USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 54
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 54
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 54
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56
48
40
43
Bloomington
41
25
38
22
24
22
30
36
Richland.
38
49
21
22
60
49
58
20
Van Buren
38
46
54
68
54
50
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Perry.
33
59
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39
58
47
53
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Salt Creek.
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37
26
58
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Polk.
58
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66
56
73
44
43
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Clear Creek.
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50
164
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30
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Indian Creek
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60
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MILITARY HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
THE COUNTY MILITIA.
M ONROE COUNTY was no sooner organized than it was consti- tuted the district for the organization of the Twentieth Regiment of Indiana Militia, and John Storm was commissioned Colonel, with orders to superintend the enrollment of able-bodied men and the forma- tion of companies. This was in 1819, soon after the war of 1812-15, when the recollectlon of danger from savages was fresh in the mind, and when the apprehension of danger from the same source was still a matter of daily concern, as the natives were yet a few miles north in the New Purchase.
The old habits of watchfulness on the frontier could not so soon be abandoned, and, accordingly for several years, the militia was mustered often and kept in readiness for any outbreak from the Indians. After the removal of the Indians, the muster was still continued for sev- eral years, though with steadily lessening interest or concern, and at last, late in the twenties, became little better than a farce. In truth, the system which had been so efficient during the Indian wars, now that danger from that or any other source was past, degenerated into a holiday, where dram-drinking, horse-racing and athletic sports claimed the sole attention of the boisterous crowds. In 1822, John Ketchum succeeded John Storm as Colonel of the Twentieth Regiment of State Militia, but after that the regimental officers cannot be named. William Lowe was Brigidier General of the Monroe County Battalion for a time. The only circumstance that roused the militia was the war with Mexico in 1846-47.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
1
Monroe County furnished two full companies for the Mexican war. Soon after the call for volunteers in May, 1846, the militia of the county met at Bloomington for regimental or battalion muster. The excitement over the war was great, a call was made, and a full company was raised
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
and ready by the 1st of June. The officers were : John M. Sluss, Cap- tain ; John Eller, First Lieutenant ; Aquilla Rogers, Second Lieutenant. This company became A of the Third Regiment, which rendezvoused at New Albany, and left Bloomington on the 15th of June. A beautiful flag was presented the boys by the ladies of Bloomington, Miss Sarah Markle making the presentation speech. Company A was in the battle of Buena Vista, where four or five of the boys (Buskirk, Applegate, Stout and Holland) were killed and about five wounded. The company was mustered out at the end of the year. In 1847, three more regiments were called for from Indiana, and Daniel Lunderman began to raise a company. It was soon completed and became G of the Fourth Regiment. This company was tendered a public farewell by the citizens of Blooming- ton, who presented the boys with a national banner. The company was with Gen. Scott on his march from Vera Cruz to the Mexican capital, and participated in nearly all of the battles on that memorable and triumphant route. A number of the boys was killed and many more wounded, but their names cannot be given. The company returned at the end of one year. Several were left in honored graves in the land of the Montezumas.
AFFAIRS PRECEDING THE FALL OF FORT SUMTER.
On the 2d of February, 1860, pursuant to notice, the citizens of the county seat and vicinity, irrespective of party, met at the court house to take into consideration the state of the Union. Judge G. A. Buskirk was made Chairman, and C. P. Tuley and J. B. Mulky, Secretaries. M. C. Hunter, Benjamin Wolfe, Dr. W. C. Foster, F. T. Butler and Elias Abel were appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. While the committee were preparing their report, Gov. Dunning was called out. He stated that he was a member of no party until the existing difficulties between the two sections of the country were settled. Prof. John Young spoke against the "Crittenden Com- promise," and in favor of the Constitution as it was, but was willing to accept the " Border State Resolutions." The committee then presented the following report :
Resolved, That we, the people of Monroe County, are in favor of the resolutions known as the " Border State Resolutions," which are as follows :
1. Recommending the repeal of the Personal Liberty Bills.
2. That the Fugitive Slave Law be amended for the preventing of kidnaping, and so as to provide for the equalization of the Commissioner's fee, etc.
3. That the Constitution be so amended as to prohibit any interference with slavery in any of the States where it now exists.
