born c. 1884/85 in Illinois.
C. Lulu Bitner, born c. 1888/89 in Illinois.
D. Jennie I. Bitner, born c. 1891/92 in Illinois.
E. Claude Channing Bitner, born November 26, 1895 in Illinois. Claude C Bitner served as a P.F.C. in the U. S. Army during WWI in the 106 A.M.T.R. Claude was married to Hulda I. Cochran in 1924. Hulda was born on July 19, 1902 and died on March 3, 2004 at the age of 101. Hulda was a cook at Robertsons' Cafe in Mason City for many years. Claude died on October 5, 1959 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975163.
F. Russell M. Bitner, born February 25, 1897 in Illinois. Russell Bitner died on July 14, 1973 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975171.
G. Wilford O. Bitner, born February 8, 1899 in Illinois. Wilford was married to Barbara Bennett in 19__. Eight children were born to Wilford and Barbara including;
1. Ruth "Rose" Bitner, born c. 1919/20 in Illinois.
2. Eleanor Bitner, born May 4, 1921 in Illinois. Eleanor Bitner was married to Charles Hasty (1917-1985) on March 16, 1942 in Danville,Illinois. Five children were born to them. Eleanor (Bitner) Hasty died on December 11, 2011 in
Havana, Mason County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Meadow Lawn Cemetery in Manito, Mason County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 81954856.
3. Raymond O. "Bud" Bitner, born c. 1923/24 in Illinois.
4. Clyde E. "Gene" Bitner, born c. 1925/26 in Illinois.
5. Leonard Bitner, born _________ __, 19__ (c. 1930/31) in Illinois. Leonard was married to Donna __________.
6. Wilford Bitner, born _________ __, 19__. Wilford was married to Nancy __________.
7. Elizabeth A. Bitner, born _________ __, 19__. Elizabeth was married to Charles Ragland.
8. Clark N. Bitner, born April 5, 1939 in Mason County, Illinois. Clark N. Bitner, of Kaneville, Illinois, died on September 29, 2014. Clark served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corp from 1956 to 1962. He also was a bus driver for the City of Chicago, a volunteer fireman for the Village of Glendale Heights and had a total of 36 years with Jewel Foods as both a truck driver and deli clerk. Clark was an avid hunter, gardener and dedicated family man who was commonly described by those that knew him as a “diamond in the rough.” Clark's mortal remains were laid in the _____________ Cemetery in __________, Illinois.
At the time of the 1930 census, Wilford and his family are found in Sheridan, Logan County, Illinois;
Wilfred Bitner Head M 31 Illinois
Barbara Bitner Wife F 29 Illinois
Ruth Bitner Daughter F 10 Illinois
Eleanor Bitner Daughter F 8 Illinois
Raymond Bitner Son M 6 Illinois
Clyde Bitner Son M 4 Illinois
At the time of the 1940 census, Wilford and his family are found in Quiver Township, Mason County, Illinois;
Wilfred O Bitner Head M 41 Illinois
Barbara A Bitner Wife F 39 Illinois
Raymond O Bitner Son M 17 Illinois
Clyde E Bitner Son M 15 Illinois
Leonard C Bitner Son M 9 Illinois
Wilfred Bitner Son M 5 Illinois
Elizabeth A Bitner Daughter F 4 Illinois
Clark N Bitner Son M 0 Illinois
Wilford Bitner died on June 23, 1956 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975175.
H. Hattie M. Bitner, born c. 1900/01 in Illinois.
I. ___________ (Daughter) Bitner, born c. 1904/05 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, Taylor and his family are found in Salt Creek, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor Bitner Self M 23 Illinois
Lydia Bitner Wife F 19 Illinois
Myrta Bitner Daughter F 0 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Taylor and his family are found on Crane Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor Bitner Head M 43 Illinois
Lydia Bitner Wife F 39 Illinois
Truman Bitner Son M 16 Illinois
Mary Bitner Daughter F 15 Illinois
Lulu Bitner Daughter F 11 Illinois
Jennie Bitner Daughter F 8 Illinois
Claudie Bitner Son M 6 Illinois
Russel Bitner Son M 3 Illinois
Wilford Bitner Son M 1 Illinois
Lonnie Gilmore Servant M 18 Illinois
At the time of the 1910 census, Taylor A. Bittner and his family are found in Salt Creek, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor A Bittner Head M 52 Illinois
Lydia L Bittner Wife F 48 Illinois
Jennie I Bittner Daughter F 18 Illinois
Claude C Bittner Son M 15 Illinois
Russell M Bittner Son M 13 Illinois
Wilford O Bittner Son M 11 Illinois
Hattie M Bittner Daughter F 9 Illinois
Bittner Daughter F 5 Illinois
His death record found on familysearch states that his father was John Bitner, who was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother as Mary Walgomott, who was born in Peoria County, Illinois. Taylor was a retired farmer and died on February 16, 1929 in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Walkers Grove Cemetery in Easton, Crane Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois.
