History of the Fourth Ill. Volunteers
Spanish-American War
written 1898
Josephine Engelmann was born on her father's farm near Shiloh, Illinois, on 16 September 1867.
She received only the education which that district afforded. She lost her mother when she was only twelve years old, and being the oldest of three
children that were left, and being of a serious turn of mind, she made the best of the opportunities afforded, and under the guidance of her excellent father, Col. Adolph Engelmann, and her genial and highly gifted aunt, Miss Josephine Engelmann, developed into a noble womanhood. Having grown up in a family who had cut loose from all dogmatic beliefs, Josephine's intense desire for the spiritual and high, the craving of her nature for reverence and devotion, induced her to join the Methodist church, of which she was a
true and faithful adherent up to her death.
When Colonel Engelmann was called to Belleville as postmaster, she became
the mother of the little household, and the faithful helpmate of her father. After some years death claimed her aunt and soon after her father as his
own. With the increase of her duties and responsibilities grew also Josephine's ardent wish and resolute determination to be the adviser and provider of her family, to be the means of developing her brother Otto, any years her junior, into that noble manhood of which the boy gave promise. Together they took care of a little farm, while Josephine added to their income by teaching school, first in the country and then at Belleville.
Teaching was to her a religious act. She deeply felt the great responsibility resting with a teacher, of guiding the souls of her charges to find and love the beautiful and good, and great was her joy in being rewarded by the appreciative interest of the children. She also, for many years, with great interest and devotion, taught Sunday school at Belleville and at Shiloh. Thus years had flown, in which, amid all the arduous duties devolving upon this young woman, she persistently and eagerly made use of every opportunity of improving her mind and broadening her sympathies and sought to provide ways and means for her sister and brother to do the same.
When the war for the assistance of Cuba insurgents called our volunteers to arms, Josephine was thankful that duty prompted her young brother to stay
with his orphaned sisters, although she was much in sympathy with this cause, thirsting ever to help the oppressed. But, when at the second call, Otto B. Engelmann felt it his duty to offer his services to the need of his country, she unflinchingly gave her approval. Her trembling heart had learned to place duty above its own desires. Otto Engelmann joined Company D, Fourth Regular Illinois Volunteers on the 16th of June, fitted out with all that the love and devotion of his sisters could do for their young hero-brother.
With the eyes of love and solicitude every move of the regiment was watched, every line he wrote was weighed. When sickness began to strike down friends on all sides of the object of their solicitude, these girls lived between hope and despair, and when the news came that Otto was seriously sick, Josephine hastened to his bedside, to tear him from the claws of death, as
she thought. Her mission was successful; not only did Otto recover, but she was also the means of bringing solace to many a sad heart by her sympathetic words and deeds.
But, alas, the dread disease had taken hold of her! Perhaps the anxiety and
suffering had weakened her too much, or she had not paid sufficient
attention to the approach of the disease. She went to the hospital on the 14th of October, and died on the 20th. Her body was sent home to be laid to rest in the family burial ground near Shiloh. The funeral was a touching tribute, paid by several hundred relatives and friends to this heroic girl, the true Christian, the noble woman. Could she have lived, the world would have been the better and happier for it; Josephine Engelmann's life would have been consecrated to the solacing and uplifting of humanity. Her noble example undoubtedly has inspired many a soul. Her influence and her memory live with us.
Spanish-American War
written 1898
Josephine Engelmann was born on her father's farm near Shiloh, Illinois, on 16 September 1867.
She received only the education which that district afforded. She lost her mother when she was only twelve years old, and being the oldest of three
children that were left, and being of a serious turn of mind, she made the best of the opportunities afforded, and under the guidance of her excellent father, Col. Adolph Engelmann, and her genial and highly gifted aunt, Miss Josephine Engelmann, developed into a noble womanhood. Having grown up in a family who had cut loose from all dogmatic beliefs, Josephine's intense desire for the spiritual and high, the craving of her nature for reverence and devotion, induced her to join the Methodist church, of which she was a
true and faithful adherent up to her death.
When Colonel Engelmann was called to Belleville as postmaster, she became
the mother of the little household, and the faithful helpmate of her father. After some years death claimed her aunt and soon after her father as his
own. With the increase of her duties and responsibilities grew also Josephine's ardent wish and resolute determination to be the adviser and provider of her family, to be the means of developing her brother Otto, any years her junior, into that noble manhood of which the boy gave promise. Together they took care of a little farm, while Josephine added to their income by teaching school, first in the country and then at Belleville.
