USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 29
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The news of the declaration of war by the United States, and of the Governor's proclamation, reached Logansport without delay. Capt. Spier S. Tipton immediately commenced the enlistment of volun- teers for the war. Military enthusiasm ran high, and there was little delay in making up the roll of one complete company. On the 8th of June, following, the company left for the seat of war, under command of Capt. Tipton. For several days previously it had been announced that the boys would leave on that day, and, as a conse- quence, the town was full of people from all parts of the county to wit- ness their departure. They left, by way of the Michigan Road, south to Indianapolis, thence to New Albany, the place of rendezvous for the Indiana soldiers prior to taking transportation for the seat of war. Upon reaching that point, Capt. Tipton having received an appointment as lieutenant in the regular army, and accepting it, made a vacancy in the captaincy of the company, which, however, was supplied by the election of Stanislaus Lasselle to that position. On the 19th of June the company was mustered into the service of the United States by Capt. Churchill, of the United States Army, with the following officers and privates: Captain, Stanislaus Lasselle; first lieutenant, William L. Brown; second lieutenant, David M. Dunn; third lieutenant, George W. Blakemore; first sergeant, Jas. H. Tucker; second sergeant, James M. Lasselle; third sergeant, Edwin Farquhar; fourth sergeant, Thomas A. Weirick; first cor- poral, Benj. P. Turner; second corporal, Henry W. Vigus; third corporal, T. W. Douglass; fourth corporal, Thomas H. Bringhurst; fifer, Leonard H. Keep; drummer, James M. Vigus; surgeon, Will- iam Fosdick; color bearer, J. Stephenson.
Privates: J. S. Armitage, David C. Buchanan, W. B. Buchanan, J. Brisco, J. T. Bryer, Sylvester Berry, L. B. Butler, William Bock- over, H. Borman, J. Bowser, D. Barrett, D. S. Barbour, S. Baily, O. Baily, W. B. Buckingham, B. Crawford, G. T. Case, W. Crum- ley, S. M. Cotner, G. Coleman, J. Cotter, Peter Doyle, J. Dawson, A. Daniels, T. S. Dunn, R. Denbo, J. Duel, G. Emerson, I. H. Fore- man, A. B. Foster, D. B. Farrington, O. H. P. Grover, John B.
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Grover, A. D. Graham, N. F. Hines, C. B. Hopkinson, A. Hunter, C. Hillhouse, D. W. Johnson, R. L. Kelly, W. B. Kelly, J. Ker- nodle, Joshua S. La Rose, J. Loser, James M. Morse (elected cor- poral at Mier, Mexico), F. O. Miller, W. Miller, T. P. McBean, W. W. McMillen, J. C. Moore, John Martin, S. L. McFadin (elected corporal at the month of the Rio Grande), T. Montgomery, E. MeGrew, J. Monroe, W. Obenchain, B. W. Peters, I. D. Patterson, B. Purscell, J. Pfouts, Max. Reese, P. Rector, S. B. Richardson, S. D. Rhorer, W. T. Shepperd, R. L. Stuart, P. Smith, C. Smith, S. Thompson, S. L. F. Tippett, W. Thompson, W. L. Wolf, L. G. Ward, F. T. Windrich, P. N. Whittingill, D. Yopst.
There were three regiments formed at New Albany, the First, Second and Third. The Cass County volunteers were put in the First Regiment, of which James P. Drake was colonel, C. C. Nave, lieutenant-colonel, and Henry S. Lane, major. After the expira- tion of their term of service, the members of the company were mustered out on the 15th of June, 1847, at New Orleans. The offi- cers of the company, when mustered out, were Stanislaus Lasselle, captain : William L. Brown, first lieutenant; David M. Dunn, sec- ond lieutenant; George W. Blakemore, third lieutenant; J. H. Tucker, first sergeant; J. M. Lasselle, second sergeant; T. A. Weir- ick, third sergeant; H. W. Vigus, fourth sergeant; B. P. Turner, first corporal; T. H. Bringhurst, second corporal; S. L. McFadin, third corporal; J. M. Morse, fourth corporal; L. H. Keep, fifer, J. M. Vigus, drummer, and E. Farquhar, hospital steward.
When mustered into service the company contained ninety-two men; when mustered out, fifty-seven men, thirty-one having been discharged on account of ill-health, and three died in Mexico: W. B. Buchanan, Dyer Barrett and Caleb B. Hopkinson.
