Near Ottawa in LaSalle County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Camp Hunter
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 30, 2021
1. Camp Hunter Marker
In the autumn of 1861 the valley before you, bounded by bluff, creek, and river, was known as Camp Hunter. Here on September 26, the 4th Illinois Cavalry mustered for duty, beginning military training and a three-year enlistment. White tents dominated the scene. Organized by Ottawa Judge T. Lyle Dickey, the 4th was soon after sent to Springfield to receive its weapons, then on to Cairo to join Union forces in the western campaigns. With Ulysses Grant's troops they engaged the enemy at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Corinth in 1862.
In 1863 they were on guard during the Vicksburg campaign protecting Grant's supply lines and continued in Mississippi guarding against small Confederate forces and guerrilla forces until November of 1864, when the three-year enlistment expired. Some members of the 4th reenlisted, but the unit was merged into other regiments for the remainder of the war.
Erected 2018 by The Starved Rock Civil War Round Table • Illinois Department of Transportation • Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1861.
Location. 41° 19.042′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. In Memory of Dickey's Cavalry (here, next to this marker); Remembering the Tornado (approx. 1.3 miles away); Camp Cushman Volunteers (approx. 1˝ miles away); William D. Boyce (approx. 1˝ miles away); War of 1812 Soldiers at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Centennial Memorial Ottawa Illinois (approx. 1.7 miles away); 1333 Ottawa Ave. (approx. 2 miles away); Fisher-Nash Cottage (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ottawa.
Also see . . .
1. Theophilus Lyle Dickey. Wikipedia entry on the unit's organizer and commander. (Submitted on October 31, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. 4th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on July 20, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 30, 2021
2. Camp Hunter Marker
A stone tablet honoring the 4th Illinois Cavalry is below the featured marker.
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Commandery of the State of Illinois
3. Theophilus Lyle Dickey (1811-1885)
Taken from "Memorials of Deceased Companions of the Commandery of the State of Illinois" (1901).
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
