USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 48
USA > Indiana > White County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 48
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F ROM the time of the first settlement in Pulaski County until the great rebellion of 1861, with the single exception of the brief but brilliant campaign in the land of the Montezumas, nothing had transpired to disturb the peaceful pursuits of social life and the steady observance of civil liberty and law. Mothers and maidens had never felt the anguish of separation from loved ones at the stern call of a nation at war. Chil- dren had grown to manhood without ever seeing a soldier in military dress, and their loving hearts knew nothing of the sad, wild, glorious things which go to make up war, save what they had read, or what they had been told by their grandfathers who had been with Harrison, or per- haps with Washington. The old militia system which had been so effi- cient and popular during the old Indian wars on the frontier, and directly after the close of the war of 1812-15, had loosened its hold upon the public mind during a protracted period of profound peace. Prior to the war with Mexico, a more or less nominal organization was effected and carried on in Pulaski County, and annual musters were enjoyed by large and motly crowds, more intent on frolic and roystering than improvment in military discipline. The cities and larger towns of the State were the only places where military drill was appreciated, and where strict disci- pline and military pride attained a proficiency nearly equal to that which prevailed in the regular army. An enactment of the State Legislature, in 1831, provided for the enrollment of all able-bodied militia, and the formation of regiments in the various judicial districts ; but the law was largely inert, owing to a lack of sufficient interest due to the sense of public security which the peaceful times afforded. In about the year 1842, or early in 1843, however, a militia organization, called the "Win- amac Rifle Rangers," was completed at the county seat, and, on the 15th of April, 1843, an election of officers took place at the house of Eli Brown, with the following result: For Captain, Rufus Brown, 26 votes ;
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
John P. Miller, 8; First Lieutenant, Stephen Bruce, 33; Second Lieu- tenant, Frederick Klinger, 20; John R. Price, 13; Thomas H. Keys, 1; Ensign, Job J. Holmes, 15; Thomas H. Keys, 6; Luke Hacket, 1. The one receiving the highest number of votes for each office was declared duly elected. Soon after this, the company met for parade, on which oc- casion hundreds were present to see the evolutions of the company, and enjoy the sport. But within two or three years the military fire died out, and was not again kindled until the Mexican war, when another organiza- tion was partly completed, but soon abandoned. In 1852, owing to the unsettled state of internal public affairs, the system was again revived by legislative enactment, and each Congressional District was required to thoroughly organize its militia. This law met with general public favor and response. The County Commissioners directed the Auditor to pro- cure from Indianapolis the quota of arms due the county under the law. This was accordingly done, and the arms were distribtued to the members of the new company of militia. For a few years, until the novelty wore off, the militia mustered quite often ; but about the year 1857, the arms were returned to the capital of the State, and no other call to arms was made until 1861. After this war, or in 1876, the militia was again or- ganized, and guns were obtained from the State; but in 1879, the system was again abandoned, and the muskets were returned to Indianapolis.
Mexican War .- So far as can be learned, no man, then a resident of Pulaski County, 'served his country in the war with Mexico. A com - pany was organized at Logansport, with Stanislaus Lasalle, Captain ; W. L. Brown, First Lieutenant; D. M. Dunn, Second Lieutenant; G. W. Blackmore, Third Lieutenant. Another was organized at Crown Point, with Joseph P. Smith, Captain; William H. Slade, First Lieutenant ; Samuel N. Whitcomb, Second Lieutenant. Doubtless, each of these companies contained men who, some time in the past, made Pulaski County their abiding place. The following is as perfect a list as could be procured by the writer of the men who served in the Mexican war, and who have since resided in the county. There may be some mistakes in this list : John P. Liming and his son, Andrew Liming, the latter now a resident of Van Buren Township, also served in the last great war ; Zemariah Williamson, who died in the service, and whose father secured his land warrant of a quarter-section in Van Buren Township ; Peter Lane, who formerly lived near Winamac ; Mr. Updegraff; O. H. P. Grover, an early resident of Winamac, who served in the Logansport company in the First Indiana Regiment; Charles Humphrey ; J. B. Agnew, a resident of Winamac and one of its most prominent citizens, who lost his leg in a skirmish with Mexican guerrillas; Mr. Phipps, John Hodges, E. P. Potter, Charles Hathaway, G. H. Barnett and Francis H .
