Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 8

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > 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).

ADDITIONAL CALLS AND ENLISTMENTS.

On the 17th of October, 1863, came the call for 300,000 men for two years, and the task of securing volunteers was renewed. Lieuts. Willis Record and McCracken and others secured about sixty men for the

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

Seventieth Regiment in December, 1863, and January, 1864. In Jan- uary and February, thirty-three colored men were hired at $100 each to represent Washington Township in the army. They were assigned to Company E, Twenty-eighth Regiment United States Colored Troops. Four or five of these men only were from Morgan County ; the others were partly contrabands from the South. The colored men were turned over to Lieut. Richard Curry. A few recruits entered the Twelfth Regi- ment, and a few more the Twenty-first. Lieut. J. C. Farr recruited a squad for the Thirty-third, and Clark Graves secured a few for his regi- ment. Nearly all of the regiments containing men from the county re- ceived from few to many recruits. Lieut. Rundle recruited for the Twen- ty-seventh. By the 9th of January, 1864, only Brown and Madison Townships had furnished their quotas under the October call of 1863. Washington cleared her quota with colored men, as did also Clay, the lat- ter paying' $1,800 for nine colored men. The other townships slowly raised their men during the early part of 1864, sending them as recruits into the older regiments.

RECEPTION OF THE VETERANS.

On Saturday, April 9, 1864, a large assemblage of the citizens gathered at the county seat, pursuant to call, to formally receive the vet- erans who had come home on furlough. The citizens came from all quarters on foot, horseback and in carriages and wagons, until the town was filled. Capt. Day, at 11 o'clock, formed the veterans into rank and marched them to the commons southwest of town, where they were put through musket and bayonet practice and military evolutions for the benefit of the crowd. Then all marched back to the court house, from the door of which Maj. Manker delivered the eloquent welcoming speech. Col. Coburn responded in behalf of the Thirty-third Regiment. Several hundred soldiers were present, and as they marched around in rank with the wonderful precision of veterans the wildest enthusiasm was kindled in the breasts of the spectators. An enormous table on the south side of the square, extending the whole length of the yard east and west, was loaded to the verge of breaking down with the choicest viands the county could produce. Over 1,500 persons dined at this gigantic table, and at the conclusion of the feast the large store still remaining untouched was distributed to soldiers' families. At 2 o'clock P. M., Judge Gooding spoke to " the largest crowd ever in the town." His speech was nearly three hours in length, and was a splendid specimen of American loyalty, oratory and eloquence. The reception did not conclude with this meet- ing, but continued in an informal character until the furloughs of the veterans ended. They were feasted and toasted in public and in private ; and fetes, soirees, socials, picnics, parties and balls were given in their honor and for their express enjoyment. Ah, how the boys enjoyed the short thirty days, after the hardships, marches, fatigues, battles and starvations in the South ! Everything which love and loyalty could suggest was done for their comfort and happiness. Many of the veterans were from the Eleventh and other regiments containing Morgan County men. Before this reception, the ladies had given the veterans from Mar-

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

tinsville a formal welcome home at Temperance Hall. The gathering was gay and brilliant.

CONTINUED ENLISTMENTS IN 1864.

Under the calls of February and March, 1864, a few recruits were secured, but the enlistment was slow and unattended with noteworthy events. On the 23d of April came the call for 85,000 men for the 100 days' service. About thirty men were raised in the county by Capt. W. J. Manker and Lieut. J. E. Goodhue. They were assigned to the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment, and by a mistake credited to Marion County. A few small squads entered the older regiments. In July came the call for 500,000 men for one, two and three years, and the county was again stimulated into activity. War meetings were again held everywhere, and large offers of local bounty were made. The county quota was large, but the citizens went resolutely to work to fill the call. No effort seems to have been made to organize a company wholly in the county, but nearly all the men secured went as recruits to the older regiments. The county made great exertion, all the leading men traversing the county, speaking to scores of audiences and stirring up those liable to be drafted. By the 20th of August, Gregg was the only township which had filled her quota; she had a surplus of seven. The others were behind in the following figures: Washington, 20; Jackson, 25; Greene, 49; Harrison, 13; Madison, 27; Clay, 11; Brown, 33; Monroe, 26; Adams, 7; Jefferson, 7; Baker, 12; and Ray, 36. It will be seen that up to that time some of the townships had done little better than nothing. At a big political meeting held at Waverly about the middle of September, Gov. Morton addressed the citizens on the Presidential issues and the state of the war.

