USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Bloomington > Historic treasures: true tales of deeds with interesting data in the life of Bloomington, Indiana University and Monroe County--written in simple language and about real people, with other important things and illustrations > Part 24
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The county was really ahead of her quota, but some of the townships were behind. The draft was intended to bring the "stay-at-homes" to the
front.
On Saturday, September 6, 1862, the citizens of the county assembled at the court house in Bloomington and listened to a long and able ad- dress on the state of the country from the Honorable Joseph A. Wright, ex- Governor of Indiana. This speech was a fine specimen of oratory, and was loyal to the core.
On the following Monday, the citi- zens again assembled to hear the Honorable Joseph E. McDonald, who delivered an address of great power. He strongly favored a cessation of hostilities, which would have meant that the North was giving up the cause for which the terrible war was being waged.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
INCIDENTS WORTH MENTION DURING CIVIL WAR DAYS IN MONROE COUNTY
During the terrible war, and just prior thereto, there was much disloyal feeling manifested throughout the whole North, and although Monroe county proved in the great majority as loyal to the Union, of course, there was bound to be some citizens whose sense of right told them their sympa- thies should go to the South. Al- though these facts are facts, we feel at this time that the least said con- cerning them is the better policy, con- sequently, only a general outline will be touched upon.
When the rebellious states seceded, they claimed that they were doing what they had a right to do under the Constiution. That they really acted in good faith in this particular can no longer be doubted.
They were protecting the instituion of slavery, which had been their chief source of wealth and revenue since the formation of the United States Government. That slavery, of itself, was a great wrong, has nothing to do with what the South considered her right under the Constitution.
State Sovereignty.
The South believed in State sover- ignty, in nullification and in slavery. She thought the Union could be broken by any State whose soverign rights were being trampled upon. But, it is now doubtful, even with this opin- ion, if she would have seceded had she not felt that slavery would otherwise receive its death blow.
With these thoughts, is it any won- der to us that she seceded ?
The North took an opposite posi- tion on all these particulars, and was, of course, as we all know, right. The point is: Did the South act in good faith ? If she did her mistake must be overlooked, and, from what the late wars of our United States with foreign enemies has proven, we must concede at this time our belief that the South was undoubtedly acting in good faith toward what her people considered right.
Many From South.
It was true of Monroe county in that troublous war period, that, as many of her citizens had come from the South to Indiana, and had friends and relatives there, a strong sym- pathy was felt for the old home.
During the winter of 1860-61, as the Southern States seceded, many of our most intelligent and prominent citizens publicly expressed their grat- ification and when the news was re- ceived that Ft. Sumter had been cap- tured, openly rejoiced at the event. They were honest in what they did and believed that they were right. One man declared in a public meet- ing that if he fought it would be on the side of the South.
As the summer and fall of 1861 passed, many fist fights and savage encounters took place in Bloomington and throughout Monroe county over the war issues, in some instances in-
volving women and whole neighbor- hoods.
Used Club on Disloya !.
In one incident, a man who had been reviling the North with foul words, was knocked down right on the public street in Bloomington. On another occasion, a man who had cheered for Jeff Davis was compelled to leave town in a hurry, in order to avoid being hung by a crowd of ex- cited Bloomington men who quickly gathered with a rope to avenge the act.
Then, in other portions of the coun- ty, as all over the state, the sympa- thizers of the South would be in ma- jority in some certain neighborhood, and the Union sympathizers in their midst was speedily silenced or run out. Several communities were nick- named "Secessia," so strong was the Southern sentiment expressed.
The year of 1863 was the dark- est for the Union cause, and many of the stauchest supporters of the North despaired of ever seeing a restoration of the Union. During this year the contrary element grew bold, audacious and outspoken. The enlistment of men in the North was openly discour- aged, and secret treasonable organi- zations, such as "Knights of the Gold- en Circle," held nightly orgies and massed and drilled their forces, pre- paratory for_what ?
Propaganda Used.
Letters were written by some cit- izens to Monroe county men in the Northern army, urging them to desert, promising secretion and protection from arrest. Several of these letters were published in the "Republication" at Bloomington.
During the early part of 1863, a number of disloyal meetings were held in public at Bloomington, which had a discouraging effect upon the enlistment of men for our army. The effect of these disloyalists was soon overshadowed by the monster mass meetings of loyal Union sympathizers held in the court house at Blooming- ton.
