USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Indiana: its people, industries and institutions > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119
DIED OF WOUNDS.
Company G-John McCain. Port Republic, June 9. 1864: John A. Small, Spottsylvania, May 14, 1864.
Company E-George W. Meek. Petersburg, August 1, 1864.
Company G-John N. Hann, wounded at South Mountain, September. 1862; Sydney R. Griswold, Winchester, May 5, 1863.
DIED IN PRISON.
Company D-Will Clendenning, Florence ; Isaac Higgs, Wilmington : George W. Johnson, Wilmington; George W. Shirk, Florence.
Company E-Daniel W. Anderson, Andersonville: Uriah Bartclay, Andersonville: John W. Foster, Andersonville: Peter L. Hamilton, Ander- sonville : John H. Horn, Andersonville ; Anzi Demaree, Andersonville ; Sam- uel Level, Andersonville : Jolin Tremain, Salisbury.
Company G-Orion W. Donnell, Salisbury; Bazil G. Boyce, Salisbury ; Newton J. Land, Salisbury ; William Paul, Andersonville.
Besides furnishing three companies for this regiment, Decatur county also furnished the regimental band of twenty men, which was with the regiment until April 30, 1862. Three of these died while in service: G. W. Hiver, John W. Howard and William H. Criss.
433
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
OFFICERS IN COMMAND.
The Seventh was in the command of the following colonels: April 22 to July 22, 1861, Dumont ; September 13 to November 3, 1861, Dumont ; November 3, 1861, to April 22, 1863, Gavin; April 22, 1863, to September 20, 1864, Grover. The lieutenants were Gavin, Check and Banta. The majors were Cheek, Banta and Welsh.
On May 4, 1864, Colonel Grover and forty-four of his men were cap- tured in the Wilderness, and he was away from the regiment for four months. During this time Lieutenant-Colonel Banta was ill and the com- mand of the regiment fell upon Major M. C. Welsh, who kept up the reputa- tion of the leaders of. the regiment and was a favorite with the boys.
The next day after the capture of Colonel Grover-May 5-the Sev- enth got into a hard fight with the Fiftieth Virginia, and captured practically all the regiment, including the colonel and the flag. It is claimed the capture of the flag was made by Perry S. Tremain, Robert L. Alyea and T. M. Mozingo, of Company E. although the records credit it to J. N. Opel, of Company G. All were Decatur county men.
THIRTY-SEVENTII REGIMENT.
The Thirty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers went into camp at Lawrenceburg in August, 1861, and, after drilling about a month, was mustered into the service on September 18. Decatur county had two com- plete companies, E and H, in this regiment, and also a number of men in Company K.
The commissioned officers of Company E were as follow: Captains, Mahlon C. Connett, Frank Hughes and William B. Harvey ; first lieuten- ants, Frank Hughes, William B. Harvey and George W. Hungate; second lieutenants, Andrew J. Hungate, William B. Harvey and George W. Hun- gate. The non-commissioned officers of this company were: First sergeant. William B. Harvey; sergeants, Lafayette Ford, Thomas B. Peery, Willa Raynes and George W. Hungate: corporals, William A. Whitlow, Philip S. Guthrie, Daniel J. Ballard, Abraham B. Cook, Charles W. Sherman, Martin F. Sidener, James K. Gully and Wesley N. Barnes; musicians, Nicholas A. Butler and William Stopper; wagoner, Benjamin F. Price.
