USA > Indiana > Union Army in the Civil War : Indiana Legion reports of brigade and regimental officers, 1st-4th brigades > Part 1
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M. L.
Gc 977.2 Un28
L
J ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 03073 1001
Gc 977.2 Un28 Union Army in the Civil War
JUN 24 76
4484
Union Army of the
Civil. War
Photo-Offset copy from Newberry Library Chicago, Illinois
Fort Wayne Public Library Fort Wayne, Indiana 1975
1858047
INDIANA LEGION.
4
REPORTS OF
BRIGADE AND REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.
IP22043
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· REPORT
OF
BRIGADIER-GENERAL J. E. BLYTHE,
FIRST BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS, FIRST BRIGADE, Evansville, December 24, 1863.
Major-General JOHN LOVE:
GENERAL :- I have the honor to submit the following report of the present organization, and the past operation of that part of the Indiana Legion which is under my command.
Only in four of the counties which are embraced in my district have companies been formed regularly under the State militia law, to-wit: Gibson, Posey, Warrick, and Vanderburg. In Gibson county only a single company has been formed and armed. This, in a great measure, is attributable to the fact that field officers for that county have not yet been appointed. The people there have, at all times, manifested the utmost willingness to render any assist- ance in their power to the counties bordering on the river, and I doubt not that if a demand for their services had been made, they would have.promptly responded.
From the report of Colonel John A. Mann, commanding the first regiment of this brigade, it appears that the regiment was partially organized during the summer of 1861, by Colonel A. P. Hovey, and then organized completely by Colonel E. R. James. Owing to the exposed condition of Posey county, a large amount of labor and watchfulness was imposed on the officers and men composing that regiment, and it affords me great pleasure to say R. I. L .- 2
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that in no instance was there any lack of vigilance, or any mani- festation of unwillingness to meet and discharge any duty imposed upon them. During the summer of 1861, one artillery and two infantry companies were formed in that county. These all became reasonably proficient in drill ; but as the seenc of actual hostilities was removed from our border, their regular company and battalion drills were abandoned.
During the next summer and autumn, the presence of large guerrilla bands in the counties of Henderson and Union, in the State of Kentucky, imposed the necessity of reorganizing the militia of Posey county, and Colonel Mann, with his usual zeal and promptitude, proceeded with the work. The result was highly satisfactory. I beg leave to refer you to the report of Colonel Mann, which I herewith transmit, for a more detailed statement of the operations and present condition of his regiment.
From the report of Colonel Daniel Bates, commanding the Third Regiment of this Brigade, it appears that, from the 1Sth day of July last to November following, an unusual amount of vigilance and labor was devolved upon the officers and men of his command, growing out of the raid of guerrillas in the town of Newburg, in Warrick county, the proximity of that town to the mouth of Greene river, and the almost constant presence of hostile bands near that river.
The very liberal drafts which have been made upon the time and services of the men of this regiment, entitle them to the most favorable consideration in any plan which may be devised for com- pensation to the militia actually engaged on duty.
The promptitude with which they have responded to the several calls made upon them, entitle them to the thanks and gratitude of the State.
Colonel Bates, Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, and Major Roberts, having each been untiring and vigilant in the discharge of their respective duties ; and to this faet is doubtless to be attributed the immunity of Warrick county from further hostile inroads since the unfortunate 18th of July last. To Colonel Bates' report, which is quite full, and is herewith transmitted, I beg leave to refer you for details.
The organization and operations of the Second Regiment, which is located in this county, has been more immediately under my own observation. During the summer of 1861, this regiment was organized and armed, with one artillery company attached to it.
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Unfortunately, the militia law was so interpreted as to warrant the opinion that companies could be enlisted for a limited period. HIenec, all the companies there formed, by their respective consti- tutions, which were approved by the Governor, limited their period of service to six months, at the expiration of which time all the companies, except the Union Artillery and the Vanderburg Greys. were disbanded. This regiment, under the command of Colonel William E. Hollingsworth, attained quite a respectable proficiency in company and battalion exercise; and its. officers and men at all times responded most cheerfully to every call made upon them for active duty. One, the " Union Artillery," then under the com- mand of Captain Cochran, early in the season, was sent to Lock and Dam No. 1, on Greene river, to act with a company of the Kentucky State Guards, from Henderson, in guarding that work. This duty they performed for several weeks; and their presence,
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doubtless, materially 'aided in saving the Lock from destruction. For this service the officers and men engaged have been paid. During the summer and autumn of 1861, some portion of this regiment was almost constantly engaged in picket and scout duty.
