Steven G. Hicks (1809 - 1869)

Born 22 Feb 1809 in Jackson County, Georgia, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Eliza R (Maxey) Hicks — married 1 Sep 1829 in Jefferson County, Illinois

Died 14 Dec 1869 at age 60 in Salem, Marion County, Illinois, USA

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Biography

Steven Hicks is Notable.

Col. Steven Hicks served in the United States Civil War.
Side: USA

Stephen Or. Hicks, a Sergeant in the Black Hawk war, a Captain, and afterward Lieutenant Colonel in the Mexican war, and Colonel of this (the Fortieth) regiment, was born for a soldier. He was the son of a soldier, possessed all the elements for a good soldier, and was one than whom none braver ever wore the uniform, nor followed the flag of the Union. He was born February 22 (the anniversary of Washington's birthday), 1809, in Jackson County, Ga., and was the son of John Hicks, one of the seven men killed in the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815. Hence, he was left an orphan at the age of six years, with few advantages for education or mental culture. But he was an energetic lad, had a vigorous body and an active mind, that could not be content in idleness. After his father's death, his mother married Jacob Weldon, by whom young Stephen considered he was cruelly treated, and long before arriving at manhood he left the parental roof and hired to a man living near Springfield.. He worked during the summer, and went to school in winter, thus picking up a moderate education, and finally he found his way to the lead mines at Galena. Returning a few j-ears later, he worked at the carpenter's trade with hiis uncle, Carter Wilkey. When the Black Hawk war broke out in 1832 he was among the first to enlist, and was appointed First Sergeant of Capt. Bowman's Company, in which position he faithfully served during the war. He was married, in October, 1829, to Miss Eliza R. Maxey, a daughter of Burchett Maxey, who still survives him, and is a resident of Mount Vernon. Mr. Hicks rep- resented Jefferson Count}' in the Lower House of the State Legislature from 1842 to 1848, and as a legislator proved himself worthy and efficient, receiving the highest commendations of his constituents. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced law for a number of years.

At the breaking-out of the Mexican war, Col. Hicks recruited Company H, of the Third Regiment (Col. Foreman), and when his term of service had expired, he re-enlisted as a private, but was promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regiment as re-organized, before it left Alton, the place of rendezvous. His record throughout the Mexican war was that of an excellent and efficient officer, and a brave soldier. The following incident is illustrative of the man, and of his courage and bravery : A bad feeling was engendered during the first year of the war between Maj. Marshall and himself, and in their difference Col. Hicks pro- posed to go down on the river bank and fight it out. Maj. Marshall accepted the proposition, and, armed with pistols, they were about to test each other's courage, when the Lieutenant Colonel of their regiment found it out, and put a stop to it. He and Lieut. Bagwell had a little " spat " also during the first year in Mexico, in which Bagwell (questioned Hicks' bravery. In the battle of Cerro Gordo, when bullets were flying as thick as hail, Hicks held his hand aloft, and cried out, •' Lieut. Bagwell, show your hand, and we will see who is the bravest." Both men were brave even to rashness. Bagwell was at one time Sheriff of Jefferson County. He recruited a company during the late war, and joined the confederate army, and was killed in the battle of Shiloh, gallantly fighting at the head of his men. Hicks became Colonel, as we have seen, of the Fortieth Infantry', in the late rebellion, and served his (government faithfully to the close of the war. He was severely wounded in the battle of Shiloh. while leading his regiment in the thickest of the fight. Waving his sword in the direction of the enemy, and turning in his saddle to cheer his men, a ball struck him in the back or shoulder, and he fell from his horse. His men swept on to avenge his fall, and Col. Hicks crawled a half a mile to water, and washed the blood from the wound with his own hand. During his service in the late war, he had four horses shot under him. After he recovered from his wounds, Gen Sherman, struck with the bravery of Col. Hicks, and in consideration of the wounds he had received, offered him the command of any post between Cairo and New Orleans. Col. Hicks had been stationed for awhile at Paducah in the early part of the war, and, liking the place, told Gen. Sherman he would accept the command of Paducah. which Sherman readily granted. Hicks also asked that Capt. Taylor, his Regimental Quartermaster, and who was his son-in-law, might be detached, and go with him as Post Adjutant. This Gen. Sherman also granted. Col. Hicks remained in command of Paducah from October, 1863, for about one and one-half years, and then went to Columbus, where he remained in command until after the close of the war. While in command at Paducah, the place was attacked by the confederate Gen. Forrest, who sent in a demand to Col. Hicks for its unconditional surrender, otherwise no quarter would be shown if it was captured by force. Hicks sent him word that his Government had placed him there to protect its property, and he would prove a traitor if he surrendered it, and wound up by telling Forrest he would have to come and take it. Gen. Thompson, of Mayfield, Ky., who commanded a brigade, had asked the favor of Forrest to let him take the fort where Hicks commanded in person, and was granted the request. He attacked it with great fury, but was struck by a cannon ball and literally torn in pieces, his bowels being scattered over the ground, and a portion of his spinal column being thrown several rods from where he fell. The battle was terrible while it lasted, the rebels losing 1.200 men in killed and wounded. The Union forces, who were protected b}- a fort, lost but seventeen killed and a number wounded.

Col. Hicks remained in the service until the establishment of peace. His defense of Paducah was one of the most brilliant achievements of the war, and won for him unqualified praise, but did not bring the promotion he merited. After his return from the war, he made his home in Salem, Marion County, where he had some time lived. He died there December 14, 1869, and his widow now lives in Mount Vernon, a highly respected elderly lady.

Sources

• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_G._Hicks
• http://hamilton.ilgw.org/misc/faminf02.htm#hwilkey
• Perrin, William Henry. “HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, ILLIINOIS”. Globe Publishing Company. Chicago. 1883.