The privates were James G. Adkins, Wesley H. Adkins. Columbus Ballard, Joshua Barton, Frederick Beck, Hiram Bowling, Martin Brooks, (28)
434
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
Lewis C. Brooks, George W. Buffington, Matthew Buell, Thomas H. Carter, William E. Clark, Albert B. Connet, Andrew J. Cook, Edward Coleman, Reuben H. Conner, James R. Conner, James Cox, William J. Crisler, Howard Creed, Samuel Davidson, William Deen, Andrew Ensinger, George H. Eubanks, Robert Favour, George W. Fleming, Joseph Ford, Benjamin Ford, Oscar M. Garrett, John T. Glass, George W. Gullion, James A. Hanger, Robert F. Heaton, Henry Hogan, Charles Hogan, Gideon Hornice, Addison Hughes, Charles T. IIunt, James T. Johnson, James Jordon, Abram Knapp, Thaddeus Knight, Stephen Lewis, James C. Lewis, Milton Martin, Willard R. Marsh, Jacob Maharry, Joseph A. Marks, William McKeeon, James C. McKee, Bert McNeely, John T. Morgan, Jacob W. Neeb, John Parson, Dudley Price, William Richy, Enoch Rickets, Arthur O. Scull, Alfred C. Scull, Philip Slifer, John Slifer, Reuben Smawley, Lewis Smawley, John H. Smith, Benjamin R. Smith, John B. Stogsdell, Bethuel G. Stark, Solomon Swango, Thomas S. Tevis, James Tillison, Will- iam H. Thompson, James Tracewell, Lafayette Walker, Samuel Wells, Buckner C. Whitlow, Milton M. Wilson, James Kimber, Wesley Wilder, James H. Wooley, Albert Wooters, John F. Wolverton and Thomas J. Wood. Recruits, Thomas J. Stevens, Samuel Scott and Charles W. Woodard.
The commissioned officers of Company H. are here given: Captains, William H. Tyner, Quartus C. Moore, George W. Pye, James H. Burke and John L. Hice; first lieutenants, Quartus C. Moore, George C. Pye, James H. Burke, John L. Hice and Augustus H. Tevis ; second lieutenants, George W. Pye, James H. Burke, John L. Hice and Augustus H. Tevis. The non-commissioned officers were: First sergeant, James H. Burke; sergeants, John S. Douglas, Levi Smith, Benjamin D. Fowler and John L. Hice ; corporals, Augustus H. Tevis, Joel M. Proctor. John N. Jones, John J. Paul, John M. Roop, David B. Sutton and Joseph W. Garrison; musicians, Isaac J. Tyner and James J. Cunningham; wagoner, Milton G. Moor.
The privates were Noah L. Brunton, William H. Burk, Newton Burk, William Baldwin, James Buck, Squire H. Cowen, Harrison Cowen, John Cowen, Benjamin F. Clark, Edward Davis, Samuel Dickson, James C. Day, David Douglas, Benjamin L. Demoss, Henry Day, Barton N. Dailey, George C. W. Diggs, Stephen Enos, Robert Ewbanks, William S. Ford, Thomas S. Ford, James P. Ferguson, Hiram Fredinburg, Alfred Fry, Samuel Harper, Lewis M. Hunter, John Hoter, Jacob A. Hutchinson. John Hunter, Daniel Harry, William Homsher, William Harrell, John S. Har-
435
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
rell, John A. Johnston, William Laforge, Martin Moor, Francis F. Mc- Cracken, Samuel Miller, Richard Martin, William R. Murray, James Miller, Samuel M. McClure, James T. Mitchell, Anderson Owen, Warren Patrick, Elisha G. Patrick, James Patrick, James Pettit, James W. Peak, Absalom Robbins, Harrison Robbins, Anderson Rutherford, David Stone- cypher, Nathaniel Shattuck, Theodore L. Stout, James R. Scott, William G. Shafer, Thomas W. Shera, Benjamin Starrett, Thomas A. Shirk, Zemry Shaw, Henry J. Steward, Martin J. Snook, William A. Thompson, Andrew Waggoner, Samuel Williams, Alfred Watson, John D. Woodall, John C. Wimmer, Robert Whittaker, Isaac Yauger. Recruits, Benjamin T. Den- ham, James B. Denham and James Ward.