Teaching was to her a religious act. She deeply felt the great responsibility resting with a teacher, of guiding the souls of her charges to find and love the beautiful and good, and great was her joy in being rewarded by the appreciative interest of the children. She also, for many years, with great interest and devotion, taught Sunday school at Belleville and at Shiloh. Thus years had flown, in which, amid all the arduous duties devolving upon this young woman, she persistently and eagerly made use of every opportunity of improving her mind and broadening her sympathies and sought to provide ways and means for her sister and brother to do the same.
When the war for the assistance of Cuba insurgents called our volunteers to arms, Josephine was thankful that duty prompted her young brother to stay
with his orphaned sisters, although she was much in sympathy with this cause, thirsting ever to help the oppressed. But, when at the second call, Otto B. Engelmann felt it his duty to offer his services to the need of his country, she unflinchingly gave her approval. Her trembling heart had learned to place duty above its own desires. Otto Engelmann joined Company D, Fourth Regular Illinois Volunteers on the 16th of June, fitted out with all that the love and devotion of his sisters could do for their young hero-brother.
With the eyes of love and solicitude every move of the regiment was watched, every line he wrote was weighed. When sickness began to strike down friends on all sides of the object of their solicitude, these girls lived between hope and despair, and when the news came that Otto was seriously sick, Josephine hastened to his bedside, to tear him from the claws of death, as
she thought. Her mission was successful; not only did Otto recover, but she was also the means of bringing solace to many a sad heart by her sympathetic words and deeds.
But, alas, the dread disease had taken hold of her! Perhaps the anxiety and
suffering had weakened her too much, or she had not paid sufficient
attention to the approach of the disease. She went to the hospital on the 14th of October, and died on the 20th. Her body was sent home to be laid to rest in the family burial ground near Shiloh. The funeral was a touching tribute, paid by several hundred relatives and friends to this heroic girl, the true Christian, the noble woman. Could she have lived, the world would have been the better and happier for it; Josephine Engelmann's life would have been consecrated to the solacing and uplifting of humanity. Her noble example undoubtedly has inspired many a soul. Her influence and her memory live with us.
History of the Fourth Ill. Volunteers
Spanish-American War
written 1898
Josephine Engelmann was born on her father's farm near Shiloh, Illinois, on 16 September 1867.
She received only the education which that district afforded. She lost her mother when she was only twelve years old, and being the oldest of three
children that were left, and being of a serious turn of mind, she made the best of the opportunities afforded, and under the guidance of her excellent father, Col. Adolph Engelmann, and her genial and highly gifted aunt, Miss Josephine Engelmann, developed into a noble womanhood. Having grown up in a family who had cut loose from all dogmatic beliefs, Josephine's intense desire for the spiritual and high, the craving of her nature for reverence and devotion, induced her to join the Methodist church, of which she was a
true and faithful adherent up to her death.
When Colonel Engelmann was called to Belleville as postmaster, she became
the mother of the little household, and the faithful helpmate of her father. After some years death claimed her aunt and soon after her father as his
own. With the increase of her duties and responsibilities grew also Josephine's ardent wish and resolute determination to be the adviser and provider of her family, to be the means of developing her brother Otto, any years her junior, into that noble manhood of which the boy gave promise. Together they took care of a little farm, while Josephine added to their income by teaching school, first in the country and then at Belleville.
Teaching was to her a religious act. She deeply felt the great responsibility resting with a teacher, of guiding the souls of her charges to find and love the beautiful and good, and great was her joy in being rewarded by the appreciative interest of the children. She also, for many years, with great interest and devotion, taught Sunday school at Belleville and at Shiloh. Thus years had flown, in which, amid all the arduous duties devolving upon this young woman, she persistently and eagerly made use of every opportunity of improving her mind and broadening her sympathies and sought to provide ways and means for her sister and brother to do the same.
When the war for the assistance of Cuba insurgents called our volunteers to arms, Josephine was thankful that duty prompted her young brother to stay
with his orphaned sisters, although she was much in sympathy with this cause, thirsting ever to help the oppressed. But, when at the second call, Otto B. Engelmann felt it his duty to offer his services to the need of his country, she unflinchingly gave her approval. Her trembling heart had learned to place duty above its own desires. Otto Engelmann joined Company D, Fourth Regular Illinois Volunteers on the 16th of June, fitted out with all that the love and devotion of his sisters could do for their young hero-brother.
