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 2
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Fifth Company-Captain Abraham Clark, Lieutenant Isaac Inix and Ensign George Dement.
Sixth Company-Captain William Bohler Whitesides and Ensign Samuel Judy.
Seventh Company-Captain Henry Fisher, Lieutenant Bazel Gerard and Ensign Michael Labatte.
The recommendation of the last named officers was writ- ten in French and addressed to "Son Excellence le Gouver- neur, Monsieur."
James Garrison was appointed an ensign on the same day and Robert Sybord a lieutenant, but the records do not show that they were attached to any company.
Dearborn County was formed early in 1803, and was the first to organize its militia in that year. It was cut off from Knox County and included all of Indiana east of the Green-
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ville treaty line. The proclamation was issued March 7, and the seat of government was fixed at Lawrenceburg. The civil officers were appointed the same day, and with them Benja- min Chambers was appointed lieutenant-colonel commanding. Colonel Chambers was also a judge of the. Court of Common Pleas and was a man of influence in the community. His or- ganization was not perfected until August 15 following, when John Brownson was appointed major and five companies were received into the service.
The officers of these companies were:
First Company-Captain William Hall, Lieutenant Israel Standiford and Ensign Gasham Lee.
Second Company-Captain Samuel Fulton, Lieutenant William Spen- cer and Ensign Thomas Fulton.
Third Company-Captain Daniel Linn, Lieutenant William Clark and Ensign Michael Flick.
Fourth Company-Captain Barrent Hulick, Lieutenant James Ham- ilton and Ensign William Thompson.
Fifth Company -- Captain Jeremiah Johnston, Lieutenant William Allinsworth and Ensign James Buckanan.
Ten days later, Major Brownson was commissioned as major of the First Regiment.
In the meantime Wayne county had been added to Indiana Territory by the formation of Ohio. The general proclama- tion accepting the county was issued January 24, 1803, and the civil officers were appointed in the following May. The militia officers were not commissioned until July 28, but the organization was a thorough one. Chabert Joncaire, a judge of the Courts of Common Pleas, was appointed lieutenant- colonel, and Jean Baptiest Cecot and George McDougal ma- jors. Ten companies were received with the county, of which the officers were:
First Company-Lieutenant Baptiest Jerome and Ensign Joseph Reaume.
Second Company-Captain James May, Lieutenant James Abott and Ensign Joseph Campeau.
Third Company-Captain Antoine Beaubien, Lieutenant Jacques Campeau and Ensign Barneby Campeau.
Fourth Company-Captain Jacob Visgar, Lieutenant Jacques Las- selle and Ensign Gabriel Godfroy, Jr.
Fifth Company-Captain Francois Navarre, Lieutenant Joseph Me- nard and Ensign Jacques Nacare.
Sixth Company-Captain Gabriel Godfroy, Lieutenant Jean Baptiest Beaugrand and Ensign Jobn Cissney.
Seventh Company-Captain Joseph Robin, Lieutenant Romain Lachambre and Ensign Hyacinth Lafort.
Eighth Company-Captain George Cotterealle, Lieutenant Jean Marie Beaubien and Ensign Pierre Meni.
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Ninth Company-Captain Louis Campeau, Lieutenant Jacques Lasor and Ensign Pettier Thunen.
Tenth Company-Captain Louis St. Bernard, Lieutenant Joseph Sau- cier and Ensign Baptiest Rivard.
Christopher Tuttle was appointed adjutant and John Baptiest Cicot, Jr., was made ensign.
Clark County was the next to organize, and on September 20 Marston G. Clark was commissioned lieutenant-colonel commanding. Like the other commanding officers, he was a judge of the courts of common pleas in his county. Joseph Bartholomew was appointed major. Five companies were organized, of which the officers were:
First Company-Captain .John Owens, Lieutenant William Phlas- ket and Ensign David Owens.
Second Company-Captain George Wood, Lieutenant Isaac Shelby and Ensign Barzillai Baker.
Third Company-Captain William Goodwin, Lieutenant Robert Burge and Ensign William Stacy.
Fourth Company-Captain William Smith, Lieutenant Prather and Ensign John Morris.
William
Fifth Company-Captain Davis Floyd, Lieutenant John Jackson and Ensign Rezin Redman.
Randolph County continued the work by the appointment of William Kelly as adjutant of the First Regiment on March 25 of this year, and on the same day the resignation of Captain James Dunn, of the Third Company, of this county, was accepted and Ephraim Carpenter was appointed to suc- ceed him. The other appointments for the year were Walter Wilson as ensign in the Knox county regiment on November 1, and on November 26 Nicholas LaBatte was appointed a lieutenant and Jean Marie Querie an ensign in the St. Clair County regiment.
