USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 52
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 52
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ments.
Lands and Value of
Improve-
ments.
Lots.
ments.
148,870
589,345
204 155
100
1 809 21
1,044.98
80,550
417,725
86
1
578 20
745.12
..
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
..
.
Tax.
Total
Delinquent
Interest.
Special
451
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
CHAPTER III. BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.
THE OLD MILITIA SYSTEM-LAKE COUNTY IN THE MEXICAN WAR-MUSTER ROLL OF CAPT. SMITH'S COMPANY-OPENING SCENES OF THE GREAT REBELLION-THE FIRST CALL TO ARMS-THE ENLISTMENT -LAKE COUNTY LOYALTY-RECRUITING-THE DRAFT-WAR MEETINGS- EX- TRACTS FROM THE REGISTER-SANITARY EFFORTS-BOUNTY AND RELIEF FUND-STATISTICS-THE ROLL OF HONOR.
D URING the early history of the State prior to the formation of Lake County, the old militia system, which had done such excellent service in all the Indian border wars, was adopted and quite rigidly en- forced. From the Indian tribes, depleted by protracted and periodical contests, but little danger was apprehended, though the habits induced in the whites by a life spent amid the alarms of the frontier, forbade the total relinquishment of organized bodies of militia, or the obliteration of that grateful sense of public security which their presence afforded. But the wonderful strides of the State in population and prosperity, and the absence of encounters with predatory Indian bands, soon gave satisfactory assurance of general safety, and, in 1834, the old serviceable system was permitted to die out. In 1852, owing to the unsettled state of internal public affairs, the system was revived by legislative enactment, and each Congressional district was required to thoroughly organize its militia. This law met with general public favor and response. Capt. Joseph P. Smith, who had served the country in the Mexican war, and who, years before, had been the Captain of one of the best-drilled companies in the State of New York, was commissioned Colonel by the Governor, and authorized to form the Third Regiment, Ninth Brigade, Indiana Militia. This was begun and accomplished during the summer of 1853. J. Wheeler was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, and J. Vornhultz, Major. The Second Regiment of the same brigade was formed in Porter County, with L. A. Cass, Colonel, H. E. Woodruff, Lieutenant Colonel, and Mr. Freeman, Major. From this on until about 1859 or 1860, more or less drilling was indulged in, though but little military discipline could be secured by the energetic officers. About half of the townships formed companies, the remainder, through indifference, neglecting to do so, though their militia was enrolled and officers commissioned.
Nothing certain can be stated by the writer concerning the Revolu- tionary ex-soldiers, or the ex-soldiers of the war of 1812; who may have settled in Lake County. It is quite likely that members of both wars
452
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
made the county their pioneer homes, and some of their names and services may be read in the biographical department of this volume.
The Mexican War .- In 1846, when the war with Mexico was de- clared, there was only one man in the county who knew anything of mili- tary tactics, and this was Joseph P. Smith. His fame in this respect had spread abroad, and he received a Captain's commission from the Governor, though in what way it was secured is not known. He was ordered to enlist a company for the war, and, in the spring of 1847, he opened an enlistment office at Crown Point and called for volunteers. This was some time in February or March, 1847. The Western Ranger of April 10th (Valparaiso) had this to say :
LAKE COUNTY RANGERS.
This patriotic company numbers about sixty-seven men. Those of them who have visited this place, and who have enlisted here, are fine martial-looking men, and no doubt will give a good account of themselves.
The Ranger of May 1, contained the following : "Heigh O! the soldiers go Marching away to Mexico."
Captain Smith's Company, having assembled in camp at Crown Point during the first of the week, commenced their march on Thursday, and passed through here on Friday on their way to Newport, Ky., their place of rendezvous.
The same issue of the Ranger contained the following notice :
DESERTERS.
The following men have deserted from the United States recruiting station at Crown Point : John Brewer, Moses Church, Emery Church and George Wirly, for whose arrest and delivery at Newport, Ky., the headquarters of the Sixteenth Regiment, United States Infantry, such an amount will be paid as is provided by the laws of United States.
JOSEPH P. SMITH.
CROWN POINT, Ind., April 29, 1847.
In the issue of the following week appeared this notice :
Capt. Smith and his company of 107 men crossed the Tippecanoe on their way to Madison, Ind. (not Newport, Ky.), last Wednesday. An election of officers resulted, Daniel May, First Lieutenant ; S. N. Whitcomb, Second Lieutenant, John C. Howe, Third Lieutenant.
