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 13
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Captain English is a gentleman of fine appearance and of great personal popularity, a quick and ready debater, a forcible speaker and an excellent presiding officer, and when occasion requires and he is called to preside over or address public meetings or conventions his capacity is made most manifest and his abilities show to their best advantage. ffl
Captain English has long been a leader in Indianapolis politics and has repeatedly represented his party associates in delegate capacity in municipal, township, county, state and national conventions. In his earlier political associations and affiliations he was strongly bound to the old Democratic party and an active participant in its councils, but when the new element in that party came into control of its organiza- tion and assumed a position upon national affairs which he believed to be in total abandonment of its former correct Jeffersonian principles upon questions of sound financial policy and loyalty to the flag, he promptly affiliated with the Republican party, of which he has ever since been an active, zealous and influential member. He began active participa- tion in politics some years previous to his majority and was treasurer of the leading local political club of his party in the presidential campaign of 1872, president of the same in 1876, and again president of the Young Men's Club in 1878.ffl
In 1875 he was the nominee of his party for council in the eleventh ward of Indianapolis, but declined. In 1882 he was chairman of the Center Township delegate convention, in 1885 and 1891 he was chairman of the Indianapolis city
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convention, in 1890 and 1896 he was chairman of the Marion County convention, and at the national convention of clubs of his party, held in New York, October 4, 1892, was elected vice-president of the organization and member of the national committee for the State of Indiana for the ensuing four years.
Captain English served as a member of his party's State executive committee, as a member of the county committee of Marion County for over twenty years continuously, and for years as a member of the city committee of Indi- anapolis at the same time, and in 1878 was elected chairman of the city committee. In that capacity he so satisfactorily conducted the affairs of the campaign at the spring election of 1878 that in recognition of his ability as a political organ- izer and manager he shortly after was also unanimously chosen to the position of chairman of the Marion County com- mittee, and given the general management there during the exciting State campaign of 1878. It was while holding these two important positions that he was unanimously nominated by his party friends of Marion and Shelby counties as their candidate for joint representative, nothwithstanding there were several worthy and talented competitors for the nomi- nation.
His canvass for this office attracted general attention throughout the State, and although the district was carried by the opposition two years before, by a majority of nearly 700, and at this election, on the general ticket, by over 200, Captain English was elected, leading his ticket nearly five hundred votes. He had the honor of being the youngest member of the House of Representatives, although repre- senting the then largest district in the State, and of being the third of his immediate family to hold a seat in that body, his father and grandfather both having previously been mem- bers of the House of Representatives.
H e served with distinction during both the regular and extra sessions, and was a recognized leader. He was con- sidered one of the best parliamentarians in the body and Speaker Canthorne frequently called upon him to preside over the deliberations of the House. The Speaker appointed him to the chairmanship of the standing committee on the affairs of the city of Indianapolis and a member of the com- mittee to reapportion the State for congressional and legis- lative purposes.
His bill upon congressional apportionment-"House Bill No. 468"-passed both houses and became the law after one of the most bitter legislative struggles ever witnessed in the
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State. He was also author of the popular law limiting the indebtedness of Marion County and various other bills and resolutions of like importance were proposed by him. Among them were the first bill introduced providing for a reduction of official fees and salaries, the bill abolishing the unneces- sary offices of city treasurer and assessor, the bill providing for a reappraisement of real estate and the reduction of tax- ation thereon and the original bill providing for a metropoli- tan police system in Indianapolis.
Captain English was prominently spoken of as a candi- date for Congress at the expiration of his legislative term in 1880, but declined to allow the use of his name before the convention of that year. However at the succeeding election, two years later, there was a general desire among his party friends that he should become the candidate in his district, and, although several prominent and able gentlemen were candidates for the position, he was unanimously nominated at the convention held at Shelbyville, May 8, 1882. The oppos- ing candidate nominated against him had the advantage of being a candidate for re-election, having been elected two years before by nearly one thousand majority. But in the face of this large majority to overcome, Captain English entered upon a vigorous campaign, making a thorough per- sonal canvass, besides speaking in every township in the district. His ability as a canvasser being well known, his nomination alarmed the opposition, notwithstanding their previous majorities in the district, and every effort was made to insure his defeat. However, despite the majority to over- come and the exceptional fight made against him, he carried the district and was elected after one of the hottest political campaigns ever known in the State.