THE DRAFT OF SEPTEMBER 21, 1864.

As the time passed, it was seen that the county could not escape the draft. Indeed, some townships waited its appearance with charming composure. The numbers drafted cannot be given, but it is likely that all the townships except Gregg were levied upon. A. S. Griggs was Provost Marshal for Morgan County. The draft took place at Indian- apolis. After the draft, the townships were given an opportunity of clearing their quotas by volunteers or substitutes, which several succeeded in doing. The Gazette of October 29 said :

All the townships in this county, except Washington, Clay, Monroe and Baker, have filled their quotas under the draft, by volunteers. In this township (Washing- ton), after exhausting the 100 per cent drawn, the quota lacks two of being full. Unless those two are furnished by volunteers, another draw will be made.

Some trouble arose in Brown Township over the draft. After the drafted men had been mustered into the service, they no longer had the power to fill quotas under the draft with volunteers. Quite a number did not know this until after be- ing mustered in; then it was too late.

The drafted men were taken to Indianapolis October 26, and assigned to various old regiments. Thus was the county quota filled.

THE PRESIDENTIAL AND GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGNS OF 1864.

This campaign was very spirited, and was conducted with all the strength of the two parties. The real issue was upon the further con-

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

tinuance of the war. Gov. Morton, as noticed above, and other dis- tinguished speakers, addressed Morgan County audiences. On the Sat- urday preceding the October election, a large crowd of Republicans assembled at Martinsville to stir up the Union sentiment. A fine dinner and eloquent speeches were enjoyed on the fair ground. The town was treated to a brilliant torch-light procession in the evening. On the day of the election, sixty soldiers went to the polls in a body and polled their votes for Gov. Morton. The Democrats also had large meetings at Mar- tinsville and throughout the county. Scarcely a night passed without brilliant gatherings and speeches. At last the returns came in, when it was found that Gov. Morton's majority was 544, a Republican gain of 412 votes in two years. The successful party was jubilant. On Wednes- day after the election, a jubilee was held at the county seat, at Moores- ville, at Morgantown, and at other places. A tall flag-pole was erected in front of Mitchell's store in Martinsville, and a fine flag was soon flying from the top. The Republican Glee Club sang many National airs, and the streets were filled with happy Republicans. As the news came in from the State, 150 "rounds of anvils" were fired. The excitement continued until the November election. On the 22d of October, an im- mense Union meeting was held in the court yard. A new banner thirty feet long was run up a tall flag-pole on the square by the ladies, and speeches were delivered by Preston, Hall and others. The Democrats with hopeful words were almost as active in all parts of the county. At the county election, the Lincoln electors received 1,793 votes, and the McClellan electors 1,283. The results were followed by long-continued public rejoicings from one party, and absolute silence from the other.

THE LAST CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS.

On the 19th of December, 1864. came the last call of the war for volunteers-300,000 men for one, two and three years. But the county was slow to begin the work of filling her quota. On the 6th of January, 1865, the Gazette said : "Some effort ought to be made to fill the quota of the county under the late call for 300,000 men." This implied that up to that period nothing had been done. People felt that the rebellion was in the "last ditch," however, and soon after this began work. The number liable to do military duty under the first enrollment of the war was 2,048 ; under the new enrollment of the autumn of 1864, the num- ber was 1,500. The Gazette of January 21 said :

Come in out of the Draft .- An effort is being made to fill the quota of the county, and relieve it of the draft. A special session of the County Board has been called for Tuesday next. Petitions are in circulation, asking the board to make an appropriation of $500 for each volunteer credited to this county under Father Abraham's last polite and entertaining request. Subscription papers are being cir- culated among the people, and it is expected that with the county appropriation, should one be given, at least $700 will be raised for Morgan County volunteers. We understand that some of our young men are enlisting in other counties, unaware that any inducements will be held out at home. Hold on boys! Home inducements may turn out to be the best.

The quota of the county under this call was 202. Active work was begun about the middle of January. About fifty men were recruited for the Eleventh Regiment. About eighty men were raised for Companies E and H, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, one year's service.

