History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 18

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 18
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 18

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).

It was generally thought that the smoldering cotton gave rise to the fire. The day we entered the city it was as calm as a May day, but at night a strong wind blew from the southwest, and carried tufts of the burning cotton to the buildings, from whence it spread to the northeast. It has been said by the confederate authorities that the city was burned by order of Gen. Sherman, but the fact is that Sherman, having captured enough provisions for his whole army for thirty days, and established his headquarters in the city, and then order the city fired, when he knew it would destroy everything, seems to be absurd. I have never yet seen the soldier of Sherman's army that believed such a thing. We had too much confidence in his good sense to believe such a thing, and now, after the lapse of eighteen years, still have as much confidence and love for "our General " as we did when we followed him through the fire and storms of battle, over the mountains of Georgia, during the Atlanta campaign, or over the rivers and marshes, and through the savannas further south, on the march to the sea, and through the Carolinas to Washington, D. O. When we left Columbia, the negroes who said they had been run into Columbia from all points of the South to save being captured, followed us in great numbers-some on foot, on horseback, in carte, carriages and wagons, etc., taking everything they had in the way of household goods- and started, as they said, " to the land of freedom." We marched from here to Cheraw, S. C., where we camped two nights, waiting for the pon- toon bridges to be finished over the Big Peedee River. From here we

Digitized by Google

168

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

marched to Fayettville, N. C., on Cape Fear River. But before we reached that place, while at Lynch River, Lieut. Stanley, of Company I of our regiment, was out with a squad of foragers, and he was captured, with some of his men. Thomas S. Martindale, who was with him, and generally called "Sid," was wounded, but got to our camp, and died of his wounds several years after the war ended. At Fayetteville, the colored people were all sent down the river, and we marched on until Johnston engaged the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps in battle near Bentonville, N. C., and our corps and the Seventeenth were marched in quick order for two days to get on the left flank of Johnston's army. On the second night, the writer of this was Officer of the Day, and put out his pickets, and we knew we were close to the enemy, for by putting our cars to the ground we could hear the tramp of horses and the rattling of sabers. When we broke camp the next morning, we marched about one mile, when we struck the rebel skirmishers. Companies A, F and D were deployed at once on the right of the road under command of Uapt. Alex- ander, of Company D, and Companies I, C and H, under command of Capt. Holdson, of Company I, the balance of the regiment and brigade moving after us as a reserve.

We had to go up one hill and down another. The rebels would wait till we got to the top of the hill-give us a volley, and run until they got over the next bill. We drove them thus five or six miles, when we ran out of ammunition, and becoming very stubborn as they neared their works, the Sixth Iowa took our place, and had not gone far until they drove them back to their works, where they were in strong force. The Forty-sixth Ohio took the front, and the One Hundredth Indiana the left; the Sixth Iowa was going into line on the right, when the Forty- sixth Ohio made a charge on the works. The One Hundredth Indiana boys began to shoot when the pack mules and negroes took a stampede and broke to the rear. At once the air seemed full not only of bullets, but frying pans, coffee pots, tin plates, cups, etc. We drove the enemy out of their first lines of works into their second line, fought them two days and nights, when the enemy retreated by way of Bentonville, and we started for Goldsboro, N. C. We had to "corduroy" nearly the whole way through North Carolina. The mud was deep and sticky, like tar, and often for days in South Carolina and North Carolina we pasned through pine forests where trees had been tapped for resin, that were all on fire, and the smoke was stifling, and made our faces and hands as black as could possibly be.

When we reached Goldsboro, N. C., we were sights indeed. Some had no hats, some one pant leg off at the knee, and very nearly none at all to come to the other knee, rims off of bats, some with straw hats, holes in hats and hair sticking through, some with rebel gray pants and an old blouse with no sleeves in, toes peeping out of boots and shoes, no under!

