USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 7
USA > Indiana > White County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 7
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Another Company .- Under the call of June 15, 1863, for 100,000 six months' men, Captain Elijah C. Davis and Lieutenants Joseph W. Davis and Isaac H. Jackson enlisted a full company in the county and entered the 116th Regiment, the date of muster being August 17th. The company was K, and served until mustered out the following Feb- ruary. Under the call of October 17, 1863, for 300,000 men for three years, the county quota was 106. Immediate efforts were begun to raise the men. Captain D. M. Graves, of Newton County, appeared, and called for recruits for the Twelfth Cavalry. He had rousing meetings at Monticello, Brookston, and elsewhere. Lt. William C. Kent opened an enlistment office for the 128th Regiment. The papers at that time pub- lished very flattering offers of bounty to both veterans and new recruits -to the former $410, and to the latter $380, per annum. The exten- sive and enthusiastic efforts soon freed the county. Many entered the old regiments. About half of Company I of the 126th was from White County, as was also about one third of Company F of the 127th (Twelfth Cavalry), and one half of Company K of the same. Among the recruit- ing officers during the months of November and December, 1863, and January, 1864, were D. M. Graves, Henry H. Graves, B. O. Wilkinson,
67
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
W. C. Marshall, and others. In December, 1863, a large war meeting at Brookston was presided over by Benjamin Lucas, President, and W. B. Chapman, Secretary. Judge Turpie delivered the oration.
Military Committees .- To more readily meet the call of October, 1863, the following township recruiting committees were appointed: Prairie- Thomas B. Davis, Dr. John Medaris, and E. P. Mason ; Big Creek- George R. Spencer, J. R. Jefferson, and Clinton Crose ; Monon-J. L. Watson, Dr. J. T. Richardson, and W. G. Porter; Liberty-Thomas Wickersham, H. G. Bliss, and George Cullen ; Jackson-E. R. Herman, Andrew Hanna, and D. McConahay; Princeton-J. B. Bunnell, David Wright, and B. C. Johnson ; West Point-C. H. Test, O. P. Murphey, and David Delinger; Cass-E. P. Potter, W. O. Hopkinson and Hanni- bal McCloud ; Honey Creek-Frank Howard, J. S. Vinson, and Nicholas Young ; Round Grove-A. Ward, Stewart Rariden, and Patrick Carroll. The county recruiting committee were Ransom Mcconahay, James Wal- lace, Mathew Henderson, Lucius Pierce, and Thomas Bushnell. These committees were selected on the 7th of November, 1863, at a large war meeting held at Monticello, upon which occasion Col. Anderson, Com- mandant of the 9th District, addressed the audience for an hour and a half.
Recruits .- Through the winter months and on into the spring of 1864, the enlistment for Company F of the 128th Regiment continued. This company was enlisted mostly by Captain James G. Staley, Lieutenants W. C. Kent and Henry G. Bliss. The Regiment (128th) rendezyoused at Michigan City. Captain Staley's company was full about the middle of March, 1864. While yet at Camp Anderson, Michigan City, the members of his company purchased a fine sword which was formally pre- sented to Captain Staley by the regimental chaplain, Rev. William P. Kountz, of Monticello. Brave Captain Staley was afterward shot dead at Franklin, Tenn., while at the head of his company repelling a fierce assault from the enemy.
The heavy calls of February and March, 1864, and finally the call of July 18th for 500,000 men for one, two, and three years, somewhat staggered the county ; but the citizens began to make earnest efforts to meet the demand. A most hopeful feeling prevailed at this time, as it was already apparent that the rebellion was wavering before the final fall. About one half of Company B of the 142d went from Idaville during the month of September, 1864, Captain James Thomas and Lieutenants R. H. Cary and R. W. Clary enlisting the men. About twenty-five men from the county entered Company H of the same regiment. About fifteen recruits entered Company C of the 42d in October. Some fifty recruits joined Company G of the 63d during the summer months of
68
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
1864. Late in 1864 and early in 1865 about fifty recruits joined Com- pany F of the 128th. Among the recruiting officers in the county during the latter part of 1864 was M. F. Smith.
