USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume I > Part 39
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When General Sherman's campaign against Atlanta began, in 1864, the regi- ment was assigned to the Third Brigade (Grose), First Division (Stanley), Fourth Corps (Howard), and participated with this portion of the army in all of the battles incident to that campaign, being engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, Buz- zard Roost, Dalton, Dallas, Resaca, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, in siege of Atlanta, and with Sherman's Army in the flank movement around Atlanta, taking a conspicuous part in the battles of Jonesboro and Love- joy Station. In August, 1864, when near Atlanta, under orders from General Thomas, the non-veterans of the regiment were returned to Indianapolis, where they were mustered out of the service. After the close of the Atlanta Campaign the veterans and recruits were organized into a residuary battalion, and, as such battalion, marched northward with the Fourth Corps in pursuit of Hood's Army into Northern Alabama, until it reached Nashville, and was engaged with the Fourth Corps at Spring Hill and in the battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. It remained with the Fourth Corps until its arrival at Nashville, and participated with the army in the battle of Nashville, when Thomas moved out against Hood's works and drove him out of Tennessee. It went into camp with the Fourth Corps at Huntsville, Alabama, after the pursuit and rout of Hood's Army, and from Huntsville it was sent to Chattanooga, where it remained until June, 1865, when it was transferred to New Orleans, and was, upon orders of General Sheridan, consolidated with the residuary battalion of the Thirtieth Regiment, and marched with Sheridan as a part of the old Fourth Army Corps into Texas.
Colonel William Grose was commissioned as Brigadier General of Volunteers July 30, 1864; this was a promotion that was well earned, and the honors conferred thereby were fully merited by General Grose by his long, active, faithful and efficient services. At the close of the war. in 1865, General Grose was breveted a Major General of Volunteers.
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver H. P. Cary was commissioned as Colonel of the Thirty Sixth Regiment July 31, 1864, but, by reason of the lack of strength in
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numbers of the regiment, was not mustered as Colonel, but at the expiration of his term was commissioned as Colonel of the One Hundred and Fifty Third Indiana Regiment.
THIRTY SIXTH INDIANA AT CHICKAMAUGA.
On the Chickamauga Campaign the Thirty Sixth was one of the five regi- ments composing the Third Brigade, Second Division, Twenty First Corps. This brigade was under the command of Colonel William Grose (Colonel of this regi- ment ), and the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver H. P. Cary and Major Gilbert Trusler. This regiment, with its brigade, on the morning of September 19, 1863, was ordered on a reconnaisance below Lee and Gordon's Mill, on Chickamauga Creek, and there found the enemy in strong force, and the brigade received orders to withdraw, rejoining its division, and with the division, Major General John M. Palmer commanding, moved northward from Lee and Gordon's Mill on the Chattanooga road until Grose's Brigade reached the Brother- ton house, about eleven a. m., when line of, battle was formed and the brigade moved east on the south side of the Brotherton and Reed's Bridge road, the distance of about one-half mile or a little more, to the ridge overlooking the Brock field, where the enemy was met in strong force about twelve m., and the battle opened on that portion of the line in terrible force. In the opening of the battle here the Thirty Sixth Indiana was in the second line. Soon after the battle opened the Union troops on the right of Grose's Brigade were overpowered and the lines were broken, and the Thirty Sixth Indiana was immediately moved to the right and into position to protect the flank of its brigade. The enemy made a desperate attack upon this portion of the line, but the regiment stubbornly held its ground, fighting against great odds for two hours. On this line, while in com- mand of his regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Cary was severely wounded, and the command fell upon Major Trusler, and he retained command until the close of the battle on Sunday evening, September 20th.
