USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 26
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"I did not feel apprehensive of the death of any of them, even when they left. ague and diarrhea being the principal diseases. They had been sick but a few days, and with the excellent attention which I learn is bestowed upon the sick in hospitals in that city, I have no doubt they will soon recover.
"John Scott, a good citizen of Brandywine township, who had deservedly many friends throughout his neighborhood. died in hospital at New Orleans. September 11th. . All must sympathize with his afflicted family and honor his memory for his good qualities.
"Searg. Cyrus Hanes and Elijah Tuttle of Company B. in company with four others, after receiving instructions from the General, left,-on a critical mission. They pressed an oyster boat, sallied out into the Gulf, and from thence through innumerable bayous, lakes, and bogs, far into the interior of Louisiana, passing themselves among the enemy for smugglers. They accomplished, to the full satisfaction of the power that sent them. all they were sent to perform, returning in ten days from the date of their departure. They frequently saw and conversed with detachments of the enemy. Too much honor can not be awarded the men who will brave every danger, take life into their hands. peril everything for their country, and in obedience to orders. Let the names of all such gallant actors stand out in bokl relief, high on the seroll of honor.
"Yours respectfully. "SAM. H. DUNBAR."
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FROM THE NINETY-NINTH INDELY.A.
"SCOTTSBOROUGH, .V.V. "Sunday, January 10, 180 1.
"EDITOR HANCOCK DEMOCRAT :
"On Monday, November 234. our division rested quietly behind a range of hills, near the Tennessee River, waiting for the engineers and pontooniers to complete the preparations for throwing a pontoon across the river. The work was done, the attention of the rebels was drawn to the extreme right. where General Hooker was making some heavy demonstrations, and a favor- able opportunity for our crossing presented itself; accordingly we were ordered to be ready to march at 4. o'clock next morning. Morning came, November 24, and we set off. The day was foggy and misting rain. We reached the river bank, which was lined with heavy cannon, ready to belch forth destruction to any one who might oppose our crossing.
"Our workmen had been busy at work all night, and the pontoon was about half completed. The boats were used as ferry boats until ready to be placed in their positions in the bridge. We embarked immediately, crossed. stacked arms and waited for our artillery, ammunition wagons, horses and ambulances, which could not be brought over until the bridge was completed.
"All was over by 9 o'clock A. M., and we were ready to advance. . 1 very short distance now lay between us and the enemy on Missionary Ridge. Our artillery kept up a languid fire on them from across the Tennessee, he- sides which very little seemed to be doing in the way of battle. We prepared to advance. Our guns were loaded and capped. Skirmishers were thrown out to the front and flanks, four or five from a company. Serg't. George W. Watts, Wesley S. Catt, Charles Meyers, and Christian Ortle were de- tailed from Company B. All things being ready, we moved on slowly, at a left face, the thick under brush rendering it next to impossible to preserve a line of battle.
"Our skirmishers soon waked up the rebs. A brisk firing was com- menced in front. We halted a short while, to give time to the skirmishers. We could now plainly see the summit of the first hill, but no enemy appeared thereon. We advanced slowly and halted near the top, when the rebs opened fire on us with their artillery. Fortunately our Chief of Artillery was with us. and got the precise location of the rebel battery. He immediately ordered up Richardson's battery, and opened on the enemy with one twenty-four pounder and several guns of smaller caliber. The rebs, who had been overshooting, lowered their pieces and replied vigorously for a while, the balls shaving
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'very close.' Our boys who were carrying balls from the caissons ran almost on 'all fours,' while the balls hissed over their heads, and showered the limbs of trees around them. One projectile knocked off the whole top of a tree and hurled it into a regiment of the second brigade : but owing to some expert dodging, no one was injured. The rebs having one gun dismounted, and fearing for the safety of the remainder, removed their battery from view, and were silent the remainder of the day.
"Our skirmishers were advancing down the opposite side of the hill, and driving the rebel skirmishers up the next ridge on which they were fortified. The night found us. We rested on our arms, expecting a vigorous renewal in the morning.
"The Ist brigade of our division lay on our right, and the second on our left. leaving us to occupy the center. Gen. Ewing, our division commander. ordered our brigade to fortify their position, and to remain as a reserve. We went at the work with energy, and, by midnight, had a row of rifle pits stretching for half a mile, and facing the rebel works.
"Gen. Ewing. Gen. Blair, our corps commander, and Gen. Sherman all established their headquarters with us, and also the signals were displayed near our regiment. This was very interesting to us, as we could witness the maneuvers, and hear the dispatches that were constantly coming and going. They kept the aids busy.
