USA > Indiana > A history of the National Guard of Indiana, from the beginning of the militia system in 1787 to the present time, including the services of Indiana troops in the war with Spain > Part 10
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The total enrollment in 1891 was 2,372 and the next year 2,602. It was deemed large enough to organize a brigade, and March 23, 1893, the First Brigade was organized and Brigadier-General McKee was appointed to the command. No encampment was held in 1884 owing to the companies having been in active service through so much of the summer, and in announcing that no encampment would be held Gover- nor Matthews said:
"The Governor desires at this time to tender his sincere thanks and most hearty commendation to the officers and men composing the active militia for the prompt response to his calls for duty and in preserving order within the borders of the State. Your strict obedience to orders. your patience and forbearance under many provoking circum- stances, your thorough discipline and particularly your success in accom- plishing the objects for which you were called into the field, without loss of life. have won for you the approval of all citizens of this common- wealth."
The frequent calls to active service produced greater in- terest in the Legion, and the membership increased that year to 2,668, and the year following, or 1895, to forty-six com- panies, with a total of 3,016, the highest reached in recent years.
The Legislature of 1895 took more interest in the troops and passed a much needed militia law which changed the name of the Indiana Legion to the Indiana National Guard. The law became effective on March 5 of that year and the present name dates from that time.
In 1896 the membership decreased to 2,891 and in 1897 to 2,643. Many things were desired for the Guard in the last year and the appropriation was not sufficient to provide the needed equipment and to hold an encampment, so it was decided by Governor Mount and Adjutant-General Gore that the encampment would be abandoned for the year and the money expended otherwise. This was done and the result was that at the outbreak of the war with Spain the Indiana Guard was prepared to take the field before that of any other State. The probabilities of war with Spain resulted in an increase of membership, and the Guard in 1898 num- bered 2.822.
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The call for troops for the Spanish-American war took into the United States service all of the National Guard ex- cept one battery of artillery. No attempt was made to re- organize the Guard until after peace was declared and the volunteers mustered out of United States service.
The work was commenced February 1, 1899, by mustering in one company in each congressional district, and under this arrangement nine companies of infantry-Terre Haute, Frankfort. Indianapolis, Vincennes, Evansville, New Albany, Madison, South Bend and Martinsville-were organized, and the batteries at Indianapolis and Attica. This plan did not prove satisfactory, and about the middle of August com- panies were organized wherever practicable. By the close of 1900 the work had been so well done that three regiments were organized and the total strength was 2,118. The Gen- eral Assembly of 1901 further encouraged the Guard by pro- viding for the payment of those who attended drills.
In addition to the calls made upon it to preserve peace and restore order in the State, the Legion and Guard has promptly responded at all times when State pride made it desirable that there should be a military demonstration. The members observed August 8, 1885, the day of the public funeral of General U. S. Grant, by services in all the armories in the State; and again, on December 1 of that year, when Vice-President Thomas A. Hendricks was buried at Indian- apolis, many of the companies were present. The Legion was represented August 22,' 1889, when the cornerstone of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument was laid in Indianapolis, and February 6, 1900, when the body of General Lawton lay in state for one day in the State House at Indianapolis. Again, in January, 1901, many companies went to Indianapolis to honor the memory of Governor Mount the day his body lay in state in the State House, and on March 16, of that year, the entire National Guard went to Indianapolis to pay the last tribute to the memory of ex-President Benjamin Harrison as his body lay in state in the State House.
The companies have uniformly responded to all calls made upon them in their home towns. with cheerfulness and promptness, and have come to be looked upon as organiza- tions to be relied upon to represent the home city with credit and honor.
To General Carnahan belongs the credit of holding the first State encampment of the Legion. The military code prescribed that encampments should be held, but the Legis- lature had never made any appropriation for holding one,
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so the Legion had never come together. The men could not afford to bear the expense in addition to giving their time, but they were enthusiastic for it if ways and means could be provided. General Carnahan, early in February of 1882, proposed to Lieutenant-Colonel James R. Ross, inspector- general on Governor Porter's staff, that an attempt should be made to hold an encampment and the proposition was enthu- siastically received.