3. Samuel Sylvester Bitner, born March 4, 1863 near Lancaster, Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. Samuel was married to Martha "Mattie" Colvin, who was born in 1867 in Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. Samuel Sylvester Bitner died on __________ __, 1931. See his Find A Grave Memorial for more information about him and his family.
At the time of the 1860 census, the Bitner family is found in Timber Township near Lancaster, Illinois.
2557 Bickner Samuel 32 M farmer 800 100 PA
2557 Bickner Mary [1] 25 F OH
2557 Bickner Joseph 5 M IL
2557 Bickner Alexander 3 M IL
2558 Bickner Jeremiah 28 M farming 400 PA
2558 Bickner Elizabeth 22 F PA
2558 Bickner Mary [2] 2 F PA
2559 Bickner Wm. 33 M farmer 300 PA
2559 Bickner Nancy 25 F PA
2559 Bickner Catharine 9 F PA
2559 Bickner Adam L. 1 M IL
2560 Bickner Rosanna 60 F 300 PA
2594 Bickner John 39 M farmer 1,000 1,055 PA
2594 Bickner Elizabeth 33 F PA
2594 Bickner Sarah J. 14 F PA
2594 Bickner Daniel 12 M PA
2594 Bickner Catharine 10 F PA
2594 Bickner Ann 6 F PA
2594 Bickner Nancy 3 F IL
2594 Bickner Emma E. 1/12 F IL
On August 8, 1862, Samuel Bitner volunteered at Lancaster, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber-Hollis Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant, Allen L. Fahnestock for service in the Union army.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BITNER, SAMUEL
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LANCASTER, PEORIA CO, IL Age 33 Height 5' 9 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes HAZEL Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity PERRY CO, PA
Service Record
Joined When AUG 8, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks KILLED IN ACTION JUN 27, 1864 AT KENNESAW MOUNTAIN GA
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including now Private Samuel Bitner, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot. There in that throng of people may very well been a There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp. Of this time, Kinnear in his history of the 86th wrote, "On the 9th of December the command was marched to Nashville, taking up camp there, and put on duty about the city. About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within."
Kinnear continued, "Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time. The regiment was called upon to do a great deal of duty, such as picketing about the city---a business that is anything but pleasant where there are a number of generals and other fancy officers to be looked after. While on duty at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers, each bearing his own report."
Kinnear continued, "During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to it."
Back in Peoria, on March 4, 1863, Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner gave birth to her fourth son. It would probably be some time before Private Samuel Bitner would find out that he was the father of a 4th son. During the next two years, Private Samuel Bitner would serve faithfully in Co. I as the men of McCook's Brigade served in Tennessee and Georgia. During this time, Samuel was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia and finally the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.
On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves in the trenches across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. At 8:00 a.m. when the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th Illinois, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400. Among the killed in Co. K was our Orderly Sergeant Buchanan, shot in the head and died without speaking. He was a brave man."
As the men of McCook's Brigade fell back from the Confedererate fortifications, they were forced to leave most of their dead and wounded behind. These bodies laid between the lines until the 29th when a truce was called so the Union could bury it's dead because the smell from the decomposing bodies became so horrible, that neither side could stand it any longer.
Company I suffered more than their share of the 106 casualties. In less than 30 minutes, Co. I had three men killed in action and had thirteen more wounded. Of the wounded, two would die of their wounds within a month. Among the Killed In Action was Private Samuel Bitner. Samuel Bitner's earthly remains were initially buried on the 29th of July, there on the battlefield. Several years later, after the Civil War was over, the Government had the Kennesaw Mountain dead exhumed and moved to what is today the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia. Today, Private Samuel Bitner's earthly remains lie in Grave # 9226 in SECTION I of the Matietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.