In 1846, three regiments were raised in Indiana for the Mexican war, and in 1847 two more, though Capt. Smith's company was in neither. His men became Company H, Sixteenth United States Infantry. The regimental commander was Col. John W. Tibbatts. The company was mustered into the service in May, 1847, either at Madison or New Or- leans, though, while yet in the States, eighteen deserted upon learning that they were to receive only $7 per month instead of $10, as they had been led to understand. By the close of the first week in June, the company was in Matamoras, Mexico. It continued to serve along the Rio Grande River, guarding military stores, having an occasional
453
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
" brush " with guerrillas, and suffering terribly from camp diseases, and from the hot and peculiar climate of Mexico, until July, 1848, when they were ordered home. On the 31st of July, they were mustered out and discharged. Under the gigantic shadow of the last great war, the brave boys who went to Mexico must not be forgotten. Some of them sleep in forgotton graves in that distant land, and the rugged cactus comes and garlands with its crimson blossoms the lonely spot where they rest. The rich flowers of the stately magnolia shed their fragrant perfume around ; the long festoons of silvery moss hang pendant from the dripping branches above the silent mounds, apparently weeping for the bright young lives that went out so untimely, and over all the strange golden hued birds of the woods chant the sad sweet requiem of triumphant death. The boys are dead, but their deeds live on.
The following information was obtained by the writer from Washing- ton, D. C., after a great deal of trouble, during which some six urgent letters were written, one affidavit was made out, and the magnetic influ- ence of a Congressman was enlisted :
MUSTER ROLL OF CAPT. JOSEPH P. SMITH'S COMPANY (H) OF THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY U. S. A., FROM THE 30TH OF APRIL, 1848, TO THE 31ST OF JULY, 1848 .*
NAME.
Rank.
When Enrolled. Where Enrolled.
By Whom.
Joseph P. Smith.
Captain
William U. Slade.
First Lieut.
Samuel N. Whitcomb
Second Lieut ..
Wallace Willcox
First Sergt ..
April 12.
La Porte ..
Capt. Smith.
Daniel Roudabaugh.
Sergeant
March 25
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Newell Pulsifer.
Sergeant
April 2.
Valparaiso .
Capt. Smith.
Daniel Brown
Sergeant
April 1.
Valparaiso
Capt. Smith.
Alfred Fry
Corporal
March 20.
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
William M. Cloud.
Corporal
March 22.
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Schuyler Bailey
Corporal
April 17.
La Porte .
Capt. Smith.
Francis Benton.
Corporal
March 30.
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Marco Sandoval
Fifer.
October 29
Monterey
Col. Tibbatts.
Jacob Alyea ..
Private
April 3
La Porte
Capt. Smith.
M. I. Brown
Private.
April 15.
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
William Biddle.
Private
April 9
La Porte
Capt. Smith.
M. M. Boggs.
Private
April 17
La Porte
Capt. Smith.
William Barnett.
Private.
August 21.
Galena Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
Millard Church.
Private
March 20.
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Ichabod Clark
Private.
April 6,
La Porte
Capt. Smith.
Schuyler Conant
Private
April 9
La Porte
Capt. Smith.
I. H. Cundiff.
Private.
August 17
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
Jason Daniels.
Private.
March 28
Crown Point .. Capt. Smith.
George W. Dixon
Private.
April 17
Plymouth.
Capt. Smith.
Cornelius Dunn
Private.
July 30.
Mineral Point
Lieut. Ramsey.
Joseph S. English.
Private.
April 30.
Plymouth.
Capt. Smith.
Martin Eller ..
Private
April 29
Plymouth.
Capt. Smith.
James Elliott.
Private
August 24
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
John Fridmana.
Private
June 10
Reynosa
Capt. Smith.
Hudson S. Farwell
Private.
April 2.
Valparaiso ... Capt. Smith.
Ambrose I. Flanagan.
Private
April 19.
Michigan City Capt. Smith.
Elisha Ford
Private.
March 20.
Crown Point .. Capt. Smith.
..
Lieut. Ramsey.
George Burdick
Private
March 17
454
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
NAME.
Rank.
When Enrolled.
Where Enrolled.
By Whom.
Edward Gilford.
Private.
August 24.
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
William Gillar
Private
September 8 ..
Jacksonville ..
Lieut. Wilkinson.
William Hardin
Private.
April 6
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Jacob Hurst ...
