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 18
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When the regiment was re-organized in 1900 he was ap- pointed to the position he now occupies.
Harry B. Mahan, of Indianapolis, was appointed commis- sary with the rank of captain, April 24, 1901. He enlisted in com- pany D, Second Infantry, as a private, May 1, 1882. He was promoted sergeant May 1, 1884, and was elected first lieuten- ant of Company E, Second Infantry, June 9, 1891. He was transferred to Company A of the regiment as first lieutenant on September 14, 1891, and was elected captain May 2, 1892. He resigned September 1, 1894, and was elected first lieuten- ant of Company H of the regiment on June 5, 1895. He served with his company through the Spanish war.
THE FIRST BATTALION.
The First Battalion is now commanded by Major Henry T. Conde, of Indianapolis. Major Conde was born in the Ha- waiian Islands and entered the State service as a private in the Indianapolis Light Infantry in April, 1877. He served twelve years continuously in that organization as private, corporal and sergeant, and was commissioned as second lieu- tenant, March 30. 1889. He served in that capacity until
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April 15, 1892, when he was commissioned first lieutenant, and he became captain May 8, 1893. On June 23, 1897, he was appointed major of the Second Battalion of the regiment and served through the war with Spain with the regiment, but in command of the Third Battalion. When the regiment was re-organized in 1900, he was again commissioned major and assigned to the command of the First Battalion.
Lieutenant Robert L. Moorhead, of Indianapolis, was ap -. pointed adjutant February 5, 1901.
Frank L. Bridges, of Indianapolis, was appointed bat- talion quartermaster on April 9, 1901.
The battalion is composed entirely of companies located in Indianapolis. Of these companies, the present Company D, or the Indianapolis Light Infantry, has the longest lineage. Many of the organizers were veterans of the Eleventh Indiana of the civil war, and the officers first elected were Nicholas R. Ruckle, captain, George Butler, first lieutenant, and James R. Ross, second lieutenant. It was mustered into the Legion July 16, 1877, with seventy-three officers and enlisted men. It served in the Legion as a separate company until the organization of the Second Regiment, when it was assigned to it as Company A. On the expiration of its term of service on July 16, 1884, it dropped out of the State service, but con- tinued its organization as an indepndent organization. In 1889 the company decided to again enter State service and was mustered in and assigned to the Second Regiment as Company D, on July 15. Since that date it has retained its letter in the same regiment and has been with the Second all times it has been called out.
The first meeting in which the subject of organizing a light infantry company was discussed was on the evening of April 9, 1877. in the United States marshal's office at Indian- apolis. This meeting marked the beginning of an organiza- tion which in after years took many prizes in competitive drills and was to be known as the Indianapolis Light Infan- try. The minutes of this meeting comprise the first entry in the old musty roster still preserved at the company's armory. General Fred Kneffer was chosen temporary chairman and W. C. David secretary. The following named gentlemen were present: Fred Knefler. George Butler, F. L. Bixby, Emmett Pee, W. H. D. Merrill, W. C. David, N. R. Ruckle, J. P. Cameron, Charles Mansur, and C. H. Reynolds.
The chairman appointed Messrs. Pee, Bixby, Merrill, Wade, and Butler a committee on membership. Messrs. Ruckle, Knefler, and Bixby were appointed a committee to
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draft a constitution and by-laws. The meeting adjourned to meet at 4:30 p. m., Saturday, April 14, 1877. Five days after- ward another meeting was held in the United States court room, and, in the absence of General Knefler, Major James R. Ross was called to the chair. No constitution was submitted as yet, but a mutual agreement binding the body into an asso- ciation was arranged and signed by forty-three members.
At the next meeting, April 19, 1877, an election of officers was held, which resulted as follows: President, Fred Knef- ler; vice-president, Frank L. Bixby; treasurer, Frank P. Wade; secretary, F. M. Wright; assistant secretary, John T. Macauley. At the next meeting, on the 21st, a number of names were balloted for and accepted. These, together with the charter members, practically constituted the company as it was first organized, numbering in all 150 men.