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

A few small squads joined other regiments. These men left about the middle of February. The Gazette of February 18 said :

The quota of Washington Township has been filled. A bounty of $400 was paid to each recruit. Thirty-nine of the volunteers were citizens of this township, and one was recruited at Indianapolis. Several of the volunteers failed to come to time.

But the county could not wholly escape the draft which came on the last week in February with the following result: Green, 40; Ray, 30; Brown, 20; Jackson, 20; and Baker, 6. Immediately after the draft, all the above townships except Baker filled their quotas by volunteers, which privilege was accorded them. A few men failed to appear. The drafted men were assigned to the older regiments.

THE FALL OF RICHMOND.

The Gazette of April 8 exclaimed :

GLORY ! GLORY !! GLORY !!! Let the people shout glory ! "Let rocks and hills their lasting silence break." This is the people's jubilee ! Let all the people sing ! Richmond has fallen ! and great was the fall thereof ! Petersburg fell at the same time! When the news was received here the people fairly went wild with joy; flags were flung to the breeze; songs were sung. The anvils were brought out and made to tell the tale of joy. The Home Guards fired volley after volley of mus- ketry. The jollification was kept up until a late hour of the night.

A few days later the news of the surrender of Gen. Lee reached the county, and created everywhere the most intense joy. People in all parts of the county gathered in the nearest towns intuitively to mingle rejoic- ings over the glorious news. Glee clubs sang themselves hoarse ; speakers voiced the general ecstacy in notes of eloquence ; hastily improvised pro- cessions paraded the streets with martial bands and tumultuous shouts ; banners and loyal emblems were flung to the breeze, and the citizens as a mass gave themselves up to every species of joyous demonstration. The night of the 11th of April was rainy and muddy, but Martinsville was decorated and illuminated as it had never been before. The court house from belfry to foundation was a glittering galaxy of light and color. Stores and private residences vied with each other, without regard to labor or expense, in creating the most gorgeous display.

THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.

The county was yet in the midst of public rejoicings when the painful news was received that Lincoln had been assassinated. The revulsion in public feeling was sickening. Many a man and woman had learned to love the name of Abraham Lincoln. He had led them through four long years of darkness and death-had been the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night through all the starless gloom of war, and now, when the sunlight of victory had lighted the national heart with boundless joy, and every knee was bent, and every eye dim with grateful thanksgiving, to have the beloved Lincoln cut down so untimely was indeed bitter and hard to bear. Scores burst into tears as if they had lost their nearest friend. People spoke in subdued voices of the awful calamity, and moved around with troubled faces and heavy steps. The Gazette of April 22 said :

On Tuesday last a meeting of the citizens was held at the Auditor's office to arrange for solemnizing Wednesday as a day of humility and prayer on account of

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

the great national bereavement. It was resolved that the court house should be draped in mourning, and services held at 12 M. therein. It was also resolved that all the business houses should remain closed during the entire day, and that all the houses should have crape on the doors. Though but a short time was allowed for the work, the court room was tastefully decorated with emblems of mourning. Long before the hour appointed for the meeting, the room was densely packed. The funeral discourse was preached by Rev. W. C. Smith from the text, "Abel being dead yet speaketh." He spoke with deep feeling and earnestness of the life and character of our murdered President. There were but few dry eyes in the vast audience during his discourse. He was followed by O. R. Daugherty, F. P. A. Phelps, C. F. McNutt and O. J. Glessner, in short and appropriate addresses. The audience listened to all with deep attention. The most intense sorrow was depicted on every countenance. Deep sadness and gloom pervaded the entire audience. All hearts were sad and all voices hushed. At night a union prayer meeting was held at the same place. The following are the resolutions unanimously adopted by a rising vote at the day meeting:

Resolved, 1st. That in the death of Abraham Lincoln, one of the purest and most elevated statesmen of earth has fallen; that, as in the death of Washington the Nation mourned the Father of our Country, so in the death of our beloved Chief Magistrate we mourn him who under God was the savior of our country.

2d. That, though the greatest, wisest and best men may fall in our country's cause, our confidence that divine Providence will save the life of the Nation, and make it the light of the world, is full and undiminished.

3d. That, trusting as we have in that Providence, and in the patriotism, virtue and intelligence of the people, and trusting as we do in the ability and statesman- ship of Andrew Johnson, we do solemnly before God and good men re-pledge our- selves that the Republic shall live and treason shall die.