4. That Congress shall not abolish slavery in the Southern dock-yards, arsenals, etc., nor in the District of Columbia, without the consent of Maryland, and the consent of the inhabitants of the District, nor without compensation.
5. That Congress shall not interfere with the Inter-State slave trade.
6. That there shall be a perpetual prohibition of the African slave trade.
7. That the line of 36 degrees, 30 minutes, shall be run through all the existing territory of the United States : that in all north of that line slavery shall be prohibited, and that south of that line neither Congress nor the Territorial Legislature shall hereafter pass any law abolishing, prohibiting, or in any manner interfering with African slavery ; and that when any Territory containing a sufficient population for one Member of Con- gress in any area of 60,000 square miles shall apply for admission as a State it shall be admitted, with or without slavery, as its Constitution may determine.
The committee also reported the fifth resolution of the " Crittenden Compromise," which was as follows:
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
5. Congress shall have power by law to pay an owner who shall apply the full value of a fugitive slave in all cases when the Marshal is prevented from discharging his duty by force or rescue made after arrest. In all such cases, the owner shall have power to sue the county in which such violence or rescue was made, and the county shall have the right to sue the individuals who committed the wrong in the same manner as the owner could sue.
Before these resolutions could be disposed of, Dr. Foster reported the following additional one :
Resolved, That " while the lamp holds out to burn, the vilest sinner may return." That in view of this Bible doctrine, we hold that all conciliatory measures should be adopted to prevent a collision between the South and the North, and when all the argu- ments are exhausted, and all conciliation rejected, then we advise coercive measures to be pursued to prevent the desecration and dissolution of the Union. The Union must be preserved at all hazards.
After a warm discussion, the Border State Resolutions were unanimously adopted. The fifth resolution of the Crittenden Compromise met with greater opposition, but finally passed by a fair majority. The resolution presented by Dr. Foster was handled severely, and finally rejected by a majority vote. In the discussion on this resolution, violent and eloquent speeches were made against the adoption of any measures of coercion with the seceded States. Dr. J. G. McPheeters then offered the following :
Resolved, That the citizens of Monroe County, always loyal to the Union and the Constitution, in view of existing difficulties which threaten the existence of our glorious confederacy, would tender the foregoing (meaning the Border State Resolutions) com- promise as a basis of settlement ; but in the event of its rejection, are ready to declare for the Union as it is, the Constitution as it is, and the enforcement of the laws.
This resolution also met with fiery opposition. A motion to table the resolution was lost. Messrs. Marlin, Wolfe, B. F. Williams and David Sheeks hotly denounced the resolution as coercive in its meaning. After a sharp war of words and passions, the resolution was finally adopted. The meeting then adjourned. Among those present were Gov. Dunning, Dr. W. C. Foster, Judge G. A. Buskirk, S. H. Buskirk, C. P. Tuley, J. B. Mulky, Isaac Adkins, Isaac Cox, Abraham Smith, M. C. Hunter, Benjamin Wolfe, F. T. Butler, Elias Abel, Prof. John Young, P. L. D. Mitchell, Hugh Marlin, Johnson McCulloch, Dr. J. G. McPheeters and David Sheeks. The most noticeable feature of the meeting was the strong sentiment publicly and ardently manifested not to use" coercive measures in any case with the South. On the other hand, a few citizens warmly advocated the most advanced views of the Abolitionists. The meeting was largely attended, the court room being crowded to its utmost capacity. The various political sentiments manifested at this meeting illustrate the feeling in the county at the time.
OPENING SCENES OF THE REBELLION.