"The morning of the 25th dawned. The fog had cleared away. and the sun rose in his radiant splendor: all was yet quiet. Both armies had been maneuvering during the previous night, and now lay in plain view of each other. Gen. Hooker had advanced his fines far up the mountain, while strong batteries and earthworks lined the valley at the foot of Missionary Ridge. The operations of the day were opened by a broadside from Richardson's battery, aimed directly at the rebel works on the next ridge, plainly visible : and not more than half a mile distant. The rebel guns replied. Our guns opened from across the Tennessee, the rebs returned the compliment. The boom of cannon then came up from the battle below. and were only answered by the cannonical language of Missionary Ridge. The cannonading was now terrific along the entire line. from the summit of Lookout to the banks of the Chickamauga. The surrounding hills and mountains smoked like so many volcanoes, and the thunders of artillery rolled along the valleys of the Ten -. nessee. Oh, how sublime! The reverberations among the hills reminded me much of the poets' beautiful description of '\ Thunderstorm on the Alps.' The noise of battle increased : the sound of musketry and of the charge was continually heard.
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"U'ntil this time, we were admiring the scene, and estimating the dis- tance of certain guns by the difference between seeing the flash and hearing the report. Some of the boys were mounted on trees to obtain a better prospect, but our admiration ceased when we saw our wounded come limping in. sup- ported on either side by their more fortunate comrades, or borne on litters; some with heads bleeding, others with their shattered limbs dangling power- less by their sides. At first the sight was revolting, but when we couk! begin to count our wounded by scores and hear their stories of narrow escape. and hear their groans, we got mad and wanted to fight. If the 3d brigade had been turned loose, they would have stormed the very gates of purgatory : but 'No' said Gen. Ewing, 'you must hold this ridge'.
"Just then Brig. Gen. Corse of the second brigade was carried in with a severe wound in his thigh. He swore a 'blue streak' as he passed. Says he, 'If they had wounded me in the head. or some place in the body so that I could keep the field I would not care : but they have shot me in the thigh and I must retire.' Gen. Ewing started to go to him, but he shook his head, and Ewing returned.
"The first brigade now formed in the valley, and were ordered to carry that part of the ridge in their front. This brigade consisted of the 12th and roth Indiana, and the second and goth Ill. They made a brilliant effort, and carried the rebel works. Col. Loomis, their brigade commander, rode up to Gen. Ewing and informed him that he had gained the heights as ordered. but with severe loss. especially in point of officers. The Col. of the goth Illinois fell mortally wounded: the Lieut. Col. of the 100th Indiana, was wounded: Capt. Brouse of the same regiment was killed, and many others. Hardly had Col. Loomis returned to his command, when the rebs charged and recaptured their old works, driving the first brigade entirely from the ridge. (I think, however, that this was a preconcerted arrangement, to daw the rebs into a trap. ) They retreated back across a piece of timberland, while the rebs poured in volleys of shot and shell at their glittering bayonets. The air was fairly vocal with the sound of exploding shells and hissing fragments.
"About this time. Christian Ortel of our own company was carried in, severely wounded in the thigh. He was a noble young man, and had the love and esteem of all who knew him. His wounds proved fatal. He died Decem- ber 17th. and now rests in the cemetery at Chattanooga.
"Stern is the decree of fate which hath bound him, And laid him to rest by stranger's hand ; No loved ones near to weep around him. As he sleeps alone in a stranger's land.
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.It is sweet to die for one's country."
"The stars and stripes were now unturled from Point Lookout and the sound of battle died away as the shadows of evening covered the hills and valleys; all hushed to quiet; we retired to rest and ere morning's light Gen. Bragg with all his army was hurrying toward Atlanta.
"Yours truly.
"31. . A., Co. B."
The above letter was evidently written by Marshall Alley, whose name appears on the muster roll as John M. . Alley.
HOME GUARDS.
In addition to the three-months men and the veterans of the Civil War. the Legion of Indiana was organized for home protection. Companies of the Legion were known as "Home Guards." During the Civil War several of these companies were organized in Hancock county, known as:
Fortville Guards, organized June 4, 1861. James H. Perry. P. Bond. captains: John K. Faucett, first lieutenant : Charles Doty, second lieutenant.
Hancock Guards, organized June 10, 1861. Alexander K. Branham, Henry A. Swope, captains; Henry .A. Swope and William E. Hart. first lieutenants : William E. Duncan, William Lindsey. George H. Walker. Joshua Edward. second lieutenants.