While the project was under consideration Raper Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Indianapolis, submitted a proposition to furnish, with the aid of the business men of Indianapolis, money to defray all expenses of the camp, to provide subsistence for the troops and to relieve the State from all pecuniary liability in the matter. The proposition was accepted and Raper Commandery received in return all results from gate money, sutlers' privileges and other sources. The entire plan and management of the camp was left in the hands of the State authorities, and the first camp. was held as on the order of a county fair, but it was neces- sary.
The railroad companies granted free transportation to the Indiana companies both to and from the encampment and through the efforts of the Indiana delegation in Congress a resolution was adopted under the terms of which the general government loaned tents to the State. Thus it was that the first encampment of the Legion was continued for six days without costing the State of Indiana one cent.
Invitations were extended to the finest drilled and disci- plined organizations in all parts of the country to attend the encampment and compete for the prizes offered by Indian- apolis firms, and the invitation was accepted by twenty-one organizations, representing Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Michigan. Ten of these organizations were sections of artillery, and the ex- amples of such organizations, showing the possibilities to be achieved by citizen soldiers, was a great stimulus to the Indiana Legion. In addition to the Legion, the Logansport Grays and the Asbury Cadets, Independent companies, were in camp. The visiting companies and the two independent companies were formed into a temporary regiment, which was placed under the command of Captain Chase, of the Grays.
The Portland Cavalry company marched overland, about eighty miles, to the camp, and the horses were unfit for drills or other duty after its arrival.
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The camp was opened on the exposition grounds near Indianapolis on July 1 and was placed under the command of General Carnahan. While drills and all military duties were insisted upon and faithfully carried out, a part of each day was devoted to competitive drills, and great crowds attended. This made it the more difficult to keep the quarters clean, but the camp was concluded in such a manner as to win high praise from many of the officers of the regular army who were present. A detail from the men stationed at the United States arsenal in Indianapolis acted as head- quarters guard and assisted the members of the Legion in many small ways. The United States Cavalry band from Jefferson Barracks was employed for the week, and the Sec- retary of War detailed Major Jared A. Smith, Engineers Corps, U. S. A., and Lieutenant Edward L. Randall, Fifth Infantry, U. S. A., as inspectors. A number of boys from the Indianapolis Classical School served as mounted order- lies at headquarters and appeared in the uniform of their school. They gave great attention to drills, observed camp routine in all of its details, and the enthusiasm and desire of the little chaps to appear well at times overtaxed their strength.
All organizations participated in every detail of camp routine and the men of the different States fraternized so there was not a thing to mar the pleasure of the encamp- ment. Regular duties and prize drills occupied all the time and on Sunday the Rev. Myron W. Reed, of the First Presby- terian Church of Indianapolis, served as chaplain and held religious service. It was attended by all in the camp save those on duty.
The prize drills opened with a free for all artillery drill on Saturday, July 1. Eight batteries contested, representing Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisi- ana. The first prize was awarded to the Asbury Cadets, of Greencastle, under the command of Captain Frank Joyce, and the second prize to Battery A. of Louisville, Ky., under the command of Lieutenant C. B. Bly.
The free for all infantry drill was, up to that time, the finest competitive drill ever held in this country, and the best organizations in the United States participated. The first prize ($1,500) was won by the Chickasaw Guards, of Memphis, Tenn .; and the second ($1,000) by the Crescent Rifles, of New Orleans, La. The Asbury Cadets ranked third and the McKeen Cadets, of Terre Haute, fourth. The judges for these two contests were Lieutenants Graham D. Fitch,
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Warren P. Newcomb and H. C. Carbaugh, Fifth Artillery, U. S. A.
In the contest of infantry companies of Indiana, the Mc- Keen Cadets, of Terre Haute, won the first prize; the Evans- ville Rifles, second; and the Logansport Grays, third. The judges of this drill were Lieutenants H. T. Reed, George F. Barney and John F. Thompson, U. S. A.
The Porter Light Artillery, of Michigan City, won the prize in the State artillery contest. Special prizes were of- fered by Indianapolis firms. A silver cup valued at $75 was awarded to the Indianapolis Light Infantry for standing first in proficiency in guard duties and care of arms; and a silver cup valued at $50 was awarded to the Portland Cavalry for standing first in cleanliness of quarters. The Richmond Light Infantry won a silver cup valued at $75 for reporting in camp with the greatest proportion of men according to their muster rolls.
