USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol I > Part 12
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II
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THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
The work of organizing a company of one hundred and one men for an independent regiment of sharpshooters, authorized by the War Department, began about the time of the departure of Dr. White's company.
This company filled up rapidly and in a few days seventy names were down for still another company. Prior to leaving, the company organized by electing the same officers that had served in the first company organized here, to-wit: T. J. Harrison, captain ; Thomas Herring, first lieutenant, and W. R. Philips, second lieu- tenant. The company left on August 28, 1861, for Indianapolis. In the regimental organization, Captain Harrison was made colonel, John Bohan, quartermaster, and Dr. L. D. Waterman, surgeon. After Captain Harrison's promotion, Herring and Philips were promoted by the unanimous consent of the company. Stephen D. Butler was elected second lieutenant.
This regiment left for Kentucky early in September. It marched with Buell to Nashville, then to the Tennessee river, and was in the battle of Shiloh on the 7th of April, 1862, where Lieu- tenant W. R. Philips, who had been associated with his brother, T. C. Philips, in editing the Tribune, was killed.
The regiment took part in the battles of Stone River, Decem- ber 31. 1862, and January 1 and 2, 1863. Through the remainder of the campaign of 1863 it served as mounted infantry. On June 6, 1863, it had a sharp fight with Wheeler's cavalry near Murfrees- boro, took part in the skirmishes at Middleton and Liberty Gap. and during the movement upon Chattanooga engaged the enemy at Winchester.
On the 19th and 20th of September it participated in the battle of Chickamauga, and on the 15th of October, 1863, was reorganized as the Eighth Cavalry.
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
The regiment re-enlisted as a veteran 'organization on the 22d of February, 1864. It participated in the McCook raid around Atlanta and the Kilpatrick raid in Georgia, and at the battle of Lovejoy Station led the charge of the left wing, riding over Ross' division of rebel cavalry, capturing his artillery and four battle flags. It was in the battle of Jonesboro and Flint river and in the campaign through Georgia was in the following battles and skir- mishes: Waynesboro, Buckhead Church, Brown's Cross Roads, Reynold's Farm, Aiken, Bentonville, Averasboro and Raleigh. It whipped Hampton's entire force at Morrisville and thus had the honor of fighting the last battle in North Carolina.
The regiment was mustered out of service on the 20th of July, 1865, reached Indianapolis the last week of July and was finally dis- charged early in August.
This regiment had in all two thousand five hundred men on its rolls, and had nine officers killed in battle. It lost about three hundred in prisoners, and captured from the enemy over fifteen hundred men, one thousand stand of arms, three railroad trains, fourteen hundred horses and mules, many wagons, fourteen pieces of artillery, four battle flags, besides destroying many miles of railroad.
It was also engaged in many raids and skirmishes of which 110 mention is here made.
FAMILIES OF THE VOLUNTEERS.
In 1861 the county commissioners appropriated seven hundred fifty dollars out of the county funds for the relief of the families of those who had volunteered.
On the evening of October 31st, the Ladies' Union Aid Asso- ciation was organized for the purpose of making underclothing for
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MORROW'S HISTORY
the boys who were far away in open tents and who would soon be exposed to the rude blasts of winter. Many a "God bless the noble women of Howard" went up to heaven that winter and each succeeding winter till the war was over from Howard county boys in every Southern state.
FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
The company that was forming at the time Captain Harrison's company departed organized by electing Willis Blanch, captain; Timothy H. Leeds, first lieutenant, and John L. Hall, second lieu- tenant. Another company was also partly organized in this county. with William K. Hoback, captain ; Joel H. Hoback, first lieutenant. and Lewis S. Horn, second lieutenant. These companies proceeded to Richmond in November, 1861, where they were organized as Companies G and H respectively of the Fifty-seventh Regiment. .
On the Ioth of December the regiment moved to Indianapolis, where it remained to December 23d, when it took its departure for Kentucky, where it spent the winter without engaging in battle. The regiment marched to Nashville, Tennessee, arriving there early in March. It started for Pittsburg Landing on the 21st of March, and was in hearing of the battle of Shiloh on the 6th of April, but did not arrive till the afternoon of the 7th, when it immediately engaged in battle. During the siege of Corinth the regiment was actively employed.
After this it marched into northern Alabama and in July, 1862, to middle Tennessee, where it remained till September, making many arduous marches and undergoing great hardships. It took an active part in the campaign against Bragg, engaging in the bat- tle of Perryville, Kentucky, with only slight loss. After this it went to Nashville. December 1, 1862.
