USA > Indiana > Adams County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 22
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PIONEER LIFE.
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six for the grant and four against it. My two friends were elected captain and lieuten- ant, and I am baek at my boarding-house, ready for supper, with a sight headache. Strange as it may appear, none of them dis- eovered that I was intoxicated. Lueky for me they did not, or I would doubtless lose my
school. I now here promise myself, on this leaf of my day-book, that I will not drink liquor again, except given as a medical pre- scription."
It is possible that the foregoing ineident was the origin of the double entendre, "Too full for utterance."
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
POLITICAL
AND OFFICIAL.
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IIE political history of | Adams County is almost monotonously simple. Ever since 1850, and gen- erally since its organ- ization, in 1836, the connty has been carried by the Democrats. At each eleetion, therefore, the question as to the result is not "what" and " who," but " how much." George A. Dent, an early anditor, was a Whig, and occasionally some minor office has been tilled by some other than a Democrat; but this can be explained by personal reasons. During the first few years after the county was organized there were no rigid party affiliations, no machine conventions under the iron rule of " bosses," and no disciplinary eancuses, whose decrees must be followed, under penalty of being read out of the party. Candidates for local offices were run almost entirely on personal popularity. Majorities were accordingly variable, though as a rule small, because the total vote of the county was small. But forty-nine votes were cast at the general election of 1836. Party lines began to be drawn closer during the latter
part of the decade before 1850, and by the latter year the usual Democratie majority was nearly 200, in a total vote of between 800 and 900. From 1556 to 1873, when the " Grange " or "Anti-Monopoly " movement began to play some part in polities, the Democratic votes were to the Republican about as two to one, in number. During the last thirteen years the Republican vote has been rather less than one-third of the whole, and the Democratie majorities have reached very large figures. For example, the vote at the last presidential election was: Cleveland, 2,649; Blaine, 1,148; St. John, 35; Butler, 24; Cleveland's plurality, 1,501; majority over all, 1,442. The majorities for county officers have as a rule been much lower than those on State and national tickets. The Greenback and Prohibition parties have a very small following in the county.
Below is given a summary containing the political tendeneies of the several townships in the county, and the majorities at the dit- ferent presidential elections (except 1844, 1852 and 1856, the returns for which years are missing).
Blue Creek is moderately safe for the Democratic tieket, having failed but two presidential elections. Majorities-1840, 3
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POLITICAL AND OFFICIAL.
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(Whig); 1848, 13; 1860, 14: 1864, 24; 1868, 5; 1872, 3 (Republican); 1876, 24; 1580, 16; 1834, 22.
French gave 3 majority for Harrison in 1840, but has since been overwhelmingly Democratic. The Republicans mimber scaree- ly one-sixth of the total vote. Majorities- 1840, 3 (Whig): 1848, 36; 1860, 12; 1864, 78 (there were but 3 Republican votes that year); 1868, 64; 1872, 14; 1876, 104; 1880, 101; 1884, 111.
Hartford is very strongly Democratic. The Republicans have but one-fourth the total vote, and have never carried the township. Majorities-1840, 10; 1848, 2; 1860, 25; 1864, 67; 1868, 58; 1872, 31; 1876, 105; 1880, 102; 1884, 122.
Jefferson is two-thirds Democratic. Ma- jorities-1840, 11; 1848, 2 (Whig); 1860, 19; 1864, 41; 1868, 29; 1872, 28; 1876, 50; 1880, 51; 1884, 60.
Kirkland is three-fourths, or more, Demo- cratic. Majorities - 1848, 10; 1860, 18; 1864, 62; 1868, 63; 1872, 57; 1876, 79; 1880, 109; 1884, 98.
About one-fifth of the votes polled in Mon- roe are Republican, and the Democrats are always sure of a majority. Majorities-1848, 20; 1860, 27; 1864, 45; 1868, 50; 1872, 28; 1876, 129; 1880, 137; 1884, 209.
In Preble Township a Republican is looked upon as a natural curiosity. The Democratic majority is alinost as large as the total vote. Majorities-1848, 49; 1860, 112; 1864, 129; 1868, 164; 1872, 141; 1876, 174; 1880, 185; 1884, 200.
Root was first Whig, then Republican, and since the war has been Democratie by increas- ing majorities, until now the Democrats are nearly twice as numerous as the Republicans. Majorities-1840, 19 (Whig); 1848, 20 (Whig); 1860, 20 (Republican); 1864, 2 (Republican); 1868, 18 (Democratie); 1872, 16
2 (Democratic); 1876, 82 (Democratie); 1880, 77 (Democratie); 1884, 89 (Demo- cratie).