The prizes were presented by Governor Porter on July 6, the last day of the camp, and a general review and parade of the troops was held in the city of Indianapolis.
So great was the success of the first encampment that General Carnahan determined to hold another during the summer of 1883. As the State still failed to make any pro- vision whatever for the Legion, General Carnahan again ap- pealed to the citizens of Indianapolis and the appeal was not in vain. Colonel Eli Lilly was particularly active in raising the necessary funds and carrying the project through to success.
Again all the railroads running into Indianapolis gave their assistance and all the troops in the State were taken to the camp free. The same grounds were selected as had been occupied at the previous encampment and the same general plan was adopted, except that it was made more of a State affair. Prizes were offered for which companies from Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky contested, and again the gen- eral government order a detail from the United States ar- senal into camp with the Legion. The encampment had less the appearance of a county fair or a picnic, although it was to some extent necessary. More attention was given to the duties of regular camp life, and these, with the competitive drills, occupied all the time of the men.
The special features of the camp were the mounted artil- lery drill by the Indianapolis Light Artillery and the sham battle which was held the last day and with which the en- campment was brought to a close.
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The tents for the camp were rented and borrowed from dealers, and the reports of the army officers of the encamp- ment gave the Legion great credit for what had been accom- plished under adverse circumstances and roundly scored the State for neglecting to lend any assistance.
The prize drills were as great successes as were those of the previous year. In the contests for companies in the Legion, that of artillery resulted as follows:
First, Section B, Indianapolis Light Artillery; second, Section A, Indianapolis Light Artillery; third, Columbus Light Artillery; fourth, Rockville Light Artillery; fifth, Por- ter Light Artillery.
Infantry-First, Indianapolis Light Infantry; second, Richardson Zonaves; third, Tecumseh Rifles.
Zouaves - First, Richardson Zouaves; second, Dick Thompson Zouaves, of Terre Haute.
Mounted Artillery-First, Indianapolis Light Artillery.
The free for all infantry was for a first prize of $1,500 and a second prize of $750. The Indianapolis Light Infantry won the first and the Branch Guards, of St. Louis, Mo., were sec- ond. Third place was given to the Paris (Illinois) Light In- fantry.
Section No. 1, Indianapolis Gatling Gun Detachment, won the first prize in the Gatling gun drill; the Smith Gavitt Cav- alry company. with no competition, the cavalry drill; and the Indiana Veterans' Corps, with no competition, the veterans' prize.
In the summer of 1884 no general encampment was held, but General Carnahan determined to put a part of the troops in camp, and for that purpose visited Richmond to see if it could be accomplished there. The citizens took up the mat- ter enthusiastically and the city council voted an appropria- tion for the purpose. Mr. J. F. Miller gave free use of Glen Miller, just east of the city, and the Second Infantry with Battery A and the Columbus Light Artillery were ordered into camp. The camp was established June 30 and continued until July 6, inclusive. The camp was under the command of Colonel Ruckle, of the Second. A portion of the tents used were loaned by Ohio and a section of Battery B, of Cincin- nati, of the Ohio National Guard, contested with Battery A, of Indianapolis, in a prize drill, which was won by the In- dianapolis battery. July 4th was observed by Governor Por- ter. of Indiana. and Governor Hoadly, of Ohio, visiting the camp. and a parade was given in their honor. The afternoon of the same day Governor Porter reviewed the troops and
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the following day a sham battle was fought. On Sunday the entire First Regiment, Ohio National Guard, visited the camp and were the guests of the Indiana troops. A gate ad- mission was charged, which was divided among the com- panies, pro rata.
The Third Regiment went into camp at Peru. Through the efforts of Colonel Kirk, the citizens of Peru raised suffi- cient money to defray all expenses, and the Porter Light Ar- tillery, of Michigan City, and the McAllister Battery, of But- ler, camped with the regiment. All were under the com- mand of Colonel Kirk.
