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Civil War Soldiers - Rutherford
| Rutherford, Friend S.,
brigadier-general, U.S. Army, was born in the state of New York, but
in early life took up his residence in the state of Illinois. On June
30, 1862, he was made captain commissary of subsistence and served in
that capacity until Sept. 2, when he resigned and assisted in the
organization of the 97th Ill. infantry. This regiment was organized at
Camp Butler, Ill., in Aug. and Sept., 1862, and upon Sept. 16, Friend
S. Rutherford was commissioned as its colonel. After some preliminary
service it became a part of the forces operating against Vicksburg,
and Col. Rutherford and his regiment bore their full share in the
spirited engagement at Port Gibson. At the fierce battle of Champion's
hill Col. Rutherford had the not very pleasant duty of holding his
regiment as a target for the Confederate artillery for at least two
hours, and at a distance of not over 800 yards. The next morning he
led his regiment on to the Black river and took part in the fight at
that place. On May 19 and 22, he led it in both the charges at
Vicksburg, and it never failed to go as far as any other organization,
and as a rule much farther. He then took part in the contest at
Jackson, and under his leadership his regiment distinguished itself
sufficiently to be praised by Maj.-Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding the
expeditionary army. The remainder of his service was spent in
Louisiana, where his regiment did guard duty, but owing to serious ill
health he resigned his position as colonel on June 15, 1864. On June
27, following his resignation, he was appointed brigadier-general of
volunteers, but he had died on June 20, 1864, seven days previous to
his nomination. Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
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