On the evening of Saturday, October 19, 1861, the regiment marched through Lawrenceburg and took boats down the river to Louisville, where they arrived the next morning. After spending a few weeks there in a drill, it moved on to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and from thence to Bacon Creek, Kentucky, where they spent the months of December and January. Early in February it moved against Bowling Green, Kentucky, and on the Confed- erates' retreat from that town, proceeded to Nashville, Tennessee, and went into camp. From there they proceeded by easy marches to Huntsville, Alabama. From there they went to the rescue of the Eighteenth Ohio at Athens, Alabama, and then returned again to Fayettesville and from there proceeded to Chattanooga. Tennessce. The Thirty-seventh first saw heavy fighting in the battle of Stone's River on December 31, 1862, where its losses were severe. It was then detailed to guard Murfreesboro and from there started on the Tullahoma campaign. About the last of August, 1863, a for- ward movement was ordered and the Thirty-Seventh took part in the Chick- amauga campaign, with its great battle at Chickamauga. No campaign or battle of the Civil War did greater honor to the fighting quality of the Northern soldier, or accomplished more for the crushing of the rebellion than the battle of Chickamauga. When they arrived at Chickamauga on the morning of the 22nd of September, they went into camp and prepared for the siege of that place. During this siege they nearly starved, living on corn, cowtails and acorns. But Chattanooga fell and early in May, 1864, the Atlanta campaign was ushered in. In this the Thirty-seventh did its part in helping to push the Confederate forces back to Buzzard Roost, to Rocky Face and on to Resaca. From there it moved forward to Calhoun, was present at the battle of Pumpkinvine Creek and helped Sherman take Atlanta.
As the regiment had been mustered into the service on the 18th day of September, 1861, it was ordered on that day in 1864 to report at Indianapolis
436
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
as early as possible. On the 19th it reported from Atlanta on a train com- posed mostly of stock and platform ears. They arrived in Indianapolis on the 22nd, and on October 27th were paid off and mustered out of service.
SIXTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
The Sixty-eighth Regiment was recruited in the fourth congressional district under Benjamin C. Shaw. It was organized at Greensburg by Shaw, who later became lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. It was mustered into the service on August 19, 1862, at Indianapolis, with E. A. King as colonel. It was taken to Louisville and shortly afterwards was captured at the battle of Mumfordville, Kentucky. It was paroled and sent to Indianapolis to await exchange. On December 26, 1862, part of the regiment went to Louisville, where it was joined on the last day of the year by the remainder of the regiment. It was then taken to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and until after the fall of Knoxville it was fighting in that state. It was in the three big battles of Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. At the battle of Chickamauga the regiment lost one hundred and thirty-five, killed, wounded and missing, out of a total of three hundred and fifty-six men and officers. This frightful casualty list was due to the fact that it was one of the last to leave the field. On August 14, 1864, the regiment went to Dalton. Georgia, and for the next three months was fighting in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, returning to the latter state in time to take part in the battle of Nashville, on December 15, 1864. It stayed at Nashville until the second week in January and was then taken to Chattanooga, where it did guard duty from January to June. It was mustered out of the service at Nash- ville, June 20, 1865.
SEVENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
Decatur county had more men in the Seventy-sixth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry than in any other regiment, having furnished five full companies, as well as several commissioned officers in addition. This regi- ment was probably organized on shorter notice than any other, with the exception of those which went to the front in the spring of 1861. The Rebels were threatening to eross the Ohio river into Kentucky during the summer of 1862 and when a band of thirty actually crossed the river into Warriek county, the whole state of Indiana was aroused as it has never been before or since. They plundered Newburg, in Warrick county, and the frightened inhabitants of the southern part of the state were in a state
437
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
of terror, not knowing, of course, but that a larger force was making ready to make a descent on the state.
