USA > Indiana > The Eighty-sixth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry : a narrative of its services in the civil war of 1861-1865 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
Gc 973.74 In2ba 1506612
M. L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01082 4453
·Libi1
1 "x 220
1
7
itigte
UM12
GEORGE FREDERICK DICK.
THE
EIGHTY SIXTH REGIMENT,
INDIANA
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
A NARRATIVE OF ITS SERVICES
IN THE
CIVIL WAR OF 1861 - 1865.
Written by a Committee consisting of James A. Barnes, James R. Carnahan and Thomas H. B. McCain.
CRAWFORDSVILLE, IND .: THE JOURNAL COMPANY, PRINTERS, 1895,
TO THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE EIGHTY-SIXTH INDIANA REGIMENT, UPON WHOSE VALOR. FIDELITY, CONSTANCY AND TRIUMPH, AROSE THE STANDARD OF FREE GOVERNMENT AND UNIVERSAL LIBERTY, AND TO THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS. THEIR WIVES, SISTERS AND MOTHERS,
THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED, IN THE HOPE THAT IT MAY REMAIN A TESTIMONIAL TO THEIR HEROIC ENDURANCE, PATRIOTIC SACRIFICES, AND A TRIBUTE TO THEIR HALLOWED MEMORY.
1506642
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTORY 1
CHAPTER I.
BURSTING OF THE STORM CLOUD.
The Secession of the Southern States-Firing on Sumter-President Lincoln's Proclamation-Governor Morton's Call for Six Regi- ments-The President's Call for Three Years' Men-The Re- sponse of Indiana.
3
CHAPTER II. THE ORGANIZATION.
The Eighty-sixth Recruited in Response to the Call for 300,000 More -The Material Furnished by the Eighth Congressional District -Rendezvoused at Camp Tippecanoe-Line, Field and Staff Officers .
15
CHAPTER III. THE INITIATION.
Camp Tippecanoe-Its Fine Location-Hard Beds-Trials for Hoosier Stomachs-Edible Blankets-Electing Officers-Physical Exam- inations-First Efforts at Drill-Raiding the Sutler. . .... 21
CHAPTER IV. CAMP CARRINGTON.
From LaFayette to Indianapolis-Camp Carrington-The Eighty- sixth Mustered In-The Blue Uniform Donned-Camp Equipage Drawn-The First "Hard Tack"-Furnished With Arms and Equipments-An Irishman on Guard-One Month's Pay-Orders to March 30
CHAPTER V. "GRUMBLE HILL."
From Indianapolis to Cincinnati-Breakfast at Fifth Street Market- Across the River-Covington-Ludlow-Camp Mitchell-New- port-The First Bivonac-Camp Wallace-" Grumble Hill"- Company H on Picket-Wallowing in the Ditches
37
THIE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
CHAPTER VI. DOWN THE OHIO.
The "Forest Rose" and the "Dunleith"-The Beautiful Scenery- How the Boys Whiled Away the Time-Land at Jeffersonville- Camp Gilbert-Cross the River to Louisville-A Tedious Night March-Arrival of Buell's Army-The Clamor Against Buell- The Eighty-sixth's Assignment-General Nelson Killed. . .
45
CHAPTER VII. IN PURSUIT OF BRAGG.
A Real March-Its Trials and Its Lessons-Bardstown-The Dusty Limestone Pikes of Kentucky-River Water-Parched Corn- Raw Goose-Springfield-On to Perryville-The Detour for Water-A Forced Night March.
53
CHAPTER VIII. PERRYVILLE.
The Battle-The Field and the Dead-"The Gilded Puddle Which Beasts Would Cough At"-The Onward March-Bivouac in Fodder Houses-On the Skirmish Line All Day-A Reconnois- sance-Danville-Stanford-Thundering at the Rebel Rear- Crab Orchard-Mt. Vernon-A Broken Country-"Hungry Hollow."
62
CHAPTER IX. THE WILD CAT HILLS.
