USA > Indiana > Annual reunion of the 36th Indiana volunteers: 4th-5th, 1887-1888, 7th-14th, 1890-1897 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
Pursuant to order, the regiment left the battle-field for home and muster out, which was done at Indianapolis, Sept. 21, 1864, except the few veterans and recruits which were then organized into a battallion under command of Capt. John P. Swisher and Samuel V. Templin first, and Calvin C. McLain second Lieutenant, and remained with the brigade. mostly on duty at headquarters, and participated in the battles of Frank- lin and Nashville, and took part in the pursuit of Hood's broken army and continued in service until in the fall of 1865, when mustered out and returned home to em- brace other comrades and friends.
For all can say, valiant and tried soldiers, you marched and fought under the old emblem of human liberty, indicating the same that it did over a hundred years ago, as the comrade of Washington, Adams, Franklin, Hancock, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, and at a later period re-baptized in fire and blood, the comrade of Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Logan and millions more, including the members of the 36th Indiana regiment, who assisted to carry the grand old flag forward, to higher grandeur with more power and influence at home and abroad than ever before.
Robert Gordon entertained the meeting as follows:
Gentlemen :
Every soldier knows of a truth, of the privations, perplexities, trials, and real sufferings incident to a soldier's life No citizen has ever, can ever, or will ever, know of it, or be able to tell of it, as the soldier himself experienced it.
And in referring briefly to the outgrowth of these trying circumstances, I do not desire to excuse myself in the least.
For I believe we were all given to complaints and murmurings more or less. We started to the front some one hundred strong to the company. For various reasons our ranks soon began to grow less in numbers, and as time passed on and our hardships and duties became more arduous, our comrades still falling back to the rear, I know we
-
-
-
-12-
were more or less disposed to murmur and complain of their being back out of harm's way and having what we called an easy time of it, while we were at the front bearing the heat and burthen of the day.
But as I have said before, I do not excuse myself for this seeming weakness at all, as we were all given to it more or less, and I wish to say that the older I grow, the more I try to cultivate a disposition of charity in these particulars. And I am now willing to confess that we made many wrongful complaints in that one particular and I am now able to speak thus from circumstances of my own personal experience, and while I believe it is an old saying that self praise is half scandal. But I am now in- duced to believe that we of the rank and file can afford the scandal, since there has been so much said in history and the current news of the day of what officers of various commands have accomplished in their perilous situations, and while of that style of literature we have had a bountiful supply, yet it is all well enough. But I would like to see a little more freedom on the part of the boys in coming forward with their own stories and experiences and it is to that end that I would ask your indulgence for a little while.
To me, many of the interesting things at a camp fire is the story told by a soldier, of his own experiences, whether while at the front with his company or at the rear by authority of a descriptive roll. They are interesting and variegated and we fail to wake up to a full realization of their real interest.
I now and then come across a member of our company who tells of experiences and circumstances under which he was at times unavoidably placed, which I had entirely forgotten, or liad never known. So I hope at future camp fires, that any delicacy on account of the old adage that I have referred to will be laid aside, and we shall have more freedom of speech from the boys.
I have said that I speak from experience in these particulars, and where I learned these lessons of charity was in hospital and on duty in convalescent camp. Shortly after the battle of Stone River and while on our way back to Murfreesboro from a rather exciting and fighting foraging expedition at McMinnville, Tenn., I met with quite a serious injury which for the first and only time during my terin of service sent me to the rear. On the following day I was sent into Murfreesboro, but the hospitals there all being full, I was taken farther on to the field hospital, on the bank of Stone River, and while there I learned a great deal of the shameful disposition that was made of special commissary goods. I was there, I think, about three weeks under quite care- ful treatment, when I was assigned to duty in convalescent camp. A Col. Smith was commander of a convalescent camp established on the bank of Stone River a short dis- tance below the field hospital. To him I reported with some seventy-five men from the ward that I had left in the hospital. I was made captain of the company that I was assigned to. Each company of that convalescent camp had fully as many men to start with as myself, and from time to time we received recruits, composed of the abler men from the hospital, till our companies were swelled in numbers to from one hundred to two hundred men, and on two occasions, that I well remember, we as conunanders of these enormous companies were required to make out pay rolls and have them paid off, and it was while engaged in this task that I thought of a captain making out a pay roll of his own company which was now possibly reduced to 50 or 60 men. He had started out with his alphabetically arranged roll of some one hundred men, which had been gradually reduced in number, the remainder of which had rung in his ears so familiarly at roll call as to be like the alphabet to a college student. But in our case we had men from every department and kind of military servitude, and from every Federal State in the Union. I was next assigned to duty in the quartermaster depart- ment in Fortress Rosencrans, at or near Murfreesboro, where I immediately drew upon requsition, clothing for the entire rank and file then manning the fortress.
