USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume I > Part 16
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JUDGE MACY'S EULOGY OF GENERAL GROSE .*
I knew of a great many of the members of the regiment before the war-got acquainted with others during the war, and always had a warm admiration for it. As a military organization, it has a splendid history, and its achievements entitle it to a front rank among Indiana regiments, and everybody knows that Indiana regiments, as a class, take front rank of those in the galaxy of States.
You had the good fortune to have one of the best commanders that ever left the State, and although he did not remain long with you, on account of his pro- motion to a higher command, your regiment felt the inspiration of his military genius, and partook of his martial spirit. His leadership impressed itself with lasting imprint upon your organization. I think Colonel, afterwards General, Wil- liam Grose, one of the very best, if not the best, brigade and division generals Indiana ever sent to the field. I do not forget, and feel sure that you do not, that in the outset of your services, down probably to the battle of Shiloh, there was some complaint among your boys that General Grose was tyrannical and exacting in his treatment of his men. I have letters yet, written at the time, from boys of the regiment, breathing a spirit of vengeance against him because of these things, but after Shiloh I never heard any 36th Indiana man, or any man, in fact, serving under him, talk against General Grose as an officer. He had the military judgment at the outset of the war to know that absolute leadership by the commander and un- questioning obedience from subordinates is the only effective military organization ; that the subordinate must yield his personal independence and individual liberty and render absolute obedience to his superior, and that the superior must not only accept but must exact obedience from his subordinate, and with this assumption of power become responsible for the conduct of both. He was not without warm feeling for his comrades and all his strictness and severity in command grew out of that same stern sense of duty that led him and yourselves to give up the pleasures and ambi- tions of life to become soldiers. I think General Grose the most splendid figure I ever saw on the battle field. He sat his horse like a centaur, calm, collected, serene ; his very presence commanded confidence and gave assurance of victory. We have all seen him under fire and I don't believe any of us ever saw a sign of fear, of uneasi- ness, of nervousness, doubt or uncertainty. His voice when giving commands rang out with the clearness and incisiveness of a bugle call. All his movements about the field were of a deliberate, self-confident character to inspire in his men a feeling that victory would come. He never lost his head either in the flush of victory or in the face of impending disaster. He was absolutely fearless of danger. If he was not in fact a perfect stranger to physical fear, he possessed such supreme command of himself that no man ever suspected that he possessed it. He was of all men that I ever knew pre-eminently the man of iron, and was above all things able to com- mand himself. The most feeling that I ever saw him show upon the field of battle was in the Atlanta campaign, at the time his aid, a young lieutenant, was. killed. He and his staff were sitting their horses near the head of our regiment when a
* The 36th Indiana Regimental Association held its annual re-union at Winchester, Indiana, September 14, 1904. Judge John W. Macy of the Randolph Circuit Court is the author of this just and appropriate eulogy. In the Civil War Judge Macy was Sergeant in Company A. 84th Indiana Infantry and was mustered in August 2, 1862. He was mustered out as First Sergeant June 14, 1865. As a soldier he served under General Grose through many arduous campaigns and hard fought battles.
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bursting shell struck the lieutenant and he fell from his horse. He was the Gen- eral's favorite staff officer and bosom friend. The General instantly dismounted, knelt by the prostrate form of the dying soldier, folded him in his arms a moment, arose, wiped from his eyes the gathering tears, remounted his horse and turned to the foe, a face calm, serene and determined, without any outward sign of the mental anguish which possessed his soul.
General Grose was cast in heroic mold; had he lived in the day of the Cru- sades he would have been a Chevalier Bayard and followed the glorious banner of the cross. He lived in a day little less romantic and far more glorious, and fought efficiently for a cause no less sacred and with results vastly more enduring and beneficial to mankind.
I knew him during the war, as a soldier in the ranks knows a general officer ; after the war I was honored with his personal friendship for many years and I want to pay this humble tribute to his memory and to join with you, the veteran survivors of his beloved old 36th-for he never mentioned his regiment without showing pride in its membership and history-in paying honest tribute to his memory and in the perpetuation of the story of his services.