With the eyes of love and solicitude every move of the regiment was watched, every line he wrote was weighed. When sickness began to strike down friends on all sides of the object of their solicitude, these girls lived between hope and despair, and when the news came that Otto was seriously sick, Josephine hastened to his bedside, to tear him from the claws of death, as
she thought. Her mission was successful; not only did Otto recover, but she was also the means of bringing solace to many a sad heart by her sympathetic words and deeds.
But, alas, the dread disease had taken hold of her! Perhaps the anxiety and
suffering had weakened her too much, or she had not paid sufficient
attention to the approach of the disease. She went to the hospital on the 14th of October, and died on the 20th. Her body was sent home to be laid to rest in the family burial ground near Shiloh. The funeral was a touching tribute, paid by several hundred relatives and friends to this heroic girl, the true Christian, the noble woman. Could she have lived, the world would have been the better and happier for it; Josephine Engelmann's life would have been consecrated to the solacing and uplifting of humanity. Her noble example undoubtedly has inspired many a soul. Her influence and her memory live with us.
Spanish-American War
written 1898
Josephine Engelmann was born on her father's farm near Shiloh, Illinois, on 16 September 1867.
She received only the education which that district afforded. She lost her mother when she was only twelve years old, and being the oldest of three
children that were left, and being of a serious turn of mind, she made the best of the opportunities afforded, and under the guidance of her excellent father, Col. Adolph Engelmann, and her genial and highly gifted aunt, Miss Josephine Engelmann, developed into a noble womanhood. Having grown up in a family who had cut loose from all dogmatic beliefs, Josephine's intense desire for the spiritual and high, the craving of her nature for reverence and devotion, induced her to join the Methodist church, of which she was a
true and faithful adherent up to her death.
When Colonel Engelmann was called to Belleville as postmaster, she became
the mother of the little household, and the faithful helpmate of her father. After some years death claimed her aunt and soon after her father as his
own. With the increase of her duties and responsibilities grew also Josephine's ardent wish and resolute determination to be the adviser and provider of her family, to be the means of developing her brother Otto, any years her junior, into that noble manhood of which the boy gave promise. Together they took care of a little farm, while Josephine added to their income by teaching school, first in the country and then at Belleville.
Teaching was to her a religious act. She deeply felt the great responsibility resting with a teacher, of guiding the souls of her charges to find and love the beautiful and good, and great was her joy in being rewarded by the appreciative interest of the children. She also, for many years, with great interest and devotion, taught Sunday school at Belleville and at Shiloh. Thus years had flown, in which, amid all the arduous duties devolving upon this young woman, she persistently and eagerly made use of every opportunity of improving her mind and broadening her sympathies and sought to provide ways and means for her sister and brother to do the same.
When the war for the assistance of Cuba insurgents called our volunteers to arms, Josephine was thankful that duty prompted her young brother to stay
with his orphaned sisters, although she was much in sympathy with this cause, thirsting ever to help the oppressed. But, when at the second call, Otto B. Engelmann felt it his duty to offer his services to the need of his country, she unflinchingly gave her approval. Her trembling heart had learned to place duty above its own desires. Otto Engelmann joined Company D, Fourth Regular Illinois Volunteers on the 16th of June, fitted out with all that the love and devotion of his sisters could do for their young hero-brother.
With the eyes of love and solicitude every move of the regiment was watched, every line he wrote was weighed. When sickness began to strike down friends on all sides of the object of their solicitude, these girls lived between hope and despair, and when the news came that Otto was seriously sick, Josephine hastened to his bedside, to tear him from the claws of death, as
she thought. Her mission was successful; not only did Otto recover, but she was also the means of bringing solace to many a sad heart by her sympathetic words and deeds.
But, alas, the dread disease had taken hold of her! Perhaps the anxiety and
suffering had weakened her too much, or she had not paid sufficient
attention to the approach of the disease. She went to the hospital on the 14th of October, and died on the 20th. Her body was sent home to be laid to rest in the family burial ground near Shiloh. The funeral was a touching tribute, paid by several hundred relatives and friends to this heroic girl, the true Christian, the noble woman. Could she have lived, the world would have been the better and happier for it; Josephine Engelmann's life would have been consecrated to the solacing and uplifting of humanity. Her noble example undoubtedly has inspired many a soul. Her influence and her memory live with us.
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