The Draft .- As stated above the county was successful in escaping the draft of October, 1862. As time passed on, however, and subsequent heavy calls were made, the county, having largely expended her strength, began to find it difficult to meet the demands. Committees were formed in all portions of the county to solicit volunteers and to pay out local bounty raised for the purpose by special levies. Enthusiastic war meet- ings were held everywhere, silver-tongued crators were engaged to appeal to the manhood and patriotism of the citizens, and beautiful women were sent around with the enlistment roll to assault the citadel of the heart. The county was successful with her tenders of money, the appeals of her orators and the flattery of her women, until the autumn of 1864, when it was found that the draft must be sustained. The calls of February, March, April and July, 1864, for an aggregate of nearly one million men, placed a burden upon the county which could not be met by volun- tary enlistment. The county quota of February, 1864, with some defi- ciency was, 210, of March, 84, and of July, 237, or a total of 531. The county struggled for this large number amid disloyalty and various dis- couragements, until at last, just after the draft, the following exhibit was prepared :
Townships.
Quota of February
1, 1864, with pre-
vious deficiency.
Quota of March 4,
Quota of July 18,
Total Quotas and
Deficiencies.
New Recruits.
Veterans.
Drafted.
Credits by Enlist-
ment and Draft.
For One Year.
For Two Years.
For Three Years.
Deficiencies.
Union.
32
13
36
81
50
6
5
61
13
3
45
20
Honey Creek
11
4
12
27
15
3
18
1
17
9
Liberty
19
7
19
45
27
7
8
42
9
1
32
3
Cass
9
4
9
22
13
2
1
16
1
. .
15
6
Monon
20
8
20
48
33
4
3
40
4
36
8
Princeton*
16
6
19
41
41
1
42
4
12
26
·
West Point.
12
5
15
32
19
10
29
9
5
15
3
Round Grove
4
2
4
10
9
·
.
.
21
10
Jackson
28
11
31
70
42
13
9
64
7
2
55
6
Prairie
45
18
54
117
106
6
112
38
74
5
Total
210
84
237
521
376
43
42
461
98
23
340
71
4
1
Big Creek
14
6
18
38
21
1
6
28
7
·
The draft took place in October, 1864, at Michigan City under K. G.
* Princeton furnished a surplus of one man.
.
9
5
1864.
1864.
69
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
Shryock, Provost Marshal; James B. Belford, Commissioner; and Daniel Dayton, Surgeon. The following draft was made in White County with an equal number of alternates from each township: Union, 32 ; Big Creek, 17; Cass, 7; Liberty, 14 ; Monon, 17; Honey Creek, 11; Princeton, 15; and in two other townships, the number of mnen not being ascertainable. Even while the draft was going on, and for a time after- ward, the townships were given an opportunity to free themselves by voluntary enlistments. This they embraced, but to what extent is indef- inite. The number of drafted men that reported is shown in the above exhibit. But the county was yet behind and a " supplementary " draft took place, though the details can not be given. Men continued to en- list in response to generous offers of bounty. Many left the county to enlist, as much greater bounty was offered in the larger cities south and east. Such men were credited, of course, to the localities paying the bounty, and were thus lost to White County. The call of December 19, 1864, stimulated anew the enlistment. During the winter months of 1864-5, war meetings were held everywhere to clear the county, but the work was slow and tedious. Draft was again fixed for the 15th of Feb- ruary, but was postponed until early in April, 1865, when it came off at Michigan City. The details can not be given. The number of drafted men that reported may be learned from the following exhibit, which was made out on the 14th of April, 1865, when all efforts to raise men were abandoned. The exhibit refers to the call of December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men :
Townships.