Colonel Grose, in his report of the battle by his regiment on this portion of the line on Saturday afternoon, says : "Here was the best fighting and the least falling out (except killed and wounded) that I have ever witnessed. Finally the ammu- nition gave out, and, there being none at hand (bad luck), they had to be retired." General Cruft took up the fight here, and with a full supply of ammunition drove the enemy back and held that portion of the field, and advanced beyond the Brock field. The Thirty Sixth Indiana, with its brigade, withdrew for ammunition, and, worn and weary from the struggles of the day, without water, lay upon its arms through the chilly air of the night, to take upon itself the struggle and carnage of the new day. The position occupied by the Thirty Sixth Regiment on Saturday evening and Saturday night was north of the Brotherton and Reed's Bridge road about 200 yards, and east of the Poe field about 150 yards. On Sunday morning, September 20, 1863, the second day's battle of Chickamauga, Colonel Grose, with his brigade, was ordered to the left of General Baird's Division, then on the east Kelly field line. At the time of receiving this order Colonel Grose was on the extreine right of the Kelly field line. Between his position and the left of General Baird were the divisions of Palmer, Johnson and Baird. It was necessary, there- fore, for him to pass to the rear of these troops and onto and across the Kelly field
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in order to reach Baird's left. Concerning this movement Colonel Grose says : "Before we arrived at the intended position in the line, the enemy came upon Baird's Division, and consequently my command in fearful numbers. I formed the four regiments under a destructive fire from the enemy in the woodland, covered with a heavy underbrush, forming nearly north and at right angles with the main line of battle, with the Thirty Sixth Indiana and the Eighty Fourth Illinois in the front line. Thus formed, we met the enemy and held a desperate struggle, with fearful loss on both sides; the brigade advanced and was repulsed, advanced a second time and was again repulsed, and, with some forces that now came to our assistance, advanced the third time and held the woodland. In this contest for the mastery over the woodland fell many of my best and bravest officers and men. The dead and dying of both armies mingled together over this bloody field. Here I parted with many of my comrades forever, particularly old mess- mates of the Thirty Sixth Indiana, and whose remains I was unable to remove from the field. After the fighting had ceased, and with seeming success to our arms, on this portion of the line, now about one or two p. m., I withdrew the Thirty Sixth Indiana, Twenty Fourth and Sixth Ohio, with that portion of the Eighty Fourth Illinois under the command of Captain Ervin, to near the position we had taken in the forenoon, near the right of General Hazen's Brigade, and put my men in position to rest and await further developments. * It was here, near by me, that Colonel King, of the Sixty Eighth Indiana, fell a victim to the aim of a sharpshooter." About five p. m. Colonel Grose received orders to retire his command from the field. At this time the enemy was again assaulting Baird's Division on the east of the Kelly field, and a heavy force advancing from the south "from towards Lee and Gordon's Mill" opened on the right and rear of Colonel Grose's command, with "the most terrible cannonading I had heard during these battles, and in a few moments completely enfilading our entire rear." (Colonel Grose's report. )
This sketch of the Thirty Sixth Indiana and its gallant Colonel and Brigade Commander would not be properly concluded without detailing an incident of the withdrawal from the field on the evening of September 20, 1863. Just where the right of Palmer's Division ended, the line, instead of continuing to the south, changed and ran to the northwest, to the southwest corner of the Kelly field. At the point of the angle at the right of Palmer's Division, when our troops began to retire, the enemy opened upon our men with great fury from the south and east, as reported by Colonel Grose and others. In withdrawing his troops, Colonel Grose moved to the northwest and across the south end of the Kelly field. In order to reassure his troops and to impress upon them the necessity for coolness and deliberateness, so that there should be no panic, Colonel Grose, with Lieutenant Boice, one of his aids-de-camp, carrying the brigade flag, rode on the left of the leading regiment of the brigade, that being the direction from which the enemy was making its attack. By the conduct of their heroic commander the men were reassured, and the withdrawal under the vigorous assault of the enemy was accomplished without confusion or panic. After crossing the La Fayette and Chattanooga road to the west of the Kelly field, General Grose halted the Thirty Sixth Indiana, and, with the Sixth Ohio, formed a line faced toward the enemy, and prepared to defend and cover the retreat.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Colonel Grose concludes his reference to the Thirty Sixth Regiment at Chicka- mauga with these words: "Lieutenant Colonel Cary, Thirty Sixth Indiana, brave to the last, received a severe wound during the battle of the 19th, and was succeeded by Major Trusler in command, who deserves a high meed of praise for continuing the good management of the regiment. Brave old regiment! Your country will remember you when these trying times are over." The entire strength of Grose's Brigade at the opening of the battle of Chickamauga, officers and men, including staff officers, was 1,687; the total loss of the brigade was 547, of which the Thirty Sixth Indiana's was 129. The State of Indiana has placed a monu- ment, to commemorate the spot where the Thirty Sixth Indiana did its hard fight- ing on the first day of the battle of Chickamauga, on the crest of the Brock field, a little south of the Brotherton and Reed's Bridge road, and a half or three quarters of a mile east of the Brotherton house. The tablet on the monument bears the following legend :
INDIANA'S TRIBUTE
TO HER THIRTY SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY. Lieutenant Colonel Oliver H. P. Cary and Major Gilbert Trusler, Commanding. Third Brigade (Grose). Second Division (Palmer ). Twenty First Corps ( Crittenden).
