Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages., Part 12

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 922

USA > Indiana > Jay County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 12
USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 12

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alternative of returning their lands or meet- ing them in battle. In his message to the Legislature of 1810, the Governor reviewed the dangerous attitude of the Indians toward the whites as expressed by Tecumseh. In the same message he also urged the establishi- ment of a system of education.

In 1811 the British agent for Indian af- fairs adopted measures calculated to secure the Indians' support in a war which at this time seemed inevitable.

In the meantime Governor Harrison used all available means to counteract the British influence, as well as that of Tecumseh and the Prophet, with the Indians, but without suc- cess.

The threatening storm continued to gather, receiving increased force from various causes, until the Governor, seeing war was the last resort, and near at hand, ordered Colonel Boyd's regiment to move to Vincennes, where a military organization was about ready to take the field.

The Governor, at the head of this expedi- tion, marched from Vincennes September 26, and encamped October 3 near where Terre Haute now stands. Here they completed a fort on the 28th, which was called Fort Har- rison. This fort was garrisoned with a small number of men under Lieutenant Miller.

Governor Harrison, with the main army, 910 men, mnarched to the Prophet's town on the 29th, where a conference was opened, and the Indians plead for time to treat for peace; the Governor gave them until the following day, and retired a short distance from the town and encamped for the night. The In- dians seemed only to be parleying in order to gain advantage, and on the morning of No- vember 7, at 4 o'clock, made a desperate charge into the camp of the Americans. For a few moments all seemed lost, but the troops soon realizing their desperate situation, fought

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

with a determination equal to savages. The Americans soon routed their savage assail- ants, and thus ended the famous battle of Tippecanoe, victoriously to the whites and honorably to General Harrison.

The Americans lost in this battle thirty- seven killed and twenty-five mortally wound- ed, and 126 wounded. The Indians left thirty-eight killed on the field, and their faith in the Prophet was in a measure destroyed. November 8 General Harrison destroyed the Prophet's town, and reached Vincennes on the 18th, where the army was disbanded.

The battle of Tippecanoe secured peace but for a short time. The British continued their aggression until the United States de- clared war against them. Tecumsehi had fled to Canada, and now, in concert with the Brit- ish, began inroads upon the Americans. Events of minor importance we pass here.

In September, 1812, Indians assembled in large numbers in the vicinity of Fort Wayne with the purpose of capturing the garrison. Chief Logan, of the Shawnee tribe, a friend to the whites, succeeded in entering the fort and informing the little garrison that General Harrison was coming with a force to their relief, which nerved them to resist the furious savage assaults.

September 6, 1812, Harrison inoved withı his army to the relief of Fort Wayne. Sep- tember 9 Harrison, with 3,500 men, camped near the fort, expecting a battle the follow- ing day. The morning of the 10th disclosed the fact that the enemy had learned of the strong force approaching and had disappeared during the previous night.

Simultaneous with the attack on Fort Wayne the Indians also besieged Fort Har- rison, then commanded by Zachariah Taylor, and succeeded in destroying considerable property and getting away with all the stock. About the same time the Indians massacred

the inhabitants at the settlement of Pidgeon Roost.

The war now being thoroughly inaugurated, hostilities continued throughout the North- west between the Americans and the British and Indians combined. Engagements of greater or less magnitude were of almost daily occurrence, the victory alternating in the favor of one or the other party.

The Americans, however, continned to hold the territory and gradually press back the enemy and diminish his numbers as well as his zeal.

Thus the war of 1812 was waged until De- cember 24, 1814, when a treaty of peace was signed by England and the United States at Ghent, which terminated hostile operations in America and restored to the Indiana set- tlers peace and quiet, and opened the gates for immigration to the great and growing State of Indiana as well as the entire North- west.

CIVIL MATTERS.

