Leland’s Four-Legged War Hero

Surely, all locals know the Wesson name. Some may even recognize the name of Civil War veteran Silas “Deck” Wesson, great-great-grandfather of Kent Wesson, who is buried in Victor Township Cemetery. But what about the story of Old Charley, a Civil War veteran and Silas’s lucky horse?

Old Charley came home with Silas Wesson after the Civil War. He had served the 8th IL Cavalry under three riders and was one of only 12 of the original 1,200 horses of the 8th to survive the war. Charley was injured twice, left for dead once, but found his rider and continued service.

After the war, Wesson purchased Old Charley from the government and brought him back to DeKalb County. Charley served as a faithful farm horse for several years before he entered “retirement.” Upon his death, he was buried on the Wesson farm in Victor Township north of Leland.

A worn, faded tin sign, placed on the barn years ago by the Kent Wesson family, honored Old
Charley. In 2012, in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the DeKalb County Historical-Genealogical Society offered to replace it with a larger, more descriptive marker, similar to other markers that had been placed around the county. The dedication ceremony was held on Saturday, May 19, 2012. About 100 people attended, including then State Representative Robert Pritchard, then DeKalb County Historian and DCHGS President Sue Breese, representatives of the Sons of the Union Veterans camp #49, several of the media, many Wesson family members, DCHGS members, and interested locals.