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 24
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"State of Indiana, James K. Gore, Adjutant-General.
' 'Indianapolis, September 27, 1900. "Special Orders, No. 37.
"After over eighteen years of faithful service in the Indiana Na- tional Guard, both as captain of the Indianapolis Light Artillery and as chief of artillery on the staff of the Governor, James B. Curtis is hereby placed on the retired list of the Indiana National Guard, with the rank of colonel, and is entitled to all the rights of a retired officer, in accordance with section 67 of the militia law, approved March 5, 1895.
"By order of the Governor, "JAMES K. GORE, "Adjutant-General.
"Colonel James B. Curtis, Retired, New York, N. Y."
It is thought that no other organization mustered into the National Guard in the United States continuously had one person as commanding officer for so long a period. This cus- tom applied as well to the other officers, as the battery was entitled always to three lieutenants and during its entire ex- istence has had but twelve persons who filled this rank, and
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the first four but for a very short time, and the last three re- cently promoted, of course but a very short time, and this caused by the retirement of the other officers after the Span- ish-American war. Its officers from the time of its origin to the present date, in the order in which they were elected, were as follows:
Captains-George W. Johnston, James B. Curtis, Harry A. Callon. Lieutenants-Ernest Kitz, James I. Lyon, James B. Curtis, T. A. Winterrowd, Carroll DeWitt, Daniel A. Thompson, John Bodemiller, Charles A. Garrard, Edward B. Johnson, Harry Callon, Walter Heiskell, Frederick Swan, Charles A. Dunlap.
Of these the only one who died while connected with the service was Lieutenant Bodenmiller, who met an accidental death while sailing a canoe, in 1891. He had long been con- nected with the "drill team" and was gun corporal of the Prize Drill Section at the time of his death and for several years previous thereto. This important position, upon which much of the success of the drills depended, was discharged at different times by Lewis Cooper, Harry Jackson, John Boden- miller and Edward B. Johnson, in the order named. Among the members of the "team" who made enviable reputations and became well known throughout the country, in addition to the officers of the battery, were Frederick Dietrich, Wil- liam Myers, Edward Miller, Homer Van Wie, Johnson Holmes, James Boswell, Charles Dunlap, Arthur Navin, W. L. Mayhew, O. M. Murphy, Charles H. New, Charles Drapier, Harry Murphy, J. B. Okey, Thomas Christian, Hal Ridgely, Edward Wood, Preston Kelsey, A. L. Willard, Charles Van Tilburgh, Smith Strickland and Decatur McAllister. In addi- tion to this, it must be remembered that many of the minor officers above mentioned at different times drilled in the ranks in the contests. Their interest in the organization and their desire to have it continue as holder of the championship. led them, year after year, to lay aside their shoulder straps and once more become privates, which added very materially to the prospects of success.
During its existence as a prize drill organization, it de- feated every competitor it ever had-something no other com- pany can say.
In addition to the drills mentioned, as an organization the battery made many famous trips and gave exhibition drills in almost every city in the State of Indiana. One of the chief desires of Captain Curtis was to have it parade on Fifth avenue, New York, which end was only accomplished shortly before his retirement, when on the return of Admiral Dewey
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the battery went in a body to New York city and participated in the reception on October 1, 1899. It received a most hearty welcome at the metropolis, as well as favorable press men- tion on account of its experience in Porto Rico during the Spanish-American War. Immediately after its return it went to Evansville, Indiana, where it participated in the reunion of the "Blue and the Gray," and its last public appearance under Captain Curtis was in a parade in May, 1900, during the Grand Army reunion in Indianapolis.
At the time of the organization of the battery, the militia of the State was known by the title of Indiana Legion, and as a part of this the battery was mustered into service in September, 1882. The only member remaining with it contin- nously in the service of the State, from the time of its muster in until September, 1900, was Captain Curtis. The next per- sons in period of service were Lieutenant Garrard, William Meyers and Edward Johnson. The battery was remustered into the service at the expiration of its term continuously until the present time. When the militia law was re-drafted, the military servants of the State became known as the Na- tional Guard, of which the battery became a part. During its service it was constantly liable to the call of the State, and in 1894 was forty-one days in active service during the coal strikes and railroad strikes of that year. At a number of other times it was called out for duty in minor distur- bances and never failed to respond with its full quota within an hour of the time when notice was issued. The roster of the company was always kept to the limit allowed by law. By careful husbanding of its resources the organization acquired its first armory on College avenue, in 1885, which was a frame structure and was destroyed by fire some four years later. As this building was erected on leased ground, it afterwards purchased its own real estate on North Sen- ate avenue, where it constructed and still owns its pres- ent beautiful brick armory. consisting of a drill room and club rooms. During its existence as a National Guard or- ganization, its membership was composed of three hundred persons at different times. In addition to rendering services in quelling disturbances when called upon by the State, the battery attended every camp of instruction, where its work was always the object of admiration by all of the other guardsmen.
