History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present, Part 30

Author: Helm, Thomas B., 1822-1889, ed; Brant and Fuller, Chicago (Ill.), pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Brant and Fuller
Number of Pages: 984


USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 30


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The other companies enlisted by Capts. William L. Brown, N. G. Scott and Lewis Chamberlin, were not then accepted, the quota being already full. At a later period, however, the war continuing and the term of service of those first enlisted expiring, regiments were formed and mustered in for three years, of which those com- panies previously enlisted formed a constituent part.


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After Capt. Dunn's company had left Logansport, and had been received at Camp Morton, it was presented, by a committee of our ladies, with a beautiful flag. The following is the company's re- sponse on accepting it:


Ladies of Logansport, who presented the flag to Capt. Dunn's Company:


I am delegated by the company which is the recipient of your patriotic gift- the stars and stripes-to tender you their heartfelt thanks, with the assurance tha that proud banner, the work of your hands, shall never be lowered to traitor or foreign foe; never, while there is left one arm to bear it aloft; never, never, while there is one heart left to pour out the warm tide of its devotion to our country.


WM. M. DEHART, In behalf of the Company.


CAMP MORTON, May 11, 1861.


When Capt. William L. Brown disbanded his company that had been enlisted for three months, he began immediately to recruit for the three years' service, in anticipation of an early call for troops to serve during that period. In a few days his company was full and accepted, notwithstanding many members of the company origin- ally refused to re-enlist, because of the long term of service pre- scribed. In the meantime the President of the United States had authorized Col. Brown to raise a regiment to serve for three years, or during the war. This authority was in consonance with the foreshadowings which seemed to direct the Colonel in his early movement.


Sometime during the second week in June, when it was every day becoming more apparent that the war would be continued for a longer period than was in the beginning anticipated, other re- cruiting offices were opened in different portions of the city for the purpose of making further enlistments of volunteers for the ex- tended service. Col. N. G. Scott had his quarters in the Wade building on Broadway, immediately east of the Haney storeroom on the east side of the alley between Fourth and Pearl Streets. John Guthrie, Esq., was also enlisting men in another part of the city. Capt. T. H. Logan, formerly of the Zouave Guards, also opened a recruiting office in the Haney building on Broadway, just west of Col. Scott's quarters. At all these points men were daily enrolled for service in maintaining the supremacy of the laws. Capt. Logan's company filled up rapidly, and on Monday, July 1, 1861, left the city and went into camp at Lafayette, being the sec- ond in point of time to take up quarters there preparatory to the formation of Col. Brown's regiment at that place.


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A meeting was held in the court house on Wednesday evening, July 24, to make arrangements for receiving the companies of three months' men, then on their way homeward. Col. C. C. Loomis was chairman of the meeting, and appointed a committee of arrange- ments, consisting of F. Keyes, L. Chamberlin, A. M. Higgins, A. M. Flory, S. L. McFadin, A. L. Williams and John C. Merriam. At 2 o'clock on the afternoon of July 30, the committee received a telegram announcing that the returning volunteers would arrive here at 2 o'clock the following morning. Upon receiving that intelli- gence everything was in a bustle of preparation to have a suitable breakfast in readiness at the court house. "The response from our citizens was what might have been expected from their well-estab- lished reputation. Provisions that would tempt an epicure-hams, chickens, pigs, bread and butter, cakes, etc .- were sent in until there was an abundance of everything needed to cheer and invig- orate. A committee of ladies and gentlemen was appointed to su- perintend the breakfast and arrange the room. The work was not left exclusively to the committee, as large numbers assisted in the pleasant labor of welcoming those who had volunteered in defense of the flag of our country.


"Our citizens were aroused at 1 o'clock on the morning of the 31st by the firing of cannon and ringing of bells, and soon gathered at the depot. As the train approached the volunteers were wel- comed by rousing cheers, the firing of cannon, strains of music, the glad welcome and the hearty shake of the hand. Under the direc- tion of Maj. McFadin as marshal, assisted by J. C. Merriam, John S. Thompson and Lewis Chamberlin, the mass of the people, headed by the Logan Brass Band, proceeded to the court house, where a cordial welcome was extended to the returned volunteers by the Hon. R. P. De Hart, as follows:


"'Gallant Soldiers of the Bloody Ninth: It is with mingled feel- ings of pride and gratitude that we welcome you home from the field of battle. We may be justly proud of you, for, by your gal- lant conduct at Phillippa, Laurel Hill, Carrick's Ford and Rich Mountain, you have won stars that will glitter and burn in the crown of young Indiana when the names of Jeff Davis, Wise and Beauregard shall be remembered but as a badge of sectional folly and crime. I need not say to you that you have won your glory in defense of the best government that man ever devised or God smiled


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upon. That sublime truth has cheered you in the long, weary march-as you stood sentinel at the midnight hour-and nerved your arms in the hour of battle. A government which was laid broad and deep by the patriots who sat down together by the camp fires of the Revolution, and who, for the sincerity of their convic- tions and the intensity of their devotion, appealed to the great God of battles, and who never gave over until that government-theirs and ours-was made permanent in the organized form of our time- honored Constitution, which extends its protection over all, and which we are bound to obey. The truths which underlie this glo- rious fabric were proclaimed in the name of the ascendant people of that time, and as they made the circuit of the entire globe, the na- tions woke from their lethargy like those who have been exiles from childhood when they hear for the first time the dimly-remembered accents of their mother tongue. I will not detain you. In the name of the people here assembled, in the name of the patriotic women who have prepared this bounteous feast for you, I bid you welcome to our midst.'


"The volunteers then entered the court room, which was tastily decorated with National flags. Every thing was arranged in ex- cellent order, with tables groaning beneath the load of substantials which our citizens had, with their accustomed liberality, supplied for the refreshment of the gallant volunteers. At 3 o'clock, after prayer by Rev. Mr. Layton, the feast of good things commenced, and ample justice was done to it by the volunteers.


" After breakfast, A. M. Flory, Esq., in behalf of Company D, presented Capt. T. S. Dunn with a handsome sword, as a testmonial of their regard for him.


" The assemblage to welcome the volunteers was large, but it would have been increased four-fold if time had permitted a general notice in the country of the time of their arrival. The volunteers are, with few exceptions, in excellent health, and their bronzed countenances show the extent of their exposure to sun and storm."


At 2 o'clock on the afternoon of the same day, Capt. Chase and his company of zouaves arrived at the depot from the seat of war in West Virginia. Upon their arrival they were escorted to the court house by the welcoming committee, where a bounteous repast had been prepared in anticipation of their coming, and was awaiting their presence. The reception ceremonies were not essentially different


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from those of the early morning, which being completed, the dinner was served amid the general rejoicing at their return and the kindly greetings that were extended to them on all sides. In the eyes of the multitude the zouaves took front rank for their soldierly bear- ing and exquisite training.


" These boys too were bronzed from exposure to sun and storm, and have the proud satisfaction of knowing that they went where- ever duty pointed the way, and that the name of the 'Bloody. Ninth' will not be forgotten by the historian." It was also a sub- ject of general congratulation that not a volunteer from this place was killed or wounded, and the larger proportion returned with health improved.


In the midst of this general rejoicing at the safe return of our volunteers, the life of one who had done battle side by side with many of those just returned from fields of carnage, was fast ebbing away in the eastern part of the city-Lieut. De Witt C. Weimer was dy- ing. On Sunday, August 4, 1861, he breathed his last, surrounded by family and friends, at the early age of thirty-four years. He was much esteemed by his fellow-soldiers and by all with whom he had from time to time been associated as citizen and soldier.


During the Mexican war he served in the famous Rifle Regiment in the campaign of Gen. Scott from Vera Cruz to the City of Mex- ico. In the latter city, he, with a squad of Cass County boys, was the first to enter within the walls after surrender of the Mexicans. And to him, also, belongs the credit of first placing our National colors upon the dome of the ancient hall of the Montezumas, even before an order had been made by the commanding officer directing it to be done.


"The funeral took place on Monday afternoon; his military as- sociates and the fire companies of this city joining in them. The funeral sermon was preached in Spencer Square to a very large con- course of people, by Rev. Mr. Layton. To the solemn strains of music his remains were borne to the grave, and a parting salute fired over his last resting place by those who esteemed him for his manly conduct in the services of his country. Peace to his ashes."


Col. William L. Brown's regiment, the Twentieth, went into camp at Camp Vajen, Indianapolis, on the 24th of July, and soon after received marching orders. The Indianapolis papers of that date speak very highly of the appearance of the men, and say that a " finer regiment has not yet been mustered into the service. "


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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.