The first report ever made to the United States govern- ment of the strength of the organized militia of Indiana Ter- ritory was made in 1803. The specific date is not given, but the report shows a general staff consisting of an adjutant- general, a quartermaster-general and three aides. There is no territorial record of the appointment of a quartermaster- general. The report also shows a cavalry organization which does not appear in the territorial records, which consisted of a captain, two lieutenants, a cornet and sixteen dragoons. The strength of the infantry was four lieutenant-colonels, six majors, two adjutants, thirty-one captains, thirty lieutenants, twenty-seven ensigns, one sergeant-major, 113 sergeants and 1,710 privates, or a total effective force of the militia of
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1,949. The equipment, as shown in the report, consisted of 976 muskets, 976 rifles and 108 flints.
The records are almost silent as to military affairs of 1804, and during the year the only commissions issued were on September 22, when John Berry and Matthew Rider were ap- pointed lieutenants and Josiah Eakin an ensign in the First Regiment of Clark County.
It was decided during the year that the Territory should pass to the second or representative grade of territorial gov- ernment, and the election of representatives was held early in 1805. In the spring of 1805 Captain John Owens and Ensign David Owens, of the First Company of Clark County, re- signed and on May 25 James Bland was appointed captain and Thomas Bland ensign to succeed them. A new company was also organized in the county, of which the officers were Captain William Harrod, Lieutenant George Newland and Ensign Joel Comly.
Wayne County with its well organized militia was lost to Indiana on June 30 of this year, as it then became a part of the new Michigan Territory. No military action was taken by Indiana until August 24, when Jesse B. Thomas and Wil- liam Ross were appointed captains in "Dear Born" County, and on September 24, in the Knox County regiment, William Mills was made major and Abraham F. Snapp, David Robb and Benjamin Park were appointed captains.
St. Clair County showed much activity during November, as three new companies were added to the regiment and new field officers were appointed. On the 11th commissions were issued to Captain Jean Palmier Beaulin, Lieutenant Joseph Manegle and Ensign Jean Bpt. Saucier as the officers of one new company, and to Captain Ettienne Pencenneau, Lieuten- ant Francis Trotier and Ensign Piere Lize as officers of the second company. Lieutenant George Demint and Ensign Joseph Lemen were commissioned also. On the next day, Major George Achison was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel commanding, Captain William Whitesides was promoted to be major and John Moredock was appointed major. Arthur Morgan and Samuel Kilncade were at the same time ap- pointed ensigns. The third new company was accepted on the 15th and the officers were Captain Franklin Jarvis, Lieuten- ant John Teale and Ensign William Scott, Jr.
December saw a change in the field officers of Clark County, as Colonel Marston Clark removed from the county and Major Joseph Barthalemeaw was promoted to succeed him on the 21st. One week previous, a new company was
Ex-GOV. JAMES A. MOUNT
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organized in Randolph County, of which the officers were Cap- tain Elisha Cabbot, Lieutenant John Hays and Ensign Jacob Self.
The year 1806 was full of changes, and Knox County was first in the field with the appointment of Joel Hardin as cap- tain on January 1. On July 23, Captain Philip Catte resigned and Daniel Sulevan, his lieutenant, was appointed to succeed him. Three days later Noah Purcell was promoted to a cap- taincy in the First Battalion of the First Regiment and ou August 2 Ensign Andrew Purcell was promoted to a lieuten- antcy and John Decker was made ensign. Six days later the resignation of William Mills as major of the Second Battalion was accepted and Captain Ephraim Jourdan was promoted to fill the vacancy. On August 21 George Claypole was ap- pointed a captain and on September 3 Eli Hawkins was made lieutenant and John Hogue ensign. The following day Joseph Legerwood was appointed a captain, Adam Lesmore a lieuten- ant and William McClanaghan an ensign. Two days later Captain Hardin having removed, Lieutenant Isaac White was promoted to succeed him, John Murphy was made lieutenant and John Devinport an ensign. Walter Wilson was appointed a lieutenant on September 20 and on October 4 Daniel Decker was appointed lieutenant and Henry Hopkins an ensign. The last appointment of the year was on October 24, when Wil- liam Prince was made captain.
