Pec Historical Society presents Civil War Muster

KAY DEMARCO PHOTO The Gazette
David Hilton, Michael Eaton, Debbie Hilton High, and Roger Hilton are descendants of Captain Thompson who visited and viewed the muster.

The Pecatonica Historical Society sponsored their Illinois 74th Infantry Regiment Company B Civil War Muster public showing on Aug. 10, at the Pecatonica Public Library.  Approximately 100 visitors and three local TV stations perused the artifacts of Vi Johns and Micheal Eaton and were amazed at the knowledge of presenter Derek Squires, a Pecatonica native and Civil War historian and reenactor.
The 1865 Company B muster lists the 33 survivors of the 94 men who were chosen by Captain Augustus Thompson to fight for the Union Army  in 1862.  With his leadership the Union was able to conquer battles with outnumbered troops.
Some visitors came on Sunday to investigate their ancestors on the muster or in the G. A. R. book researched by now deceased local historian Faye Hilton.  Hilton, Campbell, and Thompson families of Pecatonica are relatives of Augustus as he spent his retirement in Pecatonica.