History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 64

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 64
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 64

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YI'LLIVAN COUNTY had nothing to do with wars prior to 1846. A S number of the carly residents had fought with Harrison at Tippe- canne, or with Jackson at New Orleans, or in some of the many Indian battles during the laster part of the eighteenth century or the former part of the nineteenth century, or perhaps had been with Washington or Greene or Marion in the famous war of the Revolution. These old bernes at all the militia musters and Fourths of July were the center of attraction, and were placed on the stand and cheered by descendants and by all lovers of country. They all have passed away except, per- chance. a few lingering survivors of Indian campaigns or of the war of 1812.

THE MEXICAN WAR COMPANY.

In May. 1540, when the news was received in Sullivan County that the President hid called for volunteers for the war with Mexico, steps were immediate taken by Joseph W. Briggs and others to form a com. pany. Manting- were held at Carlisle and Sullivan and perhaps Merom, en i in a -h rt t. me the complement of men was obtained. In June or July. the company left the county, going to New Albany, where they were assigned to the Second Regiment as Company H. The muster roll of this company at the time of muster-in cannot be given. It is on file in Washington, D. C .; but the War Department refused to furnish a copy,

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probably for the reason suggested by Mr. Carnahan, Adjutant General of Indiana, that the record might be wanted for information upon which to base a suit against the Government by some crippled, diseased, or help- less survivor! The following is a copy of the muster roll at the time of muster out: Joseph W. Briggs, Captain; Justus Davis, First Lieutenant; Israel Benefiel, Second Lieutenant; Solomon Loudermilk, Third Lieu- tenant; Henry Dooley, R. McGrew, James H. Wier and James Hancock, Sergeants; Harvey Wilson, John B. Hughes, Hosea C. Buckley and Thomas E. Ashley, Corporals; and the following privates: Henry Adams, Wilie Adams, N. Brower, Phillip Brower, John Borders, Willis Bene- fiel, Michael Borders, James B. Booker, Nelson F. Bolton, Robert Cal- vert, Patrick Carley, Charles Child, Thomas Coulter, George Davidson, Alfred Davis, John Edda, Joseph Engle, William Fesez, Richard Goes, H. M. Gilliam, James Garrett, Nathan Gatson, King Hamilton, Jonathan Hart, A. A. Hamilton, James Holstein, John Hill, Joseph Hooten, E. D. Hart, William Ireland, Henry Jones, J. J. Loudermilk, Preston Mo- sieure, Redmon Malone, Gabriel Moots, Levin Nash, Benjamin Plew, John Ravenscroft, Charles Reisinger, Charles G. Readay, Michael Ring, John L. Robinson, Joseph Strong. Volney E. Swaim, William Shepard, Alfred Smith, Elijah Voorhies, Mark Wilson, Andrew Winters, William D. Wier and William Wheeler. The following account of casualties in the company covers the period from February 28, 1847, to June 23, 1847, at which last date the men were mustered out of service, their year of enlistment having expired: Deaths in battle-Meshack Draper, Rich- ard Jenkins and Thomas Price; deaths from disease, etc .- John Shepard, John Marlow, F. J. Copeland, Enoch T. Reeves, John Vanosdoll and James W. Beauchamp; discharged-Edmund Jones, W. R. Patton, Samuel A. Thompson, John Engle, Benjamin Johnson, John Mosieure, Hugh MoCammon, Henry Ransford, William Readay, Joseph Wells, Lewis F. Duncan, H. J. A. Burgett, Thomas Evans, Bonaparte D. Walls and John O. Watson. Upon the return of the company, a barbecue, it is said, was given in their honor, and held near Sullivan in the woods. Speeches were formally made by one or more of the citizens, who wel- comed the boys home from the perils of war. The Captain and several other members of the company responded in fitting words, outlining their campaign, and interspersing their remarks with the mingled gall and honey of humorous anecdote and sorrowful death. A meeting of this character was also held at Carlisle.

Under the shadow of the last great war, the boys who went to Mexico must not be forgotten. It was no holiday undertaking to go from the comparatively cold climate of the Northern States to the hot and peculiar tropical climate of Mexico. The appalling sacrifice of life from disease abundantly attests the peril which the men assumed for the country's good. Many were left there in lonely, deserted and forgotten graves;

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and the rugged cactus comes and kisses with its crimson blossoms the silent mounds where they sleep. The rich flowers of the stately magno. lis shed their fragrant perfume around; the long festoons of silvery moss hang pendant above the quiet graves; the rustling wind and the dancing rain pay their passing tribute to the glory of the departed, and over all the strange, bright birds of that sunny clime chant the sad requiem of death. The boys are gone, but their names are living jewels in the bright casket of memory.