A Rough Country-A Toe Shot Off-Buell Denounced-Turned Back-Buell Removed-Rosecrans Assigned to the Command- Somerset-A Deep Snowfall-Apple Jack-Columbia-Overcoats and Dress Coats Drawn-Stolen Cheese-Glasgow. 72
CHAPTER X. SILVER SPRINGS AND RURAL HILL.
A Forty Days' March Reviewed-Death of William Rose and Arch- ibald Coats-A March to Rural Hill-Skirmish With John Mor- gan's Men-In Camp Near Nashville-Detail of Twenty Men for the Pioneer Corps-Drill and Pieket Duty
83
CHAPTER XI. THE BATTLE OF STONE'S RIVER.
The Army of the Cumberland-Its Organization-The Eighty-sixth's Assignment- Moving Out From Nashville-Its Position-Plan of the Battle-Colonel Hamilton Relieved-The Movement on the Left Suspended-The Regiment Ordered to the Right-In the Vortex of Death-List of the Regiment's Killed and Mor- tally Wounded-The Second Day's Fight-Bragg Lost and Rose- crans Won.
93
V
INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
CHAPTER XII. WITHIN CONFEDERATE LINES.
A Trip Through Dixie-From Murfreesboro to Chattanooga-To Atlanta and Montgomery-From There to Richmond-In Libby Prison-How the Days Were Spent-Released on Parole and Finally Exchanged. 117
CHAPTER XIII. STONE'S RIVER TO CHICKAMAUGA.
Six Months at Murfreesboro-Camp Life-How the Time Was Em- ployed-The Long Stay An Absolute Necessity-The Eighty- sixth Receives Really Its First Military Instruction-Punish- ment of a Deserter-A Piece of Somber Romance-Other Inci- dents-March to McMinnville .. 122
CHAPTER XIV. THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN.
General Rosecrans Moves from Murfreesboro-Bragg is Driven from Tullahoma Over the Mountains and Out of Tennessee-A Most Skillful and Almost Bloodless Movement-The Eighty- sixth Leaves McMinnville-With the Brigade It Makes a Forced March-Down the Sequatchie Valley-Crosses the Tennessee- Rejoins the Division Near Ringgold-A Series of Confederate Blunders-A Narrow Escape for the Union Army-Playing for Position
146
CHAPTER XV. THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA.
The Opening Ball-The Eighty-sixth in at the Beginning-Dick's Brigade in Support of Wilder-Important Points on the Field Described-Position of Rosecrans' Troops-Waiting in Suspense -The Orders Arrive-The Regiment Goes In-A Vivid Por- trayal of the First Day's Contest-The Lines Reformed for the Second Day-The Bloody Contest Rages With Unabated Fury- The Various Movements of the Regiment, Brigade and Division -The Charges at the Kelly and Poe Fields-The Break in the Lines-Longstreet in the Charge-On Snodgrass Hill and Har- ker Hill-Steedman's Troops Come Up-Confederates Gain Pos- session of the LaFayette Road on the Left-Final Repulse of Longstreet at Snodgrass Hill -- Withdrawal of Union Troops -- Strength of the Armies and Losses at Chickamauga-Estimates of the Battle by Confederate Officers -- Indiana at Chickamauga. 170
CHAPTER XVI. BELEAGUERED IN CHATTANOOGA.
The Objective Point of the Campaign Held-Arrival of the Eighty- sixth from Chickamauga-Entered Upon Its Duties to Defend the Town-The Scarcity of Supplies-The Sufferings Endured by the Men-Starvation Staring Them in the Face-Provisions Brought Over the Mountains from Bridgeport -- Foraging-Con-
vi
THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
solidation of the Twentieth and Twenty-first Corps-The Fourth Corps Formed-General Rosecrans Relieved-General Thomas Assumes Command-Arrival of General Grant-The Eleventh und Twelfth Corps-Battle of Wanhatchic-The Army of the Tennessee Arrives Preparations for the Approaching Battle- Did General Rosecrans Contemplate at Any Time the Evacua- tion of Chattanooga?