Here I remained on duty till relieved for the front. When I rejoined the company in the fall before the spring of the Atlanta campaign, and I desire now to say, that at each of these necessary military capacities at which I was detained, I went to each of their respective commanders and requested a permit to join the company to which I belonged, but was invariably told that it was not in their power, but to remain and do as I was bid until a general order should be issued. I also wrote my captain and comrades at the front as to my changes of assignment and duty. So, as I have intimated before, it was there that I learned these lessons of charity as pertaining to these
:
-13-
things. A soldier legally back in the rear, with a physician's orders and a captain's descriptive list, could not gather up his traps and leave at his own will.
And now a little incident of war casualties and I will tax your patience no longer. It may have been told as a mishap of Company A, till it is threadbare, and if such is the case you please excuse me. While on a high elevation of ground, just in the rear of our rifle pits, while advancing on Resaca soon after the Atlanta campaign had com- menced, a well-aimed ball from the enemy pierced Sylvanns Charles in the breast, · passing entirely through his body, and then passed through the arm of William Brad- way who was standing a few feet in the rear of Charles.
They were sent to the rear but soon separated; Charles only getting as far back as Chattanooga, I believe, while Bradway, I think, got back to Louisville, Ky., and while neither one of them ever came to the front any more, yet we often heard from them and how they were getting along. Charles, after a reasonable time, wrote that he was feeling quite well ; had been ont foraging, &c., and would like to be up with the boys.
So when our time was up and we had witnessed the last fight while in the employ of Uncle Sam, that of Jonesboro or Lovejoy, some thirty miles below Atlanta, and had said thank God and turned our backs on rebeldom, we started for home. On arriving at Chattanooga, Charles soon joined us, and of course the circumstance of his and Bradway's shot by the same ball was the chief subject of conversation. On arriving at Louisville Bradway joined us, when the subject became still more interesting. Charles, who the ball struck first and went entirely through his body, was comparatively well and making no complaints, while Bradway, who received the ball second-handed and then only in the fleshy part of the arm, was yet complaining of it still hurting him. Now right here I wish to introduce a new character, who from his rather eccentric speeches in such little episodes became a very novel and interesting member of the company. His name was Nathan Wilson whom we christened Senator Wilson, for a Senator in Congress at the time. Now this Senator Wilson, as we were pleased to call him, was of the rather quiet, inoffensive style of fellow, never saying very much, but as the old saying goes, was always keeping up a devil of a thinking so that when he did speak he usually hit the nail right on the head. So, as I was saying, when we had pretty well exhausted ourselves in speaking of this rather unusual circumstance it came the Senator's time to speak. "Well," says he, "I fail to see anything so remarkable as to the present condition of these two men. Charles was shot first, and as a matter of course he ought to get well first."
Hoping to meet you all at our next reunion, I thank you for your kind attention.
A motion returning a vote of thanks to James E. Shover for the use of his premises was adopted, after which the association adjourned.
-
-
----
1
1
REGIMENTAL ROSTER.
General William Grose
New Castle, Ind
C. H. Abbett Indianapolis, Ind
R. Bosworth H. C. Long, band.
Winchester, Ind
Rochester, Ind
Madison Grose, band
Indianapolis, Ind
COMPANY A.
Capt. Wm. D. Wiles, Indianapolis, Ind. Amos Stevenson, Indianapolis, Ind. Robert Gordon, Indianapolis, Ind. Charles H. Moore, Dunreith, Ind. Geo. P. Beach, Lewisville, Ind. Truman Gouldsbery, Lewisville, Ind. Joseph E. Werking, Elwood, Ind. John Stiggleman, Spiceland, Ind. Clarkson Gordon, Greentown, Ind. Henry Waddell, Cambridge, Ind. M. D. Nicholson, Castleton, Ind.