COL. WILLIS BLANCHE.
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
At the battle of Stone river the Fifty-seventh suffered severely, losing seventy-five men out of three hundred and fifty engaged. Here the regiment greatly distinguished itself. During the remain- der of the winter and spring of 1863 it remained in camp near Murfreesboro, drilling constantly and doing severe picket duty. It took part in the eleven days' scout of Major-General Reynolds, and in the battle of Missionary Ridge it bore a conspicuous part.
HARDSHIPS AND PRIVATIONS.
The campaign in east Tennessee during the winter of 1863 and 1864 was probably unequaled during the whole war for hard- ship and privation. Of these the Fifty-seventh suffered a full share.
On the Ist of January, 1864, the regiment almost unanimously re-enlisted as a veteran organization. It took part in the initial operations of the campaign against Atlanta, and during the summer was almost constantly engaged in battle or in skirmishing. It was ยท in the assault on Rocky Face Ridge, near Dalton, Georgia, May 9th : at Resaca, and in the action near Adairsville it took an active part. On May 27th it lost severely in the battle near New Hope Church, on the Altoona mountains. It was under fire every day from this time until June 3d, losing many men.
In the terrible struggles and skirmishes around Kenesaw it bore a full part. On the 27th of June the regiment, then com- manded by Colonel Willis Blanch, formed the skirmish line in front of the assaulting column of the Fourth Corps. Its loss was heavy. It participated in the battle of Peach Tree Creek, July 20th, and from this time until the 25th of August lay in the trenches in front of Atlanta. The regiment was slightly engaged in the battle of Jonesboro, August 3Ist. After the occupation of Atlanta the Fifty- seventh was sent to Chattanooga. It helped to drive Hood into
-
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MORROW'S HISTORY
Alabama, and afterward formed a part of the army of General Thomas, which resisted the invasion of Tennessee. It was engaged at Franklin, November 30, 1864, where it sustained severe loss. On the 15th and 16th of December it participated in the battle of Nashville, where Colonel Blanche was wounded.
After the pursuit of Hood's army, the regiment lay in camp at Huntsville, Alabama, some months, moving into east Tennessee as far as Bull's Gap in April, 1865. It then went to Nashville and was transferred to Texas, where it remained until mustered out of the service. The Fifty-seventh saw much arduous service, its losses in battle were heavy, and its marches severe, but it behaved with great gallantry on every occasion and achieved an enviable record and an honorable fame. In its commanding officers it was particularly fortunate, one of whom, Colonel Blanche, of this county, being a soldier of distinguished merit.
RELIEF SENT TO SHILOH.
When the news reached our citizens of the great battle of Shiloh, a meeting was hastily called and a surgeon was immediately sent to the sufferers, together with money, lint and bandages and whatever was thought would aid in their relief. This movement was connected with an authorized organization at Indianapolis, and it was a noble work at the right time.
SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
In July, 1862, another company was organized here, which elected Francis M. Bryant, captain : James C. Metsker, first lieu- tenant, and Irvin Polson, second lieutenant. It was mustered into service as Company C of the Seventy-fifth Regiment, at Wabash.
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
on the 19th of August, 1862. This regiment proceeded to Ken- tucky, where it took an active part in the campaign, marching to Scottsville and Gallatin and then back to Cave City in pursuit of Morgan's forces. The winter was passed mostly in camp at Gal- latin, and in January the regiment moved to Murfreesboro, where it remained till June 24, 1863, when it started toward Tullahoma, and on the march engaged in the battle at Hoover's Gap. It was the first regiment to enter the rebel works at Tullahoma, about the Ist of July. It participated in the battle of Chickamauga on the 19th and 20th of September.
It then returned to Chattanooga, engaging in the battle of Missionary Ridge on the 25th of November. The Seventy-fifth passed the winter of 1863-64 in the vicinity of Chattanooga, and in the spring of 1864 moved to Ringgold, Georgia. During the Atlan- ta campaign it was actively engaged, participating in the battles of Dalton, Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kenesaw mountain, Peach Tree creek and Jonesboro. In October it marched in the campaign against Hood and returned to Atlanta in time to start with Sher- man's army on the 16th of November in its famous march to the sea, reaching Savannah in December. In January, 1865, it marched through the Carolinas to Goldsboro, in North Carolina, and partici- pated in the battles of Bentonville and Fayetteville. After the sur- render of Johnston's army, it marched to Richmond, Virginia, and thence to Washington, D. C., where, on the 8th of June, 1865, it was mustered out of service.
EIGHTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
In the month of August, 1862, three more companies were raised in this county.
The first was officered as follows: William Burns, captain;
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MORROW'S HISTORY
B. F. Haven, first lieutenant, and John T. Stewart, second lieu- tenant. The second: John E. Williams, captain; G. Markland, first lieutenant ; William Styer, second lieutenant. The third: B. W. Gifford, captain; William A. Hunt, first lieutenant ; William T. Hutchinson, second lieutenant.
These companies were rendezvoused at Wabash and were or- ganized, with other companies, into the Eighty-ninth Regiment, at Indianapolis, August 28, 1862. The companies were called F, D and G, respectively.
In the organization of the regiment, Charles D. Murray was made colonel and J. F. Henderson surgeon, both of Kokomo. In the October following, Harless Ashley, also of Kokomo, was ap- pointed quartermaster.
Proceeding to Kentucky the regiment reinforced the garrison at Munfordsville. After a long fight and stubborn resistance it was compelled to surrender to superior numbers on the 16th of September.
The officers and men were paroled, and, after a furlough to their homes, the regiment reassembled at Indianapolis on the 27th of October. The order for their exchange being received, the regi- ment, on the 5th of December, proceeded to Memphis, and on the 21st of December was placed on duty at Fort Pickering, where it remained until the 18th of October, 1863. It was then transferred to the city of Memphis, where it was engaged on picket duty until the 26th of January, 1864, when it left on transports for Vicks- burg, reaching there on the 31st of January. From this point it moved on to the Meridian raid, skirmishing with the enemy at Queen's Hill and at Meridian, where it arrived on the 14th of February.
After tearing up the Mobile & Ohio Railroad track it pro- ceeded to Marion, camped a few days and returned by way of Canton to Vicksburg, reaching there on the 4th of March.
COL. C. D. MURRAY, Second Resident Attorney of Howard County.
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
The Eighty-ninth left Vicksburg on the 10th of March for the mouth of the Red river, reaching Semmesport on the 12th, and on the next day assisted in assaulting the fort, which was captured on the 14th. It moved from there to Alexandria, thence to Hender- son's Hill, and there captured two hundred and seventy rebels and four pieces of artillery. The Eighty-ninth bore a conspicuous part in the battle of Pleasant Hill on the 9th of April, 1864.
On the 7th of May the regiment met the enemy at Bayou La Mourie, and after a sharp engagement charged and repulsed him. Resuming march toward the Mississippi, the regiment repulsed the enemy near Marksville, in a slight engagement, and on the 18th, at Smith and Norwood's plantation, had a severe contest and repulsed the enemy with great slaughter.
On the 19th the regiment embarked for Vicksburg, arriving on the 24th of May. It remained here until June 4th, when it embarked for Memphis, leaving this point for Colliersville. . It now escorted a wagon train to Moscow and then moved to Lagrange, Tennessee. Here it remained till the 5th of July and marched to Pontock, Mississippi, arriving there on the 11th. Moving from here it engaged in the battle of Tupelo on the 14th of July. The regiment then returned to Memphis, where it remained till Septem- ber, except a short expedition into Northern Mississippi in pursuit of Forest, made in August. On the 19th of September the regi- ment landed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and on the 2d day of October started in pursuit of the rebel General Price.
In this expedition the regiment marched seven hundred and fifty miles and was in no engagement, but had the misfortune to lose Quartermaster Ashley, who, with two other officers, stopped to take dinner at a country house. Falling behind the column a short distance, they were captured by guerillas and murdered almost immediately after near the village of Greenton, Missouri.
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This long march ended at St. Louis, where the regiment re- mained till the latter part of November and then took steamer to Nashville, where it arrived on the 30th, and on the 15th and 16th of the following month took part in the battle near that place. On the 17th, starting in pursuit of Hood's army, it marched to the Tennessee river, and on January 1, 1865, was transported to East- port. Mississippi. Here it remained till February 9th, when it pro- ceeded by steamer to Vicksburg and thence to New Orleans, arriv- ing there on the 21st of February. From there it moved on trans- ports to Dauphin Island, near Mobile, on the 8th of March, and on the 19th up Mobile bay by steamer to the mouth of Fish river, and thence to Doris Mills, where it remained till March 25th.