The Legislature, in session at Vincennes February, 1813, changed the seat of govern- ment from Vincennes to Corydon. The same year Thomas Posey, who was at the time Senator in Congress, was appointed Governor of Indiana to succeed Governor Harrison, who was then commanding the army in the field. The Legislature passed several laws necessary for the welfare of the settlement, and General Harrison being generally suc- cessful in forcing the Indians back from the settlements, hope revived, and the tide of ini- migration began again to flow, The. total white population in Indiana in 1815 was es- timated at 63,897.

GENERAL REVIEW.

Notwithstanding the many rights and privileges bestowed upon the people of the Northwestern Territory by the ordinance of

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

1787. they were far from enjoying a full form of republican government. A freehold estate of 500 acres of land was a necessary qualification o become a member of the Legislative Council. Each member of the House of Representatives was required to possess 200 acres of land; no man could cast a vote for a Representative but such as owned fifty acres of land. The Governor was in- vested with the power of appointing all civil and militia officers, judges, clerks, county treasurers, connty surveyors, justices, etc. He had the power to apportion the Repre- sentatives in the several counties, and to convene and adjourn the Legislature at his pleasure, and prevent the passage of any Territorial law.

In 1809 Congress passed an act empow- ering the people of Indiana to elect their Legislative Council by a popular vote; and in 1811 Congress abolished property qualifi- cation of voters, and declared that every free white male person who had attained to the age of twenty-one years, and paid a tax, should exercise the right of franchise.

The Legislature of 1814 divided the Terri- tory into three judicial circuits. The Gov- ernor was empowered to appoint judges for the same, whose compensation should be $700 per annum.

The same year charters were granted to two banking institutions, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Madison, authorized cap- ital $750,000, and the Bank of Vincennes, $500,000.

ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE.

The last Territorial Legislature convened at Corydon, in December, 1815, and on the 14th adopted a memorial to Congress, pray- ing for authority to adopt a Constitution and State Government. Mr. Jennings, their delegate in Congress, laid the matter before

that body on the 28th; and April 19, 1816, the President approved the bill creating the State of Indiana. The following May an election was held for a Constitutional Con- vention, which met at Corydon June 15 to 29, John Jennings presiding, and William Hendricks acting as secretary.

The people's representatives in this As- sembly were an able body of men, and the Constitution which they formed for Indiana in 1816 was not inferior to any of the State constitutions which were existing at that time.

The first State election was held the first Monday of August, 1816, and Jonathan Jen- nings was elected Governor, Christopher Harrison, Lieutenant-Governor, and William Hendricks was elected Representative to Congress.

The first State General Assembly began its session at Corydon November 4, 1816, John Paul, Chairman of the Senate, and Isaac Blackford, Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives.

This session of the Legislature elected James Noble and Waller Taylor to the Sen- ate of the United States; Robert A. New, Secretary of State; W. H. Lilley, Auditor of State, and Daniel C. Lane, State Treasurer.

The close of the war, 1814, was followed by a rush of immigrants to the new State, and in 1820 the State had more than doubled her population, having at this time 147,178. The period of 1825-'30 was a prosperous time for the young State. Immigration con- tinued rapid, the crops were generally good, and the hopes of the people raised higher than ever before.

In 1830 there still remained two tribes of Indians in the State of Indiana, the Miamis and Pottawatomies, who were much opposed to being removed to new territory. This state of discontent was used by the celebrated

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

warrior, Black Hawk, who, hoping to receive aid from the discontented tribes, invaded the frontier and slaughtered many citizens. Others fled from their homes, and a vast amount of property was destroyed, This was in 1832, and known as the Black Hawk war.

The invaders were driven away with severe punishment, and when those who had aban- doned their homes were assured that the Miamis and Pottawatomies did not contem- plate joining the invaders, they returned and again resumed their peaceful avocations.

In 1837-'38 all the Indians were removed from Indiana west of the Mississippi, and very soon land speculations assumed large proportions in the new State, and many ruses were resorted to to bull and bear the market. Among other means taken to keep out specu- lators was a regular Indian scare in 1827.