Brandywine Guards, organized August 26, 1861. Robert Andis, cap- tain: Ezra Fountain. first lieutenant : John M. Dixon. second lieutenant.
Anderson Guards ( New- Palestine ). organized September 13. 1861. Thomas C. Tuttle, captain: Conrad Shellhouse, first lieutenant : George W. Stineback, second lieutenant.
Vernon Township Guards, organized. 1863. Sylvester Gaskins, cap- tain : Thomas J. Hanna, first lieutenant : Perry J. Brinegar. second lieutenant. Union Hancock (Cavalry), organized, 1803. Taylor W. Thomas, cap- tain ; Solomon F. Kauble, first lieutenant : William E. Henry, second lieuten- ant.
Jackson Guards, organized. 1863. John A. Craft. Joseph H. Mckown, captains : Joseph H. Mckown, John M. Davis, first lieutenants: . \sa H. Allison, second lieutenant.
The last three companies were organized during the excitement of the Morgan raid in 1863. At this time these companies were organized and known as the Hancock Battalion. Its officers were: Alexander K. Branham.
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Lee O. Harris, majors ; Solomon F. Kauble, adjutant ; Orlando M. Edwards, assistant surgeon.
A company was also organized in Buck Creek township. AAnother com- pany of about forty German boys was organized and drilled at New Palestine by Dr. Buchiel, a German physician. Greenfield boys, too young for service. were organized as the Greenfield Union Cadets, with the following officers : Hamilton Dunbar, captain : James W. Knight, first lieutenant : James Gapen. second lieutenant : Oscar Thomas, third lieutenant.
The Home Guards. however, were continually changing because the boys were constantly enlisting in the volunteer companies. Dr. Buchel's com- pany at New Palestine finally disbanded because practically all of its mem- bers had enlisted in the active service. Some of the other companies main- tained their organizations throughout the war by continually filling their ranks with recruits.
Each company had its own drill ground. In the smaller towns the school grounds of commons were appropriated or the boys drilled on the streets. . Adjoining the town of Greenfield on the northeast lay a large blue- grass pasture. It inchided a tract lying east of State and north of North streets, and was owned by Benjamin Osborne, a resident of Kentucky. Here the Hancock Guards gathered once a week, usually on Saturday afternoons. The drilling of the company on the slope and hill north and east of the branch in the region of Grant and East streets, was a very familiar sight in those days.
Two of these companies, the Hancock Guards, under Capt. A. K. Bran- ham, and the Anderson Gnards, under Capt. Thomas C. Tuttle, were in the active service about a week during Morgan's raid. Captain Branham's com- pany was mustered in on July 11. 1863. as Company E of the One Hundred and Fifth regiment of Indiana Volunteers. The company at that time was composed of Alexander K. Branham, captain : William E. Hart. first lieuten- ant: George W. Walker, second lieutenant: John Hatfieldl. first sergeant; Joshua Edwards, Freeman 11. Crawford, Wilham Mitchell, Samuel W. Bar- nett. sergeants: Samuel E. Duncan. Jacob Wills, Nathaniel Snow. James L. Dennis, corporals. Private-Fred Allinn, Asa .A. Allison, Daniel Acker. A. J. Banks, Calvin Bennett, N. F. Burford, J. M. Baker, Thomas M. Bed- good. N. B. Ballenger. Samuel Boyer, David Bixler, George Bennett, J. I. Burdett. Leroy Bush, Mihon Catt. N. N. Church. D. B. Chittenden. Charles Cliff. S. T. Dickerson, Ephraim Duncan, Odell Despo. William Evans, John Egger. David S. Gooding. Lemuel W. Gooding. G. W. Glass, Charles Hook. O. D. Hughes, James Hood. Ferdinand Hafner, Vincent Hinchman, Samid
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Jones, Hiram Kern. A. B. Lineback. John P. Laird, John McCordhill, Stephen R. Meek, Matthias Martin, John Porter, Benjamin Porter, William Porter, B. 11. Pierce. B. T. Rains, T. C. Rardin, M. A. Sleeth, Alfred Skinner, HI. A. Swope, Hugh Short. Samuel Thomas, Ezekiel Thomas, A. D. Wills. David W. West. J. M. Williams, William H. White, John Walker. Sr., Isaac Waller. Thomas Wellington. John Dailey, Charles G. Offutt.