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
Snyder. Doubtless, this is but an imperfect list. It would be interest- ing to give. a more extended account of the military services of each of the above men, but this is impossible, owing to their scattered location. Andrew Liming, yet living on the same farm, obtained from the Government in virtue of his military warrant, was in the Third Indi- ana Regiment, and participated in the battle of Buena Vista. He was a young man then, in the prime of life, and recalls vividly the details of that decisive battle. He denies positively the alleged cowardice of Indi- ana troops-a stigma that was unwillingly borne by them until wiped out by scores of gallant achievements during the last stupendous war. He
insists that the Second Indiana, which was posted on a plateau about 200 feet high, and on the extreme left of Gen. Taylor's battle line, did not leave the field until ordered to retreat by the Colonel ; and even then the momentary disorder into which the men were thrown was wholly due to the fact that they had not been drilled to retreat-an important and vi- tal omission in the military education of a true soldier. His own regi- ment, the Third Indiana, was posted to support Washington's battery, which was so well served that, when Santa Anna endeavored to force the pass in solid column, the storm of shot and shell was so terrific that his swarming legions were sentflying back in full retreat. Then it was that the Mexican commander flanked to the right and fell upon Taylor's left, forcing the Second Indiana back across a deep ravine, and gaining the rear of the Government troops. Another important point insisted upon by Mr. Liming, who was so situated that he could see all the move- ments of both armies, detracts somewhat from the credit usually ac- corded Jefferson Davis (ex-President of the Confederacy). He states that Davis had nothing to do with repelling the charge of the Mexican Lancers after the Government troops had been flanked, except, perhaps, the moral effect which the presence of his men afforded. The command of Davis was back some four hundred yards from the front, and simply served to support the regiments which forced the Mexicans back across the plateau.
The boys who went to Mexico must not be forgotten under the shadow of the last great war. It was no holiday undertaking to go from the comparatively cold climate of the Northern States to the hot and pe- culiar climate of Mexico. The appalling sacrifice of life from disease abundantly attests the peril which the men assumed for the country's good. Many were left there in lonely, deserted and forgotten graves, and the rugged cactus comes and kisses with its crimson blossoms the silent mounds where they sleep; the rich flowers of the stately magnolia shed their fragrant perfume around ; the long festoons of silvery moss hang pendant above the quiet graves ; the rustling wind and the dancing
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
rain pay their passing tribute to the glory of the departed ; and over all the strange, bright birds of that sunny clime chant the sad requiem of death. The boys are gone, but their names are living jewels in the bright casket of memory.
The Rebellion .- During the latter part of 1860 and the early part of 1861, the warmest interest of the citizens of the county was centered upon the important political changes that were overshadowing the coun- try. Some felt the coming storm, and accurately predicted the prolonged and dreadful results. Others had no fear that the American people would have the courage and hardihood to spring upon the country a gigantic civil war in the support of any principle likely to be involved. As State after State in the South passed ordinances of secession, all the better citizens of each party were united upon the question of supporting the administration of Mr. Lincoln and upholding the constitution and the laws. As yet the all-important question of slavery had not been serious- ly considered as to its partial suppression or total obliteration ; and all those bitter sentiments and controversies which were to array one section of the North against the other, almost to the extent of open war, were yet unknown, and the county, as a whole, was united and hopefully tranquil.