It then marched to a point between Spanish Fort and Blakely and participated in the siege until the fortifications were taken.
The regiment now went to Montgomery, Alabama, thence to Providence and then took transports to Mobile. where it was mus- tered out of service on the 19th of July, 1865. During its term of service the Eighty-ninth marched two thousand. three hundred and sixty-three miles on foot, traveled by steamer seven thousand, one hundred and twelve miles and by rail one thousand, two hun- dred and thirty-two miles, making total distance traveled ten thou- sand, seven hundred and seven miles.
COMPANY E, ELEVENTH CAVALRY.
Late in the fall of 1863 a company was recruited in this county. under the call of September 14th of that year.
The officers were: John M. Garrett, captain: William H. Sumption, first lieutenant. and Jesse A. Cate, second lieutenant. This company became Company E of the Eleventh Cavalry. One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment, which perfected its organi-
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
zation at Indianapolis, March 1, 1864, the command being given to Robert T. Stewart.
On the first day of May the regiment left Indianapolis and moved by rail to Nashville, Tennessee. It arrived on the 7th of May and remained until the Ist of June, when it marched to Larkins- ville, Alabama, and was placed on duty along the line of the Mem- phis and Charleston Railroad. The regiment was kept on this duty until the 16th of October, when it marched back to Nashville, where it was mounted and sent to the front. It was actively engaged in the campaign in front of Nashville in November and December, and after the defeat of Hood's forces pursued him as far as Gravelly Springs, Alabama. It was then dismounted and placed on duty until February 7. 1865, when it crossed the Tennessee river to East- port. Mississippi, and remained there until the 12th of May. In obedience to orders the regiment embarked on a steamer for St. Louis, arriving May 17th. After being remounted it marched to Rolla, Missouri, and from there to Fort Riley, Kansas, where it was engaged in guarding the Santa Fe route across the plains with headquarters at Cottonwood Crossing. From this place it marched to Fort Leavenworth, arriving September 11th.
On the 19th of September the regiment was mustered out of service in compliance with telegraphic orders received from the general commanding the Department of Missouri. It arrived at Indianapolis on the 26th of September, partook of a sumptuous din- ner and was publicly welcomed at the State House. The regiment was then marched to Camp Carrington, paid off and discharged.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTIETH REGIMENT.
During the winter of 1863-4 the One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment was recruited from the Eleventh district with headquar-
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ters at Camp Stilwell. This camp was located on the beautiful grounds just east of the C. and C. railroad and south of the resi- dence of Milton Garrigus. T. N. Stilwell, of Anderson, was ap- pointed commander of the post. Company A of this regiment was composed wholly of Howard county volunteers, who elected Elijah W. Penny captain, John B. Littler, first lieutenant, and William S. Birt second lieutenant.
This regiment left its camp in Kokomo on the 16th of March for Nashville, Tennessee. On the 5th of April it marched from this place to Charleston, Tennessee, where it arrived on the 24th. On the 3d of May it broke camp and on the 9th first came into the presence of the enemy at Rocky Face Ridge. From this time until the 15th of May the regiment was engaged in a continual series of skirmishes, terminating in the decisive battle of Resaca, during which the regiment repelled a charge of the enemy. After the battle it joined in the pursuit; skirmishing was constant as day followed day. The rain fell in torrents and the men were destitute of shel- ter, and for a long time short of rations. On the 17th of June the regiment was engaged with the enemy at Lost Mountain and on the 22d at Pine Mountain. On the 27th it drove the rebels into their works at Kenesaw Mountain. It next encountered the enemy near Decatur, drove him beyond its limits and destroyed the railroad. It took a full share in the siege of Atlanta and on the 29th of Au- gust was engaged in the battle of Jonesboro. From the 4th of October the regiment was in pursuit of Hood until the 15th of De- cember, when the battle took place in front of Nashville, lasting two days and resulting in the extinction of Hood's army. Joining in the pursuit, the regiment pushed rapidly on until the 27th, when it went into camp at Columbia. On the 5th of January, 1865, the regiment marched to Clifton and embarked for Cincinnati, Ohio. and thence to Washington City by rail. Embarking on steamer at
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Alexandria, the regiment sailed to Fort Fisher, North Carolina, and disembarked.