There was organized, in March, 1863, "The National Union Associa- tion of Monroe and Brown Counties," by loyal citizens, as a further means of encouragement of the Union cause.
David D. Griffin was elected presi- dent and John C. Headly, secretary. The following were included in the association's declaration of principles :
"Forgetting all past political differ- ences and placing the salvation of the Union above all party and other predi- lections, we are for the maintenance of the Federal Government against all enemies at home and abroad.
"We will sustain the Federal Gov- ernment in all its measures for put- ting down the rebellion and call for a vigorous prosecution of the war, until the glorious Union of our fathers be firmly established all over our territory."
Late in March, 1863, as a train loaded with hundreds of rebel pris- oners on their way to Camp Morton, at Indianapolis, passed through Bloomington in the night, several dis- loyal Monroe county citizens boarded it and offered to hide and feed the prisoners if they would make a break for liberty; but the Southerners re- fused to "break."
News of the outbreak of disloyal citizens in Brown county in April, 1863, caused much excitement in Mon- roe county and Bloomington, which led to the organization of a company of men as a home guard, to be held in readiness for any emergency which might arise. This made the disloyal element rejoice, as they took it that the loyal element were afraid of the strength of the Southern sympathiz- ers. In June, 1863, the resistance to the conscript enrollment occurred, which is given in another article.
New provisions of the revenue act of 1921 of especial interest are those relating to personal exemptions of married persons and to the returns on gross incomes of more than $5,000 a year, according to M. Bert Thurman, collector of internal revenue.
Under the new act a married per- son, living with husband or wife whose net income for 1921 was $5,000 or less, shall be allowed a personal exemption of $2,500. If the net income of such person was more than $5,000, the exemption is $2,000. Under the revenue act of 1918 the personal exemption allowed a married person was $2,000 regard- less of the amount of net income. The normal tax rate remains un- changed, being 4 per cent. on the first $4,000 of net income above the exemptions and 8 per cent. on the re- maining net income.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
"BUTTER NUTS" RESIST LAW-SIX-MONTH MEN CALLED IN 1863
As an outcome of the discourag- ments and set backs of the army of the North during that gloomy winter and spring months of 1863, when practically no enlistments were made for service by volunteers, the Federal Government, through State authori- ties began preparations for forceful draft of men fit for military duty, as had been done in 1862.
In June, of this year, the enrollment of men subject to call for military duty in Monroe county was begun in the various townships of the county. The members of the enrolling board for the Third Congressional District, in which this county was situated, were: Simon Stansifer, provost mar- shal; John R. B. Glasscock, commis- sioner; Albert G. Collier, surgeon (in April 1865, James B. Mulkey suc- ceeded .Mr. Stansifer as provost mar- shal for the district). Colonel John McCrea was appointed provost mar- shal for Monroe county in June, 1863.
Resist Military Law.
In one portion of Monroe county the enrolling officers met with force- ful opposition to the listing of men for military service.
On Friday, June 19, an armed force of probably eighty men sur- rounded W. F. Hensley, enrolling offi- cer of Indian Creek Township, while he was discharging his duty, and compelled him to give up his enrol- ling papers, threatening him with death if he revealed the names of any men present at the party.
Mr. Hensley, regardless of the threats against his life, promptly in- formed the authorities at Blooming- ton of what had been done in Indian Creek Township; and the wrath of the "Butternuts" (as this element was known) was so great that his neigh- bors placed a body guard about him night and day.
Arrests Follow.
On the following Wednesday, Col- onel Biddle with about 600 members of the 71st Regiment and a company of the 3rd Cavalry arrived at Bloom- ington, and pitched camp just north of town.
Colonel McCrea, with several as- sistants and the cavalry company started for Indian Creek Township, where he arrested about sixteen per- sons who were supposed to have been leaders of the outrage against the enrollment officer, and recovered the enrollment papers.
The persons arrested were sent to Indianapolis to be examined by the United States District Court, and no further trouble was encountered in this district.
About June 26, a section of the 23rd Artillery, with two 12-pounder brass guns arrived in Bloomington and encamped. Before this the "But- ternuts" (organized sympathizers of the South) had been arming and dril- ling in one or more portions of Mon- roe county, but all this display of force completely subdued them and
checked further resistance to the en- rollment or' enlistment activities.