No general encampment was held in 1885, but the First Veteran Regiment went into camp from August 19 to August 24 of that year with the Veteran Association of Northern Indiana, at Ft. Wayne. With them were the Elkhart Light Artillery, the Attica Light Artillery, McAllister Battery, of Butler, Indianapolis Light Artillery and the Indianapolis Gatling Gun Squad. From Michigan there were the Jackson Grays, the Emmett Rifles, the Jackson Guards and Company G. First Regiment, all of Jackson. Ohio was represented by the Toledo Cadets, Guilliland Guards, of Van Wert, Ohio, and the Toledo Artillery. The entire camp was under com- mand of General Reuben Williams, of Warsaw. Governor Gray reviewed the troops on Friday, August 21, and on Mon- day, August 24. a sham battle was fought before camp was broken.
The Third Regiment again held an independent encamp- ment, but this time at Laporte. The regiment was in camp August 3 to 10, inclusive, and with it were the Richardson Zouaves, of Indianapolis; Thompson Rifles, of Terre Haute; Shelbyville Light Infantry; McPherson Light Infantry, of Portland; Porter Light Artillery, of Michigan City; McAllis- ter Battery, of Butler, and the Gatling Gun Battery, of Mich- igan City. The troops united with the citizens of Laporte in services in memory of General Grant on August 4, and Thurs- day, August 6, Governor Gray reviewed the troops. The weather proved unusually stormy, but it cleared enough for the review to be held on the square. An artillery duel closed the day. A competitive drill was held Friday, in which Com -: pany I, Third Regiment, of Peru, carried off the honors. The Richardson Zouaves gave an exhibition drill.
Other cities began to cast longing eyes towards the State encampment. and the next general encampment was held at Lafayette from July 26 to August 2, inclusive, 1886. This camp was a departure from the previous State camps in that
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it not only had the county fair and picnic features, but it also went into partnership with Barnum's circus and became an adjunct to that organization. The citizens of Lafayette offered prizes for competitive drills, and again the railroads agreed to transport the troops and their baggage free of charge. Governor Gray and Adjutant-General George W. Koontz took an active interest in the camp, and it was de- cided that a general encampment should be held in the Fair Grounds, at Lafayette.
After arrangements had proceeded so far that it was impossible to stop, it was found that Barnum's circus had arranged to be in Lafayette on Wednesday, July 28, the day set apart for the free-for-all drills. This was expected to be the great day of the encampment, and those in charge were convinced that the presence of the circus would materially affect the receipts. Arrangements were therefore made with the circus by which one price of admission was to admit all ticket holders to the circus and encampment, and the re- ceipts were divided. In return for this the entire Legion joined with the circus in its regular parade in the morning and for once the Legion became an adjunct to a circus, or a circus became an adjunct to the Legion. The agreement was fulfilled, the receipts were divided with mutual profit, and the Indiana soldiers marched in line with gilded chariots, elephants and other accessories of "the greatest show on earth."
In addition to the First Veteran, the Second and Third Regiments of infantry and the First Artillery, the Indian- apolis Light Infantry, the Logansport Grays, the Indianapo- lis Emmett Guards and the Indianapolis Rice Guards, which did not belong to the Legion, were present. The organiza- tions from other States which entered the drills were the Taylorville Guards, of Taylorville, Ill .; Company F, of the First Kentucky Legion, of Louisville, Ky., and Battery A, of the Illinois National Guard, of Danville, Ill. The total number of men in camp was 1.613.
The camp was named Camp Gray, in honor of Governor Gray, and the first day was devoted to getting the camp in shape. The following day the first drills of the Indiana Le- gion were held, and the next day was given up to the circus and the artillery drills. Thursday was set apart for old sol- diers, and the free-for-all drills were held then. Friday Gov- ernor Gray reviewed the troops and a general parade was held. A sham battle was given on Saturday, and Sunday
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services and inspection occupied the day. Camp was broken on Monday, when the prizes were awarded.