The Fall of Sumter .- 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 Pulaski County was bewilder- ing. The first reports depopulated the rural districts, suspended all agri- cultural and other pursuits, and flooded the towns, telegraph offices and news stations with vast crowds of excited, indignant and determined citi- zens. All former political antagonisms were speedily relinquished. Men everywhere forgot their daily employment, and gathered at cross- roads and villages to discuss the political situation, denounce the rebellion and encourage one another with hopeful and loyal words. Every heart was disturbed with direful misgivings. Old men who had passed through the political storms of half a century, who had learned to put their faith in the nobility of the American character, who had seen the Government rise like Neptune from the sea, serene and sublime, until its broad dome shed its protection upon the lowest of God's creatures, turned away in tears, sick at heart, from the dark, desperate and forbidding aspect. Many were palsied with sickening fear at the vision of the horrors of civil war, and, regardless of the safety of the Government, turned first to the protection of their loved ones. Still others flew to the doubtful con- solation that no sacrifice of life and property could be too great to quell the rebellion at all hazard and maintain intact the Union of the States. But public sentiment soon recovered from the shock. Men by the thou- sand, with Spartan hardihood, signified their anxiety to go out to their
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
country's battles. Mothers tendered their sons; wives their husbands ; maidens their lovers; children their parents; parents their children ; sisters their brothers-all were intensely eager to show their devotion to their beloved country. And the opportunity was not wanting.
Excitement at Winamac .- Within a week after the news was re- ceived that Sumter had been surrendered to the rebels, a notice was circulated in Winamac and vicinity that a public meeting would be held at the court house, to consider the state of the country, and to take some action in response to the call of the President for 75,000 militia. Some 400 persons assembled, quite a bevy of ladies being among the number, and the meeting was addressed, first by the Chairman, who, in a brief speech, announced that the object of the call was to arrange matters so that any volunteers asked for could be quickly and easily secured and dispatched with promptness to the field. Dr. F. B. Thomas was then called out. He spoke at length upon the political issues of the day, declaring that while he had not cast his ballot for the Republican ticket, still he was heartily in favor of supporting the administration of Mr. Lincoln in the "vigorous prosecution " of the war and the immediate crushing of the rebellion. He was loudly cheered at the conclusion of his remarks, and then other speakers followed in rapid succession, amid great excitement and intense loyalty. Almost all the leading citizens of Winamac were called out, and all were greeted with tumultuous applause. James W. Eldridge delivered an eloquent speech. He was followed by Byron T. Lane, W. C. Barnett, H. P. Rowan, A. I. Gould, W. S. Hud- dleston, Stephen Bruce and others. The burden of every speech was, that it was the duty of all loyal citizens of any party to cast aside polit- ical prejudice, and rally as one man to the support of the Constitution and the Union. It is stated, however, that there were men present, and quite a number throughout the county, who were conscientious in the be- lief that the Southern States had the right to leave the Union if they saw proper to do so, and that the constituted authorities had no right to coerce them to remain. They were champions of the doctrine of State Rights-a doctrine that has done more to imbitter the North and the South against each other during the preceding half a century than any other cause except slavery. They believed that the administration was violating the Constitution in levying war to prevent States from leaving the Union. The effect of former Congressional legislation on this ques- tion was felt not only in the South, but in all the North. Men who had been bred as far north as the Canada line, believed not only in the sovereignty of the States, but in the "divine institution " of slavery as well. This was the inevitable result of Congressional teaching, where the knee had constantly been bent in abject servility to both doctrines on
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
the floor of the highest law-making power. It was then no wonder that humble citizens in Pulaski County had been so impressed with the horrid heresy that they sincerely believed as John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis believed. At the outset of the war, when it was yet thought that the question of slavery would not be seriously considered, several citizens of the county, believing that the Southern States had the right to leave the Union, quietly opposed a continuation of the struggle. Later, when it was seen that slavery, as well as secession, was doomed, they were out- spoken and bitterly energetic in opposing the course of Mr. Lincoln. At this first meeting above mentioned, no sentiment save loyalty was publicly expressed, but here and there could be seen an ominous shake of the head, and a prophetic warning quietly uttered. J. W. Eldridge, W. J. Gridley and G. T. Wickersham were appointed a committee to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. The resolutions, about ten in number, were adopted after some comment. They embodied, in substance, the burden of the speeches that had been delivered that afternoon, and were thoroughly loyal and determined .*
Three Months' Men .- Within two weeks after the fall of Sumter, about fifteen men left the county, going to Logansport, and joining the Ninth Regiment, destined for the three months' service. A squad of about ten of these boys assembled at Winamac, to be taken to Logansport in wagons. Quite a crowd gathered on the street as the time for their de- parture drew near. Just before they left, Stephen Bruce addressed them in a short speech, praising them for their loyalty and bravery, adjuring them never to allow the flag to trail in the dust, and promising that they who left families behind need borrow no trouble, as no one would be per- mitted to starve as long as he continued operating his grist mill. Away the boys went amid the cheers of their fellow-citizens, and the tears and lingering farewells of loving friends. It was but a short time after this that other men began to leave the county for the three months' service. It has thus been estimated that under the call for 75,000 volunteers, about thirty men entered the service from Pulaski County.