St. Mary's was Whig in the early days, and is now Republican by very substantial figures. Majorities-1840, 1; 1848, 30; 1860, 51; 1864, 30; 1868, 43; 1872, 43; 1876, 47; 1880, 44; 1884, 57.
Union has been Democratic by increasing figures for thirty years. Majorities-1848, 7 (Whig); 1860, 5; 1864, 23; 1868, 24; 1872, 17; 1876, 28; 1880, 44; 1884, 63.
Wabash is very strongly Democratie. Majorities- 1840, 4 (Whig); 1848, 37; 1860, 2; 1864, 82; 1868, 74; 1872, 35; 1876, 115; 1880, 114; 1884, 130.
Washington, which includes the city of Decatur, is the source of a good share of the Democratie strength the election returns from Adams County show every two years. Majorities-1840, 11; 1848, 29; 1860, 92; 1864, 146; 1868, 200; 1872, 224; 1876, 332; 1880, 358; 1884, 560.
OFFICIAL REGISTER.
Below are given the successive incumbents of the several county offices since the organ- ization of Adams County, in 1836.
COMMISSIONERS.
Jehu S. Rhea, Samnel Smith and William Heath, 1836 (May to September); Jehu S. Rhea, Philip Everman and Samuel Smith, 1836; Jehu S. Rhea, Philip Everman and William ITeath, 1837; Philip Everman, William Heath and I. D. Simison, 1838; George A. Dent, E. Dailey and I. D. Simi- son, 1839; George A. Dent, E. Dailey and William Vance, 1840; George A. Dent, B. J. Britson and William Vance, 1841; John Len- hart, B. J. Britson and William Vance, 1842; John Lenhart, James Coffee and William Vanee, 1843; John Lenhart, James Coffee
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
and John MeConnell, 1844; George Caskey, James Coffee and John MeConnell, 1845; George Caskey, George Heath and John MeConnell, 1846; George Caskey, George Heath and Isaae Wheeler, 1847; Andrew Doherty, George Heath and Isaac Wheeler, 1848; Andrew Doherty, M. F. Burkhead and Isaac Wheeler, 1849; Andrew Doherty, M. F. Burkhead and Charles Nelson, 1850; George D. Hackett, M. F. Barkhead and Charles Nelson, 1851-'52; George D. Hackett, M. F. Burkhead and Jonathan Kelley, 1853; Conrad Reinking, M. F. Burkhead and Jona- than Kelley, 1854; Conrad Reinking, Joseph R. Miller and Jonathan Kelley, 1855; Conrad Reinking, Joseph R. Miller and David Aber, 1856; Josiah Crawford, Joseph R. Miller and David Aber, 1857-'58; Josiah Crawford, Joseph R. Miller and Conrad Reinking, 1859-60; Josiah Crawford, M. F. Burkhead and Conrad Reinking, 1861-'63; Josiah Crawford, Jacob Sartl' and Conrad Reinking, 1864-'67; Josiah Crawford, Jacob Sarff and George Luckey, 1868-69; George Luekey, George Frank and Josiah Crawford, 1870-'74; Joseph Spuller, George Frank and Benjamin Runyon, 1875; Joseph Spuller, Daniel Weldy and Benjamin Runyon, 1876-'79; Mr. Spuller died, and in March, 1880, John Rupright was appointed; John Rupright, Daniel Weldy and Leander Dunbar, 1880-'81; John Rupright, Jacob Yager and Leander Dunbar, 1852-'85; Mr. Rupright resigned in June, 1886, and Heury W. Fuelling was appointed. Ilenry W. Fuelling (from First District, term expires in 1890), Jacob Yager (from Second District, term expires in 1888) and George Pontius (from Third District, term expires in 1889), 1886.
AUDITORS.
George A. Dent, 1841-'45; William Tront, 1845-'50; Jolin MeConnell, 1850-'59; Will-
iam G. Spencer. 1859-'67; Seymour Worden, 1867-'75; Godfrey Christen, 1575 '53; Lewis C. Miller, 1583.
CLERKS.
Samuel L. Rugg, 1836-'54; S. S. Mickle, 1854-'55; James B. Simcoke, 1855-'63; Jolin McConnell, 1863-'67; A. Judson IIill, 1867- '75; Byron II. Dent, 1875-'79; Norval Black- burn, 1879-'83; John D. Hale, 1883.