At twelve thirty p. m., September 19th, went into action at this point, suf- fering greatly in killed and wounded; held the position until three p. m., when ammunition gave out and it fell back in good order towards the Kelly field, and later bivouacked there. On Sunday, the 20th, went into action east of the Kelly field, holding its· line from nine a. m. to five p. m., assisting in repulsing several charges. At night fell back in good order with the army to Rossville.
Killed, 13; wounded, 99; missing, 17; total, 129.
A marker is placed about 150 yards east of the Poe field line and about 200 yards north of the Brotherton and Reed's Bridge road to indicate the position of this regiment late on Saturday afternoon, September 19th. The inscription on the bronze tablet placed on the marker bears the following :
INDIANA. Thirty Sixth Regiment Infantry (Cary). Third Brigade (Grose). Second Division (Palmer). Twenty First Corps ( Crittenden ). Saturday, September 19, 1863, until 3 p. m.
A marker of the same design is also placed near the southeast corner of the Kelly field, bearing the same inscription, except as to the time. The time on the tablet indicates the time at which the regiment took that position to be
Sunday, September 20, 1863, nine a. m.
In the vicinity of this last marker the regiment remained fighting almost con- stantly throughout the entire day, until withdrawn with the army about five p. m. of Sunday, September 20, 1863.
Indiana has also erected a monument to this regiment at Shiloh, the location and inscription upon which are as follows :
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
THIRTY SIXTH INDIANA REGIMENT LOCATION.
Line_40, Station 68-80 and 37 feet east. On the east side of the Hamburg and Savannah road, near Bloody Pond, and 200 feet south of the Camp Tablet of the Fifth Ohio Cavalry.
36TH REGIMENT INFANTRY. Commanded by Colonel William Grose, 10th Brigade-Colonel Jacob Ammen- 4th Division-General Nelson- Army of the Ohio. INDIANA.
36th INFANTRY, Commanded by Colonel William Grose.
This regiment arrived on the battlefield at five thirty p. m., April 6, 1862 ; was ordered by Major General Grant 150 yards to the left to support Captain Stone's Battery, where it was engaged until dark. At five thirty a. m., April 7, it moved forward in line of battle, arriving at this position about ten a. m. Regiment charged the enemy and assisted in driving him from the field. Casualties-killed. I officer and 8 men ; wounded, I officer and 35 men ; total, 45.
Henry County was more largely represented in this organization than in any other of the Civil War.
This regiment bore an honorable part in the following engagements :
Shiloh Tennessee
April 6-7, 1862.
Corinth, Mississippi, (Siege of) .
April 30 to May 30, 1862.
Perryville, Kentucky.
. October 8, 1862.
Wildcat, Kentucky
. October 17, 1862.
Stone's River, Tennessee
December 31, 1862, to January 1-2, 1863.
Tullahoma Campaign, Tennessee
June 23-30, 1863.
Chickamauga, Georgia.
. September 19-20, 1863.
Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.
. November 24, 1863.
Missionary Ridge, Tennessee.
. November 25, 1863.
Buzzard Roost, Georgia.
February 25-27, 1864.
Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia.
. May 5-9, 1864.
Resaca, Georgi
. May 13-16, 1864.
Dallas, Georgia.
May 25 to June 4, 1864.
New Hope Church, Georgia.
. May 28-30, 1864
Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, (First Assault)
June 23, 1864.
Kenesaw Mountain Georgia, (General Assault)
June 27, 1864.
Nickajack Creek, Georgia.
July 2-5, 1864.
Chattahoochie River, Georgia. . July 6-10, 1864.
Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, (Hood's first sortie) July 20, 1864.
Atlanta, Georgia, (Hood's second sortie) July 22, 1864.
Atlanta, Georgia, (Hood's third sortie)
. July 28, 1864.
Atlanta, Georgia, (Siege of) July 28 to September 2, 1864.