WETON OF THE SECOND INDIANA REGIMENT.

Capt. Briggs' men became Company H of the Second Indiana Regiment. In July, 1846, the Second Regiment was transferred to New Orleans, and soon afterward across the Gulf of Mexico to the mouth of the Bio Grande River. After occupying various positions along the river and elsewhere, where many of the boys died or suffered from the deadly diseases and peculiar climate of that tropical region; the regiment at last, in February, 1847, found itself, with other troops, numbering in all about 5,000 men under Gen. Zachary Taylor, in the Buena Vista Pass, awaiting the approach of about 20,000 Mexicans under Gen. Santa Anna. The Paes was between mountain ranges, and was narrow and cut up by deop ravines, which extended up and down the sides of the elevations, and running about half way across it, thus narrowing the Pass still more, was a broad plateau, about 200 feet above the general level. The Second Indians was posted on the extreme left of Gen. Taylor's battle line, on the platesu already mentioned, and near the mountain side, which extended upward, it was thought, too abruptly to permit the Mexicans to flank the Americans on the left At last the enemy was seen moving up the Paes in solid column, with banners flying and lances and carbines glittering in the sun. With overwhelming numbers, he at first attempted to force the Paes in solid column, but Washington Battery, which was posted on a high mound on the right, was so well served that the enemy, cut to pieces by storms of grape and canister, was forced back in con- fusion, and a temporary check was given his advance. He next attempted to flank the Americans on their left, and succeeded. Large columns of his troopa, on foot and on horse, poured around on the mountain side, and up over the plateau, throwing themselves upon the Second Indiana and several Kentucky regiments like an avalanche. The Mexican Lancers, on their ponies, swept around to the rear of the Americans, captured several pieces of Bragg's Battery, and the crisis of the battle was reached. The Second Indiana fired its twenty-one rounds, and was ordered to retreat, but not having been drilled in that important maneuver, an omis- sion in military discipline afterward corrected, and having been deserted by its commanding officer, could not be stopped in the face of the swarm- ing Mexicans, even though the officers had tried, which they did not, to

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stem the torrent of rout, and continued on down off of the plateau as though pursued by the Furies. Here they were at last halted in the forks of two deep ravines, the Kentucky regiments having followed them. On came the enemy, and when their eyes could be plainly seen, a fearful storm of lead was poured into them, checking their advance, and encouraging the American forces, which, with a newly formed battle line, resolutely held the position against the repeated charges of the Mexican foot and the Lancers on ponies. The battle was stubbornly fought until night, when the Mexicans withdrew, leaving the victory with the American forces. After this battle, the Second saw no more fighting, but occupied various points, guarding supplies, etc., and at last, at the end of the year of enlistment, was sent home and mustered out of service.

SENTIMENT IN SULLIVAN COUNTY.

Public feeling in Sullivan County on the question of slavery, seces- sion, State rights and kindred subjects for some time before the fall of Fort Sumter, and even before an act of secession had been passed by any Southern State, or before the hot Presidential contest of 1860 had un- masked the coming calamity, had risen to fever heat. At the Presiden- tial contest of 1860, each party in the county had exerted its utmost strength with the following result: Douglas, 1,858; Lincoln, 856; Breck- inridge, 128; Bell, 55; total, 2,897. The effect in the county was to bring the questions dividing the North and the South squarely before the people, and to establish in their minds a definite opinion. The great majority of people of the county stoutly denounced any interference whatever on the part of the North with the institution of slavery, and many Republicans were of this opinion. The sprinkling of Abolitionists was ridiculed without stint. It was soon developed that many of the citizens believed in the right of secession-believed that the Union was simply a convenient confederacy, and that each State was sovereign, and could withdraw at will when her citizens deemed that by so doing she was bettering her condition. On the other hand, the great majority.of all parties in the county was opposed to a dissolution of the Union. As soon as the Southern States, led by South Carolina began to enact ordi- nances of secession and make preparations to set up a separate govern- ment, the question of the constitutional right of coercion became, for a time, the all-absorbing topic. The able editor of the Sullivan Democrat, Murray Briggs, was in doubt as to whether the Government had the right, and hoped that matters might be so compromised that the Union would be preserved, and a bloody war between relatives avoided.

THE FIRST UNION MASS MEETING.

