Bryce, you might check the St.Chales Museum http://www.stcmuseum.org/
ask for Julie.The local paper was the St.Charles Chronicle(I know you like old papers)It might of been Kane Co.Chronicle at that time.Julie would know. They reciently were bought out.I can put you in touch with an archives lady if you like.There is a rich history of the civil war in St.Charles where with some authenticity claim to have had the most men muster per capita then any other place. My GGrandfather Ulysses Sherman Elliott(Named after Grant &Sherman) wrote for the paper for Twenty-nine years.The local library is very good on local history.The 17th Illinois Cavalry was formed at Camp Kane in St.Charles by Gen.Hon.John Farnsworth,lawyer, IL.Congressmen and personal friend of Abe Lincoln.It was a mile or so from the old Elliott homestead on the Fox River.James K.Elliott helped there as he was medically unfit for service enlisting in both 141 IL.Inf. and 69IL.Inf.discharged. He is listed as deserted but, the truth is the Doctor sent home before he officially mustered the last time and he didn't report back because of it.He did serve at Camp Kane as a volunteer during its brief histoy.
There was a VERY active GAR post war. Elon Farnsworth Post, son of the congressman, of 8IL.Cav.fame.killed at Gettysburg.The 8th trained at Camp Kane also along with some independant Cav. groups.My GGGrandfather 1st Lt.John F. Elliott 36IL.Inf. Co.K was an officer of the post and was known locally as Capt.Elliott because of it.I would think you will find what you are looking for there.Good Luck!