Jonesboro, Georgia. August 31 to September 1, 1864.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
COLONEL OLIVER HAZARD PERRY CARY.
Oliver Hazard Perry Cary was the descendant of one John Cary, who settled in Plymouth Colony about 1634 and was the seventh in line of descent .from that ancestor. He was born at Connersville, Fayette County, Indiana, February 26, 1819, and was the ninth of the twelve children of Colonel Samuel and Sarah (Goble) Cary. His father, born in New Jersey in 1784, was the son of Abraham Cary, a Revolutionary soldier. He moved with his parents to Ohio when it was a part of the Northwest Territory. On October 25, 1803, he married Sarah Goble and settled in Clarke County, Ohio, but in 1819 moved to Fayette County, Indiana. He was a quiet man, of amiable temper and a great favorite with the Indians. In the War of 1812-15, he attained the rank of Colonel. His death occurred by accident, August 27, 1828. His wife died at the age of seventy one years.
Oliver H. P. Cary received his early education in Fayette County, but at the age of thirteen came to Henry County to live with a distant relative, Mrs. Ann Bales, the mother of the late John H. Bales, a highly respected citizen of Henry County, who nearly all his life lived in Wayne Township. Young Bales at this time ran a saddlery and harness shop in Knightstown, which he had established in 1830, and under him Cary learned the trade of a saddler and harness maker, after which he worked for a time with Bales, perhaps they were partners in business. Later Cary started in business for himself at Marion, Grant County, which from that time became his home.
In 1847, during the Mexican War, he enlisted as a private in the 4th Indiana Infantry, a step that marked a new era in his life. The steamer conveying his regiment to the seat of war was blown up while crossing the Gulf of Mexico, but Cary was uninjured and with a few companions reached the shore in a small boat. After enduring incredible hardships, he finally succeeded in joining General Scott's Army and took part in several of those brilliant victories that resulted in the capitulation of the capital of the Montezumas. He was Orderly Sergeant for ten months and was then promoted Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant and was finally elected Captain but, owing to the distance from Indian- apolis and the approaching end of the war, he did not receive his commission.
In July, 1848, Captain Cary returned to Marion but in 1850, with eight companions, made the overland journey to California. The trip took nearly five months and was full of danger and terrible privations. He returned to Indiana in the following year and resumed his occupation. From 1852 to 1860 he engaged in the livery and mail carrying business, having a Government con- tract to carry the mails by coach to the counties of Cass, Huntington, Howard, Madison, Miami and Wabash.
In 1861, when President Lincoln issued the call for seventy five thousand men, our veteran of the Mexican War was the first man in Grant County to respond. Like General Putnam, when the news of battle reached him at his. plow. he left.it in the furrow and hurried away to join his country's defenders. He was commissioned First Lieutenant in the 8th Indiana Infantry (three months), and at the organization of the regiment was promoted to the Captaincy of Company K. At Rich Mountain, West Virginia, it fell to him to open the
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
battle, under orders from General Rosecrans to advance with his company in skirmish line.
At the close of their enlistment, the regiment returned home and was re- organized for the three years' service. Captain Cary was placed in command of Company A but, before reaching the front, was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 36th Indiana Infantry, which was at first stationed at Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky, under General William Nelson. In February, 1862, the 36th was ordered to re-enforce General Grant at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, but that strong- hold had fallen before its arrival. The regiment then took part in the capture of Nashville and in the following March was hastened to Pittsburg Landing, Ten- nessee. Lieutenant Colonel Cary passed through that battle unscathed, although his horse was struck down by a bullet. After the fight at Corinth, Mississippi, he was ordered to Middle Tennessee, where his regiment took part in the battle of Stone's River. Here he lost another horse and was himself wounded. At the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, a third charger fell under its intrepid rider, who was again wounded. Missionary Ridge was added to the already proud record of the 36th Indiana under command of Cary. On May 5, 1864, began the Atlanta Campaign with its rapid succession of battles and skirmishes. In September, 1864, the regiment was mustered out of the service. In February, 1865, the 153rd Indiana Infantry was organized with Cary as Colonel and ordered to Bowl- ing Green, Kentucky. He commanded a brigade under General John M. Palmer during the Summer of 1865, and was finally ordered back to Louisville, Kentucky, and placed in charge of Taylor Barracks, where he remained until September of that year.