Digitized by Google

169

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

garments at all, and all of us had our old socks made out of flyings down under the heels of our shoes. Mules, horses and men, nearly all worn out. We reached here March 20, 1865. Here we met Col. Cavins, who had come round from East Tennessee via Baltimore, and down the coast, and who had in charge a great many men who belonged to the army who had been left sick at different places and wounded, and had come to re- join us; and who were home on furlough and did not get back before we had burned the bridges behind us and started for the sea. We remained here until about 10th of April, 1865, and drew better clothing and rested, when we started for Raleigh, N. C., which we reached April 20, 1865; passed review here and went into camp north of the city. Gen. John- ston's army was near us and west. While here we learned that Lee had surrendered, and in a few days Johnston surrendered, and the 30th of April. marching orders came, and we started toward Washington and home. It was at this place that our rejoicing was turned to mourning. We learned that the President was assassinated-news that threw a ^lond over the whole army.

HOMEWARD BOUND.

It seemed to be a race among the Generals who would get to Wash- ington first; at least the men thought so from the distance traveled each day. : We came first to Petersburg, Va., and over the grounds that have become historic, through the crumbling earthworks, and by the graves of the fallen, friend and foe. Then "on to Richmond," where we remained two days, visiting Belle Isle, the State House and the con- federate capitol, Libby Prison, Castle Thunder and other points of in- terest; then through that beautiful country east of the Blue Ridge, with its green fields and bright crystal streams, to Fredericksburg- crossed, but never "re-crossed " the Rappahannock; then to Mt. Vernon, and looked upon and paid homage at the tomb of Washington; and thence to Alexandria, where we remained and prepared for our last grand parade-the review at Washington City. The Army of the Potomac passed review probably May 24, and Sherman's army on the next day. On the night of the 24th, our division marched over the "Long Bridge". and camped on the commons in the vicinity of the Capitol building. The next morning, moved into A street by columns of company, and waited for 9 o'clock A. M. and the signal gun. At that time we started on our last and grandest review. When we wheeled into Pennsylvania avenue and column after column of companies of the tried veterans came marching on, with the sun glistening on their guns and the kind breezes of the morning causing the dear old tattered flags and banners to flutter and fly, bands playing and drums beating, such huzzas as went up from people-crowded to the curbstones, in every story of the houses, and on housetops, and in windows; bouquets came showering down upon the soldiers and tattered flags from everywhere until we passed the

Digitized by Google

170

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

reviewing stand, where the President and Cabinet, Judges of the Su- preme Court, Diplomatic Corps, Gens. Sherman and Grant, and most all the prominent commanders in the war. We then passed out of the city and camped on the Frederick pike, and remained here until June 9, 1865, when the regiment was mustered out of service and started for Indianap- olis, via Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to Parkersburg, Va., thence to Law- renceburg, thence to Indianapolis.

Here we were received by Gov. Morton ,and the State officers, and went into camp. The regiment was paid off, and this band of veterans melted away into civil life like snow when springtime breathes upon it. And when the " boys " came marching home, in some homes there was rejoicing-in others, sorrow and tears. Some came back that went away with loved ones that had been left behind. Some had died in battle or of wounds received, or of sickness and disease, and his wife was a widow and his children fatherless. The wounds of the heart, partially healed, bled anew at the thought of his absence when the sound of the drum is heard to which the remaining ones came marching home. The writer of this history wishes that he could have gone more into details and given the history of each comrade who " soldiered " with him for three years, but to every soldier of the Ninety-seventh Indiana, living or dead, and to his friends, this sketch in respectfully dedicated by ite author.

OFFICERS, FIELD AND STAFF.

Robert F. Catterson was the first Colonel of the regiment. He form- erly resided in Rockville, Ind. Before the close of the rebellion, he was promoted to Brigadier General of volunteers. At the close of the war he went to Arkansas; was appointed Brigadier General of the State Militia during the reconstruction troubles. He was then elected to the Legislature, and afterward appointed United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas. He resigned this office and now resides in Chicago, Ill.