Nature made him a heroic figure ; and intense love of country and lofty ambi- tion, a patriot, whose services were priceless, and whose reward is the sincere admiration of his countrymen.
GENERAL GROSE'S FAREWELL TO HIS OLD BRIGADE.
The following is General Grose's farewell to his old Brigade : Headquarters Third Brigade, First Division, near Nashville, Tenn., June 6th, 1865.
SOLDIERS OF THE THIRD BRIGADE :
The object for which we have been associated together having been ac- complished, we are now about to separate and most of us join our families and friends at home, while some of you continue for further duty. You have acted well your part, faithfully and bravely, in the great struggle of your country for the maintenance of right and justice over wrong and oppression. You will feel better that you have done your part for your country, than to have stood as idle spectators. Since we are compelled to separate, I feel thankful that I leave you in the enjoyment of an enviable reputation, a reputation of which your friends can boast and you feel proud. Your toils, hardships and perils will be attended with the perpetuation of the National Government with greater power and glory than ever before.
Treasure up for our fallen comrades a kind remembrance as heroes of their age, in a great and good cause.
Take home, and into the future with you, the heartfelt gratitude of your humble commander for his lot having been cast with such gallant soldiers and kind-hearted gentlemen. God bless and take care of you. Good-bye.
WILLIAM GROSE, Brigadier General.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MARTIN LEX BUNDY,
PIONEER, LEGISLATOR, JUDGE, MAJOR AND BREVET LIEUTENANT COLONEL U. S. V. 1
Henry county, Indiana, may feel proud of the record of her many prominent citizens, some to the manor born, others whose early years and subsequent training to careers of usefulness entitle her to claim them as properly her own, though born elsewhere. Of the latter is Martin Lex Bundy. Though born in Randolph County, North Carolina, November 11, 1817, he was reared by his grandfather, Christopher Bundy, who in 1818 came to Indiana, and in the spring of 1821 pur- chased a farm adjoining the tract on which New Castle was afterward located. The grandfather died in 1834 at Salisbury, the old county seat of Wayne County. Notwithstanding his being a Quaker, grandfather Bundy served as a soldier throughout the Revolutionary War for independence, and reared his grandson, the subject, to a firm and solid belief in the principles of universal liberty and love of country. The boyhood days of Martin L. differed but little from the average youth of that early period. School privileges were not of the best as compared with our present advanced system of public instruction, and the boy, who then progressed in his studies beyond the average, was spurred to increased activity by superior home influences that brought out his ambition to achieve a place among the best and ablest men whose lives and records become a proper and worthy standard for emulation. With noble aspirations and an inherent determination to succeed, he applied himself to his studies and after completing the common schools, studied under the private tuition of Judge John Davis, of Madison county. He then spent a brief term at Miami University, then under the presidency of R. H. Bishop, D. D., who, conceiving a strong liking for his pupil, advanced him by private instruction. The difficulties which beset his pathway to a higher edu- cation were innumerable. There was no father's or benefactor's purse upon which to draw for expenses ; he was obliged to defray them from the slender earnings made under difficulties that would have discouraged one less determined. Before he became a pupil of Dr. Bishop he was empassed by William Silver, who kept a store at New Castle. This gentleman ha-1 secured a star-route mail contract between Centreville and Noblesville, via New Castle, and young Bundy was em- ployed to ride the route, horseback. In those days express companies were un- known. Centreville was an important. thriving place of business, Middletown, a mere hamlet, and Anderson could not boast of a population to exceed one hundred. R. N. Williams was the chief factotum in official life, holding all the offices. General Stevenson was county clerk, recorder and postmaster at Nobles- ville. Hence young Bundy's efforts to climb the ladder to fame and position were not supported by a very alluring prospect. The late Henry Shrover, a saddler by trade, who died in June, 1902, at ninety two years of age, was the only man living in late years who knew young Bundy when carrying the mail between Middletown and Noblesville in 1835. General Stevenson was a subscriber for a Philadelphia paper, and when the youthful mail carrier reached a country office, once each week, he was questioned as to the news; finally he would take out Stevenson's paper and read it to the assembly. Those were stirring days in congress and news from the national capital was eagerly sought. It was during the last half of
M. L. Bundy
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Jackson's administration, when men like Webster, Clay, Calhoun and Hayne were prominent figures in political debate, and impassioned oratory commanded the highest admiration of the people. For the services he thus rendered the contractor in carrying the mail he received five dollars per month and board. He often refers to that period as the "happiest year of my life." It required five days to make the round trip. As the chief disseminator of news he became very widely and favorably known by the families along the entire route, and he was often called upon to make purchases for the good housewives and daughters who could not leave home to go on a "shopping" tour. Often did he purchase a dress pattern, sometimes in compliance with instructions, and when that could not be done would select according to his own judgment, almost invariably pleasing the lady who desired the goods. In this way, and through their appreciation of his service, he added to his earnings, which he carefully saved.