After the departure of the company enlisted in the volunteer service, Lieut. Tipton opened a recruiting office in the city, and se- cured the enlistment of a company of young men for the regular army, designed to serve in Mexico and elsewhere according to the requirements of the Department of War. The members of the com- pany thus formed were soon after ordered to the front, where they were speedily engaged in the sanguinary work of adjusting existing difficulties between this country and the Government of Mexico, under the leadership of Gen. Winfield Scott, the hero of Lundy's Lane during the unpleasantness with Great Britain in 1812. In the
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movement attending the investment and subsequent capture of the City of Mexico, a squad of "Cass County Boys" were the first to enter within the walls of the city, the first to enter the consecrated halls of the Montezumas, and one, DeWitt C. Wimer, first hoisted their own "battle flag"-the emblem of American liberty, our National colors-over the nation's ancient capital. In the numer- ous engagements which led to the capture and final surrender of the city, Cass County was represented by the brave men who parti- cipated in nearly all the hard-fought battles of the campaign which added to the brilliant record of American soldiers. Among those who were thus engaged, it will not be out of place to mention the names of Lieut. S. S. Tipton (whose remains now repose in Mexican soil), D. C. Wimer, Col. N. G. Scott, Carter L. Vigus, John Snively, Michael S. Pettit, and of Maj. Abram Peters, who, though he did not enlist in Cass County, was nevertheless a brave soldier and, in common with our boys, did service in the fields of carnage, being now, and for many years past, a citizen of this county with them.
War of the Rebellion .- Consequent upon the threatening aspect of affairs in the Southern States, and the strong probability that a rupture was likely to occur in the near future, from the time it had been definitely ascertained that Mr. Lincoln was the choice of the people of the United States, the current of public opinion and ex- pression in Cass County foreshadowed an earnest purpose on the part of the people to give their support to the incoming President in whatever legitimate way he might propose to steer the ship of State through the breakers obtruding to interfere with the progress and development of that liberal sentiment which characterized the policy of the majority of the American people as expressed at the ballot-box. That current of opinion became stronger and more ex- pressive day by day as time advanced toward the inauguration of the new administration. After the 4th of March, 1861-indeed, long anterior to that date-the spirit of the opposition was so dis- tinctly exhibited in the actions of some leading adherents of the late administration, and the belligerent attitude assumed by them, that the conservative and peace-loving element of society at large became a unit on the question of propriety in maintaining the supremacy of the laws. The condition of affairs during the few days that pre- ceded the first act of war, left no doubts in the minds of our people that open war would be the inevitable consequence, and that without
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delay. When, therefore, the telegraph announced that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, and the laws of the country set at defiance- that open rebellion had been inaugurated-all party distinctions were forgotten in the common impulse to maintain the integrity of the National Union, and the determined purpose to meet force with force, if need be, engaged the attention, and called forth the ener- gies, of all parties to aid in the accomplishment of the one grand object-the perpetuity of our form of government.
The announcement of the President's proclamation and call for volunteers, and the quick response of Gov. Morton tendering the requisite quota of Indiana, found the people of Cass County ready for the conflict and already far advanced in the formalities of volun- tary enlistment. Capt. D. H. Chase, of the "Zouave Guards," whose military fervor had long before induced him to organize a company of boys-who in time became young men-which he armed and uniformed at his own expense, and drilled them until they had become thoroughly disciplined, familiar with the manual of arms and skillful in warlike evolutions-was the first to tender the services of his company. The President's proclamation was issued on Monday, April 15, 1861, the proclamation of Gov. Morton on the 16th, and on the same day Capt. Chase received a dispatch from Adjt .- Gen. Lewis Wallace accepting his tender and ordering him to report his men to headquarters. Almost simultaneously with the movement of Capt. Chase, Thomas S. Dunn, a member of the Cass County volunteers, opened a recruiting office in the stone building at the southeast corner of Market and Fourth Streets, and succeeded in rapidly enlisting men. The office was opened on Wednesday, the 17th, and on Saturday following he had enrolled 125 men-good work for less than three days. On Monday, the 21st, Capt. Chase's com- pany and the company of Capt. Dunn went into camp at Indianapolis. Other recruiting offices were opened, and the enlistments continued to be rapid. Capt., afterward Col. William L. Brown, commenced recruiting on Friday the 19th, and on Tuesday the 23d, his company was full. Capt. Chamberlin opened an office on Monday, the 22d, and began to enlist men for a company to be called the Union Grays, and the ranks were filled with little delay. On the same day, also, Col. N. G. Scott, a member of the Rifle Regiment under Gen. Twiggs during the campaign from Vera Cruz to the Mexi- can capital, began to enlistrecruits, and the work proceeded actively.