Aden G. Cavins, Lieutenant Colonel, then Colonel of the regiment, is an old resident of Greene County. He had been in Bloomfield quite a number of years before the war; was Captain of Company E, Fifty-ninth Indiana, and in the field when appointed Major of the Ninety-seventh Indiana Regiment. He made a most excellent officer, and was always found where duty called, and at the end of the war returned to his old home where he has enjoyed and still is enjoying a lucrative practice in the law, and the confidence of the citizens of his county.

William H. Schlater was appointed Major of the regiment after Col. Cavins' promotion, but never joined us in the field, having immediately been appointed on the military staff of Gov. Morton.

Alexander McGregor was our first Adjutant who resigned, and Edward Groenendyke commissioned who resigned in a short time, when David

Digitized by Google

171

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

E. Sluss, of Putnam County, was appointed, and who remained with us until the end of the war; "Dave " as he was called, made a most excel- lent and efficient officer, beloved by all, and one with whom we all parted with the kindest of feelings when the circumstance and pomp of war was over.

William H. Johnson, of Bloomfield, was our first Quartermaster, and was succeeded by John G. Shryer, of Bloomfield, Ind., a fine business man-one who always had the "hard tack" and bacon for the boys when it was to be had. He is now a resident of Terre Haute, Ind., en- gaged in the hardware trade, and at this Jate day I'll tell him what be- came of his corn at Savannah, Ga We stole it from the mules and parched it and put it into our haversacks. A few months before the war closed, he resigned and was succeeded by John W. Garner, who made us an excellent Quartermaster until the close of the war.

George W. Terry, of Stinesville, Monroe County, Ind, was our Chap- lain who preached and mended the watches of the "boys." He was and is a Baptist preacher, and is still preaching the word of God at his old home. He was efficient in the field in taking care of the wounded soldiers.

. Alexander M. Murphy of Sullivan, Ind., was our first Surgeon-& most excellent man and a good Surgeon. He still resides at Sullivan, enjoying a competency in his declining years. While the battle was rag- ing, he always seemed to administer to the wounded and was always ready, not only with medicines for the sick, but a word of comfort and sympathy. He resigned May 14, 1864, on account of disability.

J. C. Hilburn of Spencer, succeeded Mr. Murphy, and A. M. Mur- phy, whom we all called "Dud," was appointed Assistant Surgeon. Both did their work well to the end of the war, both of whom have warm places in our memory.

James H. McNutt, of Harveysburg, Ind., was also an Assistant Sur- geon, who was honorably discharged November 24, 1864, and when the old Surgeon said " Let's see your tongue," and then said "Give him a Dover," we went away satisfied that, after a good sweat, we'd be all right in the morning. He was one of the best officers in the regiment, and all regretted to lose him.

David Shelly, Captain of Company K, received a commission as Major of the regiment March 19, 1864, but declined, and died in the field (of disease), as Captain of his company. He resided in Eugene, Ind.

John Fields, Captain of Company G, was promoted Lieutenant Colonel, January 1, 1865. He now resides in Ellettsville, Ind., having changed his residence since his return from the war-was never mustered as Lieutenant Colonel.

James Holdson, Captain of Company I, was promoted Major June 1, 1865, but was mustered out as Captain of his company. He resides in Sullivan County, Ind.

Digitized by Google

172

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

RECORD OF COMPANY A.