4th. That we humbly and devotedly pray the Father of all mercies to spare the life of Secretary Seward to this already deeply afflicted Nation.

The same issue of the paper containing an account of this meeting also published the following :

Wednesday last was the most remarkable day ever witnessed in Martinsville. Never was such universal quiet known to our citizens. It was more like a Sabbath should be than any Sunday that ever passed over our town. It was a sad day. Such general and genuine sorrow as was exhibited here is seldom witnessed. The great beauty of the veneration and respect shown Mr. Lincoln consists in the fact that it did not proceed from any one party or creed. All the people mourned.

Public meetings in honor of the distinguished dead were also held at Morgantown, Mooresville, Eminence, Paragon, Centerton, and in numer- ous churches and schoolhouses in other portions of the county. The speakers at Eminence were Rev. John Hancock and J. W. Rhea. Reso- lutions of sorrow and hope were adopted in all the meetings. Unfortu- nately, a fuller account cannot be given. A few residents of the county unwisely asserted their joy at the death of Lincoln ; but in every instance they were assaulted and terribly beaten. The public heart did not fully revive the shock until the surrender of Gen. Johnston's army on the 26th of April. Then again, the capture of Jeff Davis in petticoats on the 10th of May added to the gratification.

SUMMARY OF TROOPS FURNISHED.

It is impossible to give the exact number of men furnished by the county to suppress the rebellion ; but an attempt will be made to give the approximate number. On the 19th of September, 1862, the county was officially credited with having furnished 1,232 men, of whom 1,188 were then in the service. But this does not include the men who entered the companies raised outside of the county, notably at Indianapolis. It is safe to say that over 1,300 men had been furnished by this time. Under the two calls of 1863, the county quota was not less than 250 men. Dur-

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

ing the year 1864, not including the men required under the call of December, the aggregate quotas under the various other calls were 917 men, all of whom were secured and sent into the field. Under the Decem- ber call, 202 men were required and raised, together with a surplus of 22 men. Taking into consideration the men who were credited to other counties. and the men of other counties who were credited to Morgan, and taking the sum total of the above estimates and official statements, it will be seen that the county furnished about 2,700 men to put down the rebellion. This is a magnificent showing. It should be borne in mind, however, that in this estimate each man has been counted as often as he enlisted. Many served under two, three and perhaps four calls. But making all necessary allowances, it is safe to say that the county sent 2,000 different men into the field. These estimates do not include the seven companies raised to repel Gen. Morgan, nor the Home Guards, nor the eleven companies of the Indiana Legion, commanded respectively by the following Captains : A. S. Griggs, Jacob Hess, Jarvis J. Johnson, Maryfield Walters, James E. Burton, Andrew T. Wellman, William Nicholson, Sylvanus Barnard, William W. Wilson and Joel Matthews. During the war, however, nearly all the companies of the Legion enlisted, and saw active service.

BOUNTY AND RELIEF.

About the middle of May, 1861, the County Board appropriated $3,000 for the care of soldiers' families, and appointed P. S. Parks, J. S. Kelley, Jacob Adams, Philip Hodge and W. J. Manker to expend the same. A great deal was done in the same direction by the townships and by individuals, of which no record was kept. During the autumn of 1861, soldiers' aid societies were organized at several central places in the county. During the first week in November, a large box of blankets, gloves, mittens, shirts, drawers, socks, etc., was sent to Indianapolis from the county seat. Other localities sent similar boxes. The supplies went to the boys in Kentucky. Several citizens took a large quantity of goods and provisions to the boys there. Mrs. Manker, Mrs. Scott and many other worthy ladies were active in soliciting donations. Mrs. J. M. Hub- bell and Mrs. E. W. Callis were active in obtaining cash donations for the hospitals. In April, 1862, a new soldiers' relief society was organ- ized at Martinsville, with the following officers : W. H. Craig, President ; A. H. Crayton, Secretary ; J. W. Paul, Treasurer ; A. H. Crayton, W. J. Sparks, S. J. Hastings, A. J. Major, D. G. Stotts, Jesse Barker, James R. Best, Mrs. J. K. Scott, Mrs. J. W. Paul and Mrs. J. R. Elli- ott, Soliciting Committee. Others elsewhere in the county were organ- ized. These societies, however, were not active In June, 1863, in re- sponse to a call from Gov. Morton, the County Board loaned $5,000 of the county funds to the State for the benefit of helpless soldiers. The appropriation was opposed by a strong disloyal element, but without avail. In December, 1863, the aid societies were re-organized, and during the winter did good work. On Thanksgiving Day, $39.70 was raised at Martinsville. At another meeting in Martinsville, $47 cash was received. Under the October call of 1863, the County Board ordered each volun- teer paid $100 bounty. The townships began to offer bounties also.