After reaching Indianapolis the One Hundred and Fifth regiment, of which this company formed a part, was ordered to the southern part of the state. The adjutant-general's report gives the following facts concerning the trip : " After Morgan had left Indiana it was reported that he was return- ing to capture Lawrenceburg. The regiment moved out to check him, and while getting into position an indiscriminate firing took place among the men. resulting in killing eight and wounding twenty." Among those killed in the action were Ferdinand Hafner and John Porter. William E. Hart died later of his wounds. Among the wounded who recovered were Captain Branham. David S. Gooding and Benjamin T. Rains. The company was mustered out on July 18, 1863.
On July 10. 1863. the AAnderson Guards, under Capt. Thomas C. Tuttle. were mustered in as Company D of the One Hundred and Sixth regiment of Indiana Volunteers. The members of this company were : Thomas C. Tut- tle, captain: Conrad H. Shellhouse, first lieutenant : G. W. Stineback, second lieutenant ; James G. Boyce, first sergeant : James T. Rice. F. M. Tattman. William M. Moore. John M. Toon, sergeants: Henry Gates, Eb. L. Toon. David N. True, G. H. Kirkhoff, corporals. Privates-Samuel Burk, T. J. Belor, M. P. Davis, Bluford Eaton, Charles W. Eaton, John W. Eaton, John England, A. C. Bowler. George W. Gray, John Gundrum. Thomas J. Hobbs. T. W. Higginbotham, William Kitchen, G. F. McNamee, Stewart Nichols. F. H. Richardson, Oliver P. Swift, Pressley H. Stirk, Ashley Sutherland. Jefferson Ulrey, George Wright. George Baily, Moses Conner, John Dorman. Leland M. Eaton, Lewis Eaton, Joseph Everson, John Elliott. Francis Furry, David Gray, G. W. Harris, Adam Hawk. John Johnson, John Manche, .\n- drew McHaughy, Perry E. Rice. John Russell, C. W. Shellhouse, Andrew Stutsman, Oliver HI. Tuttle, Roland Vest. L. B. Belor, G. W. Carr, W. T. Eaton, Thomas S. Eaton, Charles Eaton. J. M. Ely, Benjamin Fowler, John H. Gray. W. T. Gibson, William Harris, Edward Hudson. John Kingery, H. M1. McRoberts, Lewis R. Murphy, H. W. Richardson, John Stewart, H. A. Schreiber, H. G. Stutsman, Andrew Thompson, H. B. Ward.
This company went as far as Cincinnati, then returned and was mus- tered out on July 17. 1863. without having been in any engagements.
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Excitement ran high during Morgan's raid and everywhere the soldiers received ovations. Companies were marched into Indianapolis, and several passed through this county over the National road. It was a common occur- rence for people who lived along the road to call for three cheers for Abra- ham Lincoln when a company marched past. Of course they were always given lustily. But even under the most serious conditions a little amusement and nonsense were mixed with their patriotism. The cheers were frequently followed by a call for three groans for John Morgan. The response of dis- consolate discords would sometimes have done credit to a company of oriental mourners.
PATRIOTIC SENTIMENT OF THE COUNTY.
At the outbreak of the Civil War the patriotic sentiment of the county ex- pressed itself in the attitude of those who had to stay at home, as well as in the enlistment of the men. Oratory flourished in the county. The eloquence vi the speakers was surpassed only by the irresistible sentiment of patriotic songs sung by groups of girls in every community. The forms of David S. Gooding, R. A. Riley, W. R. Hough and others as they spoke from goods boxes on the street or at pienics and other patriotic meetings in the townships. are still familiar to those who lived through that period. But no less clear to memory's eye and ear are the choirs and groups of young ladies and the songs they sang in patriotic support of those who felt the weight of the nation's burdens. They were kept busy learning songs. They learned them during the day to sing them in the evening. Though at first there was more or less enthusiastic excitement about the war, after the great armies began to face each other and the newspapers reported the heavy tolls in human life. then anxiety for those at the front filled the hearts of those who were left at home. Then the papers were not scanned with idle curiosity : these were the hours "that tried men's souls." And who now, even among those who under- stand the power of music over the minds and hearts of men, can measure the moral effect of the loyal attitude of those girls, and who will attempt to say to what degree their songs, and the eloquence of speakers, strengthened the hearts of fathers and mothers and brothers during that great struggle?
WORK OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.
The women and girls of the county gave more than moral support to the Union cause. In practically every community a society was organized that sewed, scraped lint, solicited, etc., and prepared such articles as could be used by the men in the field. These societies usually worked under the directions
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of the Indiana branch of the United States Christian Commission or the State Sanitary Commission.