On Monday, the 15th of April, 1861, when the news was received that Fort Sumter had been surrendered to the rebels, great excitement was manifested by all political parties at the county seat. The news spread like a prairie fire throughout the surrounding country, and a large crowd of bewildered and anxious citizens assembled to counsel what was best to be done in the awful emergency. Many were so frightened that their senses and judgment refused to act with usual accuracy, and the first thought was to fly for Canada or the Pacific Coast. A large meeting was held at the court house, on the evening of the 15th, pursuant to call,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
to sound the sentiments of the citizens. Unfortunately, a detailed account of this meeting cannot be given. Some five or six of the most prominent citizens and ablest spcakers, whose judgment the assemblage was anxious to have and willing to trust, were called out to direct the general mind through the gloom and panic of approaching war to some definite and speedy action. Some spoke passionately for an immediate organization of troops to crush the life from the vandals who had shamefully outraged the national honor. Others, with less fire and loyalty, suggested concil- iatory measures, and spoke doubtfully of the right of the Government to adopt coercive measures with the rebellious States. One man spoke severely against the North, especially the Abolitionists, warmly declaring that they were the cause of the fratricidal war ; maintained with great in- tensity that coercive measures were unconstitutional and unjust, and publicly announced that if he fought at all it would be on the Southern side. As the meeting progressed, it became clear that the great majority were in favor of quelling the rebellion at all hazards without a moment's unnecessary delay. A long series of patriotic resolutions was adopted, declaring as the sense of the meeting that the Union must be maintained, if need be by an appeal to arms. Several citizens earnestly opposed the adoption of one or more of the resolutions.
A few days later, another meeting of equal, or greater, fervor and loyalty was held at the court house, on which occasion steps were taken to organize a company of volunteers. The enlistment was continued, and the organization was completed on the 20th, and the officers elected were commissioned on the 22d. The company began drilling regularly every day, waiting in the meantime for orders to report to be mustered into the three months' service, or even into the State service for one year, or, if no better could be done, in the three years' service. On the 10th of May, the day set for the departure of the company for Camp Vigo, Terre Haute, a large assemblage of relatives and friends gathered to present the boys a flag, and see them off on the train. This was the first company raised for the war, and was at a time when the sentiments of patriotism were fresh and strong, and when the novelty of military preparations fired the blood with the vehement loyalty of the hour. A fine banner was presented to the company by a Miss Mitchell, it is said, on behalf of the ladies of Bloomington, in a brief speech, which was responded to on behalf of the company by Lieut. Black. At the conclusion of this beautiful ceremony, the company marched down to the depot accompanied by the whole town. Old men who had served in the land of the Monte- zumas, or even in the war of 1812, were present, giving the boys a kind word of parting advice. Parents were present who saw their boys for the last time on earth. Wives and mothers who had never known the anguish of separation from dear ones at the stern call of a nation at war, stood with pale faces and streaming eyes, tightly clasping the loved forms, and regretting at the last moment to have them go. At last the train came in, good-byes were spoken with pale lips, and the boys were
OFF FOR THE WAR.
Upon reaching Terre Haute, it was found impossible to enter the three months' service, or even the one year's service, and the company
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went into camp of instruction. Considerable dissatisfaction had existed over the selection of the officers, which finally resulted in the division of the company, which formed the basis for two companies. About two- thirds of the company remained at Terre Haute under Capt. Kelley, while the other third was transferred to Indianapolis under the command of Capt. W. S. Charles. Both of these incomplete companies sent their Captains and Lieutenants home to recruit their numbers to the lawful limit. This was late in May and early in June. Capt. Kelley succeeded in raising enough men to complete his company; but Capt. Charles in- creased his numbers to only about fifty. Kelley's men became Company K of the Fourteenth Regiment, three years' service, and were mustered in on the 7th of June, 1861. The regiment moved to Virginia on the 5th of July. About fifty men of the company of Capt. Charles were from Monroe County, and the others were obtained from various localities. This organization became Company H of the Eighteenth Regiment, three years' service, and was mustered in on the 16th of August, and on the fol- lowing day was transferred to St. Louis, Mo. Milton L. Mccullough was First Lieutenant of Kelley's company, and Paul E. Slocum, Second Lieutenant. James S. Black, of Indianopolis, was First Lieutenant of Charles' company, and Hiram W. Rooker, of Noblesville, Second Lieutenant.
OTHER COMPANIES.
In June and July, two or three other companies were organized in the county. Daniel Lunderman, J. O. Mccullough, A. R. Ravenscroft and others raised a full company. James B. Mulky and others raised another company, and J. S. Nutt soon had a company of cavalry. Peter Kop also began to gather around him a squad of volunteers. The bugle was heard in every direction. The small boys of Bloomington had an infantry company that was armed with wooden swords, tin-pans, and other weapons of equal celebrity. It was popular, then, to be a volun- teer. It meant a thirst for bl-l-ood. Ladies smiled like the morning at blue uniforms, but gave the frown and cold shoulder to stalwart forms in civilian's dress. Companies drilled almost daily, and attracted large crowds of fond friends who saw no escape for the rebel cowards when the field of gore was reached. All predicted that the rebels would be " licked out of their boots " in a few months.