On September 1, 1861, Capt. Ira R. Gifford opened a recruiting office in the Tipton Engine House on Fourth Street. The original roll of the company had the following caption: "Muster Roll of Capt. Ira R. Gifford's Cavalry Company, of Logansport, Indiana. Provisional Committee, Ira R. Gifford, Richard D. Ellsworth and Benjamin O. Wilkinson. " This roll contained upon it, ninety-seven names, a large number of whom did not finally remain upon it when the company came to be mustered into the service. The company as it left Logansport, was composed of the following men:


Ira R. Gifford, Richard D. Ellsworth, Spencer T. Weirick, Thomas W. Stevenson, William Banks, Charles N. Banks, William A. Larimer, Frederick Wiley, Thomas Chambers, Charles Whipp, Charles M. Haner, Michael L. Hare, F. M. Henton, Henry M. Thomas, Joseph Barron, Benjamin O. Wilkinson, David A. Ewing, John Oliver Barron, George Toliver, Edward Griffin, Stephen R. Lavictoire, Arthur Smith, Lon Voorhis, James Wilkinson, Jacob Loser, William D. Lyon, Alfred Williams, James Hurley, Samuel Purviance, F. S. Mumford, J. A. Wilkinson, Owen Gillespy, Peter Zerbe, Samuel Sellers, Pollard Herring, James Crosby, Thomas Quin, Joseph Smalley, Thomas Flinn, H. R. Parker, Jordon Berry, John Racus, Joseph S. Allen, William C. Marshall, James Douglass, Malvin G: Bliss, John Detric, Ira M. Sweet, Patrick Dillon, John M. Sturm, George L. Sturm, Samuel W. Wilson, A. W. Wells, P. I. Howard, Jacob L. Reap, Reuben Scott, Joseph Bauer, Charles W. Dunn, James M. Cashen, H. H. Thomas, John Harry Master- son, Zenas R. Bradley, Charles Davidson, Michael Rohrer, John M. Fletcher, H. B. Moore, William Beatty, Thomas McCoy.


On the 3d of September, Capt. Gifford was notified by Col. Brackett, that his cavalry company would be accepted in the make- up of the Ninth Illinois Regiment. Enlistments proceeding rapidly, the company was soon filled up, and about the middle of the month took transportation for regimental headquarters at Chicago, and was subsequently mustered into service as Company E of that regiment.


September 20, authority was granted to raise and quarter a reg- iment in Logansport. The following is the dispatch announcing the fact:


INDIANAPOLIS, September 20, 1861.


Hon. R. P. De Hart, Logansport.


Hon. Graham N. Fitch, N. G. Scott and T. H. Bringhurst are authorized to raise a regiment to rendezvous at Logansport. Build your barracks, hurry up the organization of companies, and put them into camp.


By order of Gov. MORTON.


W. R. HOLLOWAY,


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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.


Under the head of "Military," of September 25, the following announcements are made, indicating the state of progress in the en- listment of men:


"A. M. Flory and E. R. Stevens are adding rapidly to the muster roll of their company, and it will be full in a few days. The com- pany will be made up of the best material of the county. The re- cruiting room is at Tipton engine house."


"John Guthrie, S. M. Bliss and Wilson Williamson are getting recruits who will do honor to the county wherever they may be. Their recruiting room is at Mr. Guthrie's law office, on Broadway."


"Like Vigus and George J. Groves have opened a recruiting room, and put out the National colors from the brick block on Broad- way, and are enlisting a company for Fitch's regiment."


"John Kearney, William Fitzgerald and William Cahill are en- gaged in raising a company of Irishmen for Fitch's regiment. It will be composed of men who will do their duty wherever they may be stationed. The recruiting room will be at Matthew Wilson's store."


Upon the announcement that a regiment would be quartered here, examination was made, and the woody grove on the eastern ex- tremity of Lot No. 1, of the subdivision of Lot No. 1, of Barron's Re- serve, immediately west of the Logan line, and north of Bates Street, was selected as the site for the encampment. At once lum- ber and other necessary materials were transported thither, and a force of men-as many as could work to advantage-commenced the work of erecting barracks, etc., with all possible dispatch. The quarters being ready about the 1st of October, the full com- panies moved in and the grounds were formally dedicated as " Camp Logan," being adjacent to the city of Logansport. Capt. Guthrie's company was the first to enter into camp on those grounds. The next was the company of Capt. Paden, from Camden, Carroll County, and the company of Capt. John H. Gould, of Delphi, also from Carroll County. The company enrolled by Capt. A. M. Flory was the third, which went into camp October 9.