Upon the evacuation of Kentucky by the rebel forces, last year, , a sense of security took possession of the people in the border counties of this part of the State, from which I found some difficulty in arousing them.
As soon as it became evident that the Kentucky border counties were infested with guerrilla bands, strenuous efforts were made to . bring about a reorganization of the militia in the river counties of this brigade district; and until this was finally accomplished, I was forced to rely upon temporary expedients. These, it was true, were ordinarily successful, but involved a degree of labor, anxiety, and responsibility, which would have been wholly avoided had the militia law been of such a character as to secure, at all times, a suitable force.
On the reception of the proclamation of Governor Morton. of the 5th of September last, I immediately began an organization of companies under the militia law. In the main, I found the citizens fully aroused to the necessity of such organization; and, without difficulty, in a few days quite as many companies were regularly formed as could be furnished with arms. Within a week from the date of the proclamation, every able-bodied white citizen within the limits of the city, with the exception of some twenty- five or thirty, were sworn as members of some one of the compa-
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nies of the Legion. In addition to these, companies were formed in each of the townships of the county, the whole including those of the Second Regiment, numbering twenty-eight. Of these some fifteen are fully armed and equipped. Attached to this regiment is one cavalry company, numbering fifty, armed with the French revolving pistols; and two artillery companies, each supplied with two Parrott guns.
Since the reorganization of the militia in this county, and until within some two months past, services similar to those rendered during 1861 have been constantly and cheerfully performed by all who were called on. In addition to the discharge of these home duties, aid has, from time to time, been given to our friends in Kentucky; onee, under your own inimediate direction, when five companies from this city, under the command of Colonel Hollings- worth, were sent to Owensboro, to aid the gallant militia of Spen- cer county in driving the guerrillas beyond Greene river.
For further details, I refer you to the report of Colonel Hollings- worth, which is herewith transmitted.
My thanks are due to Colonel Hollingsworth, Lieutenant-Colonel Gwathway, and Major Johnson, for the efficient aid given by cach in the work of organizing the militia of this county, and the interest they have ever manifested in whatever concerned the regi- ment, and the publie welfare.
And the State at large is much indebted to all the officers and men of the several companies in this and the adjoining counties of Posey and Warrick, for the service which they have rendered.
I am convinced that a knowledge of the fact that we were armed and prepared to defend ourselves, has saved us, in a great measure, from aggression. Onee, while we were unprepared, Newburg was invaded, and our fellow-citizens of the interior promptly responded to the call of the Governor, and marehed to Kentucky to find, if possible, and punish the aggressors.
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With this exception, this part of the border has had the burden of. its own defense. We have expended labor, time, and money, that we might be secure, and we have hitherto accomplished our work.
While the border is seeure, it is impossible that the interior - should be disturbed. Our burden and responsibility has been cheerfully borne.
Very respectfully, JAS. E. BLYTHE,
Brigadier General, First Brigade, Ind. Legion.
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REPORT
1
OF
COLONEL JOHN A. MANN.
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1 COMMANDING FIRST REGIMENT, FIRST BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT, Mt. Vernon, December 11, 1862.
Brigadier-General BLYTHE:
DEAR SIR :- In compliance with the request of Major-General John Love, I send you the following report of the operations of the First Regiment of the First Brigade of the Indiana Legion, from the time of its organization to the present. The regiment was partially organized by Colonel Hovey, in the early part of the summer of 1861, and completed by Colonel Enoch R. James, shortly after his appointment, that is to say, nine companies of infantry and one of artillery. The companies were armed origi- nally with altered pereussion muskets and Mississippi rifles, and one brass six-pounder was 'in time procured for the artillery. For ·a time the companies were very active and prompt in their drilling, and became comparatively well drilled in company drill. Several of the companies procured uniforms in accordance with the style recommended by Major-General Love. The officers, almost with-
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out exception, uniformed themselves, and on several occasions, upon battalion drill, the regiment presented a very good appear- ance, and performed some of the primary movements of battalion drill in very good style. We had frequent dress parades, which were as well done as in many volunteer regiments. During Colonel James' command of the regiment, we had one or two slight alarıns. in consequence of threatened inroads of guerrillas, and on every occasion our companies in town were very prompt in rallying to the defense of our town.