Second Enroll-
Quota of Dec.
Quota and De-
New Recruits.
Veterans.
Credits by
Draft.
Credits by En-
listment and
For One Year.
For Two Years.
For Three Y''rs.
Surplus.
Union
83
25
25
12
5
8
29
20
9
4
Honey Creek
17
7
7
2
9
5
12
7
5
5
Liberty
71
13
13
9
8
3
20
12
8
7
Cass
12
3
3
5
3
8
3
5
5
Monon
66
13
13
7
7
4
18
11
7
5
Princeton
79
11
11
9
5
1
6
6
..
.
Round Grove
18
6
6
6
.
6
6
. .
. .
Big Creek
37
11
11
3
10
10
. .
.
Jackson
114
17
17
4
18
4
26
8
18
9
Prairie
244
51
51
40
3
8
51
44
4
3
. .
Total.
763 163
163
97
57
43
197
136
4
57
35
Number of Men Furnished .- It is impossible to state the exact num- ber of men furnished by the county during the war of 1861-5; only an
11
9
2
West Point
6
6
. .
ment.
19, 1864.
ficiency.
Draft
. .
70
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
approximate number can be given. About the first of September, 1862, the county had furnished 751 volunteers, 700 of whom were then in the service. The calls of July and August, 1862, for an aggregate of 600,- 000 men, required from White not less than 220 men, and this number was promptly furnished. About 90 men left the county for the six months' service under the call of June 15, 1863; and the county quota of 106 under the call of October, 1863, was furnished. The quota under the two calls of February and March, 1864, was about 170 men ; under the call of July, 1864, was 237 men; and under the last call of the war in December, 1864, was 163. These quotas were all filled, partly by draft, partly by enlistment, and partly by veteran credits. By the last table above, it will be seen that on the 14th of April, 1865, when all efforts to raise troops ceased, the county had furnished a surplus of 34 men above all calls. To recapitulate from the above facts, 751 and 220 and 90 and 106 and 170 and 237 and 163 and 34 and an estimated 100 that left the county to enlist, give a grand total of men, credited to the county during the war, of 1,871. This number includes volunteers, recruits, conscripts, veterans, and those who enlisted more than once for short periods. This estimate is not far from correct, and is a very superior showing for a county whose total militia including exempts did not exceed about 2,300.
White County Companies .- The following full companies, with all their officers during the war, were furnished by the county : Company K of the 20th Regiment-Captains, Alfred Reed and J. C. Brown ; First Lieutenants, John T. Richardson; J. C. Brown and John Price ; Second Lieutenants, Daniel D. Dale, J. B. Harbolt, John Price, John C. Bartholomew and Samuel E. Ball. Company E of the 46th Regiment- Captains, William Spencer, Henry Snyder and Charles F. Fisher; First Lieutenants, Eli R. Herman, George Spencer, Charles F. Fisher and Ellis Hughes ; Second Lieutenants, Henry Snyder, Charles F. . Fisher, Preston S. Meek and Abram F. Hunter. Company G of the 46th Reg- iment-Captains, Robert W. Sill, Joseph D. Cowdin, Woodson. S. Marshall, James Hess and Joseph L. Chamberlain ; First Lieutenants, Joseph D. Cowdin, James Hess, Joseph M. Taylor and Enos Thomas; Second Lieutenants, John M. Berkey, James Hess, W. H. H. Rader and Joseph H. Carr. Company G, 63d Regiment-Captains John Hollo- way and Aden Nordyke; First Lieutenants, G. W. Jewett, Aden Nor- dyke and T. S. Jones ; Second Lieutenants, Aden Nordyke, T. S. Jones and Timothy D. Hogan. Company D of the 12th Regiment (three years)-Captains, George Bowman and B. F. Price; First Lieutenants, J. A. Blackwell, B. F. Price and Lewis Murray; Second Lieutenants, B. F. Price and Amos J. Osborn. Company F of the 99th Regiment- Captains, George H. Gwinn and Andrew Cochran ; First Lieutenants,
71
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
Andrew Cochran, John T. Ramey and J. C. Klepinger ; Second Lieuten- ants, G. S. Walker and T. J. Thompson. Company K of the 116th Regiment (six months)-Captain, Elijah C. Davis ; First Lieutenant, Joseph W. Davis; Second Lieutenant, Isaac HI. Jackson. Company F of the 128th Regiment-Captains, James G. Staley and Henry G. Bliss ; First Lieutenants, J. G. Staley, H. G. Bliss, Watt E. Brown and Cal- vin W. Keefer ; Second Lieutenants, William C. Kent, Thomas Fitzpat- rick and John Skevington. Company G of the 151st Regiment (from White and Pulaski Counties)-Captain, Carter L. Vigus ; First Lieu- tenants, Elijah C. Davis and James D. Sherman ; Second Lieutenants, J. D. Sherman and Enoch Benefiel.
