104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company H
104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company H
Calvin R. Morgan
"Soldier of the Year" Award
1996 Robert Stewart
1997 Ricky Holman
1998 Brian Chamberlain
1999 Jim Novak
2000 Scott Blakeley
2001 Steve Skalak
2002 Matt Cassady
2003 Dan Davis
2004 Rich Hill / Don Jarrett
2005 Pete DellaVedova
2006 Mark Contratto
2007 Mark Stonikas
2008 Unit Citation
2009 Pete DellaVedova
2010 Jay Perkins
2011 Steve Skalak
2012 Jonathan Johnson
2013 Unit Citation
2014 Ernie Heine
2015 Jim Esparza / Kevin Skalak
2016 Steve Dittman
2017 Paul Skalak
2018 Paul Skalak
2019 Rich Pasquinelli
2020 Rick Keating
2021 John Kotek
Calvin Morgan and the 104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
On January 19, 1996, the 104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company H, was formed in Varna, IL. December 7, 1996 the 104th Illinois was in Hartsville, Tennessee to commemorate the Battle of Hartsville. For you newer members, Hartsville was the first battle for the original 104th and was a disaster. John Hunt Morgan attacked early on the morning of the 7th of December. After an hour and a half of fighting the 104th was the last unit to surrender, and Company H was the last of the 104th to surrender.
While in Hartsville we met two local men, James Hicks and Calvin Morgan, who fell in with us for the weekend. One of Calvin's dreams was to be able to participate in the reenactment of the battle of Hartsville. James told us ever since the announcement of the event all Calvin talked about was being in the battle.
Calvin tried to march to the courthouse with us but could only go a block before being exhausted. He and James fell out and James drove him downtown so he could participate in the skirmish. Afterward he brought Calvin back to the camp. Calvin returned for Sunday's battle. James filled us in on Calvin's condition so we tried to involve Calvin as much as possible. I ended up positioning him next to the artillery where he could shoot during the battle. He looked like a kid in a candy store. At one point during the battle I went over and asked him how he was doing and he looked at me and said, "Captain, it's a good day to die." I had to turn away as my eyes filled with tears. I knew what he meant. Getting to know Calvin and James was the highlight of the weekend. The other highlight was being able to tour the battlefield where the 104th fought and stand where their camp was. I could almost feel Isaac Vaughn (my great-great-grandfather) looking down on us.
Calvin's story is one of courage and determination and was the inspiration to name our Soldier of the Year award after him. Calvin Morgan passed away not to long after the Battle of Hartsville.
by Rick Keating
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