On one occasion Colonel James received a written request from an officer sent to make some arrests in Kentucky, some ten miles above here, to send him some men to assist him, as he feared resistance. Colonel James called upon Captain Anderson, of the Independent Guards, and Captain Larkin, of the Union Rifles, for volunteers to go on this duty. In less than an hour there were fifty men ready to go; they were put in command of Captain Larkin, and proceeded to the place designated, upon a steamboat that was laying at the wharf, returning again the same night, their services not being required.
Last spring, when the eall came for a company to proceed to Indianapolis to guard prisoners, Colonel James made a requisition upon each company for a detail, sufficient to form a company. The men were promptly detailed, and reported themselves in town for duty. There being no conveyance, the Colonel sent them home, with a request to report next day and go up to Evansville on the packet. They did so; but in the meantime the order was counter- manded, and the men returned to their homes.
Colonel James having shortly afterward resigned, I was appointed to fill the vacancy. Since assuming command of the regiment, I have organized several companies, one of infantry and one of cavalry. Two of the original infantry companies have been 'disbanded. The whole of the infantry companies being constantly drawn upon by volunteering. Frequently some of the officers have gone into the regular service, which has been a great draw- back to the companies, but has, no doubt, been of considerable advantage to our volunteer service-the officers and men being very well drilled. Under these circumstances, the companies were kept up with great difficulty. The cavalry company, under Captain Hinch, has been more completely organized by me, and is now a very well drilled company, armed with sabers, French revolvers, and holster pistols, are also otherwise well equipped and well officered,
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and has on many occasions done very good service in scouting and picket duty, and have always been prompt and willing to obey every command.
I feel fully convinced that we should have had more or less guerrilla raids into our county, had it not been for our constant vigilance and readiness for our defense. Our artillery company is well officered and equipped, and well drilled. Captain Milner would do credit to the regular volunteer service. He has two good brass six-pounders, with plenty of ammunition. The infantry companies are very well armed, and have good officers. Captain Larkin is well quailfied to command a regiment, and many others are well drilled officers. All the regimental and company officers have always worked harmoniously together, and the Legion would have been efficient, as an arm of defense, had not the late order of the Governor, dismissing the militia companies, been construed as an order for the discontinuance of the drill of all the companies, and it has since been very difficult to get the men to leave their work and turn out to drill. I am of the opinion that for once the Governor made a mistake, and unless the militia law is so changed as to make it more efficient and compulsory, and add some rules and regulations of a general nature for the government of the compa- nies and regiments, establishing some penalties for non-compliance with the law, and for disobedience of orders, it can never hereafter be of much service.
I will take occasion, in a few days, to give my views in regard to the necessary amendments to the militia law in a more elabo- rate form, and will transmit the same to Major-General Love direct.
Very respectfully,
JOHN A. MANN, Colonel First Regiment, Indiana Legion.
P. S. I neglected to state, that after the general order of the Governor, dated September 5, for the organization of the militia, I went to work, assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel John B. Weaver, to organize the militia into companies, and in three weeks had formed and officered twenty-one companies, in addition to my Legion companies. They drilled regularly, and did as well as circum- stances permitted, to perform their duty, until the order of the Gov- ernor appeared disbanding them.
Very truly, J. A. MANN, Colonel.
REPORT
OF
COLONEL W. E. HOLLINGSWORTHI,
COMMANDING SECOND REGIMENT, FIRST BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
EVANSVILLE, December 13, 1862.
SIR :- I have the honor to submit the following report, by order of Major General Love, which I received on the 10th instant.
Not expecting to be called upon for a detailed account of the actions and services of the Second Regiment, I shall have to depend upon memory for much of the body of the report.