The battery was mustered into the State service as a four gun organization and has always remained such, being the only full battery the National Guard of Indiana has ever had.
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During the Spanish-American war and for nearly two years thereafter it had four modern breech-loading cannons. It now has two breech loaders, two Rodman and two Gatling guns. Its breech-loaders are historical on account of being used in the Porto Rican expedition.
The battery was in special charge of the remains of Vice- President Thomas A. Hendricks while they were lying in state at the Marion County Court House, the new capitol not being then completed. It escorted the funeral procession mounted and fully equipped with four guns. On this occasion members of the Cabinet and many prominent officers of the regular army commented upon it favorably. It performed similar services at the funerals of Governor Hovey, ex-Gov- ernor and then Minister to Mexico Isaac P. Gray, and more recently, the late lamented Governor James A. Mount.
The battery has furnished many of its members for com- missioned officers of other organizations and for staff duty. Out of its ranks came Majors George W. Johnston, D. A. Thompson and George W. Keyser and Captains Wilbur Chris- tian and Charles Castor, as well as Lieutenants T. A. Win- terroth, B. B. Adams, C. A. Garrard, Harry Murphy and Robert Oliver.
In addition to these commissioned officers who gave the benefit of their experience to the many other organizations of the State, it has furnished non-commissioned officers by the score, having as many as nine such on duty at one time at a camp of instruction.
Just previous to the call of the President for troops, when war with Spain was declared, the battery received permission from the brigade commander, William J. McKee, to muster a membership of 177 in accordance with the law just passed by Congress, providing such a number as the war footing for a battery in active service. When the call of the President was received and the order of the Governor issued, not only were all of these men at the armory ready to respond, but not less than one hundred other young men of the State and Capi- tal City were present clamoring to be mustered in. The bat- tery was at once ready to report for duty, but was ordered to disband for the day and report at Camp Mount, near Indian- apolis, the following morning, which it did. It was one of the few organizations ready with a full quota of men when the mustering officers of the Federal government arrived. It was mustered into the service of the United States on May 10, 1898, as the Twenty-seventh Light Battery, Indiana Vol- unteers, and under orders from the War Department pro-
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ceeded to Camp Thomas, Chickamauga Park, May 17. While at this rendezvous for troops its mounted drills were a mar- vel, not only to the assembled organizations of the govern- ment, but were the subject of special comment by many for- eign military representatives. These officers of foreign gov- ernments were at a loss to understand how a purely volun- teer organization could be so perfect in full battery drills, which it gave daily at the foot of the famous Snodgrass Hill. The battery was not only perfected here in every detail of drill, but given practice marches through Tennessee and Georgia and thoroughly instructed in every branch of cam- paign service.
On July 15 an order was issued making the battery a part of General Miles's expedition to Porto Rico, and it thus became the only Indiana organization which landed upon for- eign soil during the continuance of the war. It left Chick- amanga Park on July 17, by special train, and embarked at Newport News, Va., upon the transport Roumanian. The transport was totally unfit for such service and inadequate for the accommodation of four batteries which were loaded upon it in addition to a large number of other troops. Each battery carried with it its full quota of 120 horses and mules, and there were also taken on board other horses for head- quarters and wagon trains, so that the transport in fact be- came what it was commonly termed at the time, "a floating livery stable." It was slow, quarters were cramped, the facilities for eating bad, and in fact it was altogether inad- equate for the service. Much complaint was made by both the officers and men on account of the discomforts of this voyage. The officers of the battery, however, were utterly unable to make the surroundings of the troops any more pleasant because the transport was in command of a quarter- master detailed by the War Department, who was in supreme control. The batteries forming this battalion were then un- der the command of Major George B. Rodney, Fourth United States Artillery, who was in charge throughout the expedi- tion. Ten days were consumed in embarking, on the voyage, and in disembarking, but notwithstanding all the disadvan- tages the organization arrived in Porto Rico and landed at Arroyo with the men in good spirits. Target practice was immediately begun, which was pronounced well nigh perfect by Major-General Brook, who was in command of that divi- sion of the army of invasion.