Six-Month Men Called.
On June 15, 1863, a call from the President of the United States came asking for 100,000 men to volunteer for six months' service, and imme- diate steps were taken to raise a com- pany in Bloomington. An enlistment office was opened over Fee's store (now Breeden's) at the northwest corner of the public square.
Those who were especially active in obtaining volunteers were: W. B.
Hughes, J. Rutledge, W. C. Smith, Michael Gabbert, H. C. Gabbert and J. H. Miller, and by July 31 the com- pany numbered about seventy-five men, when they were ordered to re- port at Indianapolis. This company remained at Indianapolis until Aug- ust 15, in the meantime recruiting from Monroe county enough men to bring their ranks up to the lawful requirement, when they were mus- tered into Federal service and sent to Kentucky the same day. This com- pany from Monroe county became Company I, 117th Regiment, six months' men, and were officered as follows: H. B. Hughes, captain; Jhonias Rutledge, first lieutenant, and James H. Miller, second lieutenant.
MORGAN INVADED INDIANA IN SPRING OF 1863- MONROE MEN RUSH TO COLORS
All Indiana and Ohio were on edge, and both North and South were gasp- ing. During the late spring months of 1863, the whole North was worked up by the raids of the famous rebel, General Morgan, in territory north of the Ohio river; and, although citizens of Monroe county. had never thought of the dreadful war being carried to their own door, they were ever ready to accept any rumor at first hand.
On Monday, June 22, 1863, the news was received in Bloomington that the terrible rebel, General Morgan, with a large force of men, had penetrated Indiana from Kentucky, and was ad- vancing upon Paoli, in Orange county.
"Minutemen" Organize.
All the bells in Bloomington were hastily rung, and soon a great crowd of excited citizens gathered at the courthouse, where wild rumors were spread, creating horror and arousing the people to immediate action.
A company of over 100 "minute- men" was speedily formed in Bloom- ington that day, and organized under the command of Captain I. S Buskirk. These men tendered their service to the Governor of Indiana by telegraph. But, no answer was received from the Governor until late that night, when it was learned that their service was not immediately needed, and the com- pany disbanded.
The continued threatening charac- ter of the news of the invasion of In- diana by General Morgan, however, soon gave new impetus to the orga- nization of militia companies.
Captain Buskirk's company was again organized and mustered, and on July 9, 1863, left for Mitchell, Indiana. A company of cavalry, commanded by Captain Wylie, left Bloomington the next day for the same point; and a militia company of infantry, under the command of Captain Marion Blair, left for Indianapolis.
Another full company left Elletts- ville for Indianapolis at the same time, and two other companies were almost completed in the rural vicini- ties near Bloomington.
Excitement Runs High.
At no other time during the whole civil war did the local excitement run higher than at this period. The
wildest rumors were circulated, and business in all lines seemed to be par- alyzed and almost completely sus- pended The streets of Bloomington were alive with military preparations, and large crowds of people from the rural districts came to town daily to learn what was to be done.
One week was all that this excite- ment required to subside, when Gen- eral Morgan was turned back just outside of North Vernon.
The Bloomington company, of which Marion Blair was captain, was mus- tered into service at Indianapolis on July 10, and mustered out on July 15, without having left that city; this company was for five days Company D. 110th Regiment minutemen. The Ellettsville company, of which Barton Acuff was captain, was mustered into service as Company G, 111th Regi- ment minutemen on the same date as Captain Blair's company, and mus- tered out at the same time, without having left Indianapolis.
At North Vernon.
The company from Bloomington un- der Captain Hughes (which later en- tered the six months' service) moved to Mitchell, Indiana, where it was mustered in as Company A, 112th Regiment minutemen, on July 9. The company saw slight service as this regiment was moved to North Vernon, where it assisted that town in holding against General Morgan, who ap- proached within a few miles of the town. I. S. Buskirk was made a Ma- jor in this regiment, which was mus- tered out on July 17, after eight days in service.
The 113th Regiment, minutemen, whose Company A was made up of Monroe county men under the com- mand of Captain Henry L. McCalla, also participated in the defense of North Vernon, and was mustered into service on July 11, and with five days' service was mustered out on July 16, 1863.
Gave Four Companies.