To show the quality of material of which the occupants of Camp Logan was composed, a Sunday-school was organized on Sunday, October 6, opened and conducted by and under the management of the soldiers themselves, who made common cause in the effort to make the exercises interesting and valuable. A joint committee


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was appointed by the several Sunday-schools of the city, for the purpose of raising money to purchase testaments for all the soldiers. of the regiment. The movement was soon after fully carried out and the books presented. The Sunday-school was kept up during the stay of the regiment here, and religious services conducted, usually by our local ministers, every Sunday. Rev. Silas Tucker, of the Bap- tist Church, delivered the first sermon in Camp Logan, on Sunday, October 13, at 2 o'clock, P. M., which was listened to with marked interest by the soldiers themselves and the large number of visitors present.


Recruiting continued steadily at the quarters of Capt. T. S. Dunn, who used every exertion to fill up his company as fast as pos- sible. These recruits were for service in the Twelfth United States Infantry. From the commencement to the end of the second week in September, he had forwarded to Fort Hamilton the following re- cruits: John S. Long, James A. Johnson, Joseph Helvie, Noah Helvie, L. R. Helvie, A. J. Helms, William Ferrell, William Tur- ner, George Turner, Ed. Neff, William Harrison, Jacob Brubaker, David VanBlaricum, Christ Mathias, Francis McCain, A. J. Kline, George H. Bell and George J. Schneider. Twenty additional men left here for the same post October 14, making thirty-eight in all.


The following extract from a letter written by Capt. William P .: Lasselle, of Company K, Ninth Indiana, and bearing date Novem- ber 19, 1861, will be of interest.


"K has been engaged in as many scouts and skirmishes as any other company of the brigade-I believe I may safely say twice as many as any other. In fact, some of the men are continually annoying the enemy's pickets-firing on them, and receiving their fire in return. They have troubled me so much asking to go out scouting, and insisting on their individual right each to go every time we are called upon to furnish our detail of six scouts, that I have been compelled to request the General to let me send out men whenever I wished to. My men have certainly been more successful in their expeditions than others, although when I say this, it is not with a desire to detract from the credit of other companies. In the second attack after the Green Briar fight (the first attack of that fight being made by the whole of K) on the enemy's pickets, in which some 250 were engaged, and only ten from K, out of five of the enemy killed, two were shot by our boys.


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"About a week since, nine of my company started out under the lead of [ Dyer B. ] McConnell, to pass behind the enemy's pickets and camp, and try to ascertain their number and position. It was an expedition of much danger, as it was neccessary to start and travel thirteen miles before daylight, cross the Green Briar Bridge in the dark to escape the observation of nine of the enemy who were sta- tionel to watch the bridge, passing within a few feet of them, screened only by the darkness, and would then have to go for two or three miles, almost within hearing of their pickets and within their picket line, most of the time not over 200 yards from large parties of the enemy, and in case of discovery they were almost certain to be cut off.


"The party, consisting of McConnell, Corp. Lewis, Johnson, Roberts, Growall, Burton, Byrum, Hearne, Swinney and Widnear, started at 3 o'clock in the morning in high spirits, thinking them- selves fortunate in being premitted to undertake the expedition. As they were starting they were informed that a party who were out the day before, reported two secession companies guarding the road a short distance this side the river. This report, which however proved to be untrue, caused our party to proceed very cautiously, and they were delayed in reaching the bridge until the day was just breaking-too late to attempt a crossing. As it would be useless to go ahead now, they determined to secrete themselves, and watch. They had just got into position when five of the enemy stepped from the bushes on the other side of the bridge, not over one hundred yards distant, and turned to go into camp. Johnson and Roberts had gone ahead of the party, and were jumping into the road at their end of the bridge as the enemy stepped out. One of them looked up, and, seeing our boys, brought his gun to a 'ready,' and made a movement as if to step back into the brush, but before he could do it Johnson had him 'covered,' when his cap snapped. Roberts im- mediately fired, the secessionist dropped his gun and fell into the bushes. The rest hearing the firing commenced to run, when Bur- ton shot one, who fell in the road. Growall, who was sitting on the hillside, with his legs crossed, and never moved except his arms to bring his piece forward, shot another. This one, when struck, threw his gun from him and fell on his face in the road. After laying still for a little time he raised himself on his hands and knees, then with great difficulty staggered to his feet, and, steadying himself for