Samuel's youngest son's obituary, the obituary of Samuel Sylvester Bitner, states that "after the death of his father he went to live with his grandparents, after whose death he spent several years in the Soldiers Orphan home at Normal. Ill.
Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner was married to Ezekial Petty on April 18, 1866 in Peoria County. Ezekial was also a member of the 86th Illinois, having also served in Co. I of the 86th. This marriage apparently did not last long as Mary was married a 3rd time, this time to Thomas G. or B. Davis on December 24, 1874 in Peoria County. Mary is listed as Mrs. Mary L. Bitner in the marriage record. Thomas is believed to have been a member of Co. I of the 32nd Illinois Infantry. He is buried in the Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton, Peoria County, Illinois. If this is who she was married to, then all three of her husbands were veterans of the Civil War.
At this time, it is not known when Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner Petty Davis died or where she is buried.
By Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bitner family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Samuel Bitner and the Bitner family. Baxter also believes that during his time in Nashville, Tennesssee, in 1863/64, that Samuel Bitner would have taken the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the family. If a copy of this still exists and can be located, Baxter would also love to see a copy of that photograph of Samuel Bitner be added to his Find A Grave site for all to see and enjoy.)
Samuel Bitner was born on __________ __, 1829 near ___________, Pennsylvania in Perry County, one of four children known to have been born to Adam Bitner and his 2nd wife, Sarah (Yohn) Bitner. Adam Bitner was born in 1797 near Ickesburg, Pennsylvania in Perry County. He is known to have been married three times. Adam Bitner is believed to have had as many as 16 children, including;
1. John Orris Bitner, born c. 1821 in Pennsylvania.
2. Daniel Bitner, born c. 1822 in Pennsylvania.
3. William Bitner, born c. 1825 in Pennsylvania.
4. Samuel Bitner, born c. 1829 in Pennsylvania.
5. Jeremiah Bitner, born c. 1830 in Pennsylvania. Jeremiah was married to Elizabeth A. Brandt. Elizabeth was born on ___________ __, 18__ in Pennsylvania. Their children include;
A. William H Bitner, born December 8, 1860 near Lancaster, Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. William farmed for a living and was married to Mary ____________. William died on November 25, 1935 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Trivoli Cemetery in Trivoli, Peoria County, Illinois.
6. Martin Bitner, born c. 1839/40 in Pennsylvania.
Adam Bitner is believed to have been married 1st to Rosanna (or Anna Maria) Orris, the daughter of Henrich Orris (July 13, 1770 - June 6, 1833) and Anna Maria (Eichelberger) Orris (November 23, 1770 - June 16, 1831).
Adam Bitner was married 2nd to Sarah Yohn c. 1827. Sarah was born in 18__ in Saville Township in Perry County, Pennsylvania the daughter of Johann Wilhelm Yohn and Margaret E. (Hartman) Yohn. Adam and Sarah are believed to have had at least three children, William, Samuel and Jeremia before her death. Sarah is believed to have died in Saville Twp., Perry Co., Pennsylvania sometime before 1840.
Adam Bitner was then married 3rd to Rosanna __________. At the time of the 1850 census, the Bitners are found in Saville, Perry County, Pennsylvania;
Adam Bitner F 53 Pennsylvania
Rosanah Bitner F 50 Pennsylvania
Saml Bitner M 22 Pennsylvania
Jeremiah Bitner M 20 Pennsylvania
Martin Bitner M 10 Pennsylvania
Catherine Kochenderfer F 7 Pennsylvania
The Bitner family is believed to have migrated west, possible in groups between 1852 and 1854, settling in Peoria County, Illinois, about half way between Trivoli, Illinois and Lancaster, Illinois in Peoria County. Adam Bitner died there on November 22, 1859 in Peoria County. His earthly remains were laid to rest in the Penn Ridge Cemetery south of Trivoli and north of Lancaster, Illinois.