Private
July 30.
Bloomington .. Lieut. Hughes.
Cornelius D. Hendren
Private
July 7.
Louisville, Ky
Lieut. Evans.
George W. Hartley
Private
August 18
Louisville, Ky
Lieut. Evans.
Alexander P. Hite
Private
October 5.
Louisville, Ky
Lieut. Evans.
Joseph Hase
Private.
August 7.
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
James P. Hickman ..
Private.
September 16. Bloomington ..
Lieut. Hughes.
Clinton Jackson
Private.
April 2.
Valparaiso
Capt. Smith.
John Jackson
Private.
September 23. Bloomington ..
Lieut. Hughes.
William Kethley
Private
September 8 ...
Jacksonville ..
Lieut. Wilkinson.
David Lockwood.
Private
April 19
Plymouth .. ... Capt. Smith.
Jacob Lockwood.
Private
April 10
Mishawaka .. Capt. Smith.
David Mussulman
Private.
April 1
Valparaiso
Capt. Smith. ..
Frederick McCarty
Private
March 20
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
George Miller
Private.
April 15
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Nelson Mclaughlin
Private
April 20
Plymouth.
Capt. Smith.
Cephas McFarland.
Private
May 1.
La Porte
Capt. Smith.
Elijah Martin.
Private
March 27
Centreville
Capt. Smith.
John V. Moore.
Private
August 20.
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
George W. Morrison
Private.
August 23.
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
John McIlver
Private.
August 24
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
Robert Nicholson
Private
August 4
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
George Ousterhout
Private.
April 17
Plymouth.
Capt. Smith.
H. H. Pierce
Private.
March 27.
Centreville.
Capt. Smith.
James H. Powers
Private
March 20
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Simeon P. Patterson
Private.
April 9
Valparaiso ...
Capt. Smith.
John H. Pitts.
Private
May 1.
Plymouth.
Capt. Smith.
William Peacock
Private.
August 20
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
Lewis Russell
Private
April 3.
La Porte
Capt. Smith.
Thomas Rockhill
Private
April 20
Plymouth.
Capt. Smith.
Christian Römer
Private.
March 25
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Ebenezer Richardson
Private
September 1 .. Jacksonville ..
Galena ..
Lieut. Ramsey.
Sidney C. Smith.
Private
April 27
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Peter Schillhas
Private
May 24
Vicksburg.
Capt. Smith.
Orrin Salvage.
Private
April 6.
South Bend ...
Capt. Smith.
Charles Sumption
Private.
April 6
South Bend ...
Capt. Smith.
Nathaniel B. Silence.
Private
May 3.
Marshall Co ...
Capt. Smith.
John Sorrell.
Private
September 24. Jacksonville ..
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Reuben Tozier.
Private.
April 6
La Porte.
Capt. Smith.
William Unruh
Private.
May 3
Marshall Co ...
Capt. Smith.
Wilhelm Ulrich.
Private
August 19
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
Anthony Van Slyke
Private.
March 21
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
James S. Van Horn
Private
May 5.
Louisville, Ky
Lieut. Evans.
Edson Whittemore.
Private.
April 19
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Gilbert Wariner.
Private
April 21
Valparaiso
Capt. Smith.
William A. Williams
Private.
April 29.
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Henry Welch
Private.
April 3
La Porte
Capt. Smith.
George Wibley Ezra Willcox
Private.
April 13
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
James D. Wing.
Private
April 6
Crown Point .. Capt Smith.
Heman Webster
Private
August 17.
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
Casper Wild
Private.
July 14
Galena
Lieut. Ramsey.
John Radmore
Private.
September 28. Jacksonville ..
Lieut. Wilkinson.
James L. Reynolds
Private
August 20.
Lieut. Wilkinson.
John B. Taylor
Private.
April 28 ..
Crown Point ..
Capt. Smith.
Private
March 20.
Lieut. Wilkinson.
DIED.
NAME.
Rank.
When enrolled.
Where enrolled.
By Whon.
Remarks.
Joseph Cochran ..
Private ..
March 20 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Died April 25, 1848, at Ceralvo.
John Cole.
Private .. April 26 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Died June 3, 1848, at Monterey.
G. H. Patterson
Private .. April
7 Crown Point Capt. Smith ...
Died Sept. 21, 1847, at Chico, or Mier.
Daniel Van Camp.
Private ..
April 24 Plymouth ....