In the words of the Washington Chronicle, "Mr. English made a useful, capable and attentive representative, always in attendance upon the sessions of the House and ever watch- ful of the interests of his constituents." Among other im- portant bills introduced by him were those providing for an international copyright law, the issuance of silver certificates of small denominations and the increase of the pensions of crippled soldiers and sailors. His comprehensive report on the proposed alcoholic liquor traffic commission from the committee of which he was chairman was adopted by the House and attracted much favorable comment. At the close of his official term it was the general desire of his party that he accept a renomination, but, influenced by personal con- siderations, he positively declined to be a candidate. His
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declination was received with regret, and the congressional convention, upon assembling at Indianapolis, August 31, 1884, to nominate his successor, unanimously adopted the follow- ing in reference thereto:
"Resolved, That we hear with regret of Mr. English's wish and determination not to be a candidate for re-election, and we unqualifiedly express our confidence in him as a faith- ful representative."
Representative English was not only thus warmly ap- proved by his party friends, but his course in Congress re- ceived indorsement from his constituents regardless of party. One of the leading opposition papers of the State at that time, the Indianapolis Daily Times, said: "He is fair and liberal toward his political opponents and always ready to do a favor. He won the reputation of being a hard-working and successful member of the Indiana Legislature, and we are glad to find him on the same line in Congress." The able organ of Hancock County, the Greenfield Republican, said: "He makes a faithful and efficient represetnative, and in his official duties does not discriminate against those who differ from him politically. As a business representative he is now, as when a member of the Indiana Assembly, far above the average and entitled to the confidence of his constituents."
Thus Captain English left official position with kindly words from both political friend and foe, after never having suffered defeat in convention or at the polls. In the language of the Washington Free Press, at the close of the congres- sional session, "Mr. English came into the House of Repre- sentatives, the youngest member of that body, going out with the good will and respect of the entire House, and with as many personal friends as the most popular members." Al- though frequently spoken of in that connection, Captain English has declined to be a candidate for election to any office since that time, but has continued an active, zealous worker in political affairs.
In the presidential campaign of 1892 he was a prominent participant both before and after the presidential nomi- nations. In the heated preliminary contest within his party ranks between the friends of the various aspirants for the presidency he was one of the leaders in Indiana of the ex- presidential following, and as a result thereof was selected by his party friends of the Indianapolis district as a delegateto the national convention at Chicago over several well-known and active competitors. He was one of the most prominent
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members of that body, having been chosen in the organiza- tion as chairman of the important "committee on rules and order of business" for the government of the convention, and having been later unanimously selected by the Indiana dele- gation to make the speech to the convention on behalf of the State of Indiana presenting their choice for the office of President of the United States. In the performance of this distinguished duty he acquitted himself with great credit and honor, his speech being generally pronounced by press and public to be, in the language of the Daily News, "one of the best oratorical efforts" delivered before that magnificent as- semblage. The Associated Press declared it "eloquently" rendered, and The Indianapolis Sentinel's telegraphic special from Chicago voiced the general verdict in the statement "that it was generally conceded that Mr. English made the best seconding speech of the convention."
Captain English was for the second time elected unani- mously a delegate from the Indianapolis district to the na- tional convention of his party held in Chicago in 1896, where he was one of the managers of the campaign of Indiana's can- didate for nomination as the presidential standard bearer.