In 1814 a society of Germans, under Fred- erick Rappe, founded a settlement on the Wabash, fifty miles above its mouth, and gave to the place the name of Harmony. In 1825 the town and a large quantity of land adjoining was purchased by Robert Owen, father of David Dale Owen, State Geologist, and of Robert Dale Owen, of later notoriety. Robert Owen was a radical philosopher, from Scotland.

INDIANA IN THE MEXICAN WAR.

During the administration of Governor Whitcomb, the United States became in- volved in the war with Mexico, and Indiana was prompt in furnishing her quota of vol- unteers.

The soldiers of Indiana who served in this war were five regiments, First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth. Companies of the the three first-named regiments served at times with Illinois, New York and South Carolina troops, under General Shields. The

other regiments, under Colonels Gorman and Lane, were under other commanders.

The Fourth Regiment comprised ten com- panies; was organized at Jeffersonville, by Captain K. C. Gatlin, June 5, 1847, and elected Major Willis A. Gorman, of the Third Regiment, Colonel; Ebenezer Du- mont, Lieutenant-Colonel, and W. McCoy, Major. They were assigned to General Lane's command, and the Indiana volunteers made themselves a bright record in all the engage- ments of the Mexican war.

INDIANA IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION.

The fall of Fort Sumter was a signal for an uprising of the people, and the State of In- diana was among the first to respond to the summons of patriotism, and register itself on the national roll of honor. Fortunately for the State, she had a Governor at the time whose patriotism has seldom been equaled and never excelled. Governor Oliver P. Morton, immediately upon receiving the news of the fall of Sumter, telegraphed President Lin- coln, tendering 10,000 troops in the name of Indiana for the defense of the Union.

The President had called upon the several States for 75,000 men; Indiana's quota was 4,683. Governor Morton called for six regi- ments April 16, 1861.

Hon. Lewis Wallace, of Mexican war fame, was appointed Adjutant-General; Colonel Thomas Morris, Quartermaster-General, and Isaiah Mansur, of Indianapolis, Commissary- General. Governor Morton was also busy ar- ranging the finances of the State, so as to support the military necessities, and to his appeals to public patriotism he received prompt and liberal financial aid from public- spirited citizens throughout the State. On the 20th of April Major T. J. Wood arrived from Washington, to receive the troops then organized, and Governor Morton telegraphed

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HISTORY OF INDIANA1.

the President that he could place six regi- ments of infantry at the disposal of the Gov- ernment; failing to receive a reply, the Legislature, then in extra session, April 27, organized six new regiments for three montlis service, and notwithstanding the fact that the first six regiments were already mustered into the general service, were known as " The First Brigade Indiana Vol- unteers," and were numbered respectively: Sixth Regiment, Colonel T. T. Crittenden; Seventh Regiment, Colonel Ebenezer Du- mont; Eighth Regiment, Colonel W. P. Ben- ton; Ninth Regiment, Colonel R. H. Milroy; Tenth Regiment, Colonel T. T. Reynolds; Eleventh Regiment, Colonel Lewis Wallace. The idea of these numbers was suggested from the fact that Indiana was represented in the Mexican war by one brigade of five regiments, and to observe consecutiveness the regiments comprised in the first division of volunteers were thus numbered, and the entire force placed under the command of Brigadier-General T. A. Morris, with the following staff: Jolın Love, Major; Cyrus C. Hines, Aid-de-camp, and J. A. Stein, Assistant Adjutant-General. They rendered valuable service in the field, returned to In- dianapolis July 29, and the six regiments, with the surplus volunteers, now formed a division of seven regiments. All organized for three years, between the 20th of August and 20th of September, with the exception of the Twelfth, which was accepted for one year, under the command of Colonel John M. Wallace, and reorganized May, 1862, for three years, under Colonel W. H. Link. The Thirteentlı Regiment, Colonel Jeremialı Sul- livan, was mustered into service in 1861, and assigned to General McClellan's com- mand.