Both the fatigue and dress uniforms used first by the company were purchased by the members in June, 1877. In the following July and August, the great railway strike of 1877 occurred, and the raw company was quartered at the arsenal at once to await orders, but was never called into action.
The first competitive drill the company entered was at St. Louis, in 1878. It went with little preparatory discipline, was inexperienced, and went to pieces on the field. However, this event caused an increased desire for military discipline. In the year 1878 the Coal Creek miners' strike excited the country. Two or three of the strikers were killed by their own men and the company was ordered to the front without any preliminaries. When it first arrived at Coal Creek the strikers showed a dispositon to treat the young soldiers with contempt, but soon changed their minds. This strike was settled without the loss of blood, and after two weeks' serv- ice the company was ordered home.
The Light Infantry company, under command of Captain James R. Ross, in 1883, took first and second money in the national drill and the same prizes in the State drill. At this time the company made a record that has never been equaled. The time allotted was forty-five minutes, and the company made 97.6 per cent. in forty-two minutes, performing 165 evo- lutions, most of which were in double time. Its two com- petitors completed but 100 numbers.
In 1884, at Louisville, Kentucky, the company was placed third in competition with nine companies. In 1885 the na- tional drill at Philadelphia was attended. The second prize was captured-a purse of $1,000. The company attended the
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Nashville drill in 1881 and the Washington drill in 1886, when it was placed sixth in competition with thirty-nine companies.
In 1898 the company responded to the call for volunteers by the President and was mustered into the United States service as Company D of the One-Hundred-and-Fifty-eighth Regiment of Infantry, Indiana Volunteers. The officers of the company while in the United States service were Captain Frank F. McCrea, First Lieutenant Albert T. Isensee, and Second Lieutenant William A. Kreber.
The captains who have served the company since its or- ganization are General N. R. Ruckle, Colonel James R. Ross, General Will J. McKee, Captain R. J. Scott, Major H. T. Conde, Captain F. F. McCrea, Major W. S. Rich, and Captain W. A. Kreber and Hoyt N. McClain. The other officers were:
First Lieutenants-George Butler, James R. Ross, William J, Mc- Kee, A. H. Lowes, George Butler, Henry T. Conde, Frank F. McCrea, A. T. Isensee, William A. Kreber, and Edwin J. Amthor.
Second Lieutenants-James R. Ross, William J. McKee, R. F. Scott, H. T. Conde, Frank F. McCrea, Albert T. Isensee, William A. Kreber, Ralph Miller, Edwin J. Amthor and Fred W. Rubin.
Major Conde has been connected with the organization from its beginning until June 23, 1897, when he was appointed major. He served as its captain from 1893 to 1897. For many years he never missed a drill, and well deserves the title, "Father of D Company."
The company has been proudly successful in all its social managements and has always been favored by the attendance of the best citizens at its social functions.
At the funeral of Colonel James R. Ross in 1900 the old I. L. I. boys who served under him turned out to the strength of about sixty men, wearing the badge of the organ- ization, under the command of Captain R. S. Scott, and it was noticed with surprise that they still had the swing of the I. L. I. boys of fifteen years ago.
A respected citizen remarked: "There march some of the best business men of the city."
The members take great pride in the fact that Colonel H. B. Smith was educated in D Company and served with the organization from November 1, 1877, to June 1, 1884; also that Captains T. C. Power, W. H. Drapier, Jr., H. I. Jones, M. B. Oakes, and First Lieutenant R. L. Moorhead have seen service in the ranks of the company.
The company was reorganized as the Third Separate Com- pany and mustered into State service, April 12, 1899, and was given its former letter when the regiment was reorganized.
BSV
SIND.V.
KIND
IND
-
REHARLOW
' NOPLS ENG . ELEC (C)
MAJOR J. J. BACKMAN MAJOR J. H. TARLTON
ASST. SURG. H. I. JONES
BAT. ADJ. C. S. MALTBY BAT. ADJ. W. H. UNVERSAW
LIEUT .- COL. E. P. THAYER, JR.