From Pendleton to Noblesville the distance was fourteen miles, seven of which were through a dense forest. It was no uncommon sight to see deer and other wild animals crossing the road in the forest, and wolves were not at all scarce, but young Bundy was never molested. In June, 1837, he was made deputy recorder under Dr. Reed, who had been elected to the office. This enabled him to resume his studies, giving a full year at Oxford in 1838. Among his classmates were John Bishop, son of President R. H. Bishop, of Miami University, George L. Andrews and M. D. LaPorte. He remained in the recorder's office until 1841, and became favorably and well known among the prominent men of the county, who thus saw in the hard working, studious youth the able and useful man of the future. He began the study of law in the office and under the tutorship of Judge Jehu T. Elliott, his brother-in-law, and applied himself so diligently to his studies that he was admitted to the bar a year later, 1842. Judge Bundy, in referring to those days of study, feels that he was particularly fortunate in being able to prepare himself under Judge Elliott, who afterward was upon the circuit bench for twenty five years in the Eighth Judicial District, and later elevated to the supreme bench, where he served for six years. The district bar of that period was noted for its many able representatives, among whom are mentioned Judge Elliott, already referred to; General William Grose, who died five years ago; Joshua H. Mellett, deceased, who became circuit judge; James Raridan, John S. Newman, Caleb B. Smith and Samuel W. Parker, all of whom became prominent in other counties. Grose and Mellett entered into practice in 1845. Mr. Bundy did not give his entire time to his profession after admission to the bar. He was elected county treasurer in 1844, serving a term of three years, and, declining a renomination, he returned to the bar with renewed zeal, although business was not brisk in the courts at that time. Such men as Parker would sit for a week without a case. Judge Perry, of Richmond, who died recently at an advanced age, was then upon the bench. The general practice was all under the common law, and the Indiana Reports consisted of but four volumes. Mr. Bundy was very popular with the older members of the bar, and the cordial, friendly relations thus sustained greatly assisted him. He devoted his entire energies to the practice, and was a close attendant at the sessions of the court throughout the entire circuit. The work of those days was replete with incidents and the school of practice and association productive of much good. Sometimes he would be called upon to sit as master in
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chancery to hear some important case, the next day conducting an action in law. His close attention to the interests of his clients during the first ten or twelve years of his practice insured him a good living, although his family was a large one.
Judge Bundy, while not a politician in the common application of the term, was a strong admirer of Henry Clay and was quite active in advancing the cause of the Whig party. In 1848 he was delegate to the Philadelphia convention which nominated Zachary Taylor for the presidency. He gave him a most cordial support after the nomination was made, but his preference for the Great Commoner was sincere, and his zeal unabated throughout the entire session of the convention. The same year he was elected to the legislature and served with much credit in that body until the closing session of 1849. Three years later he was elected judge of the court of common pleas, and re-elected in 1856.
