History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 13

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 901

USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 13
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 13

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WAR MEETING AT WORTHINGTON.

A large crowd assembled at night, hundreds of country people being present. A large procession was formed on the streets, and then, headed with fife and drum, was marched to the Methodist Church, where speeches were to be made and resolutions adopted. Not half the people could get in the building. Rev. J. B. Hamilton was made Chairman, and L N. Morrison, Secretary. Many ladies were present, and the church was tastefully decorated with banners, evergreen sprigs and bright flowers. Aden G. Cavins, who was present, was called out first to state the object of the meeting. He delivered a rousing speech, full of good sense, loy- alty and eloquence, and urged the immediate enlistment of men and the commencement of war. He was followed by Rev. Frank Rawlins, of New Albany, Rev. Mr. Hollis, of Worthington, Judge Heaton, of Owen County, and others, each of whom spoke strongly of quelling the rebell- ion. At the conclusion of the speeches, an enlistment roll was passed around, and thirty names were at once secured. The meeting adjourned with three cheers for the stars and stripes, and three more for Maj. Anderson. Other meetings were held at Worthington, at one of which the Democratic banner was run np the Republican flag-pole. The par- ties had united.

ACTION AT BLOOMFIELD.

The enthusiasm at Bloomfield was as equally pronounced. The sur- rounding rural districts were depopulated, and the county seat flooded with anxious but hopeful citizens. The national flag was displayed everywhere, and the town assumed the appearance of the Fourth of July. People could do nothing but talk of the calamity which had befallen the country. Several openly expressed the opinion that the South was doing right. Others were furiously in favor of crushing the hydra of secession at all hazards, and at any cost. The Greene County Times of April 24, edited by G. C. Brandon, said, among other matters:

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"We would gladly make any sacrifice that would restore peace to our unhappy land, and we believe this is the feeling of a large majority of the citizens of this county; but no sacrifice now, but that of life, will do, and our people must prepare their minds for a civil war of the most vicious nature, and we may say to all citizens, when the trying time comes, act as becomes loyal citizens of the commonwealth in which you reside."

A meeting of the citizens was called to be held at Bloomfield, Satur- day, April 27, and on that occasion, though the sky was threatening, a large crowd assembled. Col. Fellows was made Chairman, and H. C. Hill Secretary. The Chairman explained the object of the meeting (to consider what was best to be done), after which E. E. Rose, E. H. C. Cavins and Alfred Dyer were called out in succession to address the audience. Each delivered a fiery and loyal speech. Upon motion by Mr. Rose, the County Commissioners were asked to make an appropria- tion from the county treasury to support the families of volunteers in the latter's absence. E. H. C. Cavius then called for volunteers, and in a few minutes forty names were upon the roll. The meeting was thor- oughly loyal.

VOLUNTEERING.

The Worthington Gazette of April 26, said: "The citizens in dif- ferent parts of the country are beating up volunteers to form one or two companies, to hold themselves in readiness for the next requisition on Indiana for troops. We hear that E. H. C. Cavins is prominently spoken of as Captain of one of the companies. He would make an efficient and popular officer." On the night of the 26th, the citizens of Worthington, Point Commerce and vicinity, met and organized a militia company, the following being the officers: Godfrey Shryer, Captain; Nelson Taylor, First Lieutenant; Jesse Crull, Second Lieutenant; A. Spainhower, Third : Lieutenant. They selected a uniform of white pants and gray coat trimmed with blue, and a blue cap. About this time or near the 1st of May, the company of Capt. E. H. C. Cavins was fully organized at Bloomfield, and its service was tendered Gov. Morton, who reported the three months' call full to overflowing. A big meeting was held on the occasion of the organization, the court house being full. Speeches were delivered, thrilling vocal music rendered national airs. Many ladies were present. About this time also the militia of Richland Township was or- ganized into a company under Capt. E. E. Rose. G. W. Osbon, E. R. Stropes and J. R. Baxter were the three Lieutenants. By the 3d of May, a company of seventy men were raised and organized at Linton, the services of which were tendered Gov. Morton. They were ordered to maintain their organization. G. W. Kelshaw was Captain, and A. P. Forsyth and William Wakefield Lieutenants. It is said that this entire company was raised in Stockton Township, together with about twenty men of Capt. Cavins' company, making in all for the township about ninety men.

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PUBLIO FEELING.