At the close of the war he returned home, having served four years and seven months. He participated in all the battles of the Army of the Cumberland and was wounded five times. After the war, he engaged in farming. He was originally a Douglas Democrat but voted for Lincoln, at his second election, and from that time continued as a member of the Republican party. In 1876 he was elected to represent Grant County in the General Assembly and was re-elected in 1878. During the last thirty six years of his life he was connected with the Christian Church. On November 10, 1840, he was married to Lois S. Hall, daughter of Stephen Hall, of Hamilton County, Ohio. They had four children but the youngest alone survives-Mary L., wife of W. B. Dodds, of Marion.
Such in brief is the rounded record of Oliver H. P. Cary. His conduct in the times of stress through which he passed is worthy of extended comment, but no more can be given here than the general verdict of his comrades, who were greatly attached to him. Colonel Cary was a strict but just and considerate disciplinarian, tireless on the march, skillful in advance and retreat, brave and im- petuous in battle, always faithful and efficient. He died at his home in Marion, June 19, 1889, and his funeral was the largest ever held in Grant County. His wife, Lois S. (Hall) Cary, died at Marion, December 12, 1884. Both are buried in the Marion Cemetery.
He had a son named after him who was a Musician in the 36th Indiana. He was a mere boy, but served from September 16, 1861, to March 2, 1862. He died, after his discharge from the army, of disease contracted in the service.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
MAJOR ISAAC KINLEY.
Major Isaac Kinley was a native of Randolph County, Indiana, where he was born November 7, 1821. He was of Quaker descent, his parents being active members of that Society, which did so much to form and develop the sterling character of the pioneer settlers of Eastern Indiana. He was well educated and during early life was an accomplished teacher. He taught school at New Castle, where at this late day a number of his scholars are still living, who recall with pleasure the days of their tutelage under his kind and careful instruction. While teaching, he found opportunity to read law and was duly admitted to the bar. From the beginning of his career, he was a student, knowing much and learning more.
For a number of years, Major Kinley was closely identified with the history of Henry County, as citizen, teacher and legislator. His first public duty came with his election as a member of the convention which framed the present Constitution of the State of Indiana. His colleagues were Daniel Mowrer, of New Castle, and Dr. George Ballengall, of Fall Creek Township. It was in this convention that he joined with the distinguished scholar and philanthropist, Robert Dale Owen, who was also a member of the convention, in giving special attention to educational matters. He was afterwards, for two terms of two years each, Surveyor of Henry County, serving from November 6, 1852, to November 6, 1856. Following this, he was elected, in October, 1856, State Senator from Henry County for the full term of four years, and served in the sessions of 1857 and 1859, in both of which he again, as in the Constitutional Convention, gave his special attention to the cause of education.
In later years he moved to Wayne County and in 1866 was elected State Senator from that county, serving four years. Soon after his term of office expired, he moved to California, where he has since resided. For some years he has been a helpless invalid because of the serious wounds received by him in the service of his country, much aggravated by his advancing years.
Too much cannot be said in praise of Major Kinley's record in the Civil War. Early in the conflict, he took an active part in the organization of the "Old 36th Regiment," and became Captain of Company D, being commissioned September 14, 1861, and mustered in two days later. On the resignation of Major Thomas W. Bennett to accept the Colonelcy of the 69th Indiana Infantry, Captain Kinley was commissioned Major, November 7, and mustered as such, November 27, 1862. He resigned May 20, 1863, on account of wounds received at Stone's River, Tennessee, December 31, 1862. He was soon afterwards appointed Provost Marshal for the Fifth Congressional District of Indiana. Of Major Kinley's career in the army, General William Grose in his History of the Thirty Sixth Indiana, says: "The Major was in command of the regiment at the commence- ment of the battle of Stone's River, on December 31, 1862, and early in the engage- ment fell terribly wounded, with a thigh bone broken by a ball from a small arm. The Major was removed to the rear as soon as it was possible to be done. This was a very dangerous wound, yet with sound physical make-up, and good nursing by his loving companion, who reached him in a few days, his life was saved. He was a gallant soldier and always a good, quiet and worthy citizen."
William H. Fentress
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
He has always been held in the highest esteem by his old army associates and by all whose pleasure it was to know him during his civil life in Henry County. His wife, whom he had married in Indianapolis while in the Senate from Henry County, died some years ago in California after their removal to that far country.
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