On the night of August 11 orders were issued by him for the Pennsylvania Battery and the Indiana Battery to make
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a night march on Guayama and hold themselves in readiness on the following morning to make an attack upon the Spanish outposts immediately north of that town on the road to San Juan. Under great difficulties this march was made, the men sleeping for the remainder of the night in the streets of Guayama, where they awakened the next morning in high spirits over the immediate prospects of "getting a whack" at the enemy. Each soldier was issued two days individual ra- tions and the march was taken up for the point of attack, when just before the engagement was to. be opened General Brook received a message from President Mckinley to cease hostilities, as a protocol had been signed. It was, indeed, a sad sight to look upon the eager young fellows of the bat- tery as they marched back to Guayama and were encamped in a field near that city, with all prospect of active warfare gone, notwithstanding the fact that they had undergone all the hardships and discomforts of preparation for the same. As a matter of fact, for the first time, tears and oaths were the order of the day.
The battery was kept in Porto Rico for more than a month after this, and made what was known as the famous "mud march" from Guayama to Ponce, over what was really con- sidered an impassible road for artillery. At many points dur- ing the march the guns were only gotten along by reason of the men taking a hand at the wheels. Drills were impossible in the rainy season, and the period of inactivity was most de- moralizing upon all of the troops. Notwithstanding this, the battery was returned to the United States from Ponce on the transport Concho, and arrived at Indianapolis, where it was mustered out on November 27, 1898, without the loss of a man and with none seriously incapacitated. The record was a most surprising one, as each of the other four batteries lost from one to five men. The Porto Rican battalion was made up of the Twenty-seventh Indiana Battery, Battery A, Pennsylvania, Battery A, Missouri, and Battery A, Illinois.
During the war with Spain the National Guard of Indiana had been disbanded, and it was considered by many doubtful whether the members of the Twenty-seventh Indiana Battery would again enter the State service on account of its long and successful career and because of some complaints arising out of the hardships of the campaign; but notwithstanding all the difficulties surrounding it, the battery was again re- mustered as soon as the Adjutant-General was ready to re- ceive it, and Captain James B. Curtis was once more unan- imously elected as its chief. Harry A. Callon became senior
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first lieutenant and Walter Heiskell junior first lieutenant, and Fred Swan second lieutenant. On the retirement of Captain Curtis, as heretofore mentioned, he was succeeded by Harry Callon, who had long been his chief reliance, and who was his choice for the succession. Lieutenants Heiskell and Swan were promoted and Charles Dunlap became second lieu- tenant. These are now the officers of the battery. It is be- lieved to have before it as bright prospects for the future as it has honorable record in the past. The roster of member- ship is as follows:
First Sergeant -- Heiskell, F. W.
Quartermaster Sergeant-Tyndell, Robert.
Veterinary Sergeant-Boswell, D. A.
Sergeants-Railsbach, Chester A .; Oliver, D. A .; Gelbreath, Victor; and Hewitt, Horace.
Corporals-Thompson, Raymond; Sanders, Fred W .; Amthor, Oscar; Kahn, Isaac; Kinder, Charles; and Nichols, George.
Wagoner-Barnhill, Martin.
Buglers-Schellschmidt, Alvin, and Powell, Russell.
Guidon-Hann. Otis.
Privates-Adam, L. F .; Batty, B. R .; Brinkmeyer, Geo. H .; Bosher, Roy; Caine, J. H .; Clancy. J. G .; Clark, Roy; Cramer, H. W .; Criley, W. K .; Crawford, Chester; Doolittle, E. F .; Driesbach, G. E .; Erven, Charles E .; Gilbreath, Hall; Holland, Charles W .; Haines, J. M .; Harms, C. F .; Irwin. Mark; King, Arthur; Klinck, Charles L .; Long, Harry; Love, W. J .; Large, Michel: Langdon, H. C .; Lemmink, William; Malone, Howard; Mayer, Lee M .; Meyers, Earl A .; McBride, Herbert; Pritchard, T. B .; Quack, Charles C .; Railsbach, C. E .; Rassmussen, W. T .; Sellers, Earl; Spaan, J. F .; Smith, E. J .; Sullivan, Joseph P .; Sinix, Charles B .; Taylor, J P .: Wegner, Fred; Webb, Henry J.
BATTERY B. BY CAPT. W. F. RANKE.