It was this incident which led to the organization of the Seventy-sixth Regiment. Colonel Gavin, of Greensburg, who was home on a furlough at the time, telegraphed Governor Morton on Friday, July 18. 1862, tendering his services and three hundred men to drive these "bushwhackers" out of that region. A favorable reply was received at eleven-thirty that night and the city was aroused and enlistments began at once. By nine a. m. the next day two hundred and fifty men were ready, but lack of transportation made it necessary to wait until afternoon, when five hundred left for the capital, having been raised in eighteen hours. This shows the temper of the times. Decatur county had already sent three companies in the Seventh, one in the Thirty-seventh, Rigby's battery, and others in other commands, amounting to probably five hundred men in the service when these "minute men" responded so nobly. When they reached Indianapolis, men from other parts of the state joined them and formed the Seventy-sixth Indiana Regiment. This was one of the most exciting times during the whole war. At three P. M., Sunday they left Indianapolis for Evansville, where they arrived on Monday. They crossed the river and marched eighteen miles to near Peters- burg, Kentucky, in the hottest of weather. Many of the raw troops were overcome with heat. After scouring the country south of Henderson for three days. they were unable to find any considerable force-they having taken wings to other parts. On July 24 Lieut. Robert Braden was killed by bushwhackers while riding with Colonel Gavin, Doctor Worz and Delos Thompson. Colonel Gavin was shot through the left hand. On August I the regiment was ordered from Henderson to Morganfield, where a force of eight hundred was reported, but when they got there the enemy had flown.
The officers of the Seventy-sixth Regiment were as follows: Colonel, James Gavin : lieutenant-colonel, John T. Wilder; major, D. W. Elliott ; adjutant, Irvin Robbins: surgeon. J. T. Duffield; quartermaster, S. A. Bonner.
The five companies from Decatur county were officered as follows :
Company B-Captain, Robert Higgins; first lieutenant, W. L. Alyea; second lieutenant, W. M. Fletcher ; orderly. J. B. Wright.
Company C-Captain. Luther Donnell: first lieutenant, Hugh Weston ; second lieutenant, B. H. Harney ; orderly, 1. N. Shirk.
Company D-Captain, Charles T. Bell; first lieutenant, John H. Braden ; second lieutenant, John H. Kirby : orderly. William Caldwell.
438
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
Company E-Captain, T. H. Butler ; first lieutenant, William Marsh : second lieutenant, William Mandlove : orderly, Robert Imlay.
Company F-Captain, Benjamin Jenkins; first lieutenant, Peter Wal- ker: second lieutenant, William Smith : orderly, J. McLean.
But little has been written about the Seventy-sixth Regiment. Some of the men who saw longer and more difficult service have spoken lightly of the "gallant Seventy-sixth." and yet it did a good job in clearing the Ken- tucky woods of the pestiferous guerrillas, murderers and outlaws who preyed upon the people. They captured a number of them and scared the others away. Many of the officers and men in the Seventy-sixth had seen service in other commands, and if it had been necessary the regiment could have put up a hard fight, even if they were hastily gathered together and the majority of them without training. History offers a word of praise for them.
The body of Lieutenant Braden was brought back to his home near Milford by Jolm H. Braden and Joseph D. Pleak, and on Sunday, July 29, the funeral was held in the presence of one of the largest audiences ever seen in that locality. The burial was in charge of the Masons.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
The One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment was recruited from the fourth and seventh congressional districts and rendezvoused at Greensburg during the winter of 1863-64. It was mustered into the service on March 9. 1864, with John C. McQuiston as colonel. On March 18 the regiment left for Nashville, Tennessee, and shortly afterward was ordered to join Sherman in his attack on Atlanta. After remaining with Sherman for most of the summer in Georgia, the regiment returned to Tennessee in pursuit of Hood and participated in the battle of Nashville. December 15-16, 1864. Within a few weeks it was taken to Washington, D. C., en route to Fort Anderson, North Carolina, where it remained through February and March, 1865. It was then taken to Newbern and later through the central part of the state until it joined Sherman at Goldsboro. It was eventually mustered out. August 25, 1865, at Raleigh, North Carolina, and left for Indianapolis on the same day, arriving there September 4.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOURTII REGIMENT.
The One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment was mustered in at Indianapolis, May 25, 1864, with James Gavin as colonel. It spent its short time at the front doing garrison and guard duty in Tennessee.