Capt. Smith
Died July 17, 1848, hear Vicksburg.
Adam Harney
Private ..
Aug.
12 Galena
Lieut. Ramsey Died in hospital at Ceralvo, Feb. 22, 1848.
Francis Mclaughlin Private .. April 16 Plymouth
Capt. Smith
Died Oct. 21, 1847, in hospital at Chico or Mier.
William Onion
Private ..
April 26 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Died Dec. 20, 1847, in hospital at Ceralvo.
Nathan A. Brown ..
Sergeant
March 22 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Robert Lamplough ... Private ..
March 22 Crown Point Capt. Smith
John Livingston, Jr .. Private .. April
6 Crown Point Capt Smith
John Smith.
Private ..
April 27 Crown Point
Capt. Smith
Died Oct. 12, 1847, in hospital at Ceralvo.
Elias I. Alyea
Private ..
May
1 La Porte .....
Adoniram Cornish ... Private ..
March 20 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Oliver Conklin. Private ..
April 6 Valparaiso ...
John B. Cornwall.
Private .. April 22 Plymouth
Nathan Crossman.
Privato ..
May 3 Plymouth ... Capt. Smith
Nathan Gregory ..
Private ..
March 20 Crown Point Capt. Smith
M. Hopkins.
Private .. April
6 Valparaiso ... Capt. Smith
William Heninger ... Private ..
April 24 Plymoutlı
Cupt. Smith
Ellis N. Johnson
Private .. April
16 Plymouth
Capt. Smith
Cyrus H. Risden
Private .. April
1| Valparaiso ...
Capt. Smith
William S. Ramsey ...
Private ..
April
17 Plymouth
Capt. Smith
Daniel Rowley
Private .. April 13 La Porte.
Capt. Smith
Died July 23, 1847, in camp near Camargo Died June 18, 1847, in hospital at Mata- moras.
John Sparks
Private .. April
7 Valparaiso ... Capt. Smith
Died June 21, 1847, in hospital at Mata- moras.
Ralph Sanders.
Silas South worth
Isaac N. Turner
Private capt. Smith .. March 26 Crown Point Capt. Smith ... Died July 1, 1847, in camp near Camargo. Private .. April 17 La Porte ..... Died Aug. 12, 1847, in hospital at Camargo Died July 20, 1847, in hospital near Ca- Private May 4 Marshall Co. Capt. Smith margo.
William Whitcraft ... Joseph Deck.
Private ..
April
12 Michi'n City Capt. Smith
John Kemplin
Private
April
3 | La Porte ......
Capt. Smith
Edward Littell
Private .. March 23 Crown Point Capt. Smith ...
Isaac Rector.
Private ..
April 20 La Porte .....
Capt. Smith
S. Vosburg
Private ..
April 14 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Conrad Zeilholder.
Private .. March 23 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Died June 10, 1847, in hospital at Mata- moras.
Daniel May ..
Private .. [March 20 Crown Point [Capt. Smith ... [Discharged, and the enlistment torn up
on the recommendation of Col. Tib. batts.
Collins Parker
Private ..
April 20 La Porte .....
Capt. Smith ...
Claimed by his father as a minor, and discharged.
Lewis P. Streeter.
Private ..
April
1 Valparaiso ...
Capt. Smith ... Discharged on issue of a writ of habeas corpus.
Joseph Reading ..
Private ..
April 16 Plymouth ...
Capt. Smith
Discharged January 14, 1848.
Gabriel Alland
Private ..
April
12 Michi'n City
Capt. Smith
Discharged June 14, 1848, on surgeon's certificate order of disability. Discharged July 3, 1848, on enlistment in dragoons.
Washington Lambert Private ..
Aug. 30 Jacksonville Li't. Wilkinson Discharged June 13, 1848, on surgeon's
James M. Manley
Private ..
March 20 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Discharged June 11, 1848, on surgeon's certificate order of disability.
John E. Preston
Drum'er
May 13 Edinburg. ...
Capt. Smith ...
Discharged May 1, 1848, on surgeon's certificate order of disability.
John Wells
Private .. | April
8 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Discharged June 11, 1848, on surgeon's certificate order of disability.
DESERTED.
Miles Adame
Private .. April 12|La Porte ..... Capt. Smith
[Deserted April 27, 1847.
John Brewer.
Private .. March 20 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Deserted April 25, 1847.
Michael Brannon
Private .. April 20 Plymouth ... Capt. Smith
Deserted May 3, 1847.