John R. Henry, Mays, Ind.
C. W. Reynolds, Lewisville, Ind. Wm. Callahan, Anderson, Ind. John Antrim, Knightstown, Ind. Sylvanus Charles, Straughns, Ind.
W. R. Camblin, Osceola, Iowa. Harry Lewis, Indianapolis, Ind. W. H. Farmer, Rogersville, Mo. Milton Swain, New Castle, Ind.
Cervantes Watson, Pendleton, Ind.
COMPANY B.
Lieut. Ed. Gilbert, New Burlington, Ind. J. Z. Fullhart, Reed, Ind. James C. Shorn, Fairmount, Ind. C. L. Reynolds, Elwood, Ind. C. W. Riggs, Indianapolis, Ind. Lemuel F. Estes, Landess, Ind. John W. Little, Muncie, Ind. C. H. Rinker, South Bend, Ind. Geo. W. Worl, Farmland, Ind.
W. H. H. Richey, Muncie, Ind. Wm. B. Willard, Muncie, Ind. Phil. A. B. Kenneday, Indianapolis, Ind. John Veal, Williamsburg, Ind. W. F. Reynolds, Indianapolis, Ind.
Geo. L. Janney, Gaston, Ind. Benj. Bartlett, New Corner, Ind. Joshua Jester, Georgetown, Ind. J. T. Broyles, Gaston, Ind.
COMPANY C.
Capt. John C. Livezey, New Castle, Ind. Capt. Hugh L. Mullen, Fowler, Kas. Wm. Lowe, Warrensburg, Mo. Lieut. J. C. Wavman, New Castle, Ind. James Ginn. Middletown, Ind. Capt. S V. Templin, Losantville, Ind. H. H. Henderson, Marion, Ind. Cheniah Covalt, Washington, Ind. Abram Miller, Jonesboro, Ind. Eli F. Millikan, Spiceland, Ind. Tabor W. Ginn, Rochester, Ind. Jacob Sweigart, Muncie, Ind.
Alpheus M. Davis, Point Isabel, Ind. Geo. Atkinson, Sulphur Springs, Ind. John Sanders, Shelbyville, Ind. Noah McCormack, Cadiz, Ind. Benjamin Crawford, Losantville, Ind. Nathan Nicholson, New Castle, Ind. Henry Reichart, Cadiz, Ind. Miles Haguewood, New Castle, Ind. Andrew McDowell, Muncie, Ind. L. D. Shepherd, New Castle, Ind. Samuel Barnard, New Castle, Ind .. John Armstrong, Kennard, Ind.
-15-
COMPANY D.
Lient. A. W. Saint, New Castle, Ind. H. B. Chew, Kennard, Ind.
B. F. Pierce, Indianapolis, Ind. Wm. Sater, Greentown, Ind. Ferd Rose, Snyder, Ind.
A. W. Coon, Cadiz, Ind. John H. Wright, Maysville, Ky.
Wm. E. Bicknell, Richmond, Ind. Erie Lamb, Spiceland, Ind.
John Newby, Knightstown, Ind.
John Sapp, Goodland, Ind.
David S. Byers, Noblesville, Ind. J. F. Camblin, Lewisville, Ind. J. H. Bowman, Greensboro, Ind. Alex Spencer, Spiceland, Ind. Exum Copeland, Greensboro, Ind. James Newby, New Castle, Ind. John Picket, Guy, Ind. Nathan Weeks, Rushville, Ind. Joshua Lutholtz, Kennard, Ind. Thomas Swain, Knightstown, Ind.
COMPANY E.
Capt. Zene C. Bohrer, St. Paul, Minn. Albert Fritz, Hagerstown, Ind. Jackson Walker, Bethany, Mo. W. J. Gillespie, Indianapolis, Ind. J. E. Phillips, Red Key, Ind.
