At the last annual reunion of the association of the survivors of the 20thIllinois Regiment, held in Chicago September 8, 1893, I was assigned theduty of preparing a roster of Company K. This little publication is theresult of my efforts to perform that duty. It is intended for thesurviving members of the Company and their descendants, for relatives andfriends of deceased members and for all others into whose hands it maychance to come, who are interested in learning about the men who foughtand won battles that secured to America liberty and union.
ANDREW BROWN.
Newark, Illinois, June, 1894.
REUBEN F. DYER, M. D., Ottawa, Ill.
Born at Strong, Franklin county, Maine. Volunteered at Newark, Ill., April15, 1861. Was elected Captain. Commanded Company at Fredericktown, FortHenry and Fort Donelson. Resigned commission as Captain of Company K March13, 1862, at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, with view of obtaining aposition in the line of his profession. August 25, 1862, was commissionedSurgeon, 104th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which commission heheld till close of war, and, at close was acting Medical Director 14thArmy Corps, General Jefferson C. Davis commanding. Has practiced medicineat Ottawa since 1865. For a number of years a member of U. S. BoardExamining Surgeons. Is not a pensioner. A republican. A Methodist.
BENJAMIN OLIN, Joliet, Ill.
Born in State of New York. Volunteered at Newark, Ill., in April, 1861.Elected Orderly Sergeant of Company. May, 1861, commissioned FirstLieutenant. Served with Company in Missouri till November, 1861, when heresigned on account of ill health. Has been in the practice of law since1862. At present County Judge of Will county, Ill. Is not a pensioner. Hasnever applied for a pension. A liberal democrat. A Methodist.
JOHN N. BOYER, Normal, Ill.
Born in Centre county, Pennsylvania. Volunteered May 10, 1861, at Newark,Ill. Discharged February 15, 1864, on account of wound received atVicksburg. Was appointed Orderly Sergeant June 13, 1861. Commissioned 2dLieutenant January 22, 1862; Captain March 13, 1862.
AT SHILOH.
On April 6, 1862, had mumps very badly, and had neck wrapped with redflannel. Nevertheless, went out in command of the Company. Had swordstruck by a missile and bent nearly double, and received two slight woundsin the face. At noon was compelled to retire from the Company. When going,several of the boys turned over their pocket-books to him for safekeeping. Joined us, and took command of the Company, at daylight the nextmorning and was in all the second day’s fighting.
AT BRITTON’S LANE.
On September 1, 1862, was indisposed and was riding in an ambulance withAssistant Surgeon Bailey and Chaplain Button. When first shots were heardat Britton’s Lane he jumped out, buckled on his sword and asked Dr. Baileyto give him a strong dose of whisky and quinine and then went forward on arun to take charge of t