Emery Church Private .. March 20 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Deserted April 20, 1847.
Moses Church
Private .. March 20 Crown Point Capt. Smith
Deserted April 20, 1847.
Jerome Carpenter. Private .. April 19 Michi'n City Capt. Smith
Deserted April 25, 1847.
John W. Case
Private ..
April
20 Michi'n City Cant. Smith
Deserted April 25, 1847.
Azariah Dunn
Private .. April
12 Plymouth ... Capt. Smith
Deserted May 3, 1847.
J. G. H. Ferguson
Private ..
April
13 South Bend Capt Smith
Deserted April 14, 1847.
Jesse B. Kemp.
Private .. April
7 Mishawaka .. Capt. Smith
Deserted April 10, 1847.
John Mc Lane
Private ... April
12 Michi'n City Capt. Smith
Deserted April 20, 1847.
Henry Norton,
Private .. April
3 La Porte ..... Capt. Smith
Deserted May 29, 1847.
Sheldon Palmer William Rice.
Private .. April
Capt. Smith
Deserted April 30, 1847.
Calvin R. Stillson
Private .. April
12 La Porte ... 10|La Porte ... 17 Plymouth .... Capt. Smith
Deserted April 25, 1847.
Elijah Thornton.
Private .. April
3 La Porte ..... Capt. Smith Deserted May 12, 1847.
David Walker
Private .. April
5 La Porte ..... Capt. Smith Deserted May 29, 1847.
Homer Willcox
Private .. April
6 La Porte ..... Capt. Smith Deserted May 20, 1847.
Pallo Castillo.
Drum'er ; Oct.
29 Monterey ... Col. Tibbatts ...
Deserted from Metamoras July 6, 1848.
Private .. April
15 La Porte ..... Capt. Smith
Died Aug. 8, 1847, in hospital at Mier. Fell overboard into canal near Louis- ville, Ky., and drowned May 20, 1847. Died June 15, 1847, in hospital near Reynosa, Mex.
Died April 24, 1847, at Crown Point. Died May 29, 1847, at New Orleans. Died June 7, 1847, at Matamoras.
DISCHARGED.
Charles Estes ..
Private ..
March 29 Crown Point Capt. Smith
certificate order of disability.
Private .. April
Capt. Smith
Deserted May 20, 1847.
*The year of enrollment was 1847.
Died Sept. 30, 1847, in hospital at Ceralvo. Died Sept. 27, 1847, in hospital at Ceralvo. Died Aug. 28, 1847, in hospital at Chico. or Mier.
Capt. Smith Died July 17, 1847, in camp near Camargo Died July 7, 1847, in camp near Camargo. Capt. Smith Died Aug. 24, 1847, at hospital at Camargo Died July 11,1847, in camp near Camargo Capt. Smith Died July 22, 1847, in camp near Camargo Died July 5, 1847, in camp near Camargo. Died July 26, 1847, in hospital near Chico or Mier.
Died July 2. 1847, in camp near Camargo. Died Aug. 13, 1847, in hospital at Mier. Died Aug. 6, 1847, in hospital at Mier.
456
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
It may be added, in concluding the Mexican war record, that the muster roll of this company, at the time of the departure for the field, could not be obtained. The names of all the Lake County boys, how- ever, will be found somewhere upon the above record. The account of deaths, discharges, desertions, etc., dates from the time of muster in. The commander of this company lost his life in Hall County, Neb., in 1862. He had gone West, and had located on the Platte River ; and, one day, while chopping in the woods with several companions, includ- ing two sons, was approached by hostile savages, and killed with arrows. They were among the first victims in the terrible Indian massacre of 1862.
The Rebellion .- It is unnecessary to give a summary of the causes which led to the last great war. The protracted and stupendous charac- ter of the struggle is yet green in the memory of maimed and honored participants. Continued and extensive preparations for war were made in the South, long before the North ceased to believe that the differences which bitterly divided the two factions of the Government might be amicably adjusted. Statesmen in the North viewed with reluctance, or contempt, the steady and extensive preparations for war in the South, and refused to believe its presence until the first blow fell like a thunder- bolt upon Fort Sumter, and, at the same time, upon the faithful hearts of loyal people. President Lincoln, with that grand charity which ever distinguished him, wisely hesitated to " unslip the dogs of war," though repeatedly urged by the hot-blooded Abolitionists of the North to strangle the hydra of secession in its infancy. It was currently believed in the North that the rebellion would be quelled in ninety days. But, as time passed on, and the large bodies of troops failed to control or quell the aggressive and daring movements of the Confederate armies, and the sul- len tide of steady reverses swept over almost every field of battle, the hope of the North for peace died out, the gloom of probable national disaster and disunion filled every heart, and for many desolate months the outlook was dark and forbidding.