St. Clair County holds the record of having organized the first troop of horse in the Territory, so far as the territorial records show. The organization was accepted on July 7 and the officers were Captain James Moore, First Lieutenant Enoch Moore, Second Lieutenant Jacob Ogle and Cornet Henry Moore. On the same day Shadrack Bond, Jr., was ap- pointed regimental adjutant. John Higgins and William Pruitt were the captains of two new companies, James Stock- ton and Samuel Kennedy lieutenants and William Pruitt, Jr., and Valentine Brazil ensigns. Two new companies were ac- cepted from the county on January 10. Captain James Ganchan, Lieutenant Jehn Scott and Ensign George Achison, Jr., were the officers of the first and Captain John Moore, Lieutenant Enoch Moore and Ensign William Cairns were the officers of the second. Adjutant Bond subsequently became Governor of Illinois.
Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar, of Randolph County, resigned and Major Menard was promoted to comamnd the regiment on July 12. Previous to this, on May 3, Captain Ephraim Bid- derback was re-commissioned and Raphille Drury was ap-
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pointed captain. Ensign Andrew Barbeau was promoted to a lieutenantcy and Robert Kidd, one of George Rogers Clark's soldiers, was appointed lieutenant. Piere Conte, John Worley and Jesse Griggs were appointed ensigns. Other changes were made on December 1, when David Anderson was ap- pointed captain and Lieutenant Thomas Levins was promoted to a captaincy, Ensign Parker Grosvenor was promoted to a lieutenantcy and Isaac Levens was appointed ensign.
Captain Smith, commanding the Fourth Company of Clark County, died and on January 10 Lieutenant William Prather was promoted to fill the vacancy. Lieutenant Ryder, who has not previously appeared in the record, removed from the county and John Work, Jr., was appointed to the office. Wil- liam F. Tully and Hugh Espy were appointed lieutenants on the same day. Captain Davis Floyd, of the Fifth Company, was promoted to be major on June 21, and on August 16 the example of St. Clair County was followed by Clark, and a troop of horse was organized. This troop was assigned to the First Regiment of Clark County and the officers were Captain Charles Beggs, First Lieutenant Aron Prather, Sec- ond Lieutenant James Lemon and Cornet Peter Bloom. On the same day Captain John Owens of the First Company was made major of the Second Battalion of the First Regi- ment. These and other causes made many changes in the officers of the regiment, and on November 18 the new commis- sions were issued. Captain William Goodwin of the Third Company resigned and Ensign Rezen Redman was appointed to the place, Captain George Wood of the Second Company resigned and Robert Robertson was appointed, and Josiah Aiken was appointed captain, vice Captain Owens, promoted. John Anderson was appointed a captain, John McCoy, Eli Robertson and Jacob Fout were appointed lieutenants and Absalom Hart, Thomas Chappell, Joseph Bowman and David Fouts were appointed ensigns.
Dearborn County passed through the year with but few changes. On April 11, Joseph Hannah was appointed a cap- tain and James Adair, Jr., a lieutenant. The day before Christmas, Thomas McCoy and Benjamin M. Piatt, the father of Don Piatt, were appointed captains, William Whitesides, Hugh Carson and - - Golea, lieutenants, and John White- sides, William Cunningham, Thomas Dawson and William Buchanon, ensigns. Justus Gibbs was appointed major of the Second Battalion on October 3.
By the close of 1806 the militia of the Territory had grown materially. Notwithstanding the loss of the Wayne County
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militia, the effective strength of the militia of Indiana Terri- tory had increased to 2,067 men. The aides-de-camp had been dropped and the adjutant-general was the only general staff officer who remained. The cavalry consisted of two troops of a total strength of thirty-six. Of these there were two cap- tains, two lieutenants, one cornet, four sergeants, and twenty-seven dragoons. The infantry strength was 2,030, which was divided into five lieutenant-colonels, seven majors, two adjutants, thirty-one captains, thirty-three lieutenants, thirty ensigns, seventy-six sergeants and 1,846 privates. The only equipment reported at that time was 179 rifles.
With the beginning of 1807 the second session of the First General Assembly of Indiana Territory again gave some at- tention to the militia. Some doubt had been expressed as to the obligations of the law of 1799, so the General Assembly passed a bill which reaffirmed that law and declared it to apply to Indiana Territory as though enacted by the General Assembly of the Territory. This act was approved by Gov- ernor Harrison on December 5, 1806, and became effective January 1, 1807. This law also required that each one in the militia should provide a "cheap uniform." Many slight amendments were subsequently made to this law, but it stood until September 17, 1807, when the revised code was adopted. This was complicated, but did not change the general plan of organization.