Now to continue with the biography of Samuel Bitner;
Samuel Bitner was married to Mary L. Wolgamott on August 8, 1852. Mary was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1832/34) at __________, Ohio, the oldest of nine children known to have been born to Washington Wolgamott and Nancy (Dawson) Wolgamott. Washington Wolgamott was born in March of 1813, the son of David Wolgamott and Catherine (Lemmon) Wolgamott, while Mary (Dawson) Wolgamott was born in 1817. Washington and Nancy are buried in the Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster, Peoria County, Illinois. Three sons are believed to have been born to Samuel and Mary. They are;
1. Joseph Lemuel Bitner, born December 2, 1855 in Peoria County, Illinois. Joseph was married to Mary Elizabeth Beck c. 1873/74 in ___________ County, ___________.. #_________ children were born to Joseph and Mary, including;
A. Nellie Gertrude Bitner (1875 - 1969). Nellie was married to ____________ Rall.
B. Francis Arthur "Frank" Bitner (1878 - 1955)
C. Dora Bitner, born c. 1881/82 in Kansas
D. August Carl Bitner (1885 - 1948)
At the time of the 1880 census, Joseph and his family are found in Osage, Crawford County, Kansas, where he is farming;
J L Bitner Self M 25 Illinois
M E Bitner Wife F 27 Ohio
N G Bitner Daughter F 4 Illinois
F A Bitner Son M 2 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Joseph and his family are found in Pittsburg city Ward 2, Crawford County, Kansas;
Joseph L Bittner Head M Dec 1855 45 Illinois
Mary E Bittner Wife F 46 Ohio
Nellie Bittner Daughter F 14 Illinois
Francis A Bittner Son M 22 Illinois
Dora Bittner Daughter F 18 Kansas
Gussie Bittner Son M 15 Kansas
Joseph Lemuel Bitner died on January 3, 1929 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mount Olive Cemetery in Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 33973961.
2. Taylor Alexander Bitner, born June 1, 1857/59 in Peoria County, Illinois. Taylor Bitner was married to Lydia/Liddia Ann "Liddie" Stone on March 20, 1879 in Mason County, Illinois. Their children include;
A. Truman S. Bitner, born November 6, 1883 in Illinois. Truman S Bitner died on March 27, 1946 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975172.
B. Mary Bitner, born c. 1884/85 in Illinois.
C. Lulu Bitner, born c. 1888/89 in Illinois.
D. Jennie I. Bitner, born c. 1891/92 in Illinois.
E. Claude Channing Bitner, born November 26, 1895 in Illinois. Claude C Bitner served as a P.F.C. in the U. S. Army during WWI in the 106 A.M.T.R. Claude was married to Hulda I. Cochran in 1924. Hulda was born on July 19, 1902 and died on March 3, 2004 at the age of 101. Hulda was a cook at Robertsons' Cafe in Mason City for many years. Claude died on October 5, 1959 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975163.
F. Russell M. Bitner, born February 25, 1897 in Illinois. Russell Bitner died on July 14, 1973 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975171.
G. Wilford O. Bitner, born February 8, 1899 in Illinois. Wilford was married to Barbara Bennett in 19__. Eight children were born to Wilford and Barbara including;
1. Ruth "Rose" Bitner, born c. 1919/20 in Illinois.
2. Eleanor Bitner, born May 4, 1921 in Illinois. Eleanor Bitner was married to Charles Hasty (1917-1985) on March 16, 1942 in Danville,Illinois. Five children were born to them. Eleanor (Bitner) Hasty died on December 11, 2011 in
Havana, Mason County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Meadow Lawn Cemetery in Manito, Mason County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 81954856.
3. Raymond O. "Bud" Bitner, born c. 1923/24 in Illinois.
4. Clyde E. "Gene" Bitner, born c. 1925/26 in Illinois.
5. Leonard Bitner, born _________ __, 19__ (c. 1930/31) in Illinois. Leonard was married to Donna __________.
6. Wilford Bitner, born _________ __, 19__. Wilford was married to Nancy __________.
7. Elizabeth A. Bitner, born _________ __, 19__. Elizabeth was married to Charles Ragland.
8. Clark N. Bitner, born April 5, 1939 in Mason County, Illinois. Clark N. Bitner, of Kaneville, Illinois, died on September 29, 2014. Clark served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corp from 1956 to 1962. He also was a bus driver for the City of Chicago, a volunteer fireman for the Village of Glendale Heights and had a total of 36 years with Jewel Foods as both a truck driver and deli clerk. Clark was an avid hunter, gardener and dedicated family man who was commonly described by those that knew him as a “diamond in the rough.” Clark's mortal remains were laid in the _____________ Cemetery in __________, Illinois.