William O. Lyon, died at St. Louis, Mo., January, 1863; William H. Edwards, died at Memphis, Tenn., December, 1862; John R. Crook, died Holly Springs, Miss., December, 1862; Philip Miller, died La Grange, Tenn., March, 1863; Jeremiah Nash, died La Grange, Tenn., March, 1863; Nathan Weaver, died Louisville, Ky., November, 1863; James M. Anderson, killed Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June, 1862; Elias Abrams, missing in action Atlanta, July, 1864; Greene N. Crawford, missing in action Atlanta, July, 1864; James Corlett, died La Grange, Tenn., April, 1863: Peter Cochran, died La Grange, Tenn., January, 1863; William H. Davis, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; John L. Daniel, died Moscow, Tenn., May, 1863; James Edwards, died Louis- ville, Ky., December, 1862; Samuel Gardner, died Memphis, Tenn., April, 1864; Abram Heywood, died Camp Sherman, Miss., September, 1863; Ulick B. Jackson, died Louisville, Ky., April, 1862; John H. King, died Indianapolis, October, 1862; George W. Moury, died Mem- phis, Tenn., November, 1862; John Pore, died New Albany, Ind., No- vember, 1862; William Sullivan, killed in battle Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; Barton Wills, missing in action Atlanta, July, 1864; James Wilkinson, died Louisville, Ky., December, 1862; William Shirts, died Chattanooga, Tenn., June, 1864; John Cotren, died February, 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY O.

Capt. Joe W. Young, killed at Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; F. J. Nault, Sergeant, died of wound at Camp Sherman, July, 1863; James A. Butcher, died at home of wounds received at Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; Corral S. Sezon, died of disease, La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; William H. Carmichael, died Moscow, Tenn., April, 1863; Elijah D. Fuller, died Marietta, Ga., July, 1864; George Casner, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; James A. Arthur, died Nashville, Tenn., March, 1864; Mitchell Burch, Jr., died Memphis, Tenn., November, 1864; Joshua Bays, died Memphis, Tenn., December, 1862; Edward Bingam, died Snyder's Bluff, July, 1863; Oliver H. B. Brown, died Camp Sherman, Miss., September, 1863; William C. Borens, died In. dianapolis, Ind., October, 1862; Alfred Bowers, killed Atlanta, Ga., Au- gust, 1864; Joe J. Carmichael, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; John C. Carter, died at home, Monroe County, Ind., September, 1863; George W. Collings, died La Grange, Tenn, February, 1863; Robert F. Heywood, killed in battle, Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; James A. Hall, died at St. Louis, Mo., July, 1863; Samuel C. Jones, died Camp Sherman, Miss., August, 1863; William Langford, died Marietta, Ga., Au- gust, 1864; James A. Martindale, died Chattanooga, Tenn., November, 1864; Tobias Minks, died at Jackson, Miss., July, 1863; Hiram Reed,

Digitized by

Google

178

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

died Fort Pickering, Tenn., September, 1863; Pleasant Shields died Scotts- burg, Ala., February, 1864; James H. Sparks, died Camp Sherman, Sep- tember, 1863; Micajah Todd, died Memphis, Tenn., September, 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY E.

William H. Furguson, died La Grange, Tenn., January, 1863; John W. Rutledge, died Chattanooga, June, 1864; William H. Riley, died of wounds received at Kenesaw Mountain, October, 1863; Benjamin A. Carson, died near Atlanta, Ga., July, 1864; John Mood, killed in battle near Columbia, February, 1865; Preston Flinn, killed in battle near Co- lumbia, February, 1865; William J. Allen, died Memphis, Tenn., July, 1863; Oladian Allen, died Moscow, Tenn., May, 1883; William E. An- drews, died Memphis, Tenn., October, 1863; Wesley Boruff, died Re- saca, of wounds received in battle, June, 1864; John Clemens, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; Edmond C. Cullison, killed at Resaca, Ga, May, 1864; Edmond Edington, died at Louisville, Ky., January, 1863; William Fulk, died Cumberland, July, 1864; Richard Flater, died Memphis, Tenn., October, 1863; Squire Graves, died New Albany, Ind., January, 1863; Joseph Guthrie, died Memphis, Tenn., December, 1863; Aaron Hall, killed Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June, 1864; Chris Hal- terman, killed Kenesaw Mountain, Ga, June, 1864; Harrison Long, died La Grange, Tenn., January, 1863; George Mood, killed at Resaca, Ga., May, 1864; William H. Mansfield, died at Snyder's Bluff, Miss., July, 1863; Melcherd Price, died Camp Sherman, Miss., September, 1868; Henry Stone, died Scottsboro, Ala., January, 1864; Jeremiah Tryon, died Memphis, Tenn., October, 1863; Albert Wright, died Moscow, Tenn, April, 1863; Pleasant C. Walters, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; Thomas B. Emery, died Camp Sherman, August, 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY G.