From Fort Fisher the regiment embarked for Morehead City and thence went by rail to Newbern, North Carolina. On the 8th of March the enemy was encountered at Wise's Forks, and aban- doned the field in great confusion.
The One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment took a prominent part in this engagement and moved immediately after its close to Kingston, and on the 20th of March moved to Goldsboro. Leaving this place, it went to Smithfield, and thence to Raleigh, where it ar- rived April 14th. From Raleigh the regiment moved to Greens- boro, thence to Charlotte, where it went into camp. During the summer and fall of 1865 the regiment was employed in guard duty at Charlotte. On the 2d of December, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of service at this place and arrived at home on the 13th. L'pon its arrival it was greeted with a public reception. Its members on receiving final payment and discharge, left for their homes.
ONE HUNDRED DAY MEN.
On the 28th of April, 1864, Mr. T. C. Phillips received the fol- lowing telegram :
"Twenty thousand volunteers to serve one hundred days in the army of the United States are called for from Indiana. Will you please consult with patriotic citizens of your county and take such steps as will insure the raising of the men as speedily as possible ? Plan of organization by mail today. By order of the Governor. "WILLIAM H. SCHLATER, Colonel and Military Secretary."
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIFTH AND ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-
SEVENTH REGIMENTS.
Harrison Stewart, who had been one of the first to volun-
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MORROW'S HISTORY
teer in the three months' service, immediately began to recruit a company under this call.
Failing to raise a full company, the men from this county were consolidated with a part of a company from Montgomery county, and became Company I of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regi- ment. Mr. Stewart was commissioned first lieutenant. This regi- ment departed for Tennessee in the latter part of May, 1864. In a few days after the organization of the above company another full company reported ready for service with B. Busby captain ; Milton Garrigus, first lieutenant, and Daniel G. Wilkins, second lieutenant. This company proceeded at once to Indianapolis and became Com- pany C of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment. In the organization of the regiment Mr. Garrigus was promoted adjutant. This regiment also proceeded to Tennessee. Both regiments on ar- riving at Nashville were assigned to duty along the lines of the rail- road used by General Sherman for the transportation of supplies to his army, then advancing on Atlanta. Both these regiments served beyond the period of one hundred days, and returned to Indianapo- lis, where they were finally discharged from service.
COMPANY I. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.
At the expiration of his term of service in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment Milton Garrigus at once set about organ- izing another company with headquarters at Indianapolis. . A few men from this county joined this company, which, when organized, became Company I of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regi- ment, which enlisted for one year under the call of July, 1864. Mr. Garrigus was commissioned captain and Timothy Scott second lien- tenant.
THE FINAL ENLISTMENT.
Harrison Stewart recruited the last company raised in the
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OF HOWARD COUNTY.
county. This was Company H of the One Hundred and Fifty- third Regiment. The officers were: Harrison Stewart, captain ; Aquilla Myers, first lieutenant, and Henry B. Stewart, second lieu- tenant. This regiment was organized at Indianapolis on the Ist of March, 1865, and left on the 5th for Nashville, but was stopped at Louisville by order of General Palmer and sent to Russellville, where it was sent out in detachments to Hopkinsville, Bowling Green and other points in that section of country.
Company H was at different times engaged in fighting guer- rillas, but sustained no losses. On the 16th of June the regiment returned to Louisville and was assigned to duty at Taylor Barracks. where it remained until September 4, 1865, when it was mustered out of service.
It was publicly welcomed home at Indianapolis on the 6th in the Capitol grounds. Speeches were made by General Mansfield, Hon. John H. Farquar and Colonel Nelson Trusler.
MORGAN'S RAID IN INDIANA AND OHIO.
Early in July, 1863, General John Morgan with his guerrilla bands of soldiers crossed the Ohio river from Kentucky into south- ern Indiana, creating intense excitement throughout Indiana, many being apprehensive he would come as far north as Indianapolis, burning and destroying property as they went.
He had a small force and the rapid gathering of the citizen soldiery of the state made it exceedingly unsafe for him, and turn- ing to the east, he went into Ohio and sweeping around Cincinnati, attempted to recross the Ohio above Cincinnati.
On July 10, 1863, the following telegram was received here from the Governor :
"T. C. Phillips, Kokomo, Ind. :
"I want all the available force from your county brought to
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this city at the earliest possible moment. Come organized if pos- sible. Organization, however, can be completed here and arms fur- nished. Please send runners over the country and inform all the people. Answer what you can do. Bring blankets.
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