OFFICERS OF SECOND INFANTRY SURGEON F. R. CHARLTON
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Captain Hoyt N. McClain entered State service as adju- tant of the Second, July 19, 1900. He received his first military training in the military department of De Pauw University, at Greencastle, which he attended for six years. In the battalion he served as acting adjutant and captain. He also organized a company at Danville for service in the war with Spain and was elected captain, but could not get in the service. He was elected to his present position and commissioned November 12, 1900.
First Lieutenant Edwin J. Amthor enlisted in the. com- pany as a private in 1893 and served until 1896, when he served in the quartermaster's department until 1897, and was made corporal. He was the ranking corporal during the war with Spain, and when the company was reorganized he was made first sergeant. On the promotion caused by the resignation of Captain Rich, he was elected second lieuten- ant and was commissioned February 8, 1900. On the June 21 following, he was promoted first lieutenant.
The present roster is:
First Sergeant-Spears, F. E. Quartermaster Sergeant-Dawson, M, A.
Sergeants-Astley, O. M .: McAdams, F. A .; McHatton, J. W .; Brid- well, H .; Williams, R. J., and Teetor, R. J.
Corporals-Campbell, W .; Sellers, H .; Jenkins, H. L .; McAdams, J. B .; Lorenz, F. G .; Wright, G .; Crane, B .; and Richardson, H. L.
Wagoner-Grider, George.
Artificers-Kattau, W. C., and Wilson, C.
Privates-Aufderheide, J .; Boyce, W .; Blythe, S .; Bly, J. W .; Cad- wallader, O .; Edmonds, C. R .; Fisher, R. H .; Griffin, D .; Goodwin, O. S .: Greim, W. L .; Holderman, B .; Hinkle, C .; Hartpence, G. C .; Hindman, R. R .; Hunter, W. E .; Ivor, H. C .; Kennedy, W. B .; Landers, W. H .; Martin, W. L .; Newhouse, W .; Nichols, D. W .; Phares, G. E .; Piper, F. W .; Parker, R. C .; Ploch, C. L .; Rowe, J. R .; Richey, C .; Seyfert, L .; Schmidt, W. H .; Swartz, G .; Sharp, F. W .; Spiegel, H. C .; Ulrey, J. W .; Worner, W. C .; White, W. A .; Zerringer, H. A.
The Richardson Zouaves entered the service of the State July 29, 1882, with fifty-nine officers and men. It was main- tained as a separate company until the re-organization of the Second Regiment, when it was assigned to it as Company D, and under that letter it continued until the re-organization on the expiration of its first term of service on November 10, 1885, when it adopted the name of Richardson Rifles. It was then given the letter A and held it until the re-organization of the regiment in 1888, when it dropped the name of Richard- son Rifles and since then has been known as simply Com- pany A.
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About 4 o'clock the morning of April 14, 1888, the armory on College Avenue which was jointly occupied by the com- pany and Battery A was destroyed by fire and all arms and equipments except six Springfield rifles burned. Both organ- izations were relieved from all responsibility by the State.
The officers have been:
Captains-B. A. Richardson, Charles H. MeCarer, W. J. Kerchival, John G. Prinz, Harry B. McMahan, H. C. Castor, James Little and Charles A. Garrard.
First Lieutenants-William J. Kerchival, Charles H. McCarer, F. W. Frank, H. C. Castor, G. H. Mueller, George E. Hereth, Charles Gammer- dinger, John G. Prinz, H. Mahan, John G. Prinz, James Little, William H. Herr, Andrew J. Hull, Jr., and Francis E. Doake.
Second Lieutenants-A. J. Aldrich, William J. Kerchival, George E. Hereth, C. Gammerdinger, John G. Prinz, Joseph X, Heid, Jr., H. Mitchell, Albert H. Off, H. C. Aufderheide, James E. Gordon, Webb Irvin, Louis H. Mackey, Clayton Gwinup, William T. Cramer.
Captain Charles A. Garrard enlisted in the State service on July 4, 1884. and was commissioned second lieutenant of Battery A on February 16, 1891. He became first lieutenant September 7, 1891, and served with the battery in that capac- ity through the war with Spain. He was appointed aide-de- camp on the brigade staff on the reorganization of the Guard, and was promoted to his present position May 22, 1901.