Sanitary Efforts .- The first efforts of a sanitary nature have been referred to a few pages back. In March, 1862, the Herald suggested the propriety of organizing Ladies' Aid Societies in the county, but no action at that time seems to have been taken. Another such suggestion in April met the same fate. Still later in the same month, it was an- nounced through the Herald that a meeting to organize such a society would be held at the court house on the afternoon of the 23d of April. It is probable that the meeting was not held, as no account of it appears in the Herald of the following weeks. On the 1st of August, J. W. T. McMullen delivered an eloquent oration at Monticello, upon which occasion $100 was subscribed for soldiers' families. Nothing further appears until Monday, March 16, 1863, when an organization was at last effected. Mrs. J. B. Belford was made President of the meeting, and Mrs. A. R. Orton, Secretary. A committee was appointed to pre- pare articles of association and government. The following permanent officers were elected : Mrs. H. P. Anderson, President; Mrs. N. IIetherington, Vice-President ; Mrs. Milton M. Sill, Treasurer ; Mrs. A. R. Orton, Secretary ; Mrs. F. II. Kiefhaber, Mrs. A. Kingsbury, Mrs. T. Bushnell, Mrs. J. B. Belford and Miss Ettie Newton, Directresses. Money which had been collected at the time of the departure of Captain Bowman's company, and which had not been expended, was turned over to the society by A. Kingsbury, in whose hands it had been intrusted. In May the following appeared in the county paper :
We are gratified to note the increasing prosperity and uniform success of this patriotic society. Organized as it was amid the tumults and troubles of a sanguinary political strife, it met with opposition from many whose mistaken notions prevented them from eo-operating and blindling their reason to the real object and purpose of the society. Like Spartan mothers the ladies composing the Society continued their labors of love and mercy, ever seeking to conciliate the disaffected, and persevering in their efforts to remove every obstaele in the way of a hearty co-operation of all until they now have the sat- isfaction of seeing members of all political parties, and those of every shade of opinion and beliet united in one common cause, and by their presence, influence and means
72
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
aiding them in their noble and patriotic labors. *
* * * The meeting of the Society at the court house on last Friday evening was well attended. Ransom Mcconahay was called to the chair. Judge Turpie addressed the audience for nearly an hour in remarks that were well-timed, instructive and patriotic. The amount received by contribution was $21.40. A committee was appointed to invite Hon. Alfred Reed to address the Society at its meeting in two weeks.
On the 19th of June, & strawberry festival held at the court house netted the Society nearly $50. The building was crowded with ladies and gentlemen, and the occasion was greatly enjoyed. The Society con- tinued on during the remainder of the war, doing an excellent work ; but, owing to the lack of records which should have been kept, the details can not be given.