In the national campaign of 1900 Captain English was again a most active participant in the presidential contest and this time made an especially brilliant speaking campaign throughout the various parts of Indiana in behalf of McKin- ley, Roosevelt and the entire Republican ticket. No speaker was in greater demand at all Republican gatherings, and he was everywhere greeted with the most enthusiastic audi- ences. His influence was widely felt in all parts of Indiana in this campaign, and at its close he received personal letters from both President Mckinley and Vice-President Roosevelt in acknowledgment of his eminent services in behalf of the Republican nominees.
Upon the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, noth- withstanding his immense business interests, and the sacri- fices incident thereto, Captain English promptly tendered his services to Governor Mount of Indiana and through the Gov- ernor and Senator Fairbanks was shortly thereafter offered an appointment by President Mckinley as paymaster in the army with the rank of major. This tender was promptly de- clined, he stating that he desired active service only and re- questing an appointment of lower rank, if need be, provided the service was at the front.
Following this, after failure to receive appointment in the Adjutant-General's department, for which he applied, he was
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on May 17th, 1898, appointed by President Mckinley to the rank of Captain of United States Volunteers, and assigned to the Quartermaster's department. Not desiring to serve in that department for the reason before given of a desire for more active service at the front, at his own urgent and per- sonal request he was on June 10th. 1898, promptly detached and transferred from service in that department, without having performed any duty in it, and was immediately as- signed to duty as an Aide upon the personal staff of Major- General Joseph Wheeler, commanding the Cavalry Division, (and served as such throughout the Santiago campaign), as shown by the following special order issued by General Wheeler:
"Headquarters Cavalry Division, U. S. Army. "Special Order No. 22.
"Pursuant to instructions from the War Department, Captain William E. English, U. S. Volunteers, is assigned to duty as Aide to the Major-General commanding, to date June 10, 1898, the day on which he reported for duty. By command of Major-General Wheeler.
"J. H. DORST,
"Lieut .- Col. U. S. Vols., Assistant Adjutant-General.
"Official:
"M. F. STEELE, Aide."
Captain English was among the first soldiers who em- barked for Cuba, sailing from Tampa, June 13, on the trans- port "Allegheny," in company with General Wheeler and the members of his staff. He had the distinguished honor to be the only Indiana volunteer in General Shafter's army.
In the bombardment of El Poso hill during the battle of July 1st before Santiago he was disabled and dangerously injured by his frightened horse rearing and falling backward with and upon him as a result of a Spanish shrapnel shell exploding close to him, which slightly wounded his horse upon the shoulder, besides killing and wounding several soldiers about him, among the wounded being Mason Mitchell, the well-known actor-lecturer, and Sergeant Devore of Roose- velt's Rough Riders. Colonel Roosevelt, in his history of the Rough Riders, states that he himself received a slight wound on the back of the hand from a piece of the same deadly missile, and, as shown by the following extract from the Evansville (Ind.) Daily Journal, of Oct. 13, 1900, he later con- firmed this statement in a public address delivered in the city of Evansville during his vice-presidential campaign, in which, in closing, he said: "I want to have the privilege of intro- ducing the speaker who is to follow me. My successor on this platform is a man disabled as a result of the same shell
-
COL. WILLIAM E. ENGLISH
CAPT. U. S. V. AND A. D. C. STAFF OF MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
COLONEL AND INSPECTOR GENERAL, STAFF OF GOVERNOR OF INDIANA
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which struck mne, in the war with Spain. He refuses to follow men who are opposed to civic honesty at home and national honor abroad. I have the honor to introduce Cap- tain English, of your own State."
General Samuel S. Sumner was in command of the Cav- arly Division at the time referred to, as a result of the ab- sence of General Wheeler on account of illness (General Wheeler reaching the front later), and Captain English was for that reason serving temporarily upon his staff. General Sumner, sitting on his horse a few feet away, was an eye witness to the injury which disabled Captain English, and in reference thereto the following valued evidence has been placed on file in the War Department by General Sumner:
"August 23. 1899.