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a moment, pitched forward into the brush, his feet sticking out. Another took to the brush and did not again appear until out of range of our rifles. The last of the five kept the road, and had got over a quarter of a mile off when McConnell fired at him. All supposed he was missed, as so long a time elapsed before the ball reached him, but with a shriek he threw his gun from him and fell flat on his face. About the same time one of the pickets at a barn (some twenty pickets stay at this point, near where the last man fell), stepped out and attempted to cross the road, when he was fired on by Widnear, who wounded him so severely as to cause him to re- turn to the barn, which he reached with much difficulty. After this none of them would come out to pick up their men, who lay in the road; nor would they show themselves, except at a point some dis- tance farther off, where they collected to the number of forty or fifty, bantering our boys, but not daring to attack them, nor come within rifle range.


" Johnson and Hearne, seeing the body of one of the enemy lying in the road pretty close to the bridge, determined to examine it, and crossed the bridge for this purpose-a proceeding which brought them in fair shot of the enemy's lookouts, who were posted on the hill just above, and it also exposed them to the danger of being sur- rounded. Before they reached the body, however, our boys on the hill commenced hallooing to the enemy, offering to meet them, with an equal number, half-way, which the two in advance mistook for a signal of danger and warning to return, and they came back with- ont accomplishing their object.


" The party remained for two or three hours in sight of the en- emy before they returned to camp. Roberts and Johnson captured a lieutenant of cavalry and a dragoon, with horses and equipments, a day or two since."


A meeting of citizens was held at the court house on the 10th of December, at which it was resolved to present a flag to the Forty- sixth Regiment, and the committee appointed to make the arrange- ments, after consulting the proper officers, decided that the presen- tation would take place at Camp Logan, on the parade ground, on Thursday, the 12th, at 8:30 o'clock, as it was expected the regiment would leave here for Indianapolis at 9 o'clock. The proposition to present a flag to the regiment met a willing response from our citizens, who justly felt a deep interest in the regiment and cordial-


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ly united in procuring so appropriate a token of their confidence and esteem.


At that time the soldiers in Camp Logan had been fully sup- plied with overcoats, in the place of those that had before been re- turned to the quartermaster's department as unfit for use. Blank- ets were also distributed. In fact all the necessary equipments had been provided. After the drill service had been performed on the 4th, the regiment marched through the streets of the city, exhibit- ing their skill in the exercise of war-like evolutions.


"The Forty-sixth is spoken of by all as a fine body of men, and in efficiency will compare favorably with any regiment raised in the State. The soldiers have made great improvement in disci: pline and soldierly bearing within the past few weeks. Composed, as the regiment is, of companies recruited within thirty miles of this place, deep interest is felt in its movements, and hence we re- gret that the notice was not longer before the time of its departure. As it is, thousands of citizens of Cass and the adjoining counties will come in to see their sons, brothers, husbands and fathers de- part to discharge the first duty which a patriot owes to his country. The regiment will leave for Indianapolis on a special train at 9 o'clock on Thursday morning [ December 12] by way of Lafayette."


At the meeting above referred to for the purpose of taking measures to purchase and present a flag to the regiment, Messrs. S. A. Hall, C. B. Lasselle, S. L. McFadin, N. D. Grover and Isaac Bartlett were appointed a special committee to make suitable ar- rangements for the presentation of the flag.


Departure of the Forty-sixth Regiment .- " Thursday [De- cember 12, 1861 ], the day appointed for the Forty-sixth Regiment to march for the seat of war in Kentucky, was one of the most de- lightful of the numerous pleasant days which have been enjoyed by our citizens. Not a cloud obscured the sky, and the clear, bracing air was invigorating to all.


"The news of the departure of the gallant volunteers had not been conveyed as widely as could have been wished, yet several thousands of the people of town and country gathered to see a sight gratifying to every patriotic heart. The appearance of the men and officers, as they answered the roll-call and took the oath to stand by the Constitution and the Union, gave the assurance that the Forty-sixth Regiment would fully sustain the confidence re-




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