Like a large majority of the old-line Whigs, Judge Bundy was among those who saw the necessity for a new party, and on the organization of the Republican party he cordially gave his assistance to the movement. He formed the acquaintance of many representative men at the Philadelphia convention. in 1848, among the number being John C. Fremont, and he was a strong admirer of the great "Path- finder." The Judge was a delegate to the state convention in 1856, and by that body was chosen to represent the party at the Philadelphia convention of that year, earnestly supporting Fremont for the nomination. He again met General Fremont and family, and there received from the hands of the General's wife, Jesse ( Benton) Fremont, a copy of the distinguished general's life. At the expiration of his second term as judge, in 1860, he was again elected representative to the legislature. He was chosen alternate to Colonel Miles Murphey, delegate to the Chicago National Republican Convention in 1860, which nominated the immortal Lincoln for President. In 1861 when a United States senator was to be chosen, Judge Bundy made the presentation speech which resulted in the nomination of Henry S. Lane, whose record in the United States Senate during the memorable days of the Civil War is still gratefully remembered by the old soldiers and represent- ative men of that period. During that almost disheartening period, Governor Morton had no more able or hearty supporter than Judge Bundy, who enjoyed his confidence and friendship throughout the terrible struggle. In August, 1861, in recognition of his ability, President Lincoln tendered him the appointment of pay- master in the army, which he accepted, remaining in the service until the Spring of 1866, when he resigned and was immediately commissioned Lieutenant Colonel by brevet "for faithful and meritorious service." While paymaster Judge Bundy paid out in round numbers twenty five million dollars for the government. He was stationed with headquarters at St. Louis, Missouri ; again at Louisville, Kentucky, and subsequently at Indianapolis, Chicago and Detroit.
In 1864 Judge Bundy organized the First National Bank of New Castle, of which he was elected president, continuing in that capacity for ten years. In 1874 he organized the Bundy National Bank, of which he was also president until December, 1877, when he retired. In 1868 Judge Bundy was appointed, by the Secretary of the United States Treasury, national bank examiner for the State of Indiana, and served until his resignation in 1874. With such ability and faithful- ness had he performed the duties incident to the position, that Secretary Sherman
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strenuously urged his acceptance of the appointment of examiner of national banks for Alabama and Tennessee, and he again entered the service of the government, holding the position until the Winter of 1879. Few men have filled so creditably as many important stations in public life, and the record is one to which he and his children can refer with pride. The magnitude of the work while examiner for Indiana may be better understood by saying that the number of banks which required his supervision was one hundred; and all this in connection with his private interests required a comprehensive knowledge of almost innumerable details of procedure that are beyond the capability of the average man. The Judge was also interested in the construction of the New Castle and Richmond railroad, now a part of the Pennsylvania system. He was its president and a director, and is the only member now living of the directory at that time. So thorough was his knowledge of any class of business to which he gave his thought and energy that he has recently been consulted by officers of the Pennsylvania road touching matters of contracts, etc., made while he was president.
Judge Bundy was married December 6, 1839, to Amanda Elliott, and for many years they celebrated the anniversary of that event; on the 6th of December, 1901, the sixty second was celebrated. No event of a similar character is known in Henry County, and it is more than probable there are few to be found in the State. Amanda Elliott was born in Wayne County, April 7, 1821, and died at New Castle, Indiana, July 30, 1903. Two days later her remains were interred in South Mound Cemetery. She was the daughter of Abraham and Jane Elliott, the latter a victim of the cholera scourge of 1833. Abraham Elliott was one of the earliest lawyers of Henry County and died in 1848. Judge Bundy married early in life, being but twenty two years of age and his wife barely eighteen. To Judge Bundy and his wife were born ten children, eight of whom are living : Eugene H. was judge of the Henry Circuit Court over eight years ; Loring is editor of the Examiner, at Connersville; Martin L., Jr., holds a position in the Indian Office, Department of the Interior, at Washington, D. C .; James P. is a merchant, doing business in the state of Washington; Omar, who graduated from West Point in 1882, is a major in the Sixth U. S. Infantry, HOW stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Elsewhere in this history will be found a complete statement of his military services to date; Olivia Jane is the widow of James L. Peed, a former merchant of Elwood; Emma H. is the wife of David W. Chambers, an attorney of New Castle; Lillian is the wife of William H. Bous- log, residents of Bay St. Louis, Hancock County, Mississippi.