210
CHAPTER XVII. THE BATTLE OF CHATTANOOGA.
A Great Battle With a Picturesque Setting-An Unlooked for Crisis Precipitates It-Wood Makes a Reconnaissance-Ground Gained, Held. and Fortified-Hooker's Battle on Lookout Mountain- Sherman at the North End of Missionary Ridge-Thomas Ordered to Take First Line of Enemy's Works at Foot of Ridge and Make a Diversion in Favor of Sherman-The Order Promptly Obeyed-The Lines Captured in Hurricane Style-The Unordered Assault on Missionary Ridge -- A Private's Victory- A Battle Fought More Successfully Than Planned, But Not as Planned-A Victory that Astounded Grant in the Manner of Its Coming as Much as It Did Bragg in Its Results -- General Cist's Account Fullerton's Version- Bragg and Bate's Statements- Captain Reilly's Account of the Assault-Taylor's Brilliant Description of the Battle 230
CHAPTER XVIII. ON TO KNOXVILLE.
After the Battle the Rescue-Through Mud and Through Stream- Over Hill and Down Dale - The Fourth Corps Marched to Suc- cor the Army of the Ohio and the Gallant Burnside-An Atten- uated Diet- Parched Corn and Government Bacon -- An Exciting Though Amusing Incident-The Arrival at Knoxville-A " Sick Flour " Experience 283
CHAPTER XIX. KNOXVILLE AND BEYOND.
Blain's Cross Roads-House Mountain Lye Hominy-Parched Corn A Bleak December Gaunt Hunger, Rags and Icy Winter Go Hand and Hand Christmas Thoughts That Cold New Years- A Mail From Home Strawberry Plains -- To Dandridge and Back A Second Valley Forge. 297
CHAPTER XX. EAST TENNESSEE.
The Bivoune in the Snow-Back to Maryville-A Langhable Inci- dent-General Willich in Temporary Command of the Division -Again on the Move-Smoky Hollow-At Knoxville-On to Morristown- Back to New Market -Again at Morristown- Strawberry Plains -Off to Rutledge-The Clinch Mountains-A Scouting Expedition -Bound for Chattanooga-The Campaign Ended-At McDonald's Station.
313
vii
INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
CHAPTER XXI. SHERMAN'S CAMPAIGN IN GEORGIA.
General Howard in Command of the Fourth Corps-The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps Consolidated and Designated the Twentieth- Sherman's Preparation for the Atlanta Campaign-The Import- ance of the Grand Movement-Tunnel Hill-Rocky Face Ridge- Dalton-The Battle of Resaca 329
CHAPTER XXII. RESACA TO PICKETT'S MILLS.
Across the Oostanaula-Calhoun-Adairsville-Oothcaloga Valley -Kingston-Cassville -- A Three Days' Rest-Across the Etowah -Where the Different Commands Crossed-A Wild Wilderness -- Burnt Hick ry-New Hope Church-The Battle of Pickett's Mills-The Eighty-sixth's Part in this Engagement-Colonel Dick Wounded-The Regiment's Loss 349
CHAPTER XXIII. PICKETT'S MILLS TO KENESAW.
The Eighty-sixth on the Skirmish Line-Constant Fighting-Rainy and Hot Weather-A Perfect Hell Hole-Pine Mountain-Lost Mountain-Kenesaw Mountain-General Polk Killed on Pine Mountain-Captain L. V. Ream Wounded-Luke Cronkhite Fatally Wounded-The Assault on June 27-A Frightful Loss of Life-Kenesaw Mountain Abandoned by the Enemy-A Forward Movement. 369
CHAPTER XXIV. KENESAW TO PEACH TREE CREEK.
The Fourth of July-How it Was Celebrated-Smyrna Camp Ground -McIvor's Station-McRae's Hill-Chattahoochee River- Pace's Ferry-Powers' Ferry-Across the Chattahoochee-Down the River -- Over to Buck Head-The Battle of Peach Tree Creek 400
CHAPTER XXV. PEACH TREE CREEK TO LOVEJOY'S STATION.