It will be seen that within about one week Monroe county furnished and sent into the service four full com- panies, and had three or four com- panies organized and ready. The wis- dom of the organization of the coun-
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ty militia in 1861 was demonstrated.
A fine company of militia cavalry was organized in Monroe county; mostly in Perry township, about the
month of September, 1863, under the command of Captain J. E. Mathers.
One of the companies mentioned in this article was commanded by Cap- tain David Sheeks.
DISLOYAL ELEMENT GROWS BOLD-DARKEST DAYS FOR SUPPORTERS OF LINCOLN- LOYAL MEETINGS HELD
Monroe County Citizens Resent Actions of Southern Sympathizers and Take
Measures to Prevent Treasonable Deeds-Mass Meetings Held in Bloom- ington by Both Sides.
Bloomington and Monroe county will never again know such strife as was manifested in the community life during the dark days of 1863, when the armies of the North were going through the direst discouragement of the war, on which we look back now and recall the old saying that it is always darkest before dawn.
In the month of January, 1863, a large meeting of the disloyal element of Monroe county's citizens was held in the court house at Bloomington, on which occasion Judge Eckles, of Greencastle, Ind., was the principal speaker. The Judge was considered a very able speaker, and delivered a fiery speech, taking an ultra position in opposing a further continuance of the terrible war, and was enthusiasti- cally applauded by his hearers.
Disloyal Speech of Eckles.
Judge Eckles denounced the admin- istration of President Abraham Lin- coln in the severest terms at his command, heaping the responsibility of the war upon the Republican party, especially the Abolitionist wing; de- clared the "people of the South were justified in their course, in view of the danger of their favorite institu- tion-slavery-and insisted that not another man nor another dollar should be furnished to continue the unneces- sary and wicked war."
A number of resolutions were adopted by the meeting, embodying the substance of this speech, and the crowd dispersed, a number cheering for Jeff Davis and cursing "Old Lincoln."
The "State Sentinel," published at Indianapolis, spoke highly of the "spirit and determination of this meeting" in its following issue.
Several savage personal fights occurred in Bloomington during the day following this disloyal mass meeting.
Great Loyal Meeting Called.
An enormous Union mass meeting of loyal citizens of Bloomington and Monroe county was held four weeks later in the court house in Blooming- ton. Captain Capps, of eastern Ten- nessee, and Colonel Hawkins were the principal speakers upon this mem- orable occasion, and both men seemed to excel in their loyal addresses of patriotism. Jacob B. Lowe was chair- man of this meeting, and Major James B. Mulky acted as secretary. The following preambles and resolutions were unanimously adopted by the
patriotic supporters of the Union at this meeting:
"Whereas, We are now engaged in a deadly struggle in defense of and for the perpetuity of every right dear to us as American citizens, and which requires the united efforts of all good and loyal men. And,
"Whereas, We have beheld, with deep regret and abhorrence, the mal- ignant partisan spirit in our State, the tendency of which is to paralyze and frustrate the measures of the Federal and State authorities in their patriotic endeavors to suppress the infamous rebellion; to create and dif-
fuse secession and treasonable senti- ments among the people; and finally, precipitate them out of the Union, and into the league with the Southern Confedracy, and into an entangling alliance with France, or other foreign powers. Therefore,
"1. Resolved, That we tender to Governor Morton our warmest thanks for his untiring zeal in organizing, arming and equipping the gallant army which Indiana has sent to the tented field, and for his timely and tender attention to the wants of our sick and wounded soldiers, and assure him of our unswerving support in his efforts to maintain for Indiana her present proud position for the pre- eminent loyalty, and the high char- acter of her citizen soldiery
"2. Resolved, That we hold in utter detestation, and execrate any man, or class of men, who in this struggle for our national existence, are found fomenting and making factions, and malignant partisan opposition to either the Federal or State authori- ties, in their efforts and measures for the vigorous prosecution of the war, for the suppression of this causeless, wanton, and Godless rebellion.
"3. Resolved, That we unqualifiedly repudiate and denounce any and all propositions for an armistice with the traitors, other than those uniformly
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offered to them by the proper authori- ties of the Federal Government, viz .: That they ground the arms of their rebellion, return into the Union, and be obedient, law-abiding citizens to the government of our fathers, as they made it and consecrated it with their precious blood, and as their duty to preserve and defend it, and transmit it unimpaired to our pos- terity.