At this time, the two county papers-the Gazette and the Times-were both heartily in favor of pushing on the war. The latter paper denounced all Abolitionists and traced some of the leading causes of the war to them. By the 17th of May, a Home Guard had been organized at Point Com- merce, with John F. Allison, Captain, and by the 31st of May Wright Township had a company of about fifty men. Soon afterward, the com- plement of the company was obtained, and the following officers were elected: W. B. Squire, Captain; and Benjamin Coulson, J. A. Bone- well and J. O. Watson, Lieutenants. The company drilled at Jason: ville, and was mustered in as part of the "Indiana Legion," by Deputy Adjt. Gen. Sewell Coulson.

FIRST COMPANY FOR THE WAR.

The company of Capt. Cavins endeavored to get into the one year's service, but when this was found impossible the three years' service was tried. The company left Bloomfield for Camp Vigo, near Terre Haute, on Friday, the 31st of May. The following very full history of this company (D), and its regiment-the Fourteenth-was furnished by Col. E. H. C. Cavins, many of the most important items coming from his private diary.

SKETCH OF THE REGIMENT

The company was accepted by the Governor and assigned to the Fourteenth Indiana Regiment, which had been organized some time before as a one-year regiment, and on changing from one year to three years, Company D refused to go for three years, and the Greene County company took the place of Company D, and became Company D of the three years' organization. There was an election by the company of all the officers, including Corporals,' except Second Lieutenant. Lieut. Tremelin J. M. Boord and Walter C. Lyman, of the original company, remained with the three years' organization. The company went into camp at Camp Vigo, near Terre Haute, Ind., on the 1st day of June 1861, and was mus- tered into service on the 7th day of June, the Fourteenth being the first regiment mustered in Indiana for three years. 'The company was with the regiment during its whole term of service, never having been on detached service. It remained at Camp Vigo, drilling, until the 25th day of June, 1861, and then went in camp at Indianapolis. Left Indian. apolis for the seat of war July 5, 1861. On the 7th of July, took up line of March for Rich Mountain, and arrived there on the morning of the 11th, and was held in reserve during the engagement. On the 12th, marched over the battle field, and pressed on toward Beverly, following the enemy closely. Arrived on Cheat Mountain summit on the 14th. For three months, some part of the command were engaged in scout or skirmish every week. On the 12th of September, the enemy commanded

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by Gen. Lee surrounded the camp, and the battle of Cheat Mountain was fought on that day and the following. William Templeton was killed, being the first man in the company killed. On the 3d of October, engaged in battle at Greenbrier. Although this company was in the thickest of the fight, none were either killed or wounded. The regiment, at this battle met an Arkansas regiment, sent out in front of the rebel camp, and drove them from their chosen position, killing, wounding and capturing fifty-three of them. During a part of the engagement, the artillery of both armies fired over this company.

CHEAT MOUNTAIN CAMPAIGN.

The Cheat Mountain campaign, in some respects, was the severest campaign of this company. Its severity consisted in the cold and rain of this dreary and uninhabited country, and lack of sufficient rations and clothing. In the usually mild September, horses chilled to death in that camp.

On the 7th of October, left the summit and went into camp at Hut- tonville, in Tigert Valley. In December, ordered to the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, under command of Gen. Kelly, and on the 7th of January, 1862, were engaged in the expedition and skirmish at Blue's Gap, and soon after were assigned to the command of Gen. Lander. On the 18th and 14th of February, were in the expedition known at the time as "Lander's Midnight Bloomery Dash." During this winter's campaign, were often without tents. On one expedition, were six days without tents. Camped in the open fields or woods in rain, snow and sleet. One morning they arose from a snow six inches deep. The Four- teenth Regiment was on the advance in getting possession of this road between Cumberland and Martinsburg, and arrived at the latter place March 7, under Gen. Shields. On the 18th, engaged the enemy at Cedar Run, and on the 19th, at Strasburg; on the 22d, at Kernstown, and on the 23d engaged in the first battle of Winchester, which resulted in a triumphant victory over Stonewall Jackson. The regiment captured two pieces of artillery, one of which was presented to the regiment. J. M. Boord, now of Owensburg, and Samuel W. Keller, both of Company D, were two of the first three soldiers who arrived at the first piece of artillery captured. Samnel W. Keller was killed a few minutes after. Gen. Shields being wounded, Gen. Kimball, formerly of Greene County, commanded the Federal troops in the engagement. J. F. Stamper, for- merly a Virginian, a soldier in the company, recognized one of the enemies' dead as one of his uncles. On the 1st of April, engaged the enemy in skirmish at Woodstock, and followed them to Edinburg, and was engaged in skirmish for fifteen days, sometimes against infantry and sometimes against cavalry. One of the men emptied three saddles dur- ing the time. On the 17th, skirmished at Mt. Jackson, and drove the