At the time of the 1930 census, Wilford and his family are found in Sheridan, Logan County, Illinois;
Wilfred Bitner Head M 31 Illinois
Barbara Bitner Wife F 29 Illinois
Ruth Bitner Daughter F 10 Illinois
Eleanor Bitner Daughter F 8 Illinois
Raymond Bitner Son M 6 Illinois
Clyde Bitner Son M 4 Illinois
At the time of the 1940 census, Wilford and his family are found in Quiver Township, Mason County, Illinois;
Wilfred O Bitner Head M 41 Illinois
Barbara A Bitner Wife F 39 Illinois
Raymond O Bitner Son M 17 Illinois
Clyde E Bitner Son M 15 Illinois
Leonard C Bitner Son M 9 Illinois
Wilfred Bitner Son M 5 Illinois
Elizabeth A Bitner Daughter F 4 Illinois
Clark N Bitner Son M 0 Illinois
Wilford Bitner died on June 23, 1956 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mason City Cemetery in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 30975175.
H. Hattie M. Bitner, born c. 1900/01 in Illinois.
I. ___________ (Daughter) Bitner, born c. 1904/05 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, Taylor and his family are found in Salt Creek, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor Bitner Self M 23 Illinois
Lydia Bitner Wife F 19 Illinois
Myrta Bitner Daughter F 0 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Taylor and his family are found on Crane Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor Bitner Head M 43 Illinois
Lydia Bitner Wife F 39 Illinois
Truman Bitner Son M 16 Illinois
Mary Bitner Daughter F 15 Illinois
Lulu Bitner Daughter F 11 Illinois
Jennie Bitner Daughter F 8 Illinois
Claudie Bitner Son M 6 Illinois
Russel Bitner Son M 3 Illinois
Wilford Bitner Son M 1 Illinois
Lonnie Gilmore Servant M 18 Illinois
At the time of the 1910 census, Taylor A. Bittner and his family are found in Salt Creek, Mason County, Illinois;
Taylor A Bittner Head M 52 Illinois
Lydia L Bittner Wife F 48 Illinois
Jennie I Bittner Daughter F 18 Illinois
Claude C Bittner Son M 15 Illinois
Russell M Bittner Son M 13 Illinois
Wilford O Bittner Son M 11 Illinois
Hattie M Bittner Daughter F 9 Illinois
Bittner Daughter F 5 Illinois
His death record found on familysearch states that his father was John Bitner, who was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother as Mary Walgomott, who was born in Peoria County, Illinois. Taylor was a retired farmer and died on February 16, 1929 in Mason City, Mason County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Walkers Grove Cemetery in Easton, Crane Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois.
3. Samuel Sylvester Bitner, born March 4, 1863 near Lancaster, Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. Samuel was married to Martha "Mattie" Colvin, who was born in 1867 in Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois. Samuel Sylvester Bitner died on __________ __, 1931. See his Find A Grave Memorial for more information about him and his family.
At the time of the 1860 census, the Bitner family is found in Timber Township near Lancaster, Illinois.
2557 Bickner Samuel 32 M farmer 800 100 PA
2557 Bickner Mary [1] 25 F OH
2557 Bickner Joseph 5 M IL
2557 Bickner Alexander 3 M IL
2558 Bickner Jeremiah 28 M farming 400 PA
2558 Bickner Elizabeth 22 F PA
2558 Bickner Mary [2] 2 F PA
2559 Bickner Wm. 33 M farmer 300 PA
2559 Bickner Nancy 25 F PA
2559 Bickner Catharine 9 F PA
2559 Bickner Adam L. 1 M IL
2560 Bickner Rosanna 60 F 300 PA
2594 Bickner John 39 M farmer 1,000 1,055 PA
2594 Bickner Elizabeth 33 F PA
2594 Bickner Sarah J. 14 F PA
2594 Bickner Daniel 12 M PA
2594 Bickner Catharine 10 F PA
2594 Bickner Ann 6 F PA
2594 Bickner Nancy 3 F IL
2594 Bickner Emma E. 1/12 F IL
On August 8, 1862, Samuel Bitner volunteered at Lancaster, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber-Hollis Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant, Allen L. Fahnestock for service in the Union army.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BITNER, SAMUEL
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LANCASTER, PEORIA CO, IL Age 33 Height 5' 9 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes HAZEL Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity PERRY CO, PA
Service Record
Joined When AUG 8, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks KILLED IN ACTION JUN 27, 1864 AT KENNESAW MOUNTAIN GA
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including now Private Samuel Bitner, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot. There in that throng of people may very well been a There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp. Of this time, Kinnear in his history of the 86th wrote, "On the 9th of December the command was marched to Nashville, taking up camp there, and put on duty about the city. About this time was led a sad and disagreeable life, even more so than at any other time. The boys were new in their profession and entirely ignorant as to what conveniences a soldier might have even under circumstances so trying, and in consequence, were compelled to render themselves most unhappy. Some twenty odd men would live in the same tent, cook from a camp kettle swung in the middle of it, make their beds on the damp ground, frequently without even straw or boards under them. Snow fell, and the cold, keen winds of winter whistled without, while the poor soldiers lay cold and damp within."