"4. Resolved, That cowardly and traitorous demagogues at home shall never precipitate us into the attitude of requiring the noblest army of free- dom the world has ever seen to ground their arms in front of the most perfidious, inhuman and redemp- tionless army of traitors and outlaws that ever disgraced the annals of the earth.
"5. Resolved, That this rebellion must and shall be effectually and for- ever crushed out, leaving a lesson upon the pages of our history which, as long as it shall continue to be read, will over-awe and deter rebellious and wicked spirits and the enemies of freedom and the human race from ever again attempting to deluge with the precious blood of our brothers and sons this otherwise prosperous, free and happy land."
Had Good Effect.
This meeting and the resolutions adopted had a most excellent effect upon the people of Monroe county, and greatly encouraged the loyal citi- zens of Bloomington and the sur- rounding country during that gloom- iest year of the terrible civil war- 1863.
One week later, a second Union Mass meeting of even greater pro- portion and equal enthusiasm was held in Monroe county's court house. The speakers on this eventful occasion were General Kimball, the Honorable J. A. Matson, Colonel McCrea, and the Rev. Mr. Hopkins, the Rev. Mr. Farmer and the Rev. Mr. Hearb, pas- tors of Bloomington churches.
Several of the speakers at this loyal mass meeting were Democrats, but all spoke earnestly in favor of con- tinuing the war until the ultimate de- feat and surrender of the rebel armies. This was one of the largest assemblages ever held in Blooming- ton.
Disloyalties Prevented.
In the month of April, 1863, news came to Bloomington of an outbreak among disloyal citizens in Brown county, whose depredations committed against loyal Union sympathizers near Georgetown shocked the whole community into action.
This led to another public meeting of citizens in the court house at Bloomington, in which a long series of resolutions were adopted condemn- ing such treasonable riots, and prep- arations were made to organize a militia company as
the "home guards" to be held in readiness in case a like outbreak should occur in Monroe county.
About the same time, we learn, the citizens of Van Buren township held a similar loyal meeting at Schoolhouse No. 3, and organized a similar militia company. John Koons was chairman of this meeting, and W. M. Crossfield was secretary.
GREAT CELEBRATION HELD IN BLOOMINGTON AFTER TWO VICTORIES
People Filled With Unrestrained Joy Make Demonstration on Public Square --
Build Large Bonfire and Hear Speeches-Hold Jubilee Far Into Night of July 7, 1863-Wild Rejoincing Over Defeat of Gen. Lee at Gettysburg and Gen. Grant's Capture of Vicksburg.
"Lee is whipped!" and "Vicksburg has surrendered." were the cries that rang through the whole country in early July, 1863.
People felt instinctively that a brighter day had been heralded. Great crowds of Monroe county citi- zens assembled in the public square of Bloomington on the night of July 7, 1863, where they mingled in rejoicing and jubilee. An enormous bonfire was lighted on the street, hundreds of guns were brought forth, rockets were sent into the sky, fire-crackers exploding resounded with abandon, while buildings of the town were il- luminated from cellar to garret-and the wild populace shouted themselves hoarse, in their happy rejoicing.
Turning Point of War.
On July 4, 1863, the news came to Bloomington of the defeat of General Lee at Gettysburg, which caused uni- versal and continued rejoicing. It was then demonstrated that the Army of the Patomac was stronger than the Army of Northern Virginia.
The following Tuesday, July 7, 1863, when the news came of the surrender
of Vicksburg to General Grant, the joy of the Hoosier people seemed to know no bounds The two great vic- tories coming after the long string of discouragements previously experi- enced by the Northern forces, seemed too great an occasion to pass without a public demonstration of joy.
Speeches Ring True.
The Honorable G. A. Buskirk was called out, and in the light of the gigantic bonfire, delivered a brilliant speech, followed by F. T. Butler, whose speech was filled with extraor- dinary fire of loyalty and power of expression in beautiful and brilliant sallies of wit and pathos, bringing for the spontaneous loud acclamations. Thundering cheers came from the crowd of listeners, as he remorselessly poured hot scorn and invictive words upon the heads of all traitors, bewild- ering the great throng with delight. Colonel Charles, although weakened from illness, sick and scarcely able to stand alone, rallied sufficient strength under the stimulating news to deliver a rousing speech that night. The jubilee lasted far into the night.
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