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enemy beyond New Market. On the 12th of May, took up line of march to Fredericksburg, via Luray, Warrenton and Catlett's Station. Expected to be at the taking of Richmond in the near future, but after arriving at Fredericksburg were ordered back to the Shenandoah Valley on ao- count of Banks' retreat. Marched back to the valley via Catlett's Station and Manassas Junction. On night of 29th of May, started from Rector- town (Kimball's brigade) on an expedition against Front Royal, which had been captured by the rebel Gen. Jackson. Marched into Manassas Gap, within eleven miles.of Front Royal, and rested until daylight, when the march was resumed.

INCIDENTS OF THE FIELD.

When they arrived in sight, the enemy were evacuating the town, The Fourteenth Regiment captured one piece of artillery, with four mules and harness, and between fifty and sixty prisoners. The artillery was presented to the regiment for its gallantry. It was the intention to send it to Indianapolis, but it exploded while practicing at target shoot- ing at Alexandria, Va. The greater part of June was spent in marching and counter-marching over the road between Front Royal and. Columbia Bridge, above Luray, a considerable part of the road being marched over four times, while Jackson was getting his army out of the valley. The Fourteenth covered the retreat of our defeated army at Port Republic.

JUNCTION WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

On the 30th of June, embarked at Alexandria, and joined the Army of the Potomac on the 2d day of July, at Harrison's Landing on James River, and was assigned to the Second Corps, and remained in that corps during remainder of service, which was under command, in turn, of Gens. Sumner, Couch, Hancock, and a short time under Gen. Warren. On the 3d of July, assisted in driving back the advancing exultant en- emy, they being flushed with enthusiasm over the result of the seven days' fighting before Richmond. On the 4th and 5th, skirmished with the enemy's advance. On the 6th of August, the Third Division of Second Corps was formed, and Brig. Gen. French assigned to command. The Fourteenth Regiment belonged to Kimball's brigade of this division On the 16th of August, marched to Newport News via Williamsburg. and Yorktown, being a part of the rear guard of the army. On the 26th, embarked at Newport News, and disembarked at Alexandria on the 29th. On the 30th, marched to Arlington Heights, and on the 31st to Centerville, too late to engage in second battle of Bull Run. Took the advance line, and held it until September 2, and on that day the corps covered the retreat to Washington. The enemy hung upon the rear and flank, throwing an occasional shell among them until night. The en- gagement was quite spirited at Flint Hill, near Fairfax Court, House,

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while the corps was awaiting the hasty march of the other troops. On the 3d, marched over the Chain Bridge into Maryland, and marched toward Frederick City, and by slow marches arrived at that city on the 13th. On the 14th, after dark, arrived on the battle-field of South Mountain, and camped on the field among the dying and, the dead. On the 15th, ad- vanced through Boonsboro, pressing the enemy, and capturing pris- oners. At Keedysville, they made a vigorous stand for a short time, but finally fell back behind Antietam Creek. On the 17th, engaged in the battle of Antietam. The loss of the company at this battle was the heaviest of all the battles in which they were engaged. Line upon line of the enemy were hurled against that part of the Federal line covered by French's division, but they never faltered. A part of the time they fought on a line within sixty yards of the enemy. In less than four hours, more than one-half of the company on duty were killed or wounded. Fifty-seven per cent of the regiment on duty were killed or wounded. Owen T. Wright, William Quillen and some others silenced with their rifles two pieces of artillery by picking off the artillerymen. Fifteen dead artillerymen were found where these two pieces were operated. The men who were not disabled fired all their ammunition, and their officers supplied them from the cartridge boxes of the dead. Gen. French named Kimball's brigade "The Gibralter Brigade " after this engage- ment, and presented the Color Guard of the Fourteenth Regiment with a fine rifle, as a token of appreciation of the gallantry of the regiment. On the arming of the company, they were all, except five, armed with smooth bore muskets, most of which had been altered from flint looks. They captured rifles from time to time, and after this battle fully armed themselves with first-class Enfield and Springfield rifles, captured on the battle-field.