In the issue of the Republican of July 13. appeared the following editorial :
Another company of volunteers for the United States service left here on Tuesday last for Madison, Ind., where the regiment is to be formed. The company is under the command of Capt. Daniel Lunderman, of this place, who has had considerable experience as an officer in the recent war with Mexico, and we have no doubt he will faithfully at- tend to the interests and welfare of the company while they are under his charge. Dr. J. O. Mccullough was elected First Lieutenant and Andrew R. Ravenscroft, Second . Lieutenant, whom we have no doubt will be equally faithful to their trust. As many of the volunteers were from the surrounding country, a large concourse of people from dif- ferent parts of the county were present, to see them take their departure and to bid their friends farewell. The volunteers were escorted to the train by Capt. Mulky's company of infantry, and took their departure amid a deafening salute of musketry. The Bloom- ington Cornet Band accompanied them to Madison. We learn that Camp Noble, to which they are assigned. is beautifully situated at North Madison, which is on a high bluff overlooking the city of Madison and the Ohio River.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
In the same issue, the 13th, also appeared the following :
RECRUITING .- Peter Kop and several other gentlemen of this place are raising a com- pany of grenadiers for the United States service. They admit no recruits under five feet ten inches, and equally stout and able-bodied. We pity the rebel upon whose neck the foot of " Big Pete" shall come down with a vengeance. There will be no chance for him to even say his prayers before his life is crushed out of him. Some of the others engaged in raising the company are among our most athletic citizens. Their recruiting office, we believe, is at Williams & Sluss' livery stables.
The company, under Capt. Lunderman, became Company I, of the Twenty-second Regiment, and was mustered into the service on the 15th of August at Camp Noble, Madison. About thirty men of this company were from Owen County and elsewhere, notably from White Hall. The regimental commander was Col. Jefferson C. Davis. On the 17th of August, the regiment started for Missouri, where the boys first saw serv- ice. The company raised by Capt. Kop and others became F of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, and was mustered into the three years' service at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, on the 12th of September, 1861. Only about half of this company was from Monroe County. During the months of August and September, the enlistment of men was very active. The recruiting officers visited all portions of the county, holding war meetings in schoolhouses and churches, and using every art or artifice to secure men for their companies. Every promise and inducement was held out for vol- unteers. It was the fashion then for those who expected to volunteer or those who pretended that they did, to declare that they would enter no company nor regiment that could not see active service on the field of war, and to meet this boastful assertion the recruiting officers invariably an- nounced that their regiments were destined to be sent speedily to the front. Prominent citizens of the county-men of great social, moral and political standing-were taken along by the recruiting officers to give proper assurances of good faith, secure large attendance, fire the blood of young and old with the glory of war and secure a large enrollment of men anxious to vindicate the supremacy of the laws and wreak vengeance upon the vandals who had dared to trample the old flag in the dust. The presence of ladies at these war meetings was always especially desired, as in their presence it was much easier to appeal to the courage and man- hood of fathers, brothers and husbands, and fire them to the pitch of a determination to do their share in the defense of their homes. The pecu- liarly thrilling effect of the sounds of fife and drum was also well known and a rousing martial band was always present. Late in August and early in September, a company of Zouaves was organized at Bloomington. Early in July, the ladies of Bloomington gathered a large box of blank- ets, towels and other useful articles, and sent the same to the company of Capt. Lunderman at Madison. In September and October, Capt. Isaac S. Dains, Lieuts. Samuel A. Harrah, Albert Adams and others, recruited .Company D of the Fiftieth Regiment in Monroe and Owen Counties. About half of the company was from Monroe. Some of the men were mustered into the service in August, some in September and some in Oc- tober. The regiment was organized at Seymour on the 12th of Septem- ber, and on the 25th of October, it left for New Albany, marching through the country and obtaining a considerable number of recruits. On the 25th of December, it moved to Bardstown, Ky., where it went into camp of in-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
struction. The following concerning this company was published in the Republican of September 14:
OFF FOR THE WAR .- Capt. I. S. Dains' company left here for Camp Morton, Indianapo- lis, on Thursday last. This company was raised mostly in this and Owen Counties-a number of them being from the vicinity of White Hall. While they were waiting for the train at the depot, a beautiful flag was presented to the company from the ladies of White Hall. Gov. Dunning, on behalf of the ladies, made a suitable address on the presentation of the flag, which was responded to by ('apt. Dains in a short address, and by three cheers from the soldiers for their beautiful flag. This makes the seventh company which has been raised principally in this county, and left here for the war. One or two other com- panies are now raising. Monroe County will be fully represented in the contest.