Lieutenant Cramer was commissioned May 22, 1901. The present roll is:
Sergeants-Shelby, Clarence; Fulton, Theo .; Lorusch, Charles; and Marney, W. J.
Corporals-Cramer, S. B .; Johnson, Robert; Green, Lorin; and Murray, Fred.
Privates-Aldridge, Jesse; Branson, Lenord O .; Brown, John; Brown, Charles; Cheseldine, George; Carver, Blount; Cooper, Arthur; Eudan, Fred; Duncan, James B .; Driftmeyer, Charles; Duckham, Jesse; Dohirty, J. E .; Gwinup. Mason; Gwinup, Arthur, Gwinup, T .; Green, Ralph; Horton, Andrew; Hodge, Melvin; Hunter, Scott; Hervey, Walter; Harrison, Edgar; Hill, Vance; Hughes, Edwin; Hollenbeck, Theo .; Jac- obs, Roy; Jones, Charlie; Johns, John; Kinnie, Edwin; Kepner, Harry; Lawrence, Roy; Lichtenburg, Frank; Matthews, Allen; Mayhew, M. C .; Peterson, Elmer; Patton, Robert; Pfeiffer, William; Schaffer, John; Shelby, Arley; Simms, Robert; Smith, Julius; Sutton, John; Shotwell, Charles; Schonfield, William; Spencer, Raymond; Richardson, Joseph; Tegue, Orpheus: Thompson, Frank; Wright, Ivy; Winnebrenner, Loren; Weber, John; Warrenburg, James; Wallace, Jesse.
At a meeting held early in June, 1895, it was decided to organize a new infantry company at Indianapolis for the Indiana National Guard. Colonel James R. Ross, of the Second Infantry, began the enrollment of recruits, and on
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the evening of June 5, 1895, the company was mustered by Major W. S. Rich, of the Second Infantry.
This company, which was assigned as Company H, Second Infantry, was organized principally through the efforts of Captain Charles S. Tarlton, who had had a long and varied experience in the National Guard and was recognized as a thoroughly equipped officer. An indefatigable worker, a hard student and a strict disciplinarian, he utilized his experience in planning the organization and control of the new company.
Captain Charles S. Tarlton was elected captain; Harry B. Mahan, who had passed through all the intermediate ranks in the National Guard, from private to captain, was elected First Lieutenant; and Carroll B. Carr, who had had several years' service in the Ohio National Guard, and a military school education, was elected second lieutenant.
Captain Tarlton was aided in his successful management of the company by the fact that the policy of the company was always agreed upon in advance by the three commis- sioned officers. Each officer was assigned certain duties, and non-commissioned officers obtained their places only by com- petitive examinations, and held them only so long as could be demonstrated that they were the best fitted to retain their places. The purpose being to be sure of a company fit for actual service at any time.
For certain reasons, it seemed as if the company went to its first camp of instruction with a prejudice existing against it, but its strict maintenance of discipline, training in mili- tary courtesy. as well as an unexpected proficiency in drill, earned the recognition and approval of the regimental offi- cers.
Early in the summer of 1896, it was announced that a competitive drill would be held at the fair grounds on July 4, and H Company accepted the invitation to participate, win- ning first place by a good margin in percentage over the near- est competitor, although the team presented had never once all drilled together.
The prize money won in this drill was put to a most com- mendable use. Upon the petition of Captain Tarlton, the erection of the targets at Fairview Park was hurried, and H Company went into camp two weeks before the regular en- campment. In this time they finished a full season's course on the range, being the first company in the State ever to have done so. The advantage of this work was shown by the fact that H Company raised the average of the entire brigade over 3 per cent. in the subsequent rifle practice.