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Although several hundred men had been enlisted within the week succeeding the call of the President, the number of recruits ready and anxious to enlist seemed not to have been diminished. The following is the roster of Capt. Chase's company as it left Logans- port: Dudley H. Chase, captain; Fred. P. Morrison, first lieutenant; Alexander Hamilton, second lieutenant; Joseph A. Westlake, third lieutenant. Privates: Thomas H. Musselman, John S. Morrison, John C. Scantling, Chris. Jeanerette, Joseph S. Turner, Fred. Baldwin, Madison M. Coulson, Milton B. Seagraves, James P. Mc- Cabe, John H. Shirk, George Shires, Charles A. Brownlee, Landon S. Farquhar, Bradley M. Tuttle, James M. Pratt, Isaac Walker, J. W. McClain, James G. Parish, Samuel Smith, Benj. Dwire, John Cramer, Samuel L. Swinney, Fred. R. Bruner, James Gunion, Wes- ley McDonald, George W. Campbell, S. A. Kenton, Chris. Burke, A. Boothe, John Maxwell, Thomas W. Adair, Joseph Barron, Sr., W. Ryan, J. C. McNess, L. Smith, William Griswold, Thomas Rid- ley, G. Boothe, John T. Powell, Fred. Fitch, Jas. F. Mitchell, James Douglass, Garrett A. Van Ness, William Kenton, Michael L. Hare, Frank Rust, David R. Simbardo, George Turner, William Edwards, Eaton B. Forgy, Lewis W. Johnson, William H. Perry, James C. Lanckton, E. Roderick, Nelson P. Cummings. James L. Walker, David Pomeroy, J. W. Randall, J. Barron, Jr., Joseph Smalley, William Carrigan, William H. Smith, William P. Lasselle, John Hall, J. DeHart, George Campbell, Joseph H. Oliphant, A. Faurote, Martin Andrews, Joseph L. Jessey, Isaac Sheeders, N. Turner, George Starr, Charles S. Davis, F. W. Smith, Edward Brooks, George W. Updegraff, William L. Powell.
There were subsequently some changes made before the com- pany was mustered into the service of the United States. The com. pany was then designated as K of the Ninth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Prior to the departure of the company for Indianapolis, at 8 o'clock on the morning of Monday, April 22, "as the Zouave Guards were parading in their armory, preparatory to marching to the depot, Col. C. C. Loomis, of this city, presented to Capt. D. H. Chase an elegant pair of epaulettes. The occasion was one of much interest and was particularly gratifying to the company of gallant Zouaves who, under Capt. Chase, will do their whole duty in the perilous times which surround the Nation." The following is the address of Col. Loomis and Capt. Chase's reply:
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Presentation Speech by Col. Loomis .- " Sir, yourself with those under your command are now about to leave your homes to fight for freedom against the enemies of your hitherto peaceable, prosperous and happy country. But in one evil hour, with Satan as a counselor, an insidious foe has invaded our rights and is now striving to force our Nation into anarchy, bloodshed and ruin. The young men of our land with brave hearts and strong hands are now called upon, in this hour of our country's danger, to stand up for the rights so gloriously be- queathed us by those revolutionary heroes who have now gone down to their graves covered with honor and glory. Our fathers thought it no hardship to risk their fortunes and lives, and all that they held dear, if by any means they could thus transmit to posterity the liberties which we have hitherto enjoyed. Our mothers, too, whom we with pride remember, were willing to sacrifice-if necessity re- quired it-their sons, the pride and joy of their hearts, that tyran- ny and oppression could be driven from our land. With a good cause for a foundation, and trusting in the God of battles for deliv- erance, they succeeded; and to perpetuate those liberties, you are now called from the homes and friends you love so well, to assist in rescuing our noble ship of State, which has so long withstood the storm, from a treacherous and rebellious crew. May the conscious- ness that the cause is just urge you forward and give you courage to stand up manfully for the right, showing mercy where it should be shown, but giving to traitors that reward which they so richly deserve as a just recompense for their treachery and folly.
"I now present you a pair of epaulettes, an insignia of your office. Like them, may your conduct and valor as a soldier ever shine-and may you, with all those under your charge, again return to your homes, to your kindred, and to your friends, bringing with you such proofs of fidelity and bravery as the cause in which you are enlisted so richly merits."
Reply of Capt. Chase :- "Respected Sir: Please accept my warmest thanks for your kind and opportune present. It shall be my greatest endeavor that no rusty action or tarnished honor ever soils them. With many thanks, allow me to say that I shall en- deavor to do my duty faithfully, ever bearing in mind the importance of the cause in which I am engaged."