Robert Owens, died Louisville, Ky., November, 1863; Anderson J. Pool, died Chattanooga, Tenn., December, 1864; Cuthbert Bridwell, died Holly Springs, Miss., January, 1863; Evan Baker, died Fort Gar- rison, Tenn., April, 1863; John Brock, died Camp Sherman, Miss., Sep- tember, 1863; Josephus Brock, died Scottsboro, Ala, February, 1864, Hamilton Baker, died Memphis, Tenn., August, 1863; George W. Cor- bin, killed Jackson, Miss., July, 1863; Francis A. Edington, died La Grange, Tenn., March. 1863; William Fisher, died Louisville, Ky., Jan- uary, 1864; David Field, died of wounds Big Shanty, Ga., June, 1864; John Hays, died of wounds at Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; John R. Hatfield, died Memphis, Tenn., January, 1863; Isaac Harper, died Louisville, Ky., December, 1862; Wesley Titten, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1862; Elijah Titten, died Memphis, Tenn., December, 1862; Alfred Miller, died Huntsville, Ala., July, 1864; Samuel W. Mitchell,

Digitized by Google

174

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

died Memphis, Tenn., December, 1862: John Martin, died Memphis, Tenn., November, 1863; Asbury Marrow, died in Martin County, Ind., March, 1863; George A. Mosier, killed Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; John Meltan, died Louisville, Ky., December, 1862; William Mosier, died Camp Sherman, September, 1863; Theodore D. Page, died Chatta- nooga, October, 1863; Jonathan Smith, died of wounds, Rome, Ga., An- gust, 1864; Lewis Shadley, died Camp Sherman, Miss., September, 1863; John A. Sibert, died Memphis, Tenn., November, 1863; Hiram Taylor, died Memphis, Tenn., September, 1863; Taylor Meredith, died Memphis, Tenn., November, 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY T.

William F. Moon, killed at Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; David McCoy, died in Greene County, Ind., March, 1864; John R. Goff, killed at Atlanta, Ga., July, 1864; John Halton, died at Memphis, Tenn., October, 1863; James N. Martin, died Sidney Bluff, July, 1863; George Trent, died La Grange, Tenn., February, 1863; Isaac Workman, died Mound City, August, 1863.

RECORD OF COMPANY I.

Nicholas J. Beck, died of wounds, Camp Sherman, August, 1863; Joseph Garling, died Camp Sherman, August, 1863; Era Hase, died of wounds in the field, July, 1864; Byron M. Reed, killed at Big Shanty, Ga., June, 1864.

LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY.

The Worthington Gazette of February 5, 1863, said: "Our county is being overrun with deserters from the army. It is believed by many that there are men in Greene County who have written to the different regiments advising those who are dissatisfied to desert and come home, and that they would protect them and shield them from arrest. We should arrest all the deserters and take them back to their regiments. Let the matter be tested whether we have traitors in our county or not. What say you Union men of Greene County ?" The same issue of the paper suggested that a Union meeting be held at Bloomfield to thor- oughly organize clubs of the Union League in every township. The feeling at this time with a large number of the citizens of Greene Coun- ty was hostile to a continuance of the war. A mass meeting held at Bloomfield on Saturday, the 7th of February, 1863, declared that the · soldiers in the field should be called home, and no more men nor money should be furnished, memorialized Congress to pass a bill increasing the pay of private soldiers, and passed the following among a series of reso- lutions: "Resolved, that all questions and doubts as to the object for which the war is being waged having been removed by the Emancipation Proo- lamation of Abraham Lincoln and by the dismissal from time to time of