The Louisville company won the first prize in the free-for- all infantry drill, and the Richardson Zouaves, of Indianapo- lis, second. The Indianapolis Light Artillery took first prize in the free-for-all artillery drill, and Battery A, Illinois Na- tional Guard, took second. In the infantry drill for Indiana Legion organizations, the Richardson Zouaves, of Indianapo- lis, which was Company A of the Second Regiment, took the first prize; Company B, of the same regiment, of Ft. Wayne, second. and Company H, of the same regiment, of Brazil, third. Company L. of Ft. Wayne, won the prize for the best company in the Veteran Regiment, and the Rice Zouaves, of Indianapolis, the only company entered, took the prize for the zouave drill. The Indianapolis Light Artillery took the first prize in the artillery drill of Indiana batteries, the Rock- ville Light Artillery second, and the Attica Light Artillery third. The Indianapolis battery again took first prize in the Gatling gun drill, and the Peru Gatling Gun Squad took second. Company B, of the same regiment, of Ft. Wayne, won the prize for companies which had never competed before.
The weather was excessively hot during the encampment and there were many prostrations. But one proved to be serions, and John Shroyer, a member of Company D, of the First Veteran Regiment, of Andrews, died in camp on Sun- day morning.
The officers of the Legion met in Indianapolis on March 6, 1888, and decided to hold an encampment at Evansville during the summer if the citizens of Evansville would pro- vide the necessary means for it. The Business Men's Enter- tainment Association took the matter up and accepted the suggestion, agreeing to furnish cash prizes for drills and pay all expenses of the encampment. It was decided that the encampment should be held August 20 to 27, inclusive, and Adjutant-General Koontz was designated to command the camp, which was again named Camp Gray in honor of the Governor. The First, Second and Third Regiments of In- fantry and the First Artillery were all in camp. Company G, of the First Tennessee, were the guests of the First Ar- tillery throughout the camp.
Garvin's grove, just east of Evansville, was selected as the site for the camp, but for several days previous to the date set for the opening there was an almost incessant down- pour of rain, which flooded the grounds. When the troops ar-
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rived on Monday, August 20, the rain was still falling, and it was impossible to send the men out to such grounds. They were quartered in different buildings in the city for the night, but the weather cleared next day and by after- noon they were marched out and pitched their tents. Two parades were made through the streets of Evansville and two sham battles were given, one on the evening of August 23 and the other the afternoon of the 25th. Governor Gray reviewed the troops on Friday, August 24, and the display made was the best in the history of the Legion up to that time. It was the first encampment in which all troops were uniformed in the regulation uniform, and many of the uni- forms were new. Again the rain descended and drenched all when camp was broken on Monday, but there were no serious effects from it.
None but Legion companies contested for the prizes. In the infantry drills the first prize was awarded to Company B, of the Second Regiment, of Ft. Wayne; the second to Com- pany G, First Regiment, of Evansville; the third to Com- pany A, First Regiment, of Indianapolis; the fourth to Com- pany E. First Regiment, of Evansville.
In the artillery drill the first prize was awarded to Com- pany C, of Rockville; the second to Company B, of Elkhart, and the third to Company G, of Ft. Wayne.
The prize for Gatling gun drill was awarded to Company G, of Ft. Wayne, and for the Zouave drill to Company L, Second Regiment, of Indianapolis. Services were conducted Sunday afternoon by the Rev. E. F. Walker, of Evansville.
Before another general encampment the State had awak- ened to a sense of the responsibility of providing for the Legion, and under the law of March 8, 1889, money was pro- vided for encampments and for providing for the needs of the Legion, so that the speculative features of the encamp- ments might be abolished. The new law also permitted a permanent organization of the regiments and resulted in much good to the Legion. Adjutant-General Nicholas R. Ruckle at this time entered upon the duties of his office and established the Legion on a basis of systematic reports which more nearly conformed to those in force in the army than at any other time.
The first camp held under the new law was at Indian- apolis, July 22 to July 28, inclusive, and it was named Camp Hovey in honor of the Governor. Armstrong's Grove, a short distance north of the city, was selected as the site, and the camp was laid out on tactical lines. The three in-
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fantry regiments, the artillery regiment and three separate companies were in camp. The encampment was devoted en- tirely to the work in hand and strict discipline was enforced, which caused some slight grumbling, but which proved to be a valuable precedent.
The only variation from the military routine was the re- view of troops by Governor Hovey on Saturday, July 27. It had been set for Friday, but a tremendous rain-storm pre- vented, and it was deferred for one day. Street parades, com- petitive drills and all other distracting features were en- tirely eliminated, and the men devoted all the time to learn- ing the duties of soldiers.
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