When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter swept over the country like a flame of fire, the most intense excitement in all places prevailed. The suspense in Lake County was sickening. The rural districts were almost wholly depopulated, and the news stations were thronged with scores of angry and indignant citizens. Men everywhere forgot their daily employ- ment, and gathered at the cross-roads and villages to discuss the political situation and encourage one another with hopeful words. The thought ofthe universal desolation that must ensue, the partings of parents and chil- dren, of husbands and wives, of brothers and sisters and of lovers with sweet vows of eternal fidelity, blanched many a cheek, dimmed many an.
457
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
eye, and hushed the swift throbbings of many a heart. But the sickening fear soon gave place to dauntless courage, and to an intense determina- tion to quell the rebellion at all hazards and at any cost. Democrats and Republicans forgot their faith, and joined hands and hearts in saving the Union. The prompt call of the President for 75,000 volunteers sent a wave of relief throughout the county, and kindled an immediate re- sponse. A public meeting was called at the court house in Crown Point, and stirring resolutions were adopted, and fiery speeches made, to uphold the Constitution and support the administration in crushing the rebellion. Unfortunately, the details of this meeting cannot be given. Soon after this, or perhaps before the meeting was called, in response to the call to arms, not less than some thirty men left the county for the three months' service, going out in the Ninth, Twelfth, and other Indiana regiments, and in regiments that were raised in Northeastern Illinois. In fact, the greater number of these estimated thirty men went from the northern part of the county and joined Chicago Regiments. Six regiments were called for from Indiana, but five times the number required volunteered, and announced their readiness to take the field. The boys who left the county and enlisted in three months' regiments, were credited to other counties and States.
Within two weeks after the fall of Sumter, the organization of a com- pany was begun at Crown Point, with sub-recruiting stations at Lowell, Hobart, and perhaps one or two other places in the county, and, in less than a week, the necessary number was enrolled, and an election of offi- cers resulted as follows : John Wheeler, Captain ; Charles A. Bell, First Lieutenant ; Michael Sheehan, Second Lieutenant. This company left the county June 24, 1861; was transferred to Lafayette, and became Company B, of the Twentieth Regiment, William L. Brown, Colonel. It was mustered into the service on the 22d of July. The Register said the company was really entitled to become " A," but waived that right in favor of a company from Miami County.
This company was no sooner dispatched to the field than the forma- tion of a new one was begun, but the enlistment was not hurried, and was finally permitted to stop, and the men went out of the county in order to get into the service. There was scarcely a regiment raised in the northwestern part of the State that did not contain men from Lake County. The fall of 1861, the winter of 1861-62, and the spring of 1862, passed without a concerted effort to raise a company, though sur- rounding counties, and especially Illinois, steadily drained Lake of her strength. In June, 1862, the enlistment of another company was begun, recruiting stations being opened at Crown Point, Lowell, Hobart, and perhaps Dyer. In July, the company was full, and an election of officers
4 58
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
resulted as follows : William Krimbill, Captain ; Richard W. Price, First Lieutenant ; Philip Reed, Second Lieutenant. The company was so quickly formed, and so prompt in reaching South Bend, the place of ren- dezvous, that it became Company A, of the Seventy-third Regiment. The regiment was mustered into the service August 16, 1862. Company A was the first raised in the Ninth District, or the "Bloody Ninth," as it was called, under the call of August 4, 1862, for 300,000 men. No bounty was offered, and the ranks were filled without effort or urging, thus showing the strength of the county in case of an emergency. Dr. Teegarden, of La Porte, presented the company $100, his offered prize for the first company under the call. No sooner had this company departed than another was commenced to free the county quota, and so rapid was the work that, by the 21st of August, the ranks were full, and the com- pany ready for muster with the following officers : Daniel F. Sawyer, Captain ; Kellogg M. Burnham, First Lieutenant; James M. D. Craft, Second Lieutenant. It was sent to South Bend, the place of rendezvous, and became Company A, of the Ninety-ninth Regiment. In the issue of the Register, August 21, 1862, appeared the following :
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