USA > Indiana > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Indiana > Part 43
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
was scarcely less vigorous than at Seymour. A company of home guards was at once organized under the name of the "Jackson Guards," and was composed of the most prominent men of the place. Drills were begun and kept up with tolerable regularity. Union meetings were held in all parts of the county, and were well attended by the crowds full of patriotism and devotion to the Union. At Crothersville, on Tuesday, April 23, a large meeting was held at which John Hamacher was appointed president, Dan- iel and Thomas W. Baker, vice presidents; T. N. Jordon and John B. Taulman, secretaries. A stirring speech was made by Rev. William Gillaspy, and the following committee of five ap- pointed to draft resolutions ; James Gillaspy, Dr. B. Hudson, W. H. Nading, Charles G. Trueblood, and Henry T. Lewis. At Houston a meeting was held in the office of Dr. Richards. The
meeting was opened by singing and prayer, and short patriotic speeches were made. A series of vigorous resolutions were adopted, denouncing the Rebellion and approving the course of the President. There were present these men who took part in the proceedings : Rev. J. T. Richards, John Scott, G. M. Findley, Dr. Richards, J. W. Newkirk, Ira Cormitt, Hiram Noe and Luther Hinote. A patriotic meeting was held at Vallonia, at which A. J. Burrell presided. Speeches were made by T. B. Tanner, J. B. Brown, S. W. Holmes, T. A. Wilson, John Tanner and C. P. Hollis. Notwithstanding this apparent unparalleled enthusiasm of the citizens throughout the county, there was an under-current setting in in opposition to the war. Many thought the Government had exceeded its constitutional authority in its conduct with the Southern States, and that instead of aggression the Rebellion ought to be met with conciliation and compromise. Many of the settlers of the county had come from the Southern States, and they had always acted with the South politically, thus forming an attachment for that portion of the country which was hard to overcome. Their teachings had been the same as the
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large majority of that section, and they believed many of the fal- lacies that attended the doctrine of secession. However, it was hard for them to concede a disruption of the Union, in which they had so long lived in contentment. There was a fond- ness for the old flag that could not be destroyed at a single blow, hardly with a long course of systematic teaching. During the month of May, a circumstance occurred at Seymour, that was the subject of considerable comment at the time. A Dr. Ewing, who had formerly been a citizen of the county, but at that time lived in Kentucky, while on a visit to that town was waited upon by & large number of the people there and presented with a letter which he had written to a friend, saying that he intended to cast his lot with the Confederate cause. He was requested to take an oath of allegiance to the United States, but this he refused to do. The crowd was almost turned into a mob, and under threats of violence he was finally compelled to take the oath. The spirit was then caught up, and the crowd demanded that others who lived in town and were suspected of disloyalty, should be compelled to do likewise. By the coolness and judgment of a few men the crowd was finally dispersed without doing any violence. This was a timely warning to those who may have held notions obnoxious to the cause of the Union.
OTHER COMPANIES ORGANIZED.
During the spring and summer enlisting continued active throughout the county. In the months of July and August, two more full companies were organized and mustered into the service. These were Companies B of the Twenty-second Regiment, and G of the Twenty-fifth. The former was composed of men mostly from the vicinity of Brownstown, and was recruited by . Gordon Tanner. The election for officers was held July 4, and Thomas H. B. Tanner chosen captain; James M. Lewis, first lieutenant; Albert G. Black, second lieutenant. This company
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left Brownstown Tuesday, July 11, for Camp Noble near Madison. The company was escorted to the depot by the Jackson Greys, Lieut. Dobbs in command. At the depot a large crowd of ladies and gentlemen gathered to bid farewell to the patriotic volunteers. They were addressed by Jason B. Brown, and a response was made by Capt. Tanner. The scene was a most impressive and affecting one, and the train left amid deafening shouts and the waving of hats and handkerchiefs. The company at that time had an enrollment of seventy-six men, but was afterward increased to ninety-nine, exclusive of the officers. During its entire term of service it was recruited with ninety-eight men. It lost in died thirty-six, and six deserted. The commissioned officers with the dates of their commission were as follows: Captains, Thomas H. B. Tanner, July 15, 1861; Israel B. Owens, October 9, 1862; Addison D. Sawyer, March 25, 1863; Matthew W. Tanner, Feb- ruary 20, 1865. First Lieutenants, James M. Lewis, July 15, 1861; John F. C. Tanner, January 4, 1862; Israel B. Owens, April 11, 1862; Addison D. Sawyer, October 9, 1862; William H. Ireland, March 25, 1863; William H. Golden, June, 1865. Second Lieutenants, John F. C. Tanner, July 15, 1861; Israel B. Owen, January 4, 1862; Addison D. Sawyer, April 11, 1862; W. H. Ireland, October 9, 1862; M. W. Tanner, March 25, 1863; W. H. Golden, May 1, 1865; David J. Griffith, June 1, 1865. Capt. Tanner was promoted lieutenant-colonel October 9, 1862, and was wounded at the battle of Stone River. Gordon Tanner, who had recruited the company, was the first major of the regiment, and he died of wounds October 2, 1862, received near Glasgow, Mo. Few regiments saw more hard and active service than the Twenty-second. It was organized at Madison, and mustered in at Indianapolis; from there it moved to St. Louis and joined the army of Gen. Fremont. It was engaged in the battle of Pea Ridge, the siege of Corinth, Perryville, where it lost 50 per cent of the men engaged, Stone River, Mission Ridge, and in the campaign
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of 1864, bore a conspicuous part. It left Chattanooga in May, with Sherman's army, and was engaged at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, battle of Resaca, Rome, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kene- saw Mountain, Chattahoocheeiver, Peach Tree Creek and at Atlanta, from the 28th of July to August 7, Red Oak Station, Jonesboro; and in December, at the siege of Savannah, and then joined in the forward movement through the Carolinas. On the 16th of June, 1865, it was discharged at Indianapolis, and was addressed by Gen. Hovey and Gov. Morton.
ANOTHER COMPANY FOR THE FRONT.
Company G of the Twenty-fifth Regiment was organized at Medora, and the second that left the county for active service. It was recruited early in May, 1861, and left for the camp of ren- dezvous on the 10th of that month. On the day of their depar- ture a beautiful flag was presented to the company by Miss Fe- nie Robinson, on behalf of the ladies of Medora, accompanied by an appropriate and