B. C. Hornaday, Carlos City, Ind.
J. A. Fowler, Parker, Ind. David A. Minnick, Daleville, Ind.
Joseph Benbow, Hagerstown, Ind. Geo. W. Gebhart, Hagerstown, Ind. C. H. Smothers, Modoc, Ind. Thomas Benbow, Hagerstown, Ind. Geo. W. Mckinney, Red Key, Ind. G. F. Andrews, Pennville, Ind. B. F. Bromagen, Fairview, Ind. W. H. Hubbard, Dunkirk, Ind.
COMPANY F.
Capt. Jos. L. Smith, Richmond, Ind. T. H. Gordon, Knightstown, Ind. Lieut. R. P. Gordon, Callao, Mo. R. M. Clark, Fountain City, Ind. Oliver Miller, Carlos City, Ind. Aaron Hughes, Pink Staff, Illinois. Harvey Harris, Flora, Ind. Ed. Price, Fountain City, Ind. Isaiah Smith, Evansville, Ind. George Muhl, Richmond, Ind.
John R. Foy, Farmersville, Ohio. Jehiel H. Curtis, Red Key, Ind. O. H. Brown, Camden, Ohio. James M. Shute, Fountain City, Ind. Reuben Ray, Peabody, Ind. W. H. Black, West Newton, Ind. Matt Brower, Anderson, Ind. Albert Cain, Greensfork, Ind. S. F. Watson, Richmond, Ind. F. M. French, Farmland, Ind.
COMPANY G.
Capt. J. H. McClung, Muncie, Ind. J. W. I. Smith, Chicago, Ill. W. R. Teegarden, Indianapolis, Ind. Thos. T. Eaton, Liberty, Ind. Capt. John B. Swisher, Liberty, Ind. Albert Parvis, Billingsville, Ind. Alfred Parvis, Billingsville, Ind. Agrippa Scott, 1063, W. Polk St., Chicago. Frank Seibert, Eaton, Ohio. Wm. Allen, Richmond, Ind. A. M. Black, Fairmount, Neb.
Chas. M. Paddock, Darwin, Ind. Wm. Gibbs, Concord, Mich. H. H. Eaton, Bringhurst, Ind. C. Copeland, Lebanon, Ind. Henry Goodlander, Muncie, Ind. F. M. Teegarden, Colfax, Ind. G. W. Morris, Aroma, Ind. .A. T. Hall, Cammack, Ind. W. H. Duvall, Liberty, Ind. Ed. Bias, Muncie, Ind. William Sullivan, Straughns, Ind.
COMPANY H.
Capt. W. H. Limpus, Alpine, Ind. Peter Riley, Ann Arbor, Mich. James Harrell, Liberty, Ind. James Ludlow, Hawkins, Ind. Wm. N. Young, Connersville, Ind.
Isaac Davis, Cambridge, Ind. Wm. Stout, Richmond, Ind. Patrick Small, Cambridge, Ind. C. W. Lester, Cambridge, Ind. Wm. Miller, Cambridge, Ind.
Wm. E. Crigler, Oxford, Ind. Eph C. Cross, Jonesboro, Ind. Robert E. Best, Brookville, Ind. W. G. Jordan, Connersville, Ind. John Myers, Indianapolis, Ind.
COMPANY I.
Milton Lester, Richmond, Ind. J. W. Werking, Anderson, Ind. Isaac Bigelow, Indianapolis, Ind. W. H. Reagan, Indianapolis, Ind. Wm. Stevens, Cambridge, Ind.
1
-16-
COMPANY K.
Capt. M. P. Armstrong, Indianapolis, Ind. Calvin Skinner, Muncie, Ind. Capt. Milton Peden, Knightstown, Ind. W. P. Sherry, Muncie, Ind.
Clinton Hawhe, Knightstown, Ind.
Thos. J. Mitchell, Eaton, Ind.
Phillip Jones, Dunkirk, Ind. Peter Helm, Windsor, Ind.
Wm. H. H. Woods, South Port, Ind.
Thomas Deselm, Dunkirk, Ind. Frank Threewits, Big Indian, Ind.
Wm. Bailey, Farmland, Ind. E. G. Lemon, Dallas, Texas.
Robert Dawson, Indianapolis, Ind.
D. A. Waller, Lochiel, Ind.
John O'harra, Richmond, Ind.
A. J. Driscoll, Neff, Ind.
Aaron Rinker, Daleville, Ind.