On Saturday preceding the departure of the first company, and
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three days subsequent to the reception of the Governor's proclamation, a union meeting was held in the court house, to consider the situation and take such steps in the premises as the exigency seemed to demand. The proceedings were in all respects harmonious, all participants agreeing that the General Government must and should be sustained at whatever cost. The meeting was presided over by Hon. Chauncey Carter, who, upon taking the chair, addressed the meeting in his us- ually pointed and direct style, advocating the enforcement of the laws and the unequivocal support of the official head of the Govern- ment in his efforts to see that the laws of the country are faithfully executed, to the end that the birthright transmitted by our fore- fathers be preserved intact. He said the question to be settled in this emergency was whether a popular government of the people and for the people can be sustained; that the right ought and would prevail.
He was followed by Hon. D. D. Pratt, who, in responding to the call, commenced his address by showing that the war in which we were engaged was not an aggressive one, but was for the defense of the constitution and the laws of the country. Our free institutions, he said, had been attacked; that the stars and stripes must continue to be recognized in the future, as in the past, as the emblem of a perfect union, and not allowed to be trailed in the dust by unholy hands. If the supremacy of the laws could not be maintained, the result would certainly follow that our country would be divided into petty rival governments, which would ever be at war with each other. The patriotic citizen, who bared his breast and met the com- mon foe on the battle-field, in the defense of his country, would be held in grateful remembrance by his fellow-citizens. No civil wreath was ever so glorious as the laurels won upon the battle-field by the citizen-soldier fighting in his country's defense.
Having concluded his address, Mr. Pratt presented the follow- ing preamble and resolutions, which were unamiously adopted, as fully expressive of the sentiments of the meeting:
WHEREAS, The President of the United States has issued his proclamation an- nouncing to the country that the laws of the United States are opposed, and their execution obstructed in seven States, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by ordinary methods, and calling for the militia of the several States, to the number of 75,000, in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. and appealing to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity and the existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government, and redress wrongs already endured. Now, therefore,
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Resolved, That we, the people of Cass County, laying aside all party distinctions, and mindful only of the duties of patriotism in the hour of our country's peril, do promptly and heartily respond to this appeal, and applaud the purpose of the ad- ministration to protect the property and places belonging to the Government.
Resolved, That Cass County will furnish its quota of all volunteers now, or here- after, to be called in aid of these lawful purposes of the Government.
Resolved, That we will contribute whatever of money and clothes are necessary to properly equip the volunteers, and put them in the field; and that we will look after, the families of such volunteers as are married or have families dependent upon them for support; and that this duty, gratifying as it is, may be shared in by all ac- cording to their means.
Resolved, That the board of commissioners of the county of Cass be requested to make an appropriation of $5,000 for that object.
Resolved, That while we deprecate all sentiments in our midst, that oppose the present just and patriotic action of the Government, and either favor the secession movement, or consider the course of the administration as unwise, yet mindful of the constitutional guaranties for freedom of speech, we will abstain from all assaults upon the persons or property of those who differ from us in opinion.
S. A. Hall, editor of the Democratic Pharos, was then called for, and addressed the meeting. He said he owed allegiance to the Government under which he found his State. He was for the stars and stripes. A blow had been struck at that Government, and he would return blow for blow in its defense.
Short speeches were made by James W. Dunn, Charles B. Lasselle, A. M. Flory, Charles B. Knowlton, Stephen C. Taber and others, much in the same strain as those which preceded them. That of Mr. Taber was especially characteristic. He said: "What- ever I am, and whatever you are, we owe to our Government; I care not for the causes of the war, I am for my country. I acknowledge no fraternal relations to traitors."
Dr. James A. Taylor was " for the war, and would do all in his power to aid the Government. The time was past for party differ- ences. The South thinks that there are men in the North who will aid them in their efforts to destroy this Government, but he wanted the people of the South to know that as one man we are against re- bellion."
On motion the chairman was authorized to request the auditor to call the county commissioners together for the purpose of consid- ering the purport of the resolutions passed at this meeting.
As requested by the general meeting of Saturday, the auditor is- sued his call to the county commissioners, directing them to meet in special session to transact business of great moment to the peo- ple of this county. Accordingly, in pursuance of the tenor of said notice, on Tuesday, April 23, 1861, "The Board of County Com-
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missioners of Cass County, Ind., met at the court house in said county at 11 o'clock A. M., pursuant to the call of the Auditor, for the purpose of determining whether or not the said Board will make an appropriation out of the County Treasury for the support of the families of such persons as have already or shall hereafter volunteer as soldiers in the service of the United States, as asked for by the meeting of citizens of said county, held April 20, 1861, and for transacting such other business as may be brought before said Board. Present: Crabtree Grace, Henry M. Kistler and Joseph Penrose, Commissioners; D. W. Tomlinson, Auditor, and Job B. Eldridge, Sheriff."