RECORDERS.
Samuel L. Rugg, 1841-'48; Oliver T. HIart, 1848-'58; William J. Adelspurger, 1858-'66; Martin V. B. Simcoke, 1866-'70; John J. Chubb, 1570-'74; John Selinrger, 1874-'82; Abraham MeW. Bollman, 1882.
TREASURERS.
Jeremiah Roe, 1836; John Reynolds, 1836-'41; James Crabs, 1841-'47; S. S. Mickle, 1847-'48; James B. Simeoke, 1848- '52; John Crawford, 1852-'56; David Show- ers, 1856-'60; Charles L. Sehirmeyer, 1860- '64; Jesse Niblick, 1864-'68; John Meibers, 1868-'72; John Dirkson, 1872-'76; Anthony IIolthouse, 1876-'80; Robert D. Patterson, 1880-'84; Andrew Gottschalk, 1884.
SHERIFFS.
David MeKnight, 1836; Zachariah Smith, 1836-'40; Alvin Randall, 1840-'42; Alex- ander Fleming, 1842-'46; James B. Simcoke, 1846-'48; John N. Little, 1848-'50; David MeDonald, 1850-'54; Jacob King, 1854-'56; David MeDonald, 1856-'58; George Frank, 1858-'62; Jacob Stults, 1862-'66; James Stoops, Jr., 1866-'70; David King, 1870-'74; E. Philison Stoops, 1874-'78; Ilenry Krick, 1878-'S2; Michael MeGriff, 1882-'86; Perry A. Lewton, 1886.
REPRESENTATIVES.
William Vance, 1836-'40; Morrison Rulon, 1840-'41; Robert D. Tisdale, 1841-'42;
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POLITICAL AND OFFICIAL.
Elisha E. Parret, 1812-'43; Samuel S. Miekle, 1843-44; Robert Huey, 1844-'45; Samuel S. Miekle, 1845-'46; John Deam, 1846-'47; David MeDonald, 1847-'48; Samuel Deeker, 1848- 49; Samuel S. Mickle, 1849-'50; Bur- kett M. Elkins, 1850-'51; John Crawford, 1851-52; William G. Spencer, 1852-'54; David Studabaker, 1855-'58; Jonathan Kel- ley, 1859-60: Philomen N. Collins, 1861- '66: James R. Bobo, 1867-'70; George Me Dowell, 1871-'72; John McConnell, 1873- '74; AAugustus N. Martin, 1875-'76; David J. Spencer, 1877-'78; Joseph L. Dailey, 1879-80; David F. Kain and David V. Baker, 1881-82; Levi Mock and David Eley, 1883- 'S4; David Eley and Samuel T. McGovney, 1585-'86; Elisha Pieree and Samuel S. Selvey, 1887.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
William Elzey and T. Hooper, 1838-'42; John K. Evans and Ezekiel Hooper, 1842- 49: William Stockham and E. A. Bunner, 1849-'51. Office abolished.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
B. F. Blossom, 1837-'39; Ezekiel Ilooper, 1839-'43; Ed. G. Coxen, 1843-'46; John Little. 1846-'48; James II. Brown, 1848-'51. Office abolished.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.
Daniel D. Heller, 1873-'74; William N. Walters, 1874-'79; G. W. A. Luckey, 1879- '83; John F. Snow, 1883.
ASSESSORS.
David MeKnight, 1836-'37; Robert D. Tisdale, 1838-'40; Zachariah Smith, 1840-
'43; James Patterson, 1843 -'44; John Grim, 1844-'46; William Vance, 1846-'48; George Frank, 1848-'50; Samuel Eley, 1850. Office abolished.
LAND APPRAISERS.
George Frank, 1863-'69; Andrew Barkley, 1869-'75; Ferdinand Reinking, 1875-'76. Office abolished.
PROBATE JUDGES.
Jacob Barks, 1937-'39; James Crabs, 1839-'40; Robert D. Tisdale, 1840-'41; Joseph Martin, 1841-'42; Alvin Randall, 1842-'49; David Showers, 1849-'51. Oflice abolished.
SURVEYORS.
Philemon N. Collins, 1852-'58; E. W. Reed, 1858-'59; Il. Hart, 1859-60; Chris- tian F. Stauffer, 1860-'68; Clay Peterson, 1868-'70; Ilarry B. Knoff, 1870-'72; Gabriel F. Kintz, 1874-'S2; James T. Simcoke, 1882- '86; John W. Tyndall, 1586.