The Ft. Wayne Light Artillery, or Battery B, I. N. G., is a reorganization of the Twenty-eighth Light Battery, Indiana Volunteers. Previous to its muster into the United States Volunteer service it was known as the Zollinger Battery, in honor of Colonel Charles H. Zollinger, for many years mayor of Ft. Wayne, and who was instrumental in its formation. The Zollinger Battery was a reorganization of the Zollinger Gatling Gun Squad. In November, 1887, several of the orig- inal squad members, with the assistance of H. C. Eastwood, reorganized it and elected him captain and Charles Cherry first lieutenant. The squad being without funds to secure a suitable armory. little interest was taken and drills were few during the winter.
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NATIONAL GUARD OF INDIANA.
In April, 1888, through the efforts of Colonel Zollinger, two guns and uniforms were secured from the State and an order secured to organize a full battery. It was accepted April 8, 1888, and J. C. Willard was elected second lieutenant. At the State encampment held at Evansville that year, the battery won its maiden honor, taking third prize in the artil- lery drill and first prize in. the Gatling gun drill. In Septem- ber Captain H. E. Eastwood and Lieutenant Charles Cherry resigned, and J. C. Willard was elected captain, William F. Ranke first lieutenant and W. W. Mungen second lieutenant. After the Indianapolis encampment in 1889 Captain J. C. Wil- lard resigned and Lieutenant W. W. Mungen was promoted. D. S. Eckert was elected second lieutenant.
In the spring of 1891, the battery having served its first enlistment, it was remustered and Captain W. W. Mungen and Lieutenant William F. Ranke were re-elected and Cor- poral J. E. Wolf was elected second lieutenant, Lieutenant D. S. Eckert not being remustered. In August the battery drilled for points against infantry at the National German Kriegerfest and beat them easily and secured first prize.
In June the battery entered the national competitive drill held at Omaha and won third money, although they were compelled to use strange guns, theirs not having arrived in time. The Indianapolis Light Artillery generously loaned theirs. Shortly afterwards Lieutenant J. C. Wolf resigned, and Sergeant M. J. Cleary was elected to fill the vacancy. In 1893 Lieutenant M. J. Cleary resigned, and Sergeant C. A. Teagarden was elected in his place. In the fall the battery was on duty at Roby, to suppress prize fights.
The battery was remustered in the spring of 1894, having served its second enlistment, and the officers elected were: Captain, William F. Ranke; first lieutenant, C. A. Teagarden, and second lieutenant, Henry C. Niemeyer. During the rail- road strike in August of that year the battery was on duty at Hammond. In 1895 Lieutenant C. A. Teagarden resigned, and Second Lieutenant H. C. Niemeyer was elected first lieu- tenant and Frank W. Alderman second lieutenant. Before the encampment in 1896 Lieutenant Henry C. Niemeyer re- signed, and Sergeant Frank C. Kehler was promoted to the position and Corporal Clyde A. Snowberger was elected junior first lieutenant, the battery being entitled to another officer.
The battery having served its third enlistment, it was re- mustered in August, 1897, and the officers elected were: Captain. William F. Ranke; senior first lieutenant, W. Frank
U.S.V.
IND
IND
KIND
I. AFHAKLOW
LIEUT. W. C. CLEARY CAPT. F. V. MARTIN
LIEUT. O. S. JONES
ASST. SUR. R. W. GARSTANG LIEUT. N. D. HULL
CAPT. W. F. RANKE
LIEUT. F. J. MEYERS
OFFICERS OF FIRST ARTILLERY
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NATIONAL GUARD OF INDIANA.
Alderman; junior first lieutenant, Will C. Cleary; second lieu- tenant, Oliver S. Jones.
During the excitement previous to a declaration of war against Spain about one hundred additional men were ex- amined and conditionally taken in as members of the battery, and when it was ordered to Indianapolis to be mustered into the volunteer service, one hundred and forty-two re- sponded. On May 12 the battery was mustered into United States service as the Twenty-eighth Light Battery, Indiana Volunteers, with its four officers and 121 men. It was or- dered to Chickamauga Park, Georgia. In June the battery was increased from 125 officers and men to 176 officers and men. The military spirit was so great that it took Captain William F. Ranke, who had returned home for recruiting, just two days to enlist the additional men. The battery remained at Chickamauga Park until September 3d, when it was or- dered to Indianapolis for a furlough, and was finally mus- tered out on October 31, 1898. The health and the condition of the men during its service in the South was excellent, but during its furlough the first and only death occurred, Michael J. Motherwell dying of typhoid fever.