By your promotion to the command of the First Brigade of the Indiana Legion, I was placed in command and commissioned Colonel of the Second Regiment on the 30th of November, 1861. At that time the several companies had frequent company and bat- talion exercises, and had made considerable profieieney in maneuver- ing. During the occupation of Bowling Green and Russellville, Kentucky, by Buckner, parties from those two, and other places in Kentucky, made frequent forays in the direction of the Ohio river. and often threatening the Locks on Greene river, as well as the town of Henderson. At one time a party had advanced within . thirty miles of the first Lock, with orders from Buckner to destroy it. A regiment of the Indiana volunteers was located here at that time, who applied for a cannon and a squad of men out of my command, which were furnished. They arrived in time to prevent the destruction of the Lock, and held possession of the place for
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several days. Many other demonstrations were made of a threat- ening character at various dates, rendering it necessary to prepare for attacks. Seouts were sent up and down the Ohio river, and across into Kentucky, to ascertain the position and force of those parties. At such times they were out on guard duty at the various approaches to the city, not unfrequently during the entire night. This was the case in many instances.
. After the capture of forts Henry and Donaldson, by the United States army, and the evaluation of Russellville and Bowling Green, Kentucky, the alarms became less frequent, and the ser- . vices of the regiment not being ealled into requisition so often, . slackened its vigilance somewhat, until the military order of Gov- ernor Morton, which I received on the --- day of -, 1862.
Each company was then recruited up to about ninety men, and drilled two hours daily, until the order for tri-weekly and weekly exercise was issued.
Our army meeting with some reverses in Virginia,, Maryland, and in front of -Washington City, the guerrillas in Kentucky became quite troublesome, and I was applied to, in several instances, for assitance to sustain a small foree at Henderson, which was, in a few cases, afforded. On the occasion of a raid by these marau- ders on Newburg, I called for volunteer scouts, which was responded to promptly, and in a very short time twenty men were mounted and soon arrived in town, but not soon enough to capture them; they had recrossed the river and made their eseape. A force of two companies was sent up by the river on a boat, but arrived too late to make any arrests of those who had taken an active part in the raids, but secured several sympathizers, who were sent to Indianapolis.
For several days and nights, every company was called to furnish details for guard duty, which was complied with.
About the 20th of September last, a band of eight hundred guer- rillas, under the leadership of Rev. Seober, made an attack on Owensboro, Kentucky. They succeeded in occupying the town for a short time, and killing Colonel Netter, of the - -- Regi- ment, Kentucky cavalry, and six of his men. I was called on for reinforcements, but could not comply, fearing to leave the city exposed, as reports were rife that large bodies of guerrillas were pillaging Henderson county; I therefore declined rendering assist- ance. In a few hours after receiving the first news from Owens- boro, a - messenger arrived from Colonel Bates, at Newburg,
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informing me that the enemy had been driven back five miles, with heavy loss, and were going in the direction of Ashbysburg, pur- sued by two hundred and fifty of the Spencer county (Indiana) boys. From this information I was led to believe they were mak- ing for the south side of Greene river, and would have to cross the ferry at Ashbysburg. I therefore immediately dispatched a mes- senger to Lieutenant-Colonel Foster, of the Twenty-Fifth Indiana, in temporary command at Henderson, who, at my suggestion, sent a force of cavalry and one gun, to intercept and cut off their retreat, which was, in part, very successful; he succeeded in seat- tering them, and taking a few prisoners.
On the day following, Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, of the First . Indiana Cavalry, then at Owensboro, sent a messenger earnestly soliciting aid, as the guerrillas had been reinforced and were returning to renew the attack. I embarked five companies of my command on the steamers J. T. Me Combs and Gillium, then at the wharf, and arrived opposite the town at three o'clock. At daylight I ordered the Me Combs to the landing, she having my whole force aboard which had been transferred from the Gillium, which boat grounded at Scuffletown bar. I reported to Colonel Woods for orders, who had the information returned that there was no danger of attack. Having your orders to return immediately after finish- ing my mission, after having been breakfasted by the good citizens of Owensboro, I re-embarked for Evansville, arriving at three o'clock, P. M.
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On my return trip, a sad accident occurred, which cast a gloom over the whole command. Sergeant Mierhoff, Company A, acci- dentally shot himself through the head, killing instantly, and was buried the day following, with the honors due him. A purse of two hundred dollars was made up among the men, which was pre- sented to the family.
These marauding parties of guerrillas have caused much uneasiness to our citizens, and in order to guard against a surprise at any time, I have been under the necessity of picketing the various roads and bridges leading to the city for several nights in succession, and for several niglits consecutively have remained at headquarters, for the purpose of giving direction for the welfare and safety of the city.