Preliminary to further action, preambles and resolutions were presented setting forth in substance the situation as in the resolu- tions of the citizens' meeting of Saturday preceding, which, being duly considered, were adopted by the board, and the following order and resolution entered of record:
Now, therefore, Resolved, That the board sympathizing with the citizens of Cass County in the subject-matter of said appeal, and approving the suggestions of said resolution, do hereby appropriate the sum $5,000 from the moneys now col- lected or hereafter to be collected for county purposes, for the relief of the families of such volunteers resident in Cass County as have enlisted or shall enlist in the service of their country at the present emergency, where such families are dependent for their support upon the personal labor of those enlisting and left in destitute cir- cumstances.
Resolved, That all orders to be drawn by the auditor on the treasury, on ac- count of said appropriation, shall be based on the certificates of the several town- ship trustees, acting as overseers of the poor, which shall have appended to them the recommendation of either Thomas H. Wilson, Chauncey Carter or Daniel D. Pratt. And it is also ordered that no more of said appropriation shall be drawn from the treasury than shall be deemed by said Carter, Wilson or Pratt, really nec- essary for the support of said families of said volunteers.
On Friday evening, April 19, 1861, in advance of the citizens' meeting of Saturday and the action of the board of commissioners just referred to, the common council of the city of Logansport met in special session, and appropriated $1,000 for the support of the families of volunteers, if needed. Messrs. Thomas H. Wilson, Chauncey Carter and D. D. Pratt were appointed a committee with authority to disburse it.
A meeting of citizens and soldiers was held on Spencer's Square, on the afternoon of Sunday, April 21, at which addresses were made by Rev. M. M. Post, Rev. Silas Tucker and Rev. Mr. Layton. The assembly was very large and the exercises were characterized by great interest and enthusiasm.
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As further expressive of public sentiment, the stars and stripes were flung to the breeze on the depot building of the Wabash Val- ley Railroad soon after receiving intelligence of the downfall of Fort Sumter, and on Tuesday, the 23d of April, a little later, our country's emblem was seen to float gallantly from the spire of the Catholic Church in this city.
Capt. Thomas S. Dunn's company, before referred to, left the city on the 22d of April, and was accepted by the proper authorities at Indianapolis, the following day. As constituted at the time of its departure, it was composed of the following officers and privates: Captain, Thomas S. Dunn; first lieutenant, D. C. Weimer; second lieutenant, C. L. Vigus; first sergeant, O. W. Miles; second ser- geant, M. K. Graham; third sergeant, J. Ross Vigus; fourth ser- geant, J. W. F. Liston; first corporal, Wm. M. DeHart; second cor- poral, S. Purviance; third corporal, Perry B. Bowser; fourth cor- poral, Thomas A. Howes; drummer, Geo. W. Green; fifer, A. U. McAlister. Privates: Austin Adair, J. M. Arnout, Hampton C. Boothe, William Boothe, Granville M. Black, Amos Barnett, Charles Bell, Samuel M. Black, Isaac Barnett, Allen W. Bowyer, Ambrose Butler, John Castle, Isaac Castle, Wm. H. Crockett, Ebenezer T. Cook, John W. Chidester, James C. Chidester, James A. Craighead, Robert Clary, A. Bruce Davidson, John Douglass, Charles A. Dun- kel, Alex. K. Ewing, David A. Ewing. Theodore B. Forgy, William R. Gurley, Jacob Hudlow, John L. Hinkle, John Howard, Paul Herring, David Jameson, Joseph Knight, James Linton, John S. Long, William Larimer, Joseph Lindsey, Charles Longdrose, Alex. Lucas, A. W. Mobley, George Myers, S. A. Mendenhall, John R. Moore, William Martin, Samuel Martin, W. P. Marshall, John Means, Paul B. Miller, Edward E. Neff, Graham N. Patton, Will- iam Patton, John Rush, David Reprogle, Jacob Stover, Austin Sargent, James A. Troup, John W. Tippett, John A. Woodward, James A. Wilkinson, Joseph A. Vickory, Cyrus J. Vigus, John W. Vanmeter, George C. Vanmeter, George S. Vanmeter. They were mustered into service as Company D, Ninth Indiana Regiment.
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