Closing in On Atlanta-Clear Creek-A Hot Time-The Eighty- sixth in Front of the Gate City-The Battle of the 22d of July -Skirmishing and Making Demonstrations-The Battle of Ezra Church-The Great Move Around Atlanta-Destroying Rail- roads-Hood's Flight From Atlanta-His Stores Destroyed and Magazines Blown Up-The Battle of Jonesboro-The Battle of Lovejoy's Station-Sherman Withdraws to Atlanta-The Losses of the Campaign-Congratulations From President Lincoln .... 420
CHAPTER XXVI. REST IN CAMP-AFTER HOOD.
In Camp Near Atlanta-Three Weeks of Daily Routine Duties-A Bold Movement by Hood-Sherman's Army In Pursuit-The Eighty-sixth Again on March-Smyrna Camp Ground-Pine Mountain-The Signals Between Sherman and Corse-The Fight at Allatoona Pass -Kenesaw Mountain-Cartersville and Kings- ton-Calhoun-Rome-Resaca-Snake Creek Gap-Chattooga
vill
THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
Valley Fresh Pork and Sweet Potatoes-Summerville-Gayles- ville, Alabama-The Fourth Corps Bids a Silent Farewell to General Sherman-Sherman's Letter to the Eighty-sixth ....... 445
CHAPTER XXVII. THE TABLES TURNED.
Hood Marching North-A Race for the Lead- Wood's Division Gets There First Elk River and " The Irishman's Pontoons"-Hood After Schofield and Thomas-Pulaski-Columbia-Duck River -Spring Hill, or Running the Gauntlet-The Battle of Franklin -Fort Granger-Thomas' Army Organization and Strength .... 464
CHAPTER XXVIII. THE BATTLE OF NASHVILLE.
Two Days' Hard Fighting -The Plan of the Battle-Montgomery Hill Captured by the Fourth Corps -The Second Days' Battle- Overton's Hill Assaulted-" The Colored Troops Fought Nobly" -The Gallant Second Brigade Repulsed with Heavy Loss -Col- onel Post Wounded-The Third Brigade Assaults and Captures Overton's Hill-Union Success-Hood Makes a Hasty Flight- Pursuit of the Enemy-A Frightful March-In Camp at Hunts- ville-General Wood's Congratulatory Order 486
CHAPTER XXIX. THE CLOSING YEAR. - 1865.
In Winter Quarters at Huntsville, Alabama-A Three Days' Scout- Living on the Fat of the Land-Trip to Nashville and Return- U'p the Tennessee River-To East Tennessee by Rail-The Last Days of the Rebellion-Richmond Evacuated-Lee Surrenders- Great Joy at the Supposed Approach of The White Winged Angel of Peace-Treason Dies Hard-In the Death Struggle Its Infernal Spirit Finds a Willing Tool to Do a Hellish Deed- President Lincoln Assassinated-A Gloomy. Joyless Day-The Heart of America Wounded-Return to Nashville-Johnston Surrenders-The Dawn of Peace-Grand Review-" Mustered Out"- Return to Hoosierdom-Disbanded-The Boys Return to Their Homes. 518
CHAPTER XXX. THE TWO COLONELS.
George Frederick Dick-A Sketch of His Early Life-Captain of a Boy's Military Company in Cincinnati-His Fire Company-In Business-Answers the First Call of the President-A Captain in the Twentieth Indiana-His Services in That Regiment- Made Lieutenant Colonel in the Eighty-sixth-His Career with That Regiment to the Close of the War-Orville S. Hamilton- 1 Brave Man. but Wanting in Military Genius-A Bit of Secret History Never Before Told or Written-A Tribute to His Mem- ory .. 545
Roster of Officers 572
Bonton of Enlisted Men 577
Eighty-sixth's Roll of Honor 596 Appendix 600
INTRODUCTORY.