In the foregoing report, much has been omitted for want of proper dates, but sufficient, I trust, has been said, to enable you to form some idea of the doings of the regiment. Its present status
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is rather inactive, there being no necessity for active operations, although retaining the organization.
I respectfully call your attention to the arms furnished by the State. They are the best, we are informed, that could be had when furnished, but are not such as would do to depend on in active service. Many of them are almost useless. They are of different caliber, which would be a very serious difficulty, if called into an engagement of a few hours duration.
I am indebted to Lieutenant-Colonel Gwathway and Major Johnson, for valuable services rendered in the management and control of the men. Adjutant Sentag has also aided me very much, and lessened the burdens of the command. materially. I also commend the company officers for their zeal, efficiency and .promptitude, and the men for strict obedience to orders when on duty, and feel not a little pride in saying that the Second Regiment . exhibits a proficiency and accuracy in the drill seldom excelled by volunteers in the service.
The following companies compose the Second Regiment, under my immediate command. Also, subjoined are the companies formed in the county, and are not yet organized into regiments :
NAME OF COMPANY.
OFFICERS.
Company A
Vanderburgh Greys.
Captain Bisch.
¥
B
Evansville Artillery (Inft'ry).
Cooke.
6€
C
Brownlow Guards.
Shoenlaub.
«
D
Morton Guards.
Carson.
E Fire Zouaves
Yonker.
.
F
City Blues.
3 Greek.
"
G
Grey Yagers.
Monk.
H
Wallace Guards
Reitz.
. 5
I
Sigel Gnards.
Vermerman.
"
K
Evansville Guards.
Sauer.
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----
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NAME OF COMPANY.
OFFICERS.
Evansville Rifles.
Crescent City Tigers.
Union Artillery .
Sigel Battery .
. Washington Guards.
Goodselville Riile Guards
Mentzer.
Mc Clellan Guards.
Simpson.
Independent Guards ..
Morris.
Knight 'Township Rangers Bottom Rangers.
Gardner.
Armstrong Guard
" Kirkpatrick.
Center Rangers
Collins.
Perry Rangers
Martin.
Union Guards
Williamson.
Alluvia Guards .
Lieutenant McJohnston.
Vanderburg Cavalry Scouts
Crescent City Light Horse
Captain Kinsey.
Richert.
Darmstadt Guards.
There are two or three other companies in the county, but only . partly organized, and are not included in the above list. I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant, WM. E. HOLLINGSWORTH, Col. Second Indiana Reg., Indiana Legion.
To Brig .- Gen. J. E. BLYTHE, First Brigade, Indiana Legion.
Captain Walker. " · Reitz. Lieut .- Com'nding Thayer. Captain Kinworth. Kraft.
Brunnerhouse.
Pruitt.
REPORT
OF
COLONEL DANIEL F. BATES,
COMMANDING THIRD REGIMENT, FIRST BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS THIRD REGIMENT, FIRST BRIGADE, Newburg, Ind., December 22, 1862.
Brigadier-General JAMES E. BLYTHE:
. DEAR SIR :- In compliance with the request of Major-General John Love, received by me December 14, I make to you the fol- lowing report of the services rendered, &c., of the Third Regiment : of the First Brigade of the Indiana Legion:
The Third Regiment was organized by mne in the year 1861. organized six companies in 1861; in the summer and fall of that year, these companies became, some of them, so decimated, that in the spring three of them were disbanded, the officers and a great many of the men having gone into the volunteer service. Up to this time, Captain Union Bethell's and Captain R. R. Roberts' companies, of Newburg, had done good service, we having fre- quent alarms, and the men doing guard duty every night for many months.
In the spring of 1862, we had some company drills, but all the
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companies had been so thinned out by their volunteering, that, after consulting with you, we thought it best to call in all the arms. This I did some time in June. This having been done, the friends of Adam R. Johnson no doubt notified him of the fact, and on the 1Sth day of August, 1862, the soil of Indiana was invaded by the thief, Adam R. Johnson, and one hundred muskets, seventy- five sabers, and one hundred and thirty holsters and pistols stolen. These muskets were, at this time, in the hospital at Newburg; the sabers and pistols were in a wareroom, and had never been taken out of the boxes they were sent in.
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