439
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
-
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
The One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment was recruited in the first, third and fourth congressional districts and mustered into the service at Indianapolis on March 9. 1865. with Merit C. Welsh as colonel. It was sent to Harper's Ferry. Virginia, and during its hundred days at the front was engaged in guard and post duty at Charlestown, Winchester, Stevenson Sta- tion, Gordan Sprnigs and Summit Point, Virginia. It was mustered out at Baltimore, August 31. 1865. and arrived at Indianapolis on September 8. It engaged in no fighting of consequence and returned with the thirty-two officers and seven hundred and seventy-one men with which it went into the field.
DECATUR COUNTY AND MORGAN'S RAID.
The long-expected invasion of Indiana by the Rebels occurred in July, 1863, and for a few days the wildest and most exciting times of the whole war took place as far as Indiana was concerned. The men in the state were in the harvest fields, but, as one man, they rose to defend their state. Satur- day, Sunday and Monday, July 11, 12 and 13. 1863, are three memorable days in the history of Indiana, for it was then that Morgan with his band of freebooters was riding through southeastern part of the state. It is supposed that he intended to get as far north as Indianapolis, liberate the Rebel prisoners there, devastate the city, and gather as much booty as his men could carry away with them. He had counted on help from the mem- bers of the Knights of the Golden Circle, but, as far as is known, he received absolutely no aid whatever from them. A few of Morgan's men were in the southern part of Decatur county, but no specific acts of depredation can be charged to them. They had too little time to do any mischief. The Greens- burg Standard, in its issue of July 19, 1863, has a graphic account of the raid as it affected Decatur county, and the same is here given in full :
"Sunday and Monday ( July 12 and 13) last, our city appeared more like a military camp than anything else. Companies had gone from here upon the reception of the first news of the invasion below, but not until Saturday night did we suppose Morgan intended making so extensive a trip as he had projected.
"At that time we learned of his moving farther north and east, threat- ening the counties south of here. The people were aroused, and preparations for defense commenced. Sunday seemed like no Sunday at all, but certainly
440
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
like no other day we had ever seen. Arms of all sorts were gathered up and companies organized.
"Men came in from the county, singly and in squads, mostly mounted. but coming anyway to get here. About half past two Colonel Gavin's regi- ment of militia, including the companies from this county, arrived from Indianapolis and were met at the depot by vast crowds of people and large quantities of provisions.
"They remained until nearly four o'clock, when they left for Lawrence- burg, or wherever their services were needed. About two hours afterward, Colonel Shryock's regiment from Wayne and adjacent counties arrived. In this regiment Judge Gooding and a brother-in-law of General Burnside were "high privates." They expected for a time to remain here over night, but about nine o'clock got news that hurried them on, it being reported that the advance regiment had been skirmishing with the enemy about Sunman, twenty-three miles distant on the railroad. A battery also passed through in the night.
"In the meantime, people came into town from all directions, with all sorts of weapons. Scouts were sent out in every direction and pickets were stationed on all roads. News came in and rumors of all sorts were cir- enlated. During all this time almost everybody appeared cool, though there were some exceptions.
"Monday's operations were a repetition of those of the previous day, only on a larger scale. Men continued to come in and new companies were organized, though quite a number of men appeared to rely upon bushwhack- ing on their own account.
"Business was totally suspended and the stores remained closed. Toward evening reliable news came that the rebels had crossed the railroad about twenty-five miles below and were pushing into Ohio. Many at once started for home. but a large number remained until night and some till morning. At this time the treasurer's office was stored full of provisions of all sorts. enough to feed ten regiments at least. Another alarm was given Monday night, but it was soon discredited, and by Tuesday business commenced again."
The first company left Greensburg on Friday morning, having been recruited in about ten hours' time. The officers were: Irvin Robbins. cap- tain : James S. McPheeters, first lieutenant; G. M. Hamilton, second lieu- tenant : James Alexander, orderly sergeant, and O. B. Scobey. company clerk.
The regiment organized here was known as the One Hundred and
441
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
Fourth Indiana. There were six such regiments in the state, beginning with the One Hundred and Second. They were known as "minute men" and were to serve ten days. The One Hundred and Fourth was organized July TO, and after being taken to Sunman the following day, and from there, to Lawrenceburg, it marched toward Harrison, but gave up the chase and returned home July 18th and was mustered out.