Abraham Steffy, Sheridan, Ind.
C. V. Lemon, Richmond, Ind.
1 John W. Thornburg, Muncie, Ind.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Mrs. B. S. Parker. Mrs. Wm. Grose. Mrs. William Callahan.
Mrs. J. C. Livezey.
1
.
John Murray, New Castle, Ind. A. T. Brewer, Toledo, Ills. Daniel Catt, New Castle, Ind.
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REUNION
OF THE
36TH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS
HELD AT
Liberty, Indiana,
ON
OCTOBER 9 AND 10, 1894.
1
NEW CASTLE, IND .: COURIER COMPANY PRINT. 1894.
PROCEEDINGS.
The eleventh annual reunion of the 36th Regiment Indiana Volunteers was held at Liberty, Indiana, October 9th and 10th. On account of trains, the comrades could not reach the place until about 1:30 o'clock. Some few went by private conveyances. Immediately upon arrival of the train from the north, which was met by a large body of veterans of other commands who live in Union county, and citizens, the comrades were marched, preceded by a band, to the G. A. R. hall, where a feast was spread. Language fails of adequate expression to depict the feelings of the boys as they filed into that hall. Tables taxed to their uttermost both as to weight and space met their views, containing everything to tickle the palate and satisfy the appetite of a hungry man; served by pleasant and willing hands until the comrades, who always refused to surrender to an enemy, were compelled to throw up their hands and say enough.
At 3 p. m. the Association was called to order in the court room by the President. After prayer by Comrade Chamberlain, President Grose made a few remarks con- cerning the session and directing all comrades to register their names.
Corresponding Secretary Smith read letters of regret from comrades unable to meet with us, as follows: J. C. Thorne, Fairmount, Ind .; Wm. Lowe, Warrensburg, Mo .; John W. Sapp, Goodland, Ind .; John Sanders, Shelbyville, Ind., Capt. M. P. Armstrong, Indianapolis, Ind .; Vice Pres. Wm. D. Wiles, Indianapolis, Ind .; Capt. Milt Peden, Knightstown, Ind .; H. H. Eaton, Bringhurst, Ind. The following letter from Capt. Zene C. Bohrer of St. Paul, Minn., was read:
ST. PAUL, MINN., Oct. 7, 1894.
MY DEAR COMRADES :- Time rolls swiftly on, and with it brings our joys and sor- rows. How well do I remember thirty-three years ago, when the drums were beating, the thrilling sounds of the bugle were heard in every hamlet, town and city through- out the North. The loval men of the land enlisted, leaving business, friends and loved ones at home, and I predict there was not a young fellow but what had a sweet- heart, and some of us had several, who cheered us up in battle as in camp by their kind, loyal letters, which we all so well remember, and of how eagerly we looked for- ward to the arrival of each mail. To the loyal women of that day may be attributed the success of our arms. May their memory live forever.
As you are assembled in reunion to discuss and talk over the deeds of the dark days of the rebellion, of the many incidents, the "ups and downs" through which we passed, I desire to assure you that though absent in person, my spirit hovers over this assembly. To meet and take each one of you by the hand would be a pleasure beyond expression. Some of you are old and feeble, and may not meet many more times on this earth, but we all hope at the last bugle call we will all be ready at the final meet- ing to part no more.
In the year 1861 the clouds began to gather in the South, which soon spread all over the land. Regiments, brigades and divisions were organized in the South; our forts and garrisons were attacked, which caused an uprising in the North, and we en- listed; then mere boys-now old men; we passed through four years of civil war, the results of which are in history, and the glorious old 36th made a record of which each surviving member may well be proud.
And right here permit me to call your attention to the fact that the same element which existed and controlled the South then are some of the same men who are in the saddle today, prominent and influential in our present Congress. Shall we quietly submit to this state of affairs, or by our (the old soldiers) actions in November enter our protest with such force that the sun will again shine throughout this union; that every factory, every idle work shop, every American industry start up and be taxed to its fullest capacity, until every idle man in America may find steady employn ent at American wages. I tell you, boys, I am a full blooded Hoosier, yet none the less a believer in American industries and full protection of the same. Let us stand to-
-
4-
gether in these views and the American eagle will continue to scream o'er this land as of yore. My heart is with you today, wishing you all a grand, good time at this reunion.