A Union meeting was called at Sullivan late in December, 1860, to consider the state of the country. H. N. Helms was chosen Chairman, and Michael Malott and C. N. Browning, Secretaries. On motion of

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Murray Briggs, a committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. A long series of resolutions was reported and adopted, advising a compromise to preserve the Union and to avert war, and the "Crittenden Compromise " was suggested as a basis upon which the Union might be maintained. The Congressmen of the Seventh Dis- trict and the United States Senators were memorialized to effect any hon- orable compromise. Fiery speeches of all shades of politics were made at this meeting. S. R. Hamill denied the right of coercion, and said: "Your bumble speaker, so help me God, would rather fight, and if need be die, under the Palmetto banner than to fight under the black banner of Northern abolitionism. 'If this be treason, make the most of it.'" He was in favor of compromise, and would rather see slavery extended over all the States and Territories than see the Union destroyed. This meeting was of the most enthusiastic character.

The editor of the Democrat in a later issue said it was difficult to comoede the right of a State to secede, and thus destroy the Government, but would rather see the Southern States go than have the country pre- oipitated into a bloody internecine war. At a still later issue (April 11, 1861), he said, in a long editorial: "If Mr. Lincoln supposes that the people of the country will sustain him in any effort to compel the cotton States to remain in the Union, or return to it, by force of arms, he is vastly mistaken." The citizens of the North and of the South were too closely related by blood to carry on a war for that purpose. Immediately after the receipt of the news of the fall of Fort Sumter, he said calmly, and without bitterness, that he thought it best for the Government to let the fort go. In his issue a week later (April 25), in reply to a petition from sixty-five citizens of Merom and vicinity, who thought his paper " unpatriotic," he said: " We reiterate our remarks of last week, that if the war must come, and nothing will satisfy the powers of either section bat a resort to arms, our wishes are for the success of the regularly con- stituted authorities under which we live."

NEWS OF THE SURRENDER OF FORT SUMTER.

Great excitement prevailed over the entire county by the bombard- ment and surrender of Fort Sumter. The rural districts were depopu- lated and the towns and news stations were crowded with anxious citizens, eager for the latest news. The Democrat of April 18 contained the following notice:

"ATTENTION! There will be a meeting of the citizens of Sullivan and vicinity, on Saturday, the 20th instant, at 1 o'clock P. M., for the pur- pose of raising a company of volunteers to tender their services to the Government."

In pursuance of this notice, a large assemblage of ladies and gentle- men gathered at the court house at the time mentioned. The room was

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tastefully decorated with banners and loyal mottoes and several martial bands enlivened the occasion with the stirring national airs. One after another, interspersed with martial music, speeches were delivered full of fire and patriotism by Mr. Crane, of Terre Haute, F. L. Neff, J. W. Blackburn, Sewell Coulson, J. T. Gunn and John Mastin. Tumultuous cheers greeted every speaker and fired his energy, and the most intense expressions of loyalty were heard on every hand. Unfortunately the details of this meeting were not published and cannot be given here. A long series of loyal resolutions was adopted. Almost an entire company was raised on this day, and by the 23d of April over 100 volunteers had appended their names to the roll.

DEPARTURE OF THE FIRST COMPANY.

On that day (the 23d), the company met at the court house and elected the following officers: John Mastin, Captain; Uriah Coulson, First Lieutenant; Thomas B. Silvers, Second Lieutenant; W. S. Robertson, Third Lieutenant; Stewart .Barnes, L. H. Case; James M. Ayres and James M. Thompson, Sergeants; J. W. Diz, Albert Merrick, John R. Lane and F. M. Byers, Corporals. On the 30th of April, this company, under orders from Gov. Morton, started for Indianapolis. Before their departure, a large crowd gathered in the court yard to witness the cere- mony of the presentation of a flag to them by the ladies of the town. Miss Harriet Hays delivered the presentation speech, her closing words being: " In behalf of the ladies of Sullivan, I have the honor of present- ing you with this flag of our Union as an expression of the deep interest we feel in the victories you are to win and as a memento of remembrance. When you gaze npon these stars and stripes, remember there are those at home who are more than anxious for your safety; there are those whose prayers will continually ascend in your behalf. Remember the ladies of Sullivan and be true to the stars and stripes." To her long and eloquent address, Lieut. Robertson replied on behalf of the company, pledging the lives of the volunteers to preserve the flag. At the conclusion of his reply, a select choir of ladies and gentlemen sang with thrilling effect the " Star Spangled Banner," and then the company with colors flying and drums beating, marched ont to the depot to take the train, followed by the large crowd. Ah, it was hard to see the boys go. There were brothers and fathers and husbands and sous there-some going away forever, brave, valiant, beloved, to die amid the cypress or magnolia swamps of the Sunny South, or perhaps to return with empty sleeves or broken constitutions. The company was drawn up in single file at the · depot to give the friends the last opportunity of taking them by the hand, looking in their flushed faces and blessing them, and bidding them God- speed and good bye. It was a moment of bitter sorrow, and all hearts were rent with anguish; but all willed it to be so, and as the train came