Kinnear continued, "Many were taken ill and died from this exposure; more died and were discharged during this winter than in all our previous and after term of service. The hospitals were yet without proper organization, the sick in them improperly cared for, for war was as yet a new thing poorly understood and carried on. The Icelander, in his frigid and icy home of the far north, in his primeval ignorance, could not have lived in greater exposure than did the soldiers at this time. The regiment was called upon to do a great deal of duty, such as picketing about the city---a business that is anything but pleasant where there are a number of generals and other fancy officers to be looked after. While on duty at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers, each bearing his own report."
Kinnear continued, "During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to it."
Back in Peoria, on March 4, 1863, Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner gave birth to her fourth son. It would probably be some time before Private Samuel Bitner would find out that he was the father of a 4th son. During the next two years, Private Samuel Bitner would serve faithfully in Co. I as the men of McCook's Brigade served in Tennessee and Georgia. During this time, Samuel was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia and finally the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.
On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves in the trenches across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. At 8:00 a.m. when the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th Illinois, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400. Among the killed in Co. K was our Orderly Sergeant Buchanan, shot in the head and died without speaking. He was a brave man."
As the men of McCook's Brigade fell back from the Confedererate fortifications, they were forced to leave most of their dead and wounded behind. These bodies laid between the lines until the 29th when a truce was called so the Union could bury it's dead because the smell from the decomposing bodies became so horrible, that neither side could stand it any longer.
Company I suffered more than their share of the 106 casualties. In less than 30 minutes, Co. I had three men killed in action and had thirteen more wounded. Of the wounded, two would die of their wounds within a month. Among the Killed In Action was Private Samuel Bitner. Samuel Bitner's earthly remains were initially buried on the 29th of July, there on the battlefield. Several years later, after the Civil War was over, the Government had the Kennesaw Mountain dead exhumed and moved to what is today the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia. Today, Private Samuel Bitner's earthly remains lie in Grave # 9226 in SECTION I of the Matietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.
Samuel's youngest son's obituary, the obituary of Samuel Sylvester Bitner, states that "after the death of his father he went to live with his grandparents, after whose death he spent several years in the Soldiers Orphan home at Normal. Ill.
Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner was married to Ezekial Petty on April 18, 1866 in Peoria County. Ezekial was also a member of the 86th Illinois, having also served in Co. I of the 86th. This marriage apparently did not last long as Mary was married a 3rd time, this time to Thomas G. or B. Davis on December 24, 1874 in Peoria County. Mary is listed as Mrs. Mary L. Bitner in the marriage record. Thomas is believed to have been a member of Co. I of the 32nd Illinois Infantry. He is buried in the Maple Ridge Cemetery in Mapleton, Peoria County, Illinois. If this is who she was married to, then all three of her husbands were veterans of the Civil War.
At this time, it is not known when Mary L. (Wolgamott) Bitner Petty Davis died or where she is buried.
By Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bitner family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Samuel Bitner and the Bitner family. Baxter also believes that during his time in Nashville, Tennesssee, in 1863/64, that Samuel Bitner would have taken the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the family. If a copy of this still exists and can be located, Baxter would also love to see a copy of that photograph of Samuel Bitner be added to his Find A Grave site for all to see and enjoy.)
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