Stars and Stripes Newspaper Founders

     

    flagwave.gif (38481 bytes) Search for the descendants of the
     original Stars & Stripes newspaper founders 

     

    On Nov. 8, 1861, Col. Richard J. Oglesby, commanding the 8th Illinois Regiment for the Union Army, captured Bloomfield, Missouri as the Rebels fled south. In this regiment were 10 printers/newsmen who discovered that the Herald, a local newspaper office, was abandoned, and they decided to issue a newspaper for their outfit.
    They named it the Stars & Stripes.

    It is not known how many copies of the first edition were printed, but only three copies of the original issue are known to exist, one of which is destined for the new Stars & Stripes Museum/Library in Bloomfield, Mo.


    Are you a descendant or relative of any of the following 10 men who were involved in the publication of the first Stars & Stripes newspaper? Do you have any letters, photographs or genealogical information about them that you would be willing to share? If so, please contact Myra Vanderpool Gormley

    Are any of these men in your family tree?

    Atherton, Benson. Recruit of Co. G, 18th Illinois Inf. Regt., a resident of Fairfield (Wayne County) Illinois and publisher of the Prairie Pioneer; discharged from service 1 Nov. 1862 due to wounds.


    Barton, John H. 1st Lt. Co. I, 18th Illinois Inf. Regt., a resident of Carmi (White County) Illinois, was an owner, publisher and editor during his newspaper career.


    Boseman, James T. Recruit, Co. G, 18th Illinois Inf. Regt., a resident of Carmi (White County) Illinois; he later transferred to the Regimental Band.


    Edwards, Charles M. Pvt. Co. B, 18th Illinois Inf. Regt., a resident of Shawneetown (Gallatin County) Illinois, he was a newsman before and after the war and rose to the rank of 1st Lt.


    Edmonson, Theodore. Corp. Co. G, 18th Illinois Inf. Regt.; was born in Illinois ca 1843; lived in Fairfield (Wayne County), Illinois; and was publisher of the Illinois Patriot.


    Martin, Otis P. Sgt. Major, 8th Inf. Regt.; resident of Peoria (Peoria County), Illinois.


    Rhue, Walter A. Recruit of Co. G., 18th Illinois Regt.; resident of Carmi (White County), Illinois ; was a publisher before the Civil War; later transferred to the Regimental Band.


    Schell, John W. Corp., promoted to Sgt., Co. D, 8th Illinois; born ca 1838 in Pennsylvania, was a printer, lived in Fairfield (Wayne County), Illinois.


    Stewart, R. F. First Sgt. Co. B, 29th Illinois Regt; resident of Carmi (White County), Illinois; was an editor of the White County Advocate prior to the Civil War.


    Walsh, Thomas. Pvt. Co. E., 8th Illinois; resided in Peoria (Peoria County), Illinois.


    Atherton and Edwards were the publishers;
    Rhue and Stewart were editors
    of the first issue of Stars & Stripes.


     For non-genealogical matters, please contact Stars & Stripes Museum/Library Association, P.O. Box 1861, Bloomfield, MO 63825; tele phone: 573-568-3862; or

    E-mail: [email protected]


    flagwave.gif (38481 bytes)Stars and Stripes (European and Pacific) Association Newsletter
     
    (and how to join)

    Stars and Stripes Museum / Library Association, Inc.
    17377 Stars and Stripes Way
    P.O. Box 1861
    Bloomfield, MO  63825

    Phone: (573) 568-2055
    E-mail: [email protected]

    flagwave.gif (38481 bytes) Stars and Stripes: European & Pacific online


    Back to: Shaking Family Trees Home Page