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

Brown offered $100 for each man, and Madison $200. During the win- ter, the " Murdock Institute " gave amateur dramatic entertainments at Martinsville for the benefit of the County Sanitary Commission. The details in other localities cannot be given. The dramatic society played " The Double Ghost," "Kiss in the Dark," " Rough Diamond," " Love at Sight," etc., and was greeted by immense audiences. A large amount of money was thus secured for the soldiers. Large quantities of wood and provisions were furnished the families of soldiers gratuitously. G. W. Cramer, John Braughton, Calvin Brelleford, Jesse Avery, David Carter, Isaac Hastings, Patrick Bradley, Lafayette Townsend, J. J. Wright, D. D. Cramer, Madison Avery, Thomas Williams, W. W. Wil- son, Ellis Hastings at Martinsville, and scores of others throughout the county were active in furnishing wood and supplies. The " Bethesda Soldier's Aid Society," organized at Mooresville in August, 1864, sent the following supplies to Indianapolis in December: Twelve dozen band- ages, six dozen arm slings, ten pounds of lint, two dozen towels, one doz- en pillow cases, one dozen packs of envelopes, one pack of letter paper, ninety-five pounds cotton rags, twenty pounds lint rags, one dozen dish cloths, thirteen shirts, one dozen pairs drawers, one and one-half dozen sheets, six pounds mustard seed, three pounds sage, three pounds hops, two bushels of onions, fifty pounds dried apples, twelve pounds dried peaches, fourteen cans of fruit and one-half barrel of pickles ; also $69.85 cash. A large number of hogs (200) were purchased by the County Board for the consumption of soldiers' families during the winter. In January, 1865, a Ladies' Aid Society was organized at the county seat, among the members being Mrs. L. Messenger, Mrs. W. W. Wilson, Mrs. S. A. Tilford, Mrs. Sallie Smith, Mrs. E. W. Callis and others. But little was done by this society, as the war soon closed. On the 26th of January, 1865, the County Board appropriated $300 for each volunteer or drafted man under the last call for troops, but this met such strong objection from the fact that soldiers' property would have to sustain the tax to send " stay-at-homes " to the army, that the order was rescinded. The following statement is taken from the Adjutant General's report :

COUNTY, TOWNSHIPS, ETC.

BOUNTY.

RELIEF.

Morgan County.

$ 22,800

$70,802 42

Washington Township.

14,950

1,250 00

Jackson Township

12,500

1,050 00

Green Township ...

48,000

275 00

Harrison Township.

5,100

350 00

Madison Township.

19,800

520 00

Clay Township.

13,725

2,150 00

Brown Township.

15,000

1,025 00

Monroe Township.

1,500

1,215 00

Adams Township

10,700

970 50

Gregg Township.

5,000

1,050 25

Jefferson Township.

12,000

1,125 00

Ray Township ...

17,450

750 00

Baker Township.

450

375 00

Miscellaneous Relief.

1,150 00

Total.

$198,975

$84,058 17

Grand total bounty and relief.

283,033 17

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

DISLOYALTY MANIFESTED DURING THE WAR.

The least said on this subject the better. All mention of the more prominent events, however, cannot be escaped. It is scarcely necessary to state that many prominent people in Morgan County and throughout the North were sincerely and conscientiously opposed to the prosecution of the war to quell the rebellion. Many honestly believed in the right of the Southern States to secede, and in the Divine origin of the institution of slavery. This is not to be wondered at, in view of the herculean efforts of Southern statesmen, through a long period of years, to instil the heresy into the hearts of both North and South. In view of human fallibility, it is useless to recriminate for errors of judgment. People both North and South, who were sincere in their opinions, should be re- garded with charity, and the nation, after its baptism of blood, should foster a nobler humanity by the universal education of mind and heart.

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.

Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 8

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814