The fraternal relations of Judge Bundy are exemplified in the Grand Army of the Republic. He always, when possible, attends the reunion. He was present at the encampment at Milwaukee, at Indianapolis and at the recent session held at Detroit. Religiously, his early inclinations were toward the Society of Friends. His wife was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In recapitulation of the life and service of Judge Bundy, a brief summary is made because the life history of such a man could only be given in a volume equal to the size of this work, of several hundred pages. Commencing as a poor boy and bereft of parents at an early day, and later of the grandfather who loved him as a son, he was forced to make his way in the world unaided except by those principles of integrity and determination which came to him as a heritage and
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stimulated him during the life of his grandfather. From a rider of a star route in the mail service, he worked his way upward until he became a prominent young attor- ney and treasurer of his county ; judge of the circuit court of his district ; a repre- sentative in the general assembly of his adopted state; an honored and prominent official of the government during the dark days of the Civil War ; an adjuster and examiner of our national system of finance in its operation in the States, and the head of banking institutions with highest reputation for legitimate and honorable dealing, and was an active promoter of private institutions and corporations in the business world that have done much to advance the prosperity of his city, county and state. What more can be crowded into so honorable a career, and what greater monument to his worth as a citizen can be erected to his credit. When the sun of life shall set, when the wisdom of the Creator shall be evidenced by his passage from life's labors to what mankind terms death, let us believe that it is in truth but a quiet rest from which our Redeemer says the awaking will be to an eternal joy for such as he. For in truth his life has been all that those words imply, "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life."
MAJOR OMAR BUNDY, U. S. A.
Omar Bundy, Major in the United States Army, is the son of Judge Martin L. and Amanda Bundy. He was born in New Castle, Indiana, June 17, 1861, and was educated in the public schools of his native town and at "Old Asbury," now Depauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. He was appointed a cadet at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, on the recommendation of Con- gressman Milton S. Robinson, whose congressional district included Henry County. He entered the Academy, July 1, 1879, graduating therefrom June 13, 1883, when he was made a Second Lieutenant in the Second Infantry, U. S. A. He was trans- ferred to the Third Infantry, U. S. A., May 13, 1884, and was promoted to a First Lieutenancy in that regiment to date from May 26, 1890. He became a Captain in the Sixth Infantry U. S. A., April 26, 1898, and was made a Major in the same . regiment, July 12, 1904. A more complete and detailed statement of his military service will be found in the chapter of this history, entitled, "United States Mili- tary and Naval Academies."
Major Omar Bundy was married in New Castle, Indiana, November 27, 1889. to Addie L. Harden, daughter of William H. and Emma L. (Stratton) Harden. The ceremony was performed, in the Presbyterian Church of New Castle, by the Reverend Frank C. Hood, the then pastor. This was the first wedding solemnized in the present Presbyterian Church building.
The parents of Mrs. Omar Bundy were old settlers of Henry County, where they have always been held in high esteem. Her father, who is still living, was Treasurer of Henry County, serving from August 5. 1889, to August 5, 1891.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JOHN STINSON HOOVER.
BREVET COLONEL U. S. V., MERCHANT AT MIDDLETOWN AND NEW CASTLE, GRAIN DEALER AND STATE SENATOR, NEBRASKA.
The Hoover family in Eastern Indiana is an old and respected one. This fam- ily takes its root in North Carolina whence the ancestor of the Indiana branch of the family came in 1806-7, settling in Wayne County, just north of the present site of Richmond. The family was a numerous one, consisting of David, who named the city of Richmond, Frederick, Andrew, Henry and two or more sisters. Fred- erick Hoover, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, married and reared a large family of children, among whom was a son, Samuel, who was born May 10, 1809, at the homestead, a little northeast and within sight of Richmond. This child, destined to act a considerable part in Henry County in after years, was brought up on the home place and as a young man worked on his father's place in Summer and attended the country school of that period during the Winter. He is remembered even now as a young man of great mental vigor, splendid physical powers and un- usual charm of manner.
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