During the early part of the war some of the societies made "comfort lags." \ "comfort bag" consisted of a piece of cloth with a number of pockets sewed on one side, into which stamps, combs and other small articles could be placed. The "bag" was made to be rolled together and tied so that the articles could not be lost. Often the girls slipped their names and addresses into one of the pockets, and many of them later received letters from the recipients, thanking them.
Underwear, shirts and socks were made in quantities and sent to the front. In some communities the okler ladies cut out garments and the girls sewed them. The sewing societies generally had a regular day for meeting.
At Greenfield a number of ladies met at the Christian chapel on October 15. 1861, and organized the Greenfieldl Military Aid Society. Mr -. Lot Edwards was elected president and Mrs. P. A. Thayer. secretary. The society appointed a soliciting committee of three, also a committee of two for cutting clothes. Other societies were also organized, of one of which Mrs. Morris Pierson was president and Mrs. R. E. Barnett, secretary. Among the girls who took an active interest in the work of these societies were Alice S. Barnett. Frances S. Pierson, Inez L. Gwinn, Estella Bailey, Mary .A. Oake-, Julia Mathers, Malinda Ogle. Amanda Barnett and Cerena Martin. Possibly a better idea of the work that was accomplished by these societies may be had from a notice given by the Ladies Military And Society, calling a meeting at the court house at Greenfield on September 17, 1802, at two o'clock p. m. The following is a portion of the call that was printed in the local paper :
"It is desired, hoped and expected by those active in the good work that all the ladies of the town and county will be promptly present at the time and place appointed. Every lady attending is expected to bring all the old cotton and linen she can conveniently spire for the purpose of making bandages and lint. Those who have none of these desirable goods are expected to bring with them a little 'change,'as it will not go amiss in securing necessary articles for the sick and wounded. This is the crisis of the war, and preparation- should be made for the wounded of the impending battles."
In response to a call of the governor of Indiana for clothing and blankets for the soldiers, a citizens mass meeting was held at New Palestine on Tues- day evening. October 15. 1861. A large number of people were present. Thomas Tuttle addressed the meeting for a time, whereupon a committee of sixteen (two in each school district) was appointed to receive what the people had to contribute for this purpose. The committee solicited articles
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from the people and deposited them with R. P. Brown, at New Palestine. These articles were then boxed by Mr. Brown and forwarded to Indianapolis. In the issue of the Hancock Democrat of October 23, 1861, also appears the statement that the ladies of Hancock county responded nobly to the above call of the governor.
The old Masonic Hall at Greenfield came to be a regular meeting place for the workers. One day each week was "open day" at the hall, when young ladies, and young gentlemen, too, gathered there to scrape lint. For this purpose old linen was collected, cleaned perfectly, and then cut into strips about one and one-half inches wide. The strips were then laid on clean boards and scraped with clean knives. The lint had to be prepared very care- fully so that no thread at all remained in it. Many boxes of it were sent from this county to the above named commissions, from whom it was sent to the field hospitals to be used in stanching the flow of blood.
In addition to this work funds were raised by giving suppers, entertain- ments. tableaus, etc. On Christmas night, 1862. the young ladies of Green- field gave a tableau party at the Masonic Hall. The price of admission was ten cents and the proceeds were given to the Ladies' Soldiers" Vid Society. The local papers made a very favorable report of the party, making special mention of the singing of Flora Howard and Alice Pierson and others, and of the music rendered by Professor Eastman's band.
On July 16, 1863, a supper was given at the Masonic Hall by the ladies of Greenfield. Cakes, pies, chickens, bread, etc., were solicited and a sump- tuous repast was served. An admission fee of twenty-five cents was charged. and the proceeds were used for the benefit of the societies.
This is merely illustrative The following letters also indicate what was done by the women and girls, not only in Greenfield. but in all parts of the county :
"OFFICE OF STATE SANITARY COMMISSION, "Indianapolis, Indiana, Jan. 3. 1863. "MRS. CATH. EDWARDS :
"Madam :- Yours of the 31st Ch. is at hand. The Package of socks came to hand this morning. No contribution could have been more acceptable than socks. We have great difficulty in keeping a supply.
"Please tender the ladies of your society our thanks for the very liberal donation to the suffering of our army.
"Yours truly.
"I'M. HANNAMAN."
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The package referred to above contained fifty-six pairs of socks which had been purchased with money from concerts given by the young ladies. The following letter is also self-explanatory :
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