The companies referred to in this article were the following : Com- pany K, of the Fourteenth Regiment, Capt. James R. Kelley ; Company H, of the Eighteenth Regiment, Capt. William Stanley Charles ; Com- pany I, of the Twenty-second Regiment, Capt. Daniel Lunderman; Com- pany F, of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, Capt. Peter Kop; Company G, of the Thirty-first Regiment, Capt. Henry L. McCalla ; Company G, of the Thirty-eighth Regiment, Capt. James Secrest ; Company D, of the Fiftieth Regiment, Capt. Isaac S. Dains. The company of Capt. Secrest was raised almost wholly in the vicinity of Ellettsville during the months of August and September, by Capt. Secrest, Lieuts. G. K. Perry and James McCormick. When this company left Ellettsville, they were given a fine dinner, at the conclusion of which a beautiful banner was presented them with appropriate remarks, to which the Captain feelingly responded, and the boys testified their approval with loud acclamations. It must not be understood that the seven companies mentioned above were the only ones then in the service containing men from Monroe County. About half a dozen men had left the northern part of the coun- ty for Indianapolis at the earliest stage of the war, and had succeeded in getting into the Twelfth Regiment in the three months' service, though they were credited to other counties. So far as known, these were the only men from the county in the three months' service. In the Eleventh Regiment was Chaplain H. B. Hibben, from Monroe. In the Twenty- first Regiment, which afterward became the First Heavy Artillery, were about ten men from the county. Four members of the Regimental band were credited to Bloomington. A small squad from the northern part en- tered the Thirty-third Regiment, and was credited to Morgan County. Taking into consideration these facts, and also the fact that several of the companies above mentioned were only partly from Monroe, it may be safely concluded that by the middle of September the county had fur- nished as many as six full companies. This was a splendid showing.
CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.
The cavalry company mentioned above, recruited by Capt. Nutt, con- tained only about fifteen men from the county, the remainder being obtained mostly from Brazil and Delphi. The Monroe boys left for Indianapolis about the middle of September, where they were joined by the recruits from other places, and where an organization was effected. This company became K, of the Second Cavalry (Forty-first Regiment), and was mustered in on the 24th of December. Jephtha M. Ellington, of Ellettsville, became the Captain. In September, 1861, the authorities of the State ordered that in each county a thorough organization of the
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militia should be at once effected ; and the Governor appointed James B. Mulky Colonel of the Monroe County militia, with instructions to pro- ceed at once with the organization. Under this order, ten companies were organized during the war, as follows : The Hoosier Grays, Morton C. Hunter, Captain, organized in the autumn of 1861; the Ellettsville Clippers, Barton Acuff, Captain, organized in the fall of 1861; the Monroe Zouaves, Daniel Shrader, Captain, organized in the fall of 1861; the Richland Mountaineers, B. W. Rice, Captain, organized in the fall of 1861; the Hoosier Guards, H. T. Campbell, Captain, organized early in 1862; the Harrodsburg Guards, John M. Anderson, Captain, organized in the fall of 1861; the Richland Rangers, John Wylie, Captain, organ- ized during the summer of 1863; the Hughes Guards, James Mathers, Captain, organized in the fall of 1863; the Monroe Guards, Isaac S. Bus- kirk, Captain, organized in the fall of 1863; the Bean Blossom Rangers, Thomas M. Gaskin, Captain, organized in the fall of 1863. Every one of these companies, in some form, saw active service, as they afterward enlisted.
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