"Brigadier-General Theo. Schwan, President Board,
"War Department, Washington, D. C .:
"Sir-I remember very well the injury of Captain Wm. E. English on July 1st at El Poso, where he was temporarily acting as an Aide upon my staff. I was quite near him and saw his horse rear and fall; at the time I thought he was struck (or the horse) by a piece of the shell which burst over our heads, but learned later that he had escaped a wound, though severely injured by the horse's fall.
"S. S. SUMNER, "Col. 6th Cav., late Brig .- Gen., "Commanding Cavalry Brigade and Division."
Captain English was crushed beneath the falling horse, and upon removal was found to be dangerously injured in- ternally, and while still disabled and confined from these injuries was attacked by virulent dysentery accompanied by malaria, until his condition from these various complications became so alarming that after consultation the surgeons in charge ordered his immediate removal from the climate of Cuba and return to the United States as the only hope of saving his life. He was therefore ordered transferred to the hospital at Siboney by written order of Major L. M. Cramp- ton, Chief Surgeon in charge of Headquarters Hospital (and Major Frederick J. Combe, Assistant Surgeon), and thence together with many other sick and wounded soldiers on board the hospital transport "Seneca" for removal to the United States. The transport sailed from Cuba the day the sur- render of Santiago was agreed upon by the Spanish and American commanders, and it became well known through the newspapers because of the extreme privations and hard- ships endured on the homeward voyage.
It was first ordered to Tampa, but the restrictions of the health authorities there caused its destination to be changed
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to Fortress Monroe, where it was again refused a landing on account of yellow fever being reported on board, and after various vexatious delays it was eventually permitted to land in New York harbor. Mrs. English, who had unsuccessfully but persistently and courageously followed her husband to each of these ports, finally secured his release from quaran- tine, in which he was held in New York. After the necessary rest and recuperation in that city, Captain English returned to his home in Indianapolis, where his friends received him with congratulations and rejoicings, his death having been bulletined by the newspapers but a short time before. Shortly after his arrival his enthusiastic friends of the G. A. R. vet- erans marched in a body to his residence to tender him their fraternal welcome on his return, which was followed a few days later by a publie reception given by the Columbia Club, the leading club organization of the city, and still later on his brethren of the Masonic fraternity at a public assemblage presented him with a beautifully jewelled officer's sword, with the words, "As a token of his services to his country," hand- somely engraved upon it. A most striking and gracious wel- come and greeting was extended by the Indiana Republican State convention, which being then in session invited Captain English to a seat in the convention near the presiding officer and when he appeared before them, bronzed, feeble and ema- ciated from his Cuban experiences, gave him three rousing cheers and a patriotic ovation such as has seldom been wit- nessed in a political convention.
Captain English continued in such bad health as a result of the effects of the injury received and the illness contracted in Cuba, that he was granted an extended sick leave by the War Department, and the war having in the meantime ended, he was finally at his own request honorably discharged from the army of the United States. December 31, 1898. On that evening at a dinner in celebration of the event the following highly flattering and complimentary letters were read from his old commander, General Wheeler, and from Governor Mount and United States Senators Fairbanks and Turpie of Indiana. who were most largely responsible for his appoint- ment to the army by the President of the United States:
"House of Representatives, Washington, D. C., Dec. 8th, 1898.
"Dear Captain English-I am very glad to hear that friends of your city are to tender you a manifestation of their esteem and respect. I was very glad, indeed, to have you on my staff in Cuba, and it was with regret that your being disabled in front of Santiago on July 1 and your
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subsequent illness deprived me of the continuance of your service with me. Wishing you many years of happiness and trusting that your State and country may have the continued benefit of your services, believe me truly your friend. JOSEPH WHEELER."
"Executive Department, State of Indiana, "Indianapolis, Dec. 18th, 1898.