MISCELLANEOUS MOVEMENTS.

On the 22d, marched to Harper's Ferry, and went into camp on Boli- var Heights. On the 1st of October, made a forced march to Leesburg, Va. ; captured a few prisoners and returned to camp the next day. On the 16th, the regiment went out to Charleston, where John Brown was hung, to support Gen. Hancock on a reconnoissance.

On the 31st of October, took up line of March through Loudoun Valley, east of the Blue Ridge. On- 1st of November, drove the enemy into and through Rock ford Gap. A part of Company D, under Capt. Simons, were assigned to guard the advanced point in the pass. The rebel cav- alry made two charges to retake the pass, but each time were driven back by Capt. Simons and his men. On the evening of the 2d, started to Snicker's Gap, and arrived there late at night. The next morning, marched to Ashby's Gap. There was fighting all along the valley, but Company D was not in advance, except at Rockford Pass. On the 13th of November, skirmished near Falmonth, and re-captured a wagon train that

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had been captured by the enemy. The next great battle was Fredericks- burg, which commenced on the 13th day of December, 1862. The Four- teenth Regiment went into the battle on the front line; captured a few prisoners of the enemy's outpost, but were unable to take the main works in their front. The battle was a signal defeat to the Union army, but. the dead of the Fourteenth Indiana was found nearer the eneny's works than the dead of any other regiment The loss in killed and wounded was thirty-four per cent of those engaged. Jeremiah Ingersoll, of Com- pany B, a soldier from Greene County, was killed in this battle. On the 15th, the army fell back to their old camps, north of the Rappahannock, and remained in camp until the spring campaign. On the 28th of April, 1863, marched up the Rappahannock to the United States Ford. On the 30th, crossed the river while the band played Hail Columbia, with the view of storming the rebel works Found the works abandoned, and

marched to Chancellorsville. On the 1st of May, the battle opened at 11 o'clock A. M., and continued all day. On the 2d, the battle consisted principally of artillary and skirmishing, until late in the evening, when Jackson struck the Eleventh Corps. The battle raged with great fury until midnight. On the 3d, French's division attacked and drove the enemy a half mile, the Fourteenth Regiment capturing eighty-five pris- oners, one battle flag, two pieces of artillery, and recaptured a regiment of Union soldiers. The loss of the regiment was sixty-four in killed, wounded and missing, which was over one-third of those engaged. On the 4th, was under artillery fire all day, and on the 5th the skirmish line of the regiment drove back the skirmish line of the enemy, and at night and on the following day fell back to the old camp. On the 15th day of June, 1863, left Falmouth; marched via Dumfries, Centreville, Bull Run (where the skeletons of the unburied soldiers who fell at second Bull Run remained where they fell), Gainesville, Edwards Ferry and Frederick City to Pennsylvania. Marched by day and night, under burning sun and in torrents of rain. Were at Union Town on the night before the first day of the battle of Gettysburg. July 1, marched to within two miles of Gettysburg, and on the morning of the 2d marched to the bat- tle field and took position on the left of and near the cemetery. During forenoon, and until late in the afternoon, only artillery and skirmishers were engaged. Late in the evening, a general engagement opened out on the left, soon followed by engagement on the right. At dark, the enemy had advanced and was in possession of a part of Cemetery Hill, where the Eleventh Corps was fighting. Carroll's brigade (formerly Kimball's) was ordered to re-enforce that part of the line. They charged the enemy with the bayonet, and re-captured the hill and the artillery that had been capt- ured by the enemy, and remained on that part of the line during the re- mainder of the engagement. They were not with the Second Corps on the 3d, when that corps mnet the famous charge of Pickett's grand army

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of confederates, and consequently their loss was not as heavy as the loss of some of the regiments. The loss of. the regiment in killed and wounded was 123, over one-third of those engaged.

The Fourteenth Regiment captured most of the Twenty-first North Carolina Regiment, with their Colonel, Major and buttle-flag.