The Fourteenth Regiment organized in 1861, for one year, and reorganized soon 11

thereafter for three years, commanded by Colonel Kimball.

The Fifteenth Regiment organized June 14, 1861, at LaFayette, under Colonel G. D. Wagner. On the promotion of Colonel Wagner, Lieutenant-Colonel G. A. Wood be- came Colonel of the regiment in November, 1862.

The Sixteenth Regiment organized, under P. A. Hackleman, of Richumnond, for one year. Colonel Hackleman was killed at the battle of Iuka. Lientenant-Colonel Thomas J. Lucas succeeded to the command. The regiment was discharged in Washington, D. C., in May, 1862; reorganized at Indianapo- lis May 27, 1862, for three years, and par- ticipated in the active military operations until tlie close of the war.

The Seventeenth Regiment was organized at Indianapolis June 12, 1861, under Colonel Hascall, who was promoted to Brigadier- General in March, 1862, when the command devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel John T. Wilder.

The Eighteenth Regiment was organized at Indianapolis, under Colonel Thomas Pat- terson, August 16, 1861, and served under General Pope.

The Nineteenthi Regiment organized at Indianapolis July 29, 1861, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, under Colonel Solomon Meridith. It was consolidated with the Twentieth Regiment October, 1864, under Colonel William Orr, formerly its Lieuten- ant-Colonel.

The Twentieth Regiment organized at La Fayette, for three years service, in July, 1861, and was principally engaged along the coast.

The Twenty-first Regiment was organized, under Colonel I. W. Mc Millan, July 24, 1861. This was the first regiment to enter New Or- leans, and made itself a lasting name by its various valuable services.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

The Twenty-second Regiment, under Col- onel Jeff. C. Davis, joined General Fremont's Corps, at St. Louis, on the 17th of August, 1861, and performed gallant deeds under Gen- eral Sherman in the South.

The Twenty-third Battalion was organized, under Colonel W. L. Sanderson, at New Al- bany, July 29, 1861. From its unfortunate marine experiences before Fort Henry to Bentonville it won unusual honors.

The Twenty-fourth Battalion was organ- ized, under Colonel Alvin P. Hovey, at Vin- cennes, July 31, 1861, and assigned to Fremont's command.

The Twenty-fifth Regiment was organized at Evansville, for three years, under Colonel J. C. Veach, August 26, 1861, and was en- gaged in eightcen battles during its term.

The Twenty-sixth Battalion was organized at Indianapolis, under W. M. Wheatley, Sep- tember 7, 1861, and served under Fremont, Grant, Heron and Smith.

The Twenty-seventh Regiment, under Col- onel Silas Colgrove, joined General Banks September 15, 1861, and was with General Sherman on the famous march to the sea.

The Twenty-eighth Regiment, or First Cavalry, was organized at Evansville August 20, 1861, under Colonel Conrad Baker, and performed good service in the Virginias.

The Twenty-ninth Battalion, of La Porte, under Colonel J. F. Miller, was organized in October, 1861, and was under Rousseau, McCook, Rosecrans and others. Colonel Miller was promoted to the rank of Brig- adier-General, and Lieutenant-Colonel D. M. Dunn succeeded to the command of the regiment.

The Thirtieth Regiment, of Fort Wayne, under Colonel Silas S. Bass, joined General Rousseau October 9, 1861. The Colonel re- ceived a mortal wound at Shiloh, and dicd a few days after. Lieutenant-Coloncl J. B.

Dodge succeeded to the command of the regiment.

The Thirty-first Regiment organized at Terre Haute, under Colonel Charles Cruft, in September, 1861, and served in Kentucky and the South.