"My Dear Captain-I desire to express to you through this communi- cation that which I have stated publicly, viz .: My appreciation of the promptness with which you tendered your services in the war with Spain. You were one of the first in this State to pledge your support and offer your services to the government. It gave me pleasure to promptly recommend you for the position of paymaster, with the rank of Major. It was a truly chivalrous spirit which you manifested when you de- clined this and asked for 'active service at the front.' You were com- missioned a Captain and assigned to the staff of fighting General Joseph Wheeler. In front of Santiago de Cuba you found what you sought- 'active service at the front.' In this severe battle you were disabled, and by subsequent sickness compelled to return home. You did your duty promptly and faithfully. I trust God will give you many years in which to enjoy the privileges and blessings of the country to the defense of which you so promptly responded. Sincerely your friend,
"JAMES A. MOUNT, Governor."
"United States Senate, "Washington, D. C., Dec. 30th, 1898.
"Dear Captain English-I am in receipt of your favor of recent date, ad vising me that you are to retire from service in the army on the 31st inst. Permit me this opportunity to congratulate you upon the fact of your early tender of services during the recent war and upon the excel- lent record made by you while in the army. I am gratified to have been of some little service to you in securing the commission which you de- sired. You have splendidly vindicated all I promised in your behalf. Wishing you health and happiness, I remain,
"Very Sincerely, "CHARLES W. FAIRBANKS."
"United States Senate,
"Washington, D. C., Dec. 9th, 1898.
"Hon. W. E. English, Indianapolis, Ind .- Having learned from the War Department that your resignation from the army had been ac- cepted, to take effect from the date of December 31st, next, allow me to congratulate upon this highly honorable conclusion of your military serv- ice. Your very early tender of service to the government in the late war with Spain, your voluntary and earnest declination of non-active duties and your urgent request to be assigned to the field at the front, your gallant participation in the victorious campaign against Santiago, until you were disabled in action in the face of the enemy, have amply justified the expectation of your friends, and the sound judgment of the heroic Wheeler in selecting you as a member of his military staff and household. You may thus now retire and return again to civil life with the consciousness of having rendered to the State and to your country the bravest and truest service in a perilous time destined to be mem- orable in our history.
Yours very truly,
"DAVID TURPIE."
.
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At the close of his service in the army Captain English patriotically decided that he would not accept the pay due him from the government therefor, and so notified the War Department in the following letter (copied from the official records), addressed to the Adjutant-General of the army at Washington:
"Indianapolis, Oct. 20, 1899.
"General H. C. Corbin,
"Adjutant-General, U. S. A .:
"Sir-I have drawn no pay at any time and do not know the amount due me from the government for my services as Captain U. S. V. and A. D. C. on the staff of Major-General Joseph Wheeler during the Spanish- American War. My active service was confined to the Santiago cam- paign, but whatever the amount due me is, I desire to turn it back into the United States treasury. This is simply a little matter of sentiment on my part. and if you will inform me as to the procedure necessary to cover it back into the treasury or forward me any papers which it will be necessary for me to sign. I shall be under obligations to you.
"Respectfully, "WILLIAM E. ENGLISH, "Late Captain U. S. V."
In pursuance of these instructions the necessary papers were prepared, forwarded and promptly signed by Captain English whereby $1,150, the full amount due him for his entire army service, was covered back into the United States treasury, as shown and attested by the official records of the Auditor of the Treasury for the War Department and the Assistant Treasurer of the United States.
On the day following his retirement from the United States Army, Governor Mount, in recognition of his services, honored Captain English still further by appointing him Pay- master-General on the staff of the Governor of Indiana, with the rank of Colonel, and he has since been reappointed on the Governor's staff as Inspector-General with the rank of Colonel by Governor Mount's successor in office, Governor Durbin. By virtue of his services in the Spanish-American War, Captain English is at present serving as Department Commander for Indiana of the National Association of Span- ish-American War Veterans, Vice-Commander of Indiana Commandery Military Order of Foreign Wars, Vice-Presi- dent of the United States Volunteers' Association and mem- ber of The Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba, made up of soldiers who served honorably in the Santiago cam- paign.
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