On the 11th of July, ekirmished at Funkstown, Md., and on the 12th at Falling Waters. On the 18th, crossed the Potomac into Virginia, and on the 23d helped drive the enemy through Manassas Gap. Marched via Thoroughfare Gap and Warrenton to a point near Bealeton Station, and remained in that locality until August 16, when the regiment was ordered to New York to help keep down the riot, there having been a. great riot there. Embarked August 21 at Alexandria on the steamship Atlantic, and disembarked at Governor's Island on the 28d. Left New York on the 8th of September following, and went directly to the front. Passed through Culpepper on the 16th, while an engagement was going on in the locality of Slanghter Mountain. On the 14th of October, en- gaged the enemy at Auburn at break of day, and at Bristoe Station in the afternoon, and the next morning at Bull Run. Had an unusual lively skirmish on the 27th of November at Locust Grove, and on the 28th, at Mine Run, drove the enemy two miles. On that day, Lieut. George W. Rotramel, of Sullivan County, one of the most gallant off- cers of the regiment, was killed. He had gone out of his county to enlist in the Fourteenth Regiment as a private soldier. On the 29th, drove the rebel skirmish line at a point about five miles from the former engagement.

The next engagement was on the 6th day of February, 1864, at Mor- ton's Ford. Jasper Sloat was killed there. All the commanding off- cers of regiments in the brigade who rode had their horses shot, and all who walked were wounded. At midnight on May 3, 1864, the army abandoned their win ter quarters, and on the 5th and 6th the main battle of the Wilderness was fought. A section of Ricket's battery was capt- ured by the enemy, and the Eighth Ohio and Fourteenth Indiana were ordered to recapture it, and did so on a bayonet charge. On the 7th, skirmished at Gaine's Cross Roads, on the 8th at Po River, and on the 10th had a considerable engagement at Smoky Crag. On the 12th and 13th, fought at Spottsylvania. Here one division of rebels was captured, and twenty pieces of artillery and thirty battle-flags. Capt. Simons was mortally wounded here, and the commanding officers of regiment, bri- gade and division were killed or wounded. The official reports of the killed and wounded in this campaign and succeeding campaigns are not accessible to the writer, and some of the wounded may be omitted. Al- most every day some part of the company, or all of it, was engaged in skirmish for the next seven days, and on the 21st at Milford Station. On the 23d and 24th, engaged in the battle at North Anna, and on the 25th

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and 26th toward South Anna. On the 28th, crossed the Pamunky, and on the 30th engaged in skirmish, and on the Blat the whole brigade engaged in skirmish near the Pamunky, and on the 1st of June near the Chickahominy. On the Bd of June, the bat. tle of Cold Harbor was fought, and on every day and every night after that, until their term of service expired, June 6, 1864, Company D was engaged in skirmish or battle. The' detachments of Company D were engaged in skirmish in addition to those named at Monocacy Bridge, near U. S. Ford, Belle Plain, King George Court House, Hanover Junction, Pamunky River No. 2, and Tollopotanni Creek. The company returned to Indianapolis with the regiment, and was mustered out of service on the 20th day of June, having remained in service fourteen days over their time.

THE VETERANS.

The veterans and recruits, under Sorgt. William H. Cole, afterward Capt. Cole, remained on the advanced line, after the regiment left for home, and engaged the enemy in their front and repulsed them, on the night of the day their comrades left them. They were afterward attached to Company B, Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and were en- gaged in all the battles and many skirmishes in which the Second Corps was engaged, among which were Deep Bottom, Ream's Station, Straw- berry Plains, Hatcher's Run, Prebble House, Burgess Farm, Warren's Raid, Musquito Creek, seige before Petersburg, and were in the pursuit of Lee's army, participating in all the engagements, the last of which was at Clover Hill on the 9th day of April, 1865. The flag of truce, under which the surrender was made, passed through their division, Boon after, they marched to Washington City, and from there were transferred to Louisville, Ky., arriving there June 14, 1865, and arrived at Indian- apolis on the 21st, and on the 12th of July following were mustered out of service.

BOLL OF HONOR.

Capt. E. H. C. Cavins, promoted Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel; wounded, Antietam, Fredericksburg.

First Lieut. Walter C. Lyman; resigned.

Second Lieut. B. B. Tremelin, promoted First Lieutenant and Cap- tain; resigned.

First Sergt. John. S. Simona, promoted Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Captain; mortally wounded Spottsylvania, May, 1864.

James M. Boord, discharged January, 1863; wounded Antietam, September, 1863.

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History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 13

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 901

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 901