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During the following winter of 1896-97, a reception and ball was tendered Brigadier-General McKee and staff at the Propylaeum. Mrs. C. S. Denny acted as chaperone, surround- ing herself with a bevy of charming girls, and Colonel H. C. Megrew, an honorary member of the company, was master of ceremonies. The members of the company did not crowd the floor, but devoted themselves to the entertainment of their guests, who still seem to agree that as a strictly military ball it has never been equaled in Indianapolis.
As the annual camp of instruction of the National Guard had to be abandoned for the year 1897, Company H concluded to take a second season's course in rifle practice at its own expense. On June 21, 1897, it went to Lake Maxinkuckee and camped for two weeks on the grounds of the Culver Military Academy, where the Academy range was used for a full course, including skirmish firing.
The following is a complete roster of the company from its organization to this time:
CHARTER MEMBERS.
Captain-Tarlton. Charles S.
First Lieutenant-Mahan, H. B.
Second Lieutenant-Carr, Carroll B.
Allison. Lawrence; Astley, Otis; Burns, Robert; Connett, Walter; Corey. L. G .; Coe, James; Dickerson, Charles; Engle, Francis: Elliott, Albert E .; Escott, Walter A. (corporal); Entwistle, James; Franklin, Harry M. (sergeant); Fleming, Charles; Foy, Charles (corporal); Groff, Harry A .; Greider, George W .; Hutton, W. W .; Hntton, J. W. (first ser- geant): Kemper, Henry F .; Lohrman, Henry E. (corporal); Lail, Charles G. (died September, 1895); Lee, Jacob: Lingenfelter, Robert; Maxwell, Charles S. (sergeant); Moon, Clarence C .; May, B. D .; Milner, Harry W .; McCurdy, W. C .; McFall, Joseph W .; McAllister. Charles: Orvis, Wil- liam H. (corporal): Orman, Charles; Penrose, W. S .; Ropkey, Earl C .; Suher, Frank: Shilling, Elmer E. (sergeant); South, Lawrence: Sanford, Frank; Shephard. William E. (sergeant): Sanders, C. A .: Tucker, Clar- ence A. (corporal); Victor, Henry; Victor, Fred; Williams, Frank; Wil- liams. Edwin; Watson, Frank L. (first sergeant): Wilkins, W. C.
RECRUITS.
Arbuckle, Lewis; Atherton, Ernest A .: Bowman, Harry L .; Berry, HI. V .; Burke, C. P .; Borsheim. A. F .; Brown. A. F .; Bauer, C. L .: Batch, Harry T .; Braden. David. Jr. (sergeant); Bolen, Sigel; Clarke, Ed; Clarke, Charles W .; Chambers, W. S .; Curry, John; Caldwell, Fred; Davenport, W. J .: Davis, John; Decker, Thos .; Dickson, Arthur; Duncan, Elbridge: Donner, T. F .: Engle, William; Eaton, James E .; Fickes, E. B .; Gibson, C. E .; Groom, Geo. A .; Geider, August; Good, Harvey H .; Greeg, J. N .; Higgins, W. C .; Holmes, Edward; Hill, Charles L .; Haspel, Fred; Hartsack, Samuel: Hussey, Edward J .; Haspel, Emil G .; Hendricks, Charles M .; Jackson, Earl; Jordan, Robert: Jalesky, Albert C .; Kohnle, Chas. R .: Kissinger, Harry E .; King, F. B .; Lanyon, R. J .; Leachman,
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NATIONAL GUARD OF INDIANA.
Guy; Martin, H. O .: Maloney. W. J .: Maxwell, Clifford C .; Moore, Frank; Munsell. Arthur; Miller, William: Miles, A. J .; MeLaine, Albert; McKee, Earl; MeNimery, Charles; McHatton, William;, Norwood, Newton S .; Newlin, Jno. T .; Nicholson, Fred; Pontius, Walter A .; Pierson, Otto C .; Perry, Ezra S .; Phillips, Rome; Quinn, William C .; Rauscher. F. H .; Rawlings, Geo .: Robertson, Frank; Roach. Guy E .; Simmons, Paul B .; Sulgrove, Norman R .; Smith, John; Seibert, Wm. G .; Spilker, Andrew; Spore, Abraham: Sennett, Earl J .; Smock, Thos. W .; Simon, Chris. G .: Stutsman. David A .; Sears, Oliver M .: Thompson, Edgar L .; Turner, B. V .: Twigg, William; Thomas, W. F .; Wrightsman, Homer H .: Wil- son,, Leo C .: Wilson. Oscar H .; Warner, R. D.