Six of the companies were from Decatur county. The officers were as follows: Colonel, James Gavin ; lieutenant-colonel, James S. Buchanan : major, M. W. Richardson: adjutant, A. G. Armington ; quartermaster, W. S. Woodfill; surgeon, Dr. L. C. Thomas ; assistants, Dr. James McLain and Dr. John Wheeldon ; sergeant-major, James S. Halsey; quartermaster-ser- geant, John M. Tucker ; commissary sergeant, Rufus Hinkley.
Company A-Rush county, captain, Franklin F. Swain, Milroy.
Company B-Captain, Charles T. Bell, St. Omer ; first lieutenant, Isaac Seright : second lieutenant, James A. Rankin.
Company C-Captain, Luther Donnell, Kingston; first lientenant, G. B. Roszell: second lieutenant, A. F. McCoy.
Company D-Captain, Hugh Weston, Newpoint ; first lieutenant, Adam Sample ; second lieutenant, O. T. Briggs.
Company E-Captain, W. T. Marsh, Milford; first lieutenant, A. J. Hungate ; second lieutenant, R. C. Benson.
Company F-Captain, W. A. Donnell, Clarksburg; first lieutenant. James F. Smith: second lieutenant, Edward Speer.
Company G-Madison county.
Company H-Captain, Irvin Robbins; first lieutenant, James S. Mc- Pheeters; second lieutenant, G. M. Hamilton.
Company I-Marion county.
Company K-Fayette county, captain, J. P. Orr, Bentonville.
A WAR-TIME CONVENTION.
Probably the biggest political gathering held at Greensburg during the war was a union county convention held February 21, 1863. Samuel Bryan presided and J. J. Hazelrigg acted as secretary. Speakers were United States Senator Joseph H. Wright, Senator Brown, of Delaware county, and Dr. Ryland T. Brown, of Indianapolis. Resolutions adopted called for vigorous prosecution of the war and denounced all schemes for a compromise as treasonable.
Senator Wright declared that Jeff Davis could not justify his cause as a
442
DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA.
revolt against tyranny, as not one single right belonging to any state had been taken away from it. For this reason, he said there were no grounds for secession and rebellion and no wrongs to redress.
"This war was brought on by designing men thirsting for power," he said. "If the right of secession is established, our government is gone and we will have nothing left but anarchy and ruin."
At the conclusion of the meeting the following county central commit- tee was appointed : Washington township, B. H. Harney, J. V. Woodfill and Charles Hazelrigg: Fugit township, L. A. Donnell; Clinton township, Charles Kemble : Adams township. Charles Woodward: Clay township, W. S. Tillson; Jackson township. Columbus Trimble: Sand Creek township, William McCullongh; Marion township, G. W. Patrick, and Salt Creek township, James Morgan.
A CIVIL-WAR RIOT IN GREENSBURG.
In the latter part of 1862 and the early part of 1863 there began to be organized in Decatur county, as well as in other counties in the state, groups of mien who were opposed to the further prosecution of the war. So pro- nouneed and rebellious were their views of the way the war was being conducted that they often came into conflict with the military author- ities. The first general organization of these men was known as the Knights of the Golden Circle; later they were known as the American Knights ; still later they denominated themselves the Sons of Lib- erty. While many good men were led to join them, it is doubtful whether imore than a mere handful, comparatively speaking, ever knew the extent of their secret designs. The leaders of the Knights of the Golden Cirele in 1863 claimed to have forty thousand members in Indiana, and before the end of the war this number must have reached nearly seventy-five thousand. Locally, they were known as "Butternuts" and "Copperheads" and the loyal Union men hated them worse than they did the Rebels. In the spring of 1863 the members began wearing butternut emblems openly and defying public sentiment in such a way as to invite trouble. If they were looking for trouble they had no difficulty in finding it and numerous personal encounters were staged between the wearers of the hated emblem and the loyal Union men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.