Digitized by Google

175

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

conservative Generals and appointing in their stead men of radical abolition proclivities, we hereby declare our opposition to the further prosecntion of the war as it is now being waged, that we are not in favor of furnishing the present administration another man, gun or dollar for such a hellish, unchristian crusade." Among the leading citizens at this meeting were Hughes East, Dr. Conley, Dr. Jackson, Andrew Hum- phreys and Prof. Isenhower.

On Saturday, February 21, 1863, a mass meeting of the opposite character was held at the county weat. Dayton Topping was made Pres- ident of the Day, and I. N. Morrison and S. A. Bynum, Secretaries. John F. O'Neal stated the object of the meeting to be the consideration of the state of the country, and to take steps to organize Union Leagues through- out the county. Elias Dayhoof, Henry C. Owen, Drayton Ritter, James R. Baxter and I. N. Morrison were appointed a committee to draft cer- tain .resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. A long series was prepared and adopted, two of the number being as follows: " Re- solved, that the political demagogues now striving to obtain an armistice between the armies of the United States and the rebels are acting in bad faith to the Government and are therefore traitors, and that we will op- pose any such movement under present circumstances, by all proper means, as we believe its design and tendency is to aid the rebellion, assist treason, and in the end secure the secession of the northwestern States. Resolved, that the resolution passed by the falsely self-styled Democracy of this county on the 7th inst., pledging themselves against 'furnishing the present administration another man, gun or dollar' for what they call 'a hellish unchristian crusade,' may express the senti- ments of rebel sympathizers, but do not express the sentiments of the loyal people of this county." Col. G. H. Voss, of Greencastle, spoke at. this meeting for three hours. His speech was the most loyal, scathing, eloquent and brilliant delivered in the county up to that time. Feeling on the question of the war grew more bitter as time passed.

INTERESTING NOTES.

In March, 1863, John T. Owen raised about ten recruits for the Seventy-first Regiment. The Gazette of March 26th said:, "During the past six weeks, fourteen deserters belonging to different regiments have been arrested in this county." About the 1st of April, a militia company was formed at Worthington, partly with a view of insuring peace at home. The Gazette of April 2d said: "Union men of Greene County ! We do not wish to create unnecessary alarm, but we warn yon of the fact that you are sleeping upon a volcano. The day is probably not far distant when you will be called upon to defend yourselves and your families. Our enemies in this county are well organized, and we honestly believe that on ten hours' notice they can collect together 1,000

Digitized by Google

176

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

armed men." As the spring months passed, it became more and more apparent that the disloyal element in the county was arming and drill- ing. Several other companies were formed about this time for home protection. Col. Dick Thompson spoke at Worthington, on May 28, for three hours to about 1,200 people. He was eloquent and loyal. On the 8th of June, the enrollment of county militia under the conscript act was commenced in the county, under the supervision of George K. Steele, Commissioner; Richard W. Thompson, Provost Marshal, and Albert G. Preston, Surgeon. This was accomplished with great care, and without outbreak. A mysterious gathering of nearly 500 men in Beech Creek Township, late in June, adjourned without noteworthy action. The Worthington Gazette was so outspoken and bitter against all forms of disloyalty that constant threats were made, not only to throw the office in the canal, but to reduce that town to ashes as well. Both office and town were constantly guarded by armed men for some time. The paper finally saw that it was wiser to be milder, and adopted that course. Per- haps no man accomplished more for loyalty in Greene County during the war than Isaac N. Morrison, the editor of the Gazette. Every issue of his paper contained caustic editorials and pungent locals, urging on the enlistment of men, and the vigorous prosecution of the war. He merits unlimited credit for his work.

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.

History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 18

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

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