In conclusion, let me assure all my old comrades that as long as life lasts and reason retains her throne, there will be found within my heart a bright green spot dedicated to your memory.
I hope to be with you at your next reunion. Till then, farewell.
ZENE C. BOHRER, CAPT. Co. E.
The following letter from Win. S. Gibbs, Concord, Michigan, was read:
CONCORD, MICH., Oct. 5, 1894.
Capt. John C. Livezey, Recording Secretary 36th Regt. Association.
DEAR COMRADE :- It is with sincere regret that I must write you that I cannot attend the reunion of the 36th Regiment. I have had no other thought during tlie year but of meeting you. But when the notice came announcing the time for liold- ing the reunion, to my sorrow I found it was upon a date that conflicted with a pre- vious engagement, from which I could not honorably withdraw.
My regret over being absent is made more intense because of the fact that the ses- sion is held in the county seat of my own company -- "G" I wanted to help act the part of host and welcome the other members of the regiment to the county which gave the regiment company G, and meet you in the county town where thirty-three years ago this company, receiving the blessings of fatliers and mothers, brothers and sisters, young men and maidens, marched away to form a part of a regiment that never caused any Indianian to feel ashamed.
I desired to meet you, comrades, in Liberty, in Union, the home of the first man of our regiment to give up his life on the field of battle for liberty and union. Yes, the first of a long list of noble men of our noble regiment who gave up their lives for the preservation of the Union.
Yes, comrades, I hoped to meet you at the home of the gentlemanly, manly, gal- lant and brave King. The place would seem hallowed by the reflection that here was his home, that these farms, these streets, these scenes were familiar to him; that here parents and sisters parted with him as he marched to the call of his country; and that here the sad message came from the terrible field of Stone River announcing his death. But why should I. attempt to express my feelings, or mention the valor of our fallen comrades? So many, many are worthy of mention. But we comrades of the 36th treasure them in memory; we know how freely they gave all for their country.
Boys of the 36th, I will try it again another year; I want to see you; I want to shake with you; make it a point to be at the next reunion, because I want to see you. I will think of you in your reunion at Liberty, and will enter in to some of your joys in imagination. And now, with my best wishes for the success of you and your fam- ilies, hoping that you will never be on half rations, I will say good bye.
With sincere respect.
W. L. GIBBS, COMP'Y G, 36TH IND. VOL.
The following committees were appointed: Committee on Memorial, Capt. Jos. Smith, Lieut. A. W. Saint and Robert Gordon; Committee on Resolutions, Capts. J. H. McClung, H. L. Mullen and O. V. Lemon.
The Committee on Badge, appointed last year, made a report and presented a de- sign, with prices. Many comrades placed orders for them. Comrade Geo. Morris said the officers of the Association had given good satisfaction, he therefore moved they be continued another year, with power, in case of vacancy from any cause, to fill the vacancy by appointment to continue until the next session of this Association.
On motion of Capt. McClung, the Association proceeded to fix on the place for our next reunion.
Capt. Jo. Smith read the following:
CAMBRIDGE CITY, IND., Oct. 9, 1894.
To the members of the 36tli Ind. Vol. Infty.
COMRADES :- Cambridge City Post, No. 179, G. A. R., Cambridge City W. R. C.,
-5-
No. 51, together with all the good people of Cambridge City, Indiana, cordially in- vite you to hold your next reunion in Cambridge City, Ind.
Fraternally yours,
W. F. MEDSKER, P, C. No. 179.
The invitation was, on motion, accepted unanimously. On motion all the ban- ners, flags, etc., were ordered sent to Cambridge, to Isaac Davis, to keep for next year.
· On motion the Association adjourned for supper and to meet at the Opera house, where the Camp Fire was held and where the following program was rendered:
Music, band. Prayer, Comrade Chamberlain.
John W. Short of the Liberty schools delivered the following address of welcome:
Comrades of the 36th Indiana:
I come before you at the bidding of your associates in arms, and in behalf of the people of Liberty and vicinity, to welcome American manhood to our town, to our homes, to our hospitality.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.