Law School. Soon after the Civil War began he entered the service as captain in the 10th Ill. Regt., and soon promoted to Lt. Col. and Col. of the regiment, and soon placed in command of a brigade, which position he held during the war. He was with Gen. Sherman in his march from Atlanta to the sea, which began Nov., 1864, with 60,000 tried and true men, moving through Georgia in three separate columns, which was made in 34 days, marching 255 miles. Gen. Tilson's military career was long and eventful, serving from April 29, 1861, to Jan. 29, 1866. The following military orders and reports are very interesting. Gen. Tilson is mentioned on every page and gives a better sketch than anything that might be said. After the war he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the district of Quincy, Ill. He was editor of the Quincy Whig; was a prominent Republican, a ready speaker and often called upon for addresses and poems.

From Historical Register and Directory of the U. S. Army:

Tilson, John, Ills. Capt. 10th Ills. Infantry, 29th April, 1861; Major, 27th May, 1861; Hon. Mus. out, 29th July, 1861; Lieut. Col. 10th Ills. Infantry, 9th Sept., 1861; Col., 17th July, 1862; Brevet Brig. Gen. Vol., 10th Mch., 1865; Hon. Mus. out, 4th July, 1865; Capt. 19th U. S. Infantry, 26th Oct., 1861; Brevet Maj. and Lieut. Col., 13th Mch., 1865. For gallant and meritorious service during the war. Resigned, 29th Jany., 1866. Died at Quincy, Ill., 7th Aug., 1892.

Feb. 28-April 8, 1862. Operations at New Madrid, Mo., and Island No. 10, etc., and descent upon Union City, Tenn. Report of Col. James D. Morgan, 10th Ills. Infantry, commanding brigade, of operation, March 12th and 13th, camp near New Madrid, Mo., March 15, 1862.

In compliance with the order of Gen. Stanley of this date, I herewith make report of the part taken by my brigade in the action at the trenches before New Madrid on the night of the 12th and during the 13th inst. At 5:30 P. M., March 12th, I received orders from Gen. Paine, commanding 4th Div. to report to Gen. Pope's headquarters with my brigade at sundown and there await further orders. Reporting at the hour indicated, I received orders from Gen. Pope to march my brigade, consisting of 10th Ills., under Lieut. Col. John Tilson, and six companies of the 16th Ills. Volunteers, commanded by Col. R. F. Smith (and to whom I am much indebted for prompt and efficient aid), under the direction of Col. Bissell, chief of engineers, and Maj. Lothrop, chief of artillery, to such point as they might designate, near New Madrid, and assist in erecting such work as they thought to construct. We arrived near the ground at 9 P. M., when the 10th Ills., by order of Col. Bissell was thrown forward as skirmishers to secure the line of proposed operations in securing which we reached the outer line of the enemy's pickets, who