Bounty and Relief .- The first action taken by the County Commis- sioners in the direction of relief to soldiers' families was in August, 1862, when township trustees were authorized to provide for the reasonable wants of the families of soldiers in the field, keeping proper vouchers, upon the presentation of which they would be reimbursed from the county treasury. It was not until the 26th of November, 1863, that the Com- missioners authorized the payment of $100 bounty to volunteers under the call of October, but after that, and even long after the war had ended, large amounts were paid out. No proper record seems to have been kept of these important disbursements. The following imperfect exhibit, taken from the Adjutant-General's Report is the best that can be given of the county bounty and relief fund:
Bounty.
Relief.
White County
$60,500
$ 48.80
Prairie
25,000
1,776.86
Big Creek
450
34.92
Union .
675
812.83
Monon
50
262.95
Liberty
100
68.89
Jackson
150
544.35
Princeton
3,300
West Point
1,228
48.30
Cass
333
1,370.37
Honey Creek.
392.58
Round Grove
4,100
6.30
Total
$95,886
$5,364.15
Grand Total $101,250.15.
Joy and Sorrow .- The receipt of the news of the surrender of the army of Gen. Lee to Gen. Grant at 4:30 o'clock p. m., April 9, 1865, was received with intense and universal rejoicing. Public meetings were held everywhere, that the citizens might have the opportunity of mingling
73
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
their congratulations and publicly expressing their joy at the successful issue of the war and the maintenance of the union of the States. Un- fortunately an account of these meetings can not be given. Immediately after this came the painful news that President Lincoln had been assas- sinated. 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 eye was dim, and every knee bent in 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 dearest friend. A meeting was called to be held at the court house April 19th, to pay proper tribute to the life and public services of the illustrious dead. Lucius Pierce was called to the chair, and W. H. Dague and J. W. MeEwen appointed Secretaries ; George Spencer, A. R. Orton, R. Brown, Benjamin Spencer, and Thomas Bushnell were appointed a committee to prepare resolutions suitable to the occasion. The court room was beautifully decorated with evergreen sprigs and early blossoms, and a large portrait of the martyred President shrouded in a fine silk banner and draped with crape and other trappings of sorrow oc- cupied the wall over the chairman. Eloquent eulogies were delivered by Revs. Black and Cissel, and Messrs. Turpie, R. Mcconahay, Ellis Hughes, and others. Select quartets supplied splendid music. At the conclusion of the services, the church and the court house bells were tolled one hour. All business was suspended from 9 o'clock a. m. until 3 o'clock p. m., and the principal streets and buildings were extensively and ap- propriately draped. The following resolutions were presented by the committee and unanimously adopted :
WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, a man eminent for the purity of his life and his unself- ish devotion to his country, and for four years President of the United States at a time and under circumstances which rendered his duties peculiarly difficult and embarrassing while still performing the duties of that office to which he has been re-elected by a confid- ing people, has been stricken down by the hand of a murderer, therefore
Resolved, That we have received the news of this terrible calamity with the deepest emotions of horror and grief.
Resolved, That the deceased will stand among the brightest names of history, and will be forever remembered with admiration and honor not only by his countrymen, but by the good and true of all countries and of all times.
Resolved, That the ruler of no people in the past history of the world has had such high trusts under circumstances so perilous, and discharged the high responsibility with such unselfish devotion.
Resolved, That amid the throes of national calamity we humbly pray that God may avert the evil which seems to overwhelm us, and overrule this dark crime to the good of the nation.
74
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
Resolved, That our late President, required to discharge the duties of an office, the most arduous and difficult in times the most troublesome, has vindicated his previous reputation for honesty and purity-has earned the title, and may appropriately be termed "God's noblest work-an honest man," and that time has proved his course or policy to have been conceived in the highest wisdom and executed with the greatest ability.
Fitting memorial services were also held in many other places in the county. The meeting at Reynolds was presided over by J. H. Thomas, Johnson Gregory serving as secretary. Appropriate remarks were made, and a series of seven very long resolutions was adopted. The heart of the people went out in universal and protracted sorrow at the national loss. The worth of the great man was realized by many, as is too often the case, after the grave had closed over him, and his name had been placed with that of Washington.