The First Company .- As it was thought that the rebellion would be brought to a speedy close by the three months' men, the further enlistment of volunteers in Pulaski County languished untill fall, when Dr. F. B. Thomas was commissioned to raise a company for the three years' service. The enlistment of men was begun and continued during the months of September and October, 1861. Volunteers were secured under the stim-
* As there was no newspaper at Winamac when this meeting was held, and as no record was kept of the proceedings, the statements above are made from the recollection of those who participated, and who could be induced to impart the desired information. The account must be taken with some grains of allowance. A citizen, who was relied on for matters embraced in this chapter, although asked four different times for items, said on each occasion, "I have no time to talk with you." This will, in a measure, illustrate the obstacles which the historian has had to encounter, and will account for the dearth of important matter in the military history of Pulaski County contained in the above pages.
Sophia Bruin
TILDEN FOL GOR M
٠
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
ulus of a big war meeting, where loyal and fiery speeches were made, pa- triotic airs were sung, and beautiful ladies with bewitching smiles passed round the fatal enlistment roll. The company was quickly raised, and the election of officers resulted as follows: F. B. Thomas, Captain ; George Burson, First Lieutenant ; James Brown, Second Lieutenant. The company was mustered in on the 5th of November, and soon after- ward was ordered with its regiment, the Forty-sixth, to the front. There was much excitement in the county while this company was being en- listed. Col. G. M. Fitch, of the Forty-sixth, came and spoke at Wina- mac and other places. Capt. Thomas held meetings at Winamac, Pulaski, Monterey, Francesville, Medarysville and other places, securing at each place a few volunteers for his company. Mr. Burson was also active in all these meetings. At last, when the company was ready to depart, a splendid dinner was spread out for the boys in Lane's Hall. Every pro- vision which bountiful stores could supply, and every luxury and con- venience which love could suggest, was placed upon the board, and the heavy tables groaned under the weight as if in protest. Ah, it was a feast the boys remembered long afterward, when " hard-tack " and " sow- belly " were ravenously devoured, or when the fare was little better than nothing in the gloomy prison hells which Southern cruelty had devised. How they gorged themselves, as if a forecast of the future was shadowed before them ! Whole turkeys disappeared as if by magic. Pies, cakes, jams, jellies, without limit or number, were speedily put where they would do the most good. At last, the feast was over, good-byes were spoken with pale lips and streaming eyes, but brave hearts; warm kisses and embraces were passionately exchanged for the last time, and all hearts were rent with unspeakable anguish. Slowly the long train pulled out with its human sacrifice. They were gone.
Quite a number of three years' men, however, had left the county for the war before the departure of the company of Capt. Thomas. These men left the county to enlist, and were credited to where the companies to which they belonged were raised. When the Ninth Regiment was re-or- ganized in August, 1861, and mustered into the service for three years in September, about one-half of Company D was taken from Pulaski County. Besides these there were a few in other companies, notably G, of the same regiment; and there were in the whole regiment not less than about seventy men from the county. There were also a few men from Pulaski in the Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth and Twentieth Regiments. There were but a few from Pulaski in the last-mentioned regiment when it first took the field ; but during the progress of the war many others joined it as recruits. Owing to the fact that the county was comparatively small, and could not furnish many full companies, her men
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
went in small detachments to various regiments, were often credited to other counties where such regiments were raised, and, as no proper rec- ord was kept, the facts cannot now be traced. About one-third of Com- pany A, of the Twenty-sixth Regiment, was from Pulaski. The men were mustered August 30, 1861. One-half of Company C, of the Twen- ty-ninth, was from Pulaski, the men being mustered in during the months . of August, September and October. Besides the company of Capt. Thomas in the Forty-sixth, two other companies had a few men from the county.