The Thirty-second Regiment of German Infantry, under Colonel August Willich, or- ganized at Indianapolis August 24, 1861, and served with distinction. Colonel Willich was promoted to Brigadier-General, and Lieuten- ant-Colonel Henry Von Trebra succeeded to the command of the regiment.

The Thirty-third Regiment, of Indianapo- lis, was organized, under Colonel John Coburn, September 16, 1861, and won a series of dis- tinctions throughout the war.

The Thirty-fourthi Battalion organized at Anderson, under Colonel Aslıbury Steele, September 16, 1861, and gained a lasting rep- utation for gallantry during the war.

The Thirty-fifth, or First Irish Regiment, organized at Indianapolis, under Colonel John C. Walker, December 11, 1861. On the 22d of May, 1862, it was joined by the Sixty- first, or Second Irish. Regiment, when Colonel Mullen became Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty-fifth, and soon after its Colonel.

The Thirty-sixth Regiment was organized, under Colonel William Grosc, at Richmond, September 16, 1861, and assigned to the army of the Ohio.

The Thirty-seventh Battalion was organized at Lawrenceburg, September 18, 1861, Col- onel George W. Hazzard commanding, and was with General Sherman to the sea.

The Thirty-eighth Regiment was organized at New Albany, under Colonel Benjamin F. Scribner, September 18, 1861.

The Thirty-ninth Regiment, or Eighth Cavalry, was organized as an infantry regimeut, under Colonel T. J. Harrison, at Indianapolis, August 28, 1861. In

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

1863 it was reorganized as a cavalry reg- innent.

The Fortieth Regiment was organized at La Fayette, under Colonel W. C. Wilson, December 30, 1861, and subsequently com- manded by Colonel J. W. Blake, and again by Colonel Henry Leaming, and saw service with Buell's army.

The Forty-first Regiment, or Second Cav- alry, the first complete regiment of liorse raised in the State, was organized at Indian- apolis, under Colonel John A. Bridgland, September 3, 1861; was with General Sher- man through Georgia, and with General Wilson in Alabama.

The Forty-second Regiment was organized at Evansville, under Colonel J. G. Jones, October 9, 1861, and participated in the Sherman campaign.

The Forty-third Battalion was organized at Terre Haute, under Colonel George K. Steele, September 27, 1861, and assigned to Pope's army; was the first regiment to enter Mem- phis, and was with Commodore Foote at the reduction of Fort Pillow.

The Forty-fourth Regiment was organized at Fort Wayne, under Colonel Hugh B. Reed, October 24, 1861, and attached to General Cruft's Brigade.

The Forty-fifth, or Third Cavalry, was at different periods, 1861-'62, under Colonel Scott Carter and George H. Chapman.

The Forty-sixtlı Regiment organized at Logansport, under Colonel Graham N. Fitch, in February, 1862, and was assigned to Gen- eral Pope's army, and served under Generals Sherman, Grant and others.

The Forty-seventh Regiment was organized at Anderson, under Colonel I. R. Slack, early in October, 1862, and was assigned to Gen- eral Buell's army, thence to General Pope's. In December, 1864, Colonel Slack was promoted to Brigadier-General, and Colonel

J. A. MeLaughton succeeded to the command of the regiment.

The Forty-eighth Regiment was organized at Goshen, under Colonel Norman Eddy, December, 6 1861, and made itself a bright name at the battle of Corintlı.

The Forty-ninth Regiment organized at Jeffersonville, under Colonel J. W. Ray, November 21, 1861, and first saw active ser- vice in Kentucky.

The Fiftieth Regiment, under Colonel Cyrus L. Dunham, was organized at Sey- mour in September, 1861, and entered the service in Kentucky.

The Fifty-first Regiment, under Colonel Abel D. Streight, was organized at Indian- apolis December 14, 1861, and immediately began service witlı General Buell.