During the late winter and early spring of 1898, keeping pace with the rising war feeling, Comany H redoubled its efforts to fit itself for service, and when on April 26 the Presi- dent's call for troops came it marched into Camp Mount with its full complement of eighty-four men, with a waiting list of thirty more.
Then followed the details with which all are familiar, including the long weeks of waiting and hoping at Chicka- mauga, from May 16 to August 26, but it is not too broad a statement to make that there was not a company in the whole park in which there was less discontent.
The efficiency of the men of the company was recognized at the higher headquarters, there never being less than six- teen men on "daily duty." Lieutenant Carr was detailed as regimental commissary before leaving Camp Mount and served as such until mustered out. Captain Tarlton was on special detail more than two-thirds of the time, either on recruiting service, court martial duty or as division range officer. Lieutenant Mahan served on several general courts martial. The detailing of commissioned officers gave the non- coms a chance which they embraced with credit to them- selves and the company.
When. on August 26, the regiment proceeded to Camp Poland, at Knoxville, Tennessee, drill was suspended for lack of a drill ground, and the spare time was utilized in beautify- ing quarters.
Then followed the return to Camp Mount, the big recep- tion and dinner by the citizens, the quick furlough and they were home at last. The grand climax came two nights before the "muster out," in a banquet at English's, when nearly every man made a speech.
On November 4 was the last march before the paymaster, and Company H, One-Hundred-and-Fifty-eighth Indiana Infan- try had passed into history. During its term of service it had not lost a man.
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NATIONAL GUARD OF INDIANA.
As individuals, the Philippine service claimed a number of H men.
Captain Tarlton became a first lieutenant in the Thirtieth U. S. V., where he has seen much arduous service and has added to his reputation, demonstrating his fitness for even higher rank.
Burke became a cavalry sergeant on recruiting service.
Yunker was shot five times in one action, but returned to be a hero among his comrades.
Jackson and Clark were made sergeants and Wiggins, Yunker and Cottrill made corporals in regiments sent to the Philippines; Monahan and Caldwell went into the artillery; McNimery into the cavalry; Sennett, the hospital corps; and Luckebill, the infantry.
Poor Burt Cottrill-always the life of the company, and the one whose spirit never flagged-"taps" was sounded over his grave in the far-off islands of the Pacific. He was born in Indianapolis, February 8, 1878, and attended the pub- lic schools until fifteen years old, and was three years in High School. He was in Howe Military School at Lima, Indi- ana, for two years, and returned home June 4, 1898, when he enlisted.
The present Company H is the youngest company in the Indianapolis battalion, and the enrollment for its re-organiza- tion did not begin until early in the summer of 1900. After several preliminary meetings held during the month of July, 1900, the company, after having been formally enrolled by Lieutenant Harry M. Franklin, was mustered into the service on the night of July 9, 1900, by Captain Carroll B. Carr, ord- nance officer and inspector of small arms practice. In the effort to re-organize the company in time to 'participate in the annual encampment, sufficient care was not taken as to the composition of the company. with the inevitable result that after attending camp in this unformed condition, even ununiformed, the company suffered a complete collapse and was subsequently re-organized in November of 1900. In this re-organization, which was practically the true beginning of the company, William H. Drapier, Jr., was elected captain, Harry M. Franklin first lieutenant and Albert P. Smith sec- ond lieutenant. The "second growth" of the company proved to be a successful one, and the company rapidly pushed itself to the front during the winter of 1900-01, with the result that at the battalion inspection held in March, 1901, the company ranked second in the Indianapolis battalion. Company H stood first in general appearance, first in inspection under
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arms, first in the exercises, formation and manual, first in the maintenance of discipline, first in competency of non- commissioned officers, attaining a general average which accorded it second place in the inspection.
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