James Frazier Jaquess, who came from a line of Methodist preachers, believed he was meant for more than just preaching,

Jaquess was born in 1819, in Poseyville, Ind., one of several children of wealthy Methodists Jonathan and Mary Wood Smith Jaquess.

He grew up in the Methodist church and attended Asbury College, now DePauw University, in Greencastle, Ind. In 1845, he received his first A. B. degree. After studying law and being admitted to the bar in 1846, Jaquess decided to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and become an ordained Methodist preacher.

He married his first wife, Mary Sciple, in 1845. The couple had one child named Margaret. Mary Jaquess passed away in 1847.  He then married Sarah E. Steel.

Jaquess’ career as a circuit-riding preacher never took off because he was named president of the Illinois Female College, now MacMurray College, which at the time was a Methodist school in Jacksonville, Il.  He held that position for six years.

In 1855, Jaquess returned to preaching. This time he was sent to Paris to fill the pulpit at the Methodist Church. Jaquess’ career in Paris did not last long as he took a position at the new Illinois sectarian school, Quincy College.

With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Jaquess spoke often about the war and how it was not only needed to restore the Union but to end slavery once and for all. He resigned his position at Quincy College and enlisted as chaplain of the 6^th Illinois Infantry.

Jaquess was not happy being confined to the duties of a chaplain, so he reached out to his friend Illinois Governor Richard Yates. He requested that Yates allow him to form a new regiment. On Aug. 21, 1862, the 73^rd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, also known as the Preacher’s Regiment, was mustered into duty at Camp Butler.

The war was in full swing in 1863 and Jaquess believed he might be instrumental in bringing the war to a peaceful end. He was tired of seeing fellow Methodists slay each other. His drive and intensity caught the eye of General William S. Rosecrans, then James R. Gilmore and finally Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln permitted Jaquess on his own responsibility to enter Confederate territory in 1863. He believed if he could sit and speak with Confederate President Jefferson Davis, he could get Davis to abandon the war and reunite the Union. Jaquess made his way to Petersburg, Va., but was unable to secure a meeting with Davis and returned to his unit.

For the next year, Jaquess fought with distinction in the battles around Chattanooga. In the summer of 1864, Jaquess successfully arranged a meeting with Davis. On July 16, 1864, he met with Davis and Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin at Richmond. He discovered Davis could not be reasoned with and was not willing to back down.

“We are not fighting for slavery. We are fighting for independence, and that, or extermination, we will have,” said Davis.

Jaquess returned this message to Lincoln, who realized Davis’ position was at odds with what the Peace Democrats claimed. Jaquess took to the podium campaigning for Lincoln’s reelection using Davis’ own words against him.

After Lincoln’s reelection, Jaquess returned to his unit until the end of the war. Following the war, Jaquess went to work for the Freedman’s Bureau cultivating cotton in Arkansas and Mississippi. He passed away June 17, 1898.