Sketches .- The following sketches of regiments which contained a considerable number of men from White County are compiled from the Adjutant General's reports and are substantially correct. Sketches of other regiments will be found in the military history of Pulaski county elsewhere in this volume.
TWELFTH INFANTRY (three years' service).
This regiment was reorganized at Indianapolis for the three years' service on the 17th of August, 1862. It soon moved to Kentucky to resist the threatened invasion of Kirby Smith. On the 30th of August, in less than two weeks from the time of organization, it participated in the battle of Richmond, Ky., losing 173 men killed and wounded, including Col. Link. The regiment was mostly taken prisoners. Captain Bowman of White County received a slight wound. After the exchange the regiment joined Gen. Grant. After various movements it marched on the Vicksburg campaign, participating in all the battles. It was with Sherman's long march from Memphis to Chattanooga. In November, 1863, it fought at Mission Ridge, losing 110 men and officers. Captain Bowman was so seriously wounded that he was conveyed home and did not afterward join his company or regiment. It pursued Bragg to Georgia, and then marched to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville. It engaged in the Atlanta campaign, fighting at Dallas, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro and many skirmishes, losing between Dalton and Atlanta 240 men, killed and wounded. It pursued Hood, and then moved with Sherman to the sea. It moved north through the Carolinas. It skirmished at Griswoldville, Savannah, Columbia and Bentonville. It moved to Raleigh, Richmond, Washing- ton, D. C., and then to Indianapolis. It was mustered out on the 8th of June, 1865, at Washington, D. C.
75
/
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
SIXTY-THIRD INFANTRY.
This was organized early in 1862, and for a time did provost duty in Indiana. During this period and longer it was only a battalion of com- ni es A, B, C and D. In May the battalion moved east, and in August fought at Manassas plains. After this it returned to Indian- apolis where the regimental organization was completed. In December it moved to Kentucky, where it guarded railroads, etc., skirmishing several times with the enemy. After various expeditions it joined the Atlanta campaign. It fought at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca (where it lost 112 killed and wounded), Dallas (losing 16 wounded), near Lost Mountain (losing 14 killed and wounded), Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, losing men at all places. It skirmished often, destroyed much rebel property, and was always active. Later, it fought at Franklin, and at Nashvillle, and joined in the pursuit of Hood. In February, 1865, it moved east to North Carolina. It participated in the attempt to turn Hoke's position, and fought at Fort Anderson. It fought again near Wilmington, and after various arduous campaigns, the remaining companies E, F, G, H, I and K were mustered out at Greensboro, June 21, 1865. A, B, C and D had returned to Indianapolis in May, at which place they were mustered out.
NINETY-NINTH INFANTRY.
This was organized in August and September, 1862, at South Bend, and was mustered in October 21st. In November it moved to Memphis, Tenn. It moved on the Tallahatchie campaign, and then did guard duty. In May, 1863, it joined the Vicksburg campaign, after which it fought at Jackson, and skirmished at Big Black River. In September it moved to Memphis, and in November to Chattanooga. It fought at Mission Ridge, and pursued Bragg. It moved to the relief of Burnside amid incredible privations. It fought at Chattanooga and at Rocky Face Ridge. It fought at Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, and the seven days' skirmishes before Kenesaw Mountain. It fought at Niekajack Creek, Decatur and Atlanta, where its commander, Gen. McPherson, was killed. It fought at Jonesboro and Lovejoy's station, also at Little River, Ga. It moved with Sherman to Savannah, skirmishing at Can- nouchee River and at Ogeechee River. It participated in the brilliant charge upon Fort McAllister. It moved north through the Carolinas, skirmishing at Duck Creek, Edisto River and Bentonville. On the 5th of June, 1865, it was mustered out at Washington, D. C.
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