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in and was boarded by the boys and steamed away again, the last fare- wells were spoken with pale lips but brave hearts, and repeated cheers for the Union followed the departing company. Upon their arrival in Indianapolis, the volunteers endeavored at first to get into the three months' service, but as this was found impossible they next tried for the one year's service, the period for which the men had really enlisted, but this was also found out of the question, whereupon the company returned to Sullivan where it was re-organized for the three years' service.

ITH RE-ORGANIZATION.

By the 14th of May, the company was so nearly full that it was transferred to Indianapolis, where it was soon joined by the complement of recruits raised by Lieut. Robertson and Sergt. Barnes and perhaps others who had remained in the county for that purpose. The company became I of the Seventeenth Regiment, three years' service, and was mustered into the United States service on the 12th of June, 1861, and on the 1st of July started for Virginia, but on the 23d moved to Mary- land. Prior to the 7th of August it worked on the fortifications known as Camp Pendleton. It then moved to Webster, thence to Huttonsville, thence to Cheat Mountain Pass and thence went into camp at Elkwater. In this vicinity the regiment participated in the battle of Greenbrier, on the 3d of October, with the loss of one killed. November 19, it reported to Gen. Buell at Louisville, Ky., and about the middle of De- cember it moved to Camp Wickliffe, hul February 10, 1862, started for Green River and marched to Nashville by the 12th of March. Nashville was left March 29, and the battle-field of Shiloh was reached on the 8th of April. It participated in the siege of Corinth, and later moved to Mcminnville where, on the 30th of August, it attacked and routed Gen. Forrest. September 3, it started for Murfreesboro, thence to Nashville, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, West Point, skirmished with Bragg's forces near Munfordville and reached Louisville September 25.

October 1, it moved to Bardstown, and on the 18th to Nashville, ar- riving November 26. Here, until February 1, 1863, it participated in various movements. On the 12th of February, the regiment was ordered to mount itself, and was thus engaged for some time. On May 18, the regiment was armed with Spencer rifles, and on the 24th of June moved to Hoover's Gap, and here over five regiments and a battery of rebels charged upon the Seventeenth, but were repulsed. The rebels were held at bay until re-enforcements arrived, when they were driven from the field. The regiment lost 48 killed and wounded, and captured 75 pris- oners and 125 stands of arms. After this, it warched to Manchester, fighting the enemy and capturing many prisoners. It scouted and skirmished near Chattanooga and Ringgold, and later (September 19), fought at Chickamauga, breaking the enemy's line at every charge.

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The next day it repulsed a severe charge of the enemy, but then drove them back, killing and capturing many. On the 1st of October, it start- ed in pursuit of Gen. Wheeler, and on the 3d attacked a body of rebels, capturing many prisoners and a fine battle flag. It skirmished at Mc- Minnville, beyond Shelbyville, and at Farmington, where it charged the rebels, capturing three of Wheeler's guns, many small arms, and 300 prisoners, losing in return 48 killed and wounded, including three com- missioned officers. It moved to Huntsville, pursued the rebels under Forrest, Roddy, et al., and October 27 went into winter quarters at Maysville. In November, 250 of the regiment on horses marched to Dear Ringgold, and destroyed rebel wagons and stores and other proper- ty, and skirmishing several times with the enemy. About the middle of December, the majority of the regiment dismounted, and early in Janu- ary re-enlisted, 286 becoming veterans, and went home on veteran fur- lough. While at home they were re-mounted, and then moved back to Louisville, thence to Nashville, thence joined Sherman's army on the Atlanta campaign May 10, 1864.

From this until the 31st of October, it was constantly engaged in scouting and skirmishing, particularly at Pumpkin Vine Church, Big Shan- ty, Belle Plain Road, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Chattahoochie River, Stone Mountain, Flat Rock, New Hope Church, Rome, Coosaville, Lees- burg and Goshen. After this, it moved back to Louisville, but early in January, 1865, moved back to Nashville, and soon to Gravelly Springs, Ala, remaining there until the 12th of March. It fought the rebels un- der Forrest at Ebenezer Church, capturing 100 prisoners and one gun, and losing eight killed and eleven wounded and missing. On the 2d of April, it fought at Selma, Ala., capturing four guns and about 300 pris- oners, and losing out of 421 engaged 12 killed and 80 wounded. April 20, it fonght near Macon, and with other troops, by a ruse, captured the city, with four Generals, 3,000 prisoners, 5 stands of colors, 60 pieces of artillery and 3,000 small arms. It did post duty at Macon until August 8, 1865, and was then mustered out. During its term of service, the regiment lost 69 men killed and 189 wounded.