Clark County had many changes among its officers. On April 18, 1807, John Johnson and Enoch Boon were commis- sioned captains, John Smith and Paul French lieutenants, and James Hickman and Robert Donbow ensigns. On the JJuly 8 following John Shields was appointed captain, William Smith lieutenant and Fielding Cromwell ensign, and on August 22 Gresham Lee was made captain, Joseph Howard lieutenant and John Griffin ensign.
The October muster of the Second Battalion was attended by Lieutenant-Colonel Barthalemeaw and Major Davis Floyd. On their return they sent the following joint letter to Gov- ernor Harrison at Vincennes:
"Dear Sir-We have just returned from the battalion muster in the lower purchase. From their number and the inconvenient local situa- tion of that battalion, we think it would be desirable to appoint a field officer in that district, and from the acquaintance which we have and the information which we have received, we would recommend Mr. John Harbison as a person whom the people wish to receive the appointment, and one who will do justice to it. You see from the general return the number and priety of forming another company by taking a part of Captain Johnson's company and a small part of Captain Boone's,
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though of this you should be better informed in a short time, as it will be an arrangement between the officers of those companies. We would recommend John Morris, lieutenant, and David Stuart, ensign, to fill the vacancies in Captain Prather's company by resignation; Thomas Chap- pel, lieutenant, and William Pitman, ensign, to fill the vacancies in Captain Robertson's company; James Stuart, lieutenant, and Willis Ashby, ensign, to fill the vacancy in Captain Eakin's company."
The recommendations were accepted, and on November 3 the commissions were issued as requested. On the same date a company of volunteer infantry was accepted and the officers commissioned were Captain William Harrod, Lieutenant George Newland and Ensign Joel Coombs.
Special organizations seem to have caught the popular fancy, as three were formed during the year. St. Clair County organized a troop of horse, and the officers as commissioned October 26 were Captain Isham D. Gillham, First Lieutenant William Kenney, Second Lieutenant John D. Gillham and Cornet John Scott.
Randolph County was also among the special organization counties, and on October 7 a company of volunteers was organized, of which James Galbraith was captain, William Boone first lieutenant and Abijah Levett second lieutenant. On the same day Captain Robert Robinson was promoted to be major of the First Battalion of the First Regiment. Early in the year, on January 15, Absolam Cox was commis- sioned a lieutenant and Robert Huggins an ensign.
The Vincennes Light Infantry appears on March 17 of this year, when Porter Jones was appointed lieutenant and Chris- tian Graeter ensign.
Knox County also added to the list of special organiza- tions, as on October 26 a volunteer company was organized and the officers were Captain Michael Brouillet, Lieutenant Pierre Andre and Ensign Jean Bt. Barois. On the same date Piere Bono was made a captain. Captain A. F. Snapp had resigned his commission in the First Battalion and on August 14 William Bruce succeeded him. Four days later Michael Brouillet was appointed captain to succeed Alex Vaile, who had resigned. On August 20 John Terrell was appointed a captain, Henry Brinton a lieutenant and William Coleman an ensign in the Second Battalion of the regiment, and four days later Jonathan Taylor was appointed major of the Third Bat- talion. One week later David Wilkins was appointed a lieu- tenant and James Neal an ensign in the First Battalion. Walter Wilson was appointed a captain in the same battalion on September 4, which was the same day that Squire Patter- son and Benjamin B. Beckes were appointed lieutenants in
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the Second Battalion. Thomas Scott was appointed a lieu- tenant and Jonathan Purcell an ensign on September 14 and on October 5 Andrew Purcell succeeded Daniel Sullivan, who had resigned a captaincy in the Second Battalion.
Dearborn County further organized by the appointment on August 22 of Jeremiah Johnson as major, James Buchanon, Enoch Smith and George Craig as captains, Robert Scandland and John Thompson as lieutenants and Enoch McCarty, Sam- uel Arnet and Norris Canfield as ensigns.
The honorary appointment of the year was given to "The Honorable Waller Tayler," who, on April 25, was made a major in the militia of the Territory and was assigned to duty as an aide-de-camp to the Governor.
The relations between Great Britain and the United States were so strained by the year 1808 that war was fore- seen by all the settlers of the western states and territories, and this meant to them not war with Great Britain alone but with the Indians as well. Preparations were made for defense against both foes, and the vacancies among the offi- cers of the militia were speedily filled. An effort was made to fill them with men who had seen previous service, and many old soldiers were again called into service. The effect was to raise the militia in importance and in the estimation of the people, and many letters were sent to Governor Harrison asking for commissions.