In the presentation of the history of the Eighty-Sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, the authors seek not their own glorification. The work of writing the part taken by this regiment is undertaken at the request of the members of the regiment who survived the hardships and dangers of the years from 1862-1865 in active campaign life. The desire of these comrades is to preserve for their children, the history of the service they rendered to the Nation in the days of her peril, and that the name and deeds of their reg- iment may not be entirely forgotten.
It is not intended to write a history of the entire war of the Rebellion, but in narrating the manner by which this regiment was organized, and then formed a part of the great Union Army, or Federal Army as it was called by the people of the South, and then in chronicling the deeds of the men of the Eighty-Sixth, it will be neces- sary to write to some extent of the opening year of the war, and of the events of the years that followed. We must write somewhat of the organization of the entire Army of the Union, and briefly recount the necessity for the formation of the Eighty-Sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers.
After writing of the formation and muster-in of the regiment, it will be necessary to relate something of the gen- eral history of the campaigns in which it participated, and the battles in which it bore an important and conspicuous part. The surviving members of this regiment feel a just and honorable pride in the military record of this special body of troops in which they performed their service, and
THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
they have no less pride in the glorious achievements of every regiment and battery that was mustered into the United States service, and entering the field bore its part in the suppression of the rebellion and the preservation of the American Republic. It is felt that each and all, officers and enlisted men, have "a vested right" in the great glory aud renown that so justly belongs to all.
Notwithstanding the fact that the wonderful achieve- ments of the American citizen soldiery merits the highest encomiums from all and for all, yet we as Indiana men will certainly be pardoned if we should in this work, claim for the Indiana soldier, and for those particularly who were active participants in the campaigns and battles of the war through which we passed, as much valor, and as many thor- oughly soldierly qualities, included in the terms bravery, courage, daring and prowess, on the battle-field, as can be shown by any other State that took part in that deadly struggle from 1861-1865 inclusive.
On every battle-field during the entire war for the pres- ervation of the Union, Indiana regiments and Indiana bat- teries were found, and the banners borne by her sons were over in the thickest and hottest of the fray.
The pages which follow will be simply a recital of the part which the Eighty-Sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, performed in the great drama on the theater of the most bloody war of modern times. It will not be claimed that this regiment did more than any other similar body of men in the field, but the aim is to give a plain, unvarnished story of the marches, the bivouacs, the skirmishes, the battles of this organization, and recount its hardships, its exposures, its privations and its severe trials, -this and nothing more. JAMES A. BARNES, JAMES R. CARNAHAN, THOMAS H. B. MCCAIN.
HISTORY OF THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
CHAPTER I.
BURSTING OF THE STORM CLOUD.
The Secession of the Southern States-Firing on Sumter-President Lincoln's Proclamation-Governor Morton's Call for Six Regiments-The President's Call for Three Years' Men-The Response of Indiana.
During the winter of 1860-'61 seven of the Southern States undertook to secede from the Union, and destroy the National Government. Soon other States in the South joined in the movement and attempted to set up an indepen- dent government. The arms and treasure of the United States were taken possession of, and finally Fort Sumter, near Charleston, South Carolina, was fired upon, and the garrison, after a stubborn fight, was compelled to surrender. This firing upon the United States flag and upon United States soil was the open declaration of war against and upon the Government, and this was to be met. Abraham Lincoln, the President, at once issued his proclamation for volun- teers, as follows:
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the power vested in the marshal by law:
THE EIGHTY-SIXTHI REGIMENT,
Now therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, in virtue of the power vested in me by the constitution and the laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the State authorities through the War Department.
I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, faeilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the honor. the integrity, and the existence of our National Union and the prosperity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already long endured.
I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the Union ; and in every event the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects afore- said, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens, in any part of the country.
And I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid, to disperse, and to retire peaceably to their respective abodes within twenty days from this date.
Believing that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power vested in me by the constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. Senators and Representatives are therefore summoned to be at their respective cham- bers, at twelve o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to demand.
In Witness Whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washing- ton, this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the independence of the United Status the eighty-fifth.