During the winter of 1861-62, scarcely anything was done to raise men for the war. This was not due to a lack of proper interest in the strug- gle, but was because of the cold weather. Early in the spring, volunteer- ing was revived, and received a fresh impetus, from the fact that the citi- zens had begun to realize the stupendous character of the war, and were fully determined to do their share in ending it. Men began to leave the county, entering the Forty-eighth, Sixty-third and other regiments. Sev- eral recruiting officers from other counties appeared, and steadily drained Pulaski of her best men. In July and August, 1862, war meetings be- gan to be held in all parts of the county. Schoolhouses, churches and other public buildings were thus used. It was announced that unless the county's quota was full by the middle of September, a draft would surely take place. This was sufficient to rouse the citizens to their best efforts. Dr. James W. Selders was authorized to raise a company, and was com- missioned Captain. Meetings were held all over the county, and soon his company was full. About twenty-five men joined Company E, organized in Fulton County, and commanded by Capt. Troutman. There were also a few Pulaski men in Company A, and others. All these men entered the Eighty-seventh Regiment.
Disloyalty .- About this time a sentimentin opposition to the war be- gan to be manifested. The editor of the Pulaski County Democrat, a young attorney named Rufus Magee, adopted ultra measures in espousing the cause of his party. His paper had much to do with the feeling in the county hostile to the war. The Knights of the Golden Circle also made their appearance, and added their influence to the general ill-will. It was nothing unusual to hear men publicly state that they would not assist, by a solitary dollar, a continuance of the most unjust war. The names, " Copperhead " and " Abolitionist " began to have a sting, and more than one black eye and bloody nose resulted from an injudicious use of them. Butternut breastpins became fashionable. The " nigger " and all his sympathizers were made the objects of suggestive ridicule. "Secession- ist " was the word that was flaunted in the face of many, but nothing good was thereby accomplished. It only served to array, unnecessarily, neighbor against neighbor.
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
The Democratic Convention of the Ninth Congressional District was held at Winamac on the 7th of August, 1862, on which occasion several thousand people assembled. W. J. Walker, of La Porte, presided; Maj. Gardner and W. J. Gridley were two of the Vice Presidents. The dele- gates of Pulaski County were H. P. Rowan, W. S. Huddleston, F. B. Thomas, W. C. Barnett, G. E. Wickersham, J. B. Agnew, Samuel Decker, A. Starr and T. H. Keys. The President of the convention, in his opening remarks, stated that two important subjects were before the citizens present for consideration. To put down the rebels of the South by the bayonet and the Abolitionists of the North by the ballot. Hon. David Turpie, of White County, was nominated for Congress after an ex- citing contest. A long series of resolutions was then adopted. The po- litical acts of Schuyler Colfax, then in Congress from the Ninth District (now the Tenth), were severely denounced. The Convention declared that the rebellion must be put down; that no money should be paid out of the public fund to the negroes that had been freed in the District of Columbia ; that the established institutions of the South (meaning slavery) should not be interfered with ; that they were in favor of the " Constitu- tion as it is and the Union as it was; " that the doctrines of secession and abolition were alike inconsistent with the Constitution; that all secret organizations which favored a resistance to the execution of the laws should be disbanded ; that the soil of Indiana belonged to the white man, and the State Constitutional clause inhibiting free negroes and mulattoes from coming into the State, there to live and compete with the labor of the white man, should be enforced, and that the valor of the In- diana troops in the field was a source of universal pride. The result of the convention in the county greatly increased the opposition to the war, if any interference with slavery was contemplated. The strong position that secession was inconsistent with the Constitution did much to mollify the ultra Democrats of the county, and encourage enlistments as long as the slavery question was overlooked.
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