The Fifty-second Regiment was partially raised at Rushville, and completed at Indian- apolis by consolidating with the Railway Brigade, or Fifty-sixth Regiment, February 2, 1862, and served in the several campaigns in the South.

The Fifty-third Battalion was raised at New Albany, with the addition of recruits from Rockport, and made itself an endurable name under Colonel W. Q. Gresham.

The Fifty-fourth Regiment organized at Indianapolis, under Colonel D. J. Rose, for three months, June 10, 1862, and was assigned to General Kirby Smith's command.

The Fifty-fifth Regiment organized for three months, under Colonel J. R. Malion, June 16, 1862.

The Fifty-sixth Regiment, referred to in the sketch of the Fifty-second, was designed to be composed of railroad men, under Col- onel J. M. Smith, but owing to many railroad men liaving joined other commands, Colonel Smith's volunteers were incorporated with the Fifty-second, and this number left blank in the army list.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

The Fifty-seventh Battalion was organized by two ministers of the gospel, the Rev. I. W. T. McMullen and Rev. F. A. Hardin, of Richmond, Indiana, November 18, 1861, Colonel McMullen commanding. The regi- ment was severally commanded by Colonels Cyrus C. Haynes, G. W. Leonard, Willis Blanch and John S. McGrath.

The Fifty-eighth Regiment was organized at Princeton, under Colonel Henry M. Carr, in October, 1861, and assigned to General Buell's command.

The Fifty-ninth Battalion was organized under Colonel Jesse I. Alexander, in Feb- ruary, 1862, and assigned to General Pope's command.

The Sixtieth Regiment was partially or- ganized at Evansville, under Lieutenant- Colonel Richard Owen, in November, 1861, and perfected its organization at Camp Mor- ton in March, 1862, and immediately entered the service in Kentucky.

The Sixty-first Regiment was partially organized in December, 1861, under Colonel B. F. Mullen. In May, 1862, it was incor- porated with the Thirty-fifth Regiment.

The Sixty-second Regiment, raised under Colonel William Jones, of Rockport, was consolidated with the Fifty - third Regi- ment.

The Sixty-third Regiment, of Covington, under Colonel James McManomy, was par- tially raised in December, 1861, and im- mediately entered upon active duty. Its organization was completed at Indianapolis, February, 1862, by six new companies.

The Sixty-fourth Regiment was organized as an artillery corps. The War Department prohibiting consolidating batteries, put a stop to the movement. Subsequently an infantry regiment bearing the same number was raised.

The Sixty-fifth Regiment, under Colonel

J. W. Foster, completed its organization at Evansville, August, 1862.

The Sixty-sixth Regiment organized at New Albany, under Colonel Roger Martin, August 19, 1862, and entered the service immediately in Kentucky.

The Sixty-seventh Regiment was organ- ized in the Third Congressional District, under Colonel Frank Emerson, and reported for service at Louisville, Kentucky, in Au- gust, 1862.

The Sixty-eighth Regiment organized at Greenburg, under Major Benjamin C. Shaw, and entered the service August 19, 1862, under Colonel Edward A. King, with Major Shaw as Lieutenant-Colonel.

The Sixty-ninth Regiment was organized at Richmond, under Colonel A. Bickle; were taken prisoners at Richmond, Kentucky; when exchanged they reorganized in 1862, Colonel T. W. Bennett commanding.

The Seventieth Regiment was organized at Indianapolis, August 12, 1862, under Colonel B. Harrison, and at once marched to the front in Kentucky.

The Seventy-first, or Sixtli Cavalry, was an unfortunate regiment, organized at Terre Haute, under Lieutenant-Colonel Melville D. Topping, August 18, 1862. At the battle near Richmond, Kentucky, Colonel Topping and Major Conklin, together with 213 men, were killed; 347 taken prisoners; only 225 escaped. The regiment was reorganized un- der Colonel I. Bittle, and was captured by the Confederate General Morgan on the 28th of December, same year.

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Author: Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 922

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 922