PERSONAL RECORD OF MASTIN'S COMPANY.

The following is the personal record of Company I: John Mastin, re- signed January, 1862; James W. Louthan; Uriah Coulson, resigned January, 1862; Stewart Barnes, dismissed August, 1862; James B. Pat- ton; T. B. Silvers, resigned Jannary, 1862; J. S. Preas, resigned June, 1863; Oscar H. Crowder; W. S. Robertson, discharged April, 1862, dis- ability; J. M. Ayres; J. W. Thompson, discharged September, 1861, disability; G. W. Sergent; J. W. Dix, discharged May, 1862, disability; F. M. Byers; Laban Frakes, died September, 1861; W. M. Collins, dis- charged October, 1861, disability; Peter Kelley, discharged April, 1862,

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disability; J. D. Branham; A. O. Merrick; Thomas Reed, Jr .; M. W. Perdue, discharged September, 1861, disability; James R. Anstin; Will. iam Austin; R. M. Bennett; T. A. Bennett; G. H. Boles, discharged October, 1861, disability; R. J. Bowman, died February, 1862; J. W. Bunch, died September, 1861; A. Cantwell; J. M. Case, died at Rome, Ga., of wounds; A. W. Chase, died October, 1862; D. B. W. Chastain; H. W. Cochran; T. B. Compton; James Crosby; W. C. Cuppy, dis- charged November, 1861, disability; M. R. Dowling; William Eaton; John Ellsworth; J. T. Emery; M. W. Evans, discharged October, 1861, disability; G. M. Everbart, W. F. Gill; G. W. Graham; H. D. Hough; Charles Hazlerod; R. R. Hunt; H. H. Lane; Rufus Mason; R. B. Mason; W. A. McBride; W. S. McMain; M. V. Miller; G. A. Milan; W. M. Montgomery; J. S. Moore, died April, 1862; Pleasant Moore; Edmund Moore; Z. B. Myers; Michael O'Brien; Calvin Overstreet; Sam- uel Owens; J. L. Padgett, discharged June, 1862, disability; H. H. Pat- ton, promoted Lieutenant; G. W. Patton; F. M. Plew; S. D. Price; R H. Price; S. M. Rolph, discharged August, 1862, disability; T. D. Scott; J. L. Silvers; L. A. Stark; F. M. St. John; S. F. Stratton; D. H. Strat- ton; J. H. Tautlinger, captured July, 1864, lost on steamer Sultans April, 1865; Abe Teverbaugh; J. H. Thompson; Zadock Thompson, died February, 1865; C. J. Thompson; Benjamin Watson; J. D. Watson; James Williamson; J. T. Youngman, discharged July, 1862, disability. The following were recruits: William Adams; J. G. Booth; J. H. Crow- der; J. J. Cuppy, died October, 1864; C. M. M. Griffith, killed at Plan- tersville April, 1865; Jasper Gowens; J. R. Lane; Samuel McElroy, killed at New Hope Church May, 1864; Ranson W. Reed; Jesse True- blood. Only names are given of those credited in the Adjutant General's reports to Sullivan County. Where no remarks are made, the men were in most cases mustered out.

ENTHUSIASTIC UNION MEETINGS.

On the 22d of April, 1861, a large Union meeting was held at the court house in Sullivan, where it was resolved to organize two companies of home guardu. On the 25th of April, another large Union meeting was held at Graysville, J. W. Hawkins being Chairman, and H. P. Hall, J. Burton and A. Wilkey, Committee on Resolutions. Eloquent speeches were delivered by Heath, Hinkle, et. al. The enthusiasm and loyalty were intense. The speakers were frequently interrupted with prolonged cheers. A long series of patriotic resolutions was adopted. A company of home guards numbering seventy men was raised at this meeting. The citizens adjourned to re-assemble May 4, when Mr. Hawkins was again called to the chair, and O. P. Gregg made Secretary. Speeches were made by Pinkston, Hawkins, Cushman, D. B. Wier, et. al. A petition was circulated and extensively signed asking the County Board to appro-

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History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 64

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

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