During the summer of 1899 Captain William F. Ranke attempted to reorganize the battery, but ceased when he secured a captaincy in the Thirty-ninth Volunteer Infantry. A short time before it sailed to the Philippines he resigned on account of his business at home, not being able to dis- pose of it except at a loss. In February, 1900, he secured the necessary number of men and was mustered into State service, with the following officers: Captain, William F. Ranke; first lieutenants, Will C. Cleary and Fred J. Meyer; second lieutenant, Oliver S. Jones. Captain William F. Ranke is the only member that served in the battery con- tinuously from its organization in 1887 to its muster into United States service in 1898. The battery has always had the respect and confidence of the citizens, as numerous testi- monials have shown.
Captain William F. Ranke entered the service of the State as a private in Battery E, October 19, 1887. He was pro- moted sergeant and was commissioned first lieutenant Sep- tember, 1888. On May 16, 1894, he was commissioned captain and served as such through the war with Spain. When the battery was reorganized he was again elected captain and so commissioned.
First Lieutenant William C. Cleary enlisted in the battery as a private and was promoted corporal, sergeant, first
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sergeant, and on August 18, 1897, he was commis- sioned first lieutenant. As such he served through the war with Spain, and when the battery was reorganized he was again elected to his old place and commissioned.
Lieutenant Fred J. Meyer served in the battery as a pri- vate, corporal and sergeant, and entered United States serv- ice as first sergeant. As such he served through the war.
Lieutenant Oliver S. Jones entered the service as a pri- vate in Battery E on June 1, 1888, and served as such until May 16, 1890, when he was appointed quartermaster sergeant. He served in this capacity until August 18, 1897, when he was appointed second lieutenant. During this time he served with his battery at Roby in 1893. When the war with Spain was declared he entered United States service with the battery and served through the war. Near the close of the war he entered the field. hospital at Camp Mount, suffering from typhoid malaria fever, on October 24, and was discharged as convalescent November 22. He has never missed an encamp- ment or any call for service. He was active in the reorganiza- tion of the battery, and was again commissioned second lieu- tenant February 5, 1900.
The present membership is:
First Sergeant-Bernard Hedekin.
Quartermaster Sergeant-George J. Depner.
Veterinary Sergeant-Wm. F. Myers.
Sergeants-Harry D. Alderman, John C. Schefer, Charles F. Haak, and Clinton M. Ramsey.
Corporals-John F. Bartels, Henry C. Moriarity, Halle D. Stokes, Christ F. Zollinger, and Harry C. Clark.
Bugler-Will C. Browand.
Privates-Beaumann, Paul; Beam. Caloin; Benter, John A .; Daugh- erty, W. W .; Dolan, Charles J .; Greider, Finley C .; Gouty, Elvin C .; Gross, Wm. H .; Hahn, Christ; Heckman, Clarence G .; Hodge, Chester J .; Hak. Joseph, Jr .; Kreckman, Charles O .; Lannert, John; Mennewisch, Wm. H .; Molitor, Charles A .; Molitor, Edward; Moore, Robt. A .; Neu- man, Mathias; Rank, Charles G .; Schramm, Frank; Stellhorn, Charles; Truechet, Louis; Edward, Raypole; Wellbaum, John; Enright, James D .; Stellhorn, Henry C .; Flaig, Albert; Pelz, William C .; Kramer, Robert A .; Bangher, Walter B .; Pontius, Elmer; Adams, John E .; Parnim, Aug- ust F .; Shoemaker, Clifton; Burkhardt, Fred J .; Hollopeter, Homer; Kiefoy, Frank G .; Beach, George.
BATTERY C. BY MAJ. A. B. SHANZ.
Battery C. now stationed at Attica, Indiana, was mustered into the State service on June 20, 1899, when the National Guard was reorganized.
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Under the name "Attica Light Artillery" this battery first found its being immediately after the first call to arms in the Spanish war. There was a hope, which afterward proved un- founded, that there might be a second call for organizations as such, and with this expectation Alfred B. Schanz, formerly a member of Battery B, National Guard Pennsylvania, Pitts- burg, ably assisted by Fred V. Martin, a grain merchant of Attica, now Emigration Commissioner in Porto Rico, began the agitation which resulted in the formation of this artil- lery company. The first meeting was attended by 110 pros- pective recruits, and at different times over 200 were en- rolled. The citizens of Attica responded liberally to calls for contributions, and one platoon of forty officers and men were completely uniformed and equipped. The State officers, through the friendly offices of Colonel Charles E. Wilson, were induced to issue to this independent organization two muzzle-loading rifles with caissons, and later two Gatling guns, with which ordnance drills were carried on daily until the picked platoon had acquired remarkable proficiency.
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