It was desired to raise a company of grenadiers or riflemen in St. Clair County, but there was some fear that, considering the probabilty of war, the militia might take umbrage at the organization of a new company. The principal mover in this enterprise was Mr. Samuel S. Kennedy, and on Wednesday evening, February 24, he wrote to Governor Harrison on the subject. His proposition to organize the company was ap- proved by the officers of the St. Clair County militia, and the letter says:
"I have the honor to enclose to His Excellency a recommendation under the signature and approbation of the field officers commanding the St. Clair County Regiment, and have further (agreeable to order) taken the approbation of the several American captains commanding foot companys. This was done with regard to their having a prefer- ence in office, to the liberty of becoming or volunteering themselves, as Grenadiers, Light Infantry or Riflemen, so that the present intended com- pany may be established without a murmur, which has been my in- structions from the Colonel.
"In resorting to the Militia law, I find that 'It will be of great utility and advantage in establishing a well disciplined militia, to annex to each Battalion a light company to be formed of young men from the ages of eighteen to twenty-eight years old, whose activity and domestic
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circumstances will admit of a frequency in training,' and who will be in readiness in all cases of emergency, not convenient for the militia in general; will be giving them a military pride and experience from which the best consequences inust result. And if I further recollect the law, it goes on to say that the Governor shall appoint and commission a cap- tain, lieutenant and ensign to each Battalion, and that the said com- pany shall be distinguished by the denomination of Grenadiers, Light In- fantry or Riflemen.
"The object of such companys appears to be of the first importance, and as it seems that a war with Great Britain is unavoidable, as (from experience) Indian insults will most assuredly be one of the after conse- quences. And further, as I have from an early period of my life, and still do at times, feel an anxiety to defend my country against foreign and domestic insults, and from experience and opportunity I flatter my- self that I shall (under the within intended appointment) in all things thereunto pertaining, do honor to myself, my company, my regiment, and my government.
"The within certificate embraces none of the officers but myself, relative to which I am permitted by the Colonel and Majors to transmit to His Excellency the names of such subaltern officers as have been by the (already enrolled) company designated and approved of. In doing this I shall give you the names of William Gillham, lieutenant, and Wil- liam Kinney, ensign.
"His Excellency has already favored or granted me a commission of the peace, but if the command of an infantry or rifle company and an appointment in the civil authority should be considered more than I merit, I will cheerfully lay down the civil for the military from the expectation already spoken of. namely to defend my country.
"A general muster is intended for the first Thursday in April next. If the Governor should promote this company, commissions forwarded before that time will be thankfully received, so that they may take their station in the field of Parade. The officers of the regiment have assured me that 'there is not a doubt but that the Governor will feel a pleasure in establishing the Company agreeable to expectations.' If so, I am satisfied, and, if otherwise, am certainly the same and at all times in conformity to the wishes and public conduct of the Executive.
"As my personal acquaintance with the Governor is but young, nevertheless I shall at all times take a pleasure in giving any public or private information, particularly when requested.
"With an expectation of further communications, I shall close the present address with all respect to your Exalted Dignity, and am, with consideration, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,
"SAM S. KENNEDY.
"His Excellency,
"William Henry Harrison, Esquire."
Mr. Kennedy's appeal was effective, for on March 17 fol- lowing a company of grenadiers was accepted from St. Clair County, and the officers commissioned were Captain Samuel Simpson Kennedy, Lieutenant William Gillham and Ensign William Kinney. On the same day a new company was re- ceived into the general militia of the county, of which the offi- cers were Captain William Vawter, Lieutenant James Robb
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and Ensign Esquire Hall. Later in the year Lieutenant- Colonel George Atchison, commanding the regiment, died, and on October 26 Shadrach Bond was appointed to the com- mnand. At the same time Ensign George Atchison was made a lieutenant and William Blair was appointed ensign. Jehu Scott was commissioned as captain on November 3.
The Clark County regiment also underwent many changes. On March 25 the new officers appointed were Captain John Smith, Lieutenant George Roberts, Ensign William Penning- ton, Lieutenant James Hickman and Ensign John Hickman. The commission of Major Davis Floyd was revoked on July 6, but no reason is given in the record for this action. Captain Boone resigned and Paul French was appointed to succeed him. Captain John Johnston also resigned and Charles L. Byrns was appointed to succeed him. Robert Denbo and Elijah Hurst were appointed lieutenants and John Parkison and Robert Rusk ensigns. On October 22, Captain William Prather was appointed major of the First Battalion to suc- ceed Davis Floyd and Samuel Latton was appointed cornet in the troop of horse.
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