[L. S.] ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Signed:
By the President.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
Following immediately upon the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 troops for the three months' service, Governor Morton issued a proclamation under date of April 16, 1861, as follows:
WHEREAS, An armed rebellion has been organized in certain States of this Union, having for its purpose the overthrow of the government of the United States:
5
INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
AND WHEREAS, The authors and movers in this rebellion have seized, by violence, various forts and arsenals belonging to the United States, and otherwise plundered the Government of large amounts of money and valuable property;
AND WHEREAS, Fort Sumter, a fortress belonging to the United States, the exclusive possession and jurisdiction over which was vested in the General Government by the Constitution of the United States, has been besieged by a large army and assaulted by a destructive can- monade and reduced to submission, and the National flag hauled down and dishonored;
AND WHEREAS, The President of the United States, in the exercise of the power vested in him by the Federal Constitution, has called upon the several States remaining true to their allegience, to aid him in the enforcement of the laws, the recovery of the National property, and the maintenance of the rightful authority of the United States:
Now, therefore, I, Oliver P. Morton, Governor of the State of Indi- ana, call upon the loyal and patriotic men of this State, to the number of six regiments, to organize themselves into military companies, and forthwith to report the same to the Adjutant General, in order that they may be speedily mustered into the service of the United States. The details of the organization are set forth in the instructions of the Adjutant General, herewith published.
OLIVER P. MORTON, Governor.
LEWIS WALLACE, Adjutant General.
Indianapolis, April 16, 1861.
These two proclamations were each the first by the Chief Executive of the United States, and the Chief Executive of the State of Indiana, announcing or declaring war, the cause thereof, and calling for troops. These first calls by Presi- dent Lincoln and Governor Morton in April, 1861, had scarcely been flashed over the wires until the State had more than filled her quota, and her regiments were hurrying from peaceful homes into fields that were to be made far more glor- ious by their deeds of valor, than any battle-field of the old world where the wars had been waged for conquest or hate, at the command of a despot, and by soldiers of fortune or force. From North to South, from East to West within her borders the sons of Indiana responded to the call. They came from the stores and counting rooms, from the colleges and country school houses, from village, town and city, from shop and farm, leaving all and every prospect of future com- fort for the hardships, danger and death that awaited them
6
THE EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,
in their new lives as soldiers. There was then no thought of honor and glory, no towering ambition to be gratified, no promise of hope, of great pecuniary reward,-there was only the one great moving and impelling cause, Patriotism, as pure, as earnest, as high and as noble as ever influenced men to act. The life of the Nation was threatened, the Republie was in peril; it must be saved. This thought, and this alone brought men from their peaceful homes, and into the tented field. Of all of the States of the Union, Indiana had had for a score of years prior to the breaking out of the civil war, less of the military spirit than any other State of the Republic. It was wholly devoted to peaceful pursuits. Its mercantile, mechanical and agricultural affairs engrossed almost the entire attention of her people. There was in April, 1561, not to exceed a half dozen of what might be termed even fairly respectable military companies in the State: there was not even a professed battalion or regimen- tal organization anywhere within our borders. Outside of a very few men who had seen some little military service in the Mexican war, which had closed some thirteen years prior to the rebellion. it is safe to say that we had not three hundred men in the entire State that had ever stood in military ranks, or had ever had a single drill in the manual of arms, and certain it was that there were not ten men, who even in the so called military bodies prior to 1861. who had ever had a commission or rauk. higher than that of Captain, and none who had in any rank commanded a battalion or a regiment. The lawyer, the preacher, the business man, the mechanic and the farmer entered the new life, as soldiers, with all the zeal and mental application the necessities of the day and the occasion demanded. With the same haste with which the companies were recruited and mustered into the service, the companies were assigned to regiments. These were as speedily equipped, and without any delay for preparatory drill were put on board the cars, not even waiting for pas- senger coaches, but loaded into box cars and cattle cars, and were sent to the front to engage in active campaign life. There was no opportunity to test the qualifications of the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.