CORONERS.
Jonas Penee, 1836-'37; John W. Cooley, 1837-'38; Enos M. Butter, 1838-'39; Dan. Winner, 1839-'40; James Nibliek, 1840-'44; William M. Elzey, 1844-'46; Jacob King, 1846-'48; Jesse Niblick, 1848-'50; Thomas W. Andrews, 1850-'52; Charles Gorsline, 1852-'53; Levi Ewing, 1853-'54; Cornelius B. Lamasters, 1854-56; Levi Ewing, 1856- '59; J. King, Jr., 1859-'60; D. D. Bernhart, 1860-'68; William D. Baker, 1868-'70; John E. Smith. 1870-'74; Samuel C. Boll- man, 1874-'76; John E. Smith, 1876-'78; A. B. Tullis, 1878-'80; John E. Smith, 1880-'86; Charles Jelleff, 1886.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
M.
THE CIVIL WAR.
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ABOUT daybreak on the 12th of April, 1861, the stillness of Charleston Bay was disturbed by the firing of a large mortar and the shriek of a shell as it rushed through the air. The shell burst over Fort Sumter, and the war of the great Rebellion was begun.
In the North the hope had been tenaeionsly elung to that the peace of the country was not to be disturbed. This dream was rudely broken by the siege of Fort Sumter. The North awakened sud- denly to the awful certainty that civil war was begun. There was a deep feeling of in- dignation at the traitors who were willing to rnin the country that slavery might be secure. There was a full appreciation of the danger, and an instant universal determination that, at whatever cost, the national life must be preserved. Personal sacrifiee was uncon- sidered; individual interests were merged in the general good. Political difference, ordi- marily so bitter, was for the time almost effaeed. Nothing was of interest but the
question how this audacions rebellion was to be suppressed and the American nation up- held in the great place which it elaimed among men.
Two days after the fall of Fort Sumter, Mr. Lincoln intimated by proclamation the dishonor done to the laws of the United States, and called out the militia to the ex- tent of 75,000 men. The free States re- sponded enthusiastically to the call. So prompt was their action that on the very next day several companies arrived in Washı- ington. Flushed by their easily-won victory, the Southrons talked boastfully of seizing the capital. In a very short time there were 50,000 loyal men ready to prevent that, and the safety of Washington was secured.
The North pushed forward with boundless energy her warlike preparations. Rieh men offered money with so much liberality that in a few days nearly $25,000,000 had been contributed. The school-teachers of Boston dedicated fixed proportions of their incomes to the support of the Government while the war should last. All over the country the excited people gathered themselves into crowded meetings and breathed forth in fervid resolutions their determinations to
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THE CIVIL WAR.
spend fortune and life in defense of the Union. Volunteer companies were rapidly formed. In the eities ladies began to organ- ize themselves for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers. It had been fabled that the North would not fight. With a fiery promptitude unknown before in modern his- tory, the people sprang to arms.
Adams County had at this time little over 9,000 inhabitants. With a population mainly devoted to agriculture, who knew nothing of war except by history or tradition, it could hardly be expected that a warlike spirit would soon disturb the peaceful population. But we know little of the fire that slumbers in quiet breasts until occasion calls it forth. Immediately after the news was flashed through this country that civil war was begun, publie excitement ran so high that it could no longer confine itself to promiscuous expression about the street corners, and peo- ple held informal and formal meetings in the city halls and country school-houses every- where.
A number of volunteers at once proceeded to Richmond, Indianapolis, and other cen- ters, there to enlist in various regiments and companies. For these Adams County never received credit. It was four or five months after the beginning of the war before a full company was raised in this county. The people kept up their contributions of their best young men as long as the Government called for recruits, and from first to last not less than 700 soldiers were furnished from this one little county. The draft was put in force but once-in October, 1862; then 37 men were drawn from these townships: Preble, 13; Kirkland, 3; French, 13; Hart- ford. 8. The county about this same time offered $100 bounty to each volunteer, and 85 a month to the wife of each, together with 81 a month for each child under fourteen
years of age. In January, 1565, under the last call of President Lineoln, when another draft was threatened, the Board of Commis- sioners, under authority of a favorable vote from the people at a special election, offered a bounty of 8300 to each volunteer. The county thus paid out about $50,000 for boun- ties, and 818,359.44 for families as relief. Most of the townships gave bounties at one time or another, to fill their quota. The re- ported amounts were: Union, $2,000; Root, 82,200; Preble, $1,800; Kirkland, 8400; Washington, $1,600; Blue Creek, $1,800; Monroe, 8400; Hartford, 82,200; Wabash, $1,400; Jefferson, $400. In all, by county and townships, there was expended the hand- some sum of $82,894.44.
FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
The first volunteers from Adams County did not go in a body, but went to Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and other places, to en- list in companies which were credited to other counties. Early in the autumn of 1861, however, a full company was raised, which became Company C of the Forty-sixth Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry. As originally or- ganized, Esaias Dailey was Captain, Byron II. Dent, First Lieutenant, and Henry C. Wei- mer, Second Lieutenant. Samuel S. Mickle was Major of the regiment, but resigned April 12, 1862. Captain Dailey resigned February 5, 1862, and Dent was promoted to his place, while Austin Crabbs became First Lieutenant. Lientenant Weimer died at Bardstown, Kentucky, February 18, 1862, and Calvin D. Hart succeeded him. April 12, 1862, Captain Dent resigned, and Lieu- tenant Crabbs received another promotion. He was Captain until December 31, 1864, when, his term having expired, he was mus- tered ont. Iloratio G. P. Jennings became First Lieutenant when Austin Crabbs was
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
promoted, and served till the expiration of his term. Lieutenant Hart resigned October 18, 1862, and next day William A. Dailey was given his shoulder-straps. Ile resigned October 23, 1864. Ira A. Blossom was First Lieutenant from January 1, 1865, and Cap- tain from March 1 following, Jolm T. Wei- mer becoming then First Lientenant. The company had originally ninety-eight enlisted men, and to these were added, at different times, 23 recruits, making 121.
The Forty-seventh Regiment was organ- ized at Anderson, on the 10th of October, 1562, with James R. Slack as Colonel, the regiment being composed of companies raised in the Eleventh Congressional Distriet. On the 13th of December it left Indianapolis for Kentucky and reached Bardstown on the 21st, where it was assigned to General Wood's brigade of Buell's army. From thence it moved to Camp Wickliffe, arriving there on the 31st of December, and remained there until the 14th of February, 1862, when it marehed to West Point, at the month of Salt River, and there took transports for Com- meree, Missouri. Arriving there on the 24th of February, it was assigned to General Pope's army, and marehed at once to New Madrid, and there engaged the enemy, being the first regiment to enter Fort Thompson. Moving to Riddle's Point it participated in the en- gagement at that place between the shore batteries and rebel gunboats. From thence it moved to Tiptonville, Tennessee, where it remained for nearly two months.
After the capture of Fort Pillow the regi- ment was transported to Memphis, reaching that place on the 30th of June, and remain- ing there during the following month, Colo- nel Slack being in command of the post. On the 11th of August it had a skirmish with the enemy at Brown's plantation, Mis- sissippi, losing a few men in killed and
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wounded. Moving to Ilelena, Arkansas, the regiment remained there until March, 1863, when it took part in General Quinby's ex- pedition to Yazoo Pass. Returning from this expedition it joined General Grant's army and moved with it to the rear of Vicks- burg, engaging in the battles and skirmishes of that campaign. In the battle of Cham- pion llills, on the 16th of May, it lost 143 in killed and wounded. Going into the trenches near the enemy's works at Vieksburg, it re- mained in them until the surrender on the 4th of July, being almost constantly engaged in the siege. After this it marched to Jack- son with Sherman's expedition, and took part in the engagement at that place.
Returning to Vicksburg it took transports for New Orleans in August, from whenee it moved to Berwick Bay. While in this por- tion of Louisiana, the Forty-seventh partiei- pated in Banks' expedition through the Teche country, engaging the enemy at Grand Co- teau. It then moved to New Iberia, and while there in December, 1863, the regiment re-enlisted and left Algiers on the 9th of February, 1864, for home on veteran furlough, reaching Indianapolis on the 18th, with 416 veterans. On the 19th it was present at a public reception given to the veterans of the Twenty-first and Forty-seventh regiments at Metropolitan HIall in that eity, on which oe- casion addresses were made by Governor Mor- ton, Colonel Slack and others.
Upon its return to the field the regiment moved with Bank's army up Red River in the spring of 1864, engaging in the marches, battles and retreats of that unfortunate cam- paign. On the 28th of July it engaged the enemy at Atehafalaya Bayou, Louisiana, los- ing several wounded. The regiment was then stationed at Morganza, at which post it re- mained on duty for some time. On the 31st of December, 1864, Colonel James R. Slack
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was commissioned a Brigadier-General, where- upon John A. MeLaughlin was promoted Colonel of the regiment. In February, 1865, it was transported to Dauphin Island, Ala- bama, near Mobile, and in Canby's campaign against that city the Forty-seventh took an active part. After the fall of Mobile it moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, with Gen- eral Ilerron to receive the surrender of General Price and the army of the Trans- Mississippi Department. At this place the regiment remained until the 23d of October, 1865, when it was mustered out of service. Reaching Indianapolis with 530 men and 32 officers, it was present on the 1st of No- vember at a reception given to the regiment in the capitol grounds, and was addressed by Governor Morton, General Slack and Colo- nels Milton S. Robinson and John A. Me- Laughlin. The next day the regiment was finally discharged.
EIGHTY-NINTHI REGIMENT.
In the summer of 1862, in response to the calls made by President Lincoln upon the loyal North, Adams County furnished three entire companies, in all about 325 men, for the Eighty-ninth Indiana Vohn- teers, the Colonel of which was Charles D. Murray, of Kokomo. On the regimental staff there were from this county: Byron II. Dent, Adjutant from August 30, 1862, till he resigned, July 6, 1864: Barnabas Collins, Quartermaster from August 16, 1862, till he resigned October 29 following; Jacob M. Crabbs, Quartermaster from November 8, 1864, till the muster out of the regiment; Enos W. Erick, Chaplain from August 9, 1862, till his resignation, July 22, 1863; and Jolin P. Porter, AAssistant Surgeon from Angust 29, 1862, till killed by guerrillas, November 1, 1864, (he had previously been
commissioned, but not mustered, as Sur- geon).
The first Captain of Company II was Enos W. Erick, who became Chaplain of the regi- ment upon the organization of the latter, and Adoniram J. Hill was promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain. At the same time James II. Browning was promoted from Second to First Lientenant, his place being filled from the ranks by Martin V. B. Spen- cer. Captain Hill was mustered out January 9, 1865, and Robert D. Patterson commanded the company during the remainder of the war. Lieutenant Browning resigned Febru- ary 9, 1865, and William A. Wisner (Second Lieutenant from May 1, 1864), was promoted. In the grade of Second Lieutenant, Spencer resigned January 16, 1863, and William Me- Dermott sneceeded him until September 18 following. Ile then resigned, and the posi- tion was vacant until William A. Wisner was given his bar.
There were fewer changes in Company I. The Captains were: Henry Banta, commis- sioned Angust 14, 1862, resigned January 28, 1863; Peter Litzel, commissioned Janu- ary 29, 1863, dismissed Jannary 10, 1865; and John J. Chubb, from the latter date un- til the final muster out. The First Lieuten- ants were: Peter Litzel, from August 14, 1862, to January 29, 1863 (promoted Cap- tain); John J. Chubb, from the latter date to January 10, 1865 (promoted Captain); and John Blood until the close of the war. Chubb had been Second Lientenant from the organ- ization of the company until promoted, and was followed in that rank by Blood, who was also afterward promoted.
Edwin S. Metzger was Captain and Henry MeLean First Lieutenant of Company K during the whole time of service. James Stoops, Jr., was Second Lieutenant, but re- signed June 3, 1863, and was followed by
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
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Henry HI. Hart, who died August 22, 1864, of wounds received in action.
The companies composing the Eighty- ninth Regiment were recruited in the Elev- enth Congressional District, rendezvoused at Wabash, and organized at Indianapolis. The regiment was mustered into service on the 2Sth of August, 1862, with Charles D. Mur- ray as Colonel. Proceeding to Louisville, Kentucky, in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Ilarvey Craven, the regiment was on the 2d of September sent to Munfordville to rein- force the garrison at that place. In the attaek made upon the place by the advanee of Bragg's invading army, under General Chalmers, it bore an honorable part, losing two killed, fifteen wounded and one missing. After a long and stubborn resistance the garrison was compelled to surrender to vastly superior numbers on the 16th of September, and on the next day the captured officers and men were paroled and marehed within Gen- eral Buell's lines, from whenee they pro- ceeded to Brandenburg, on the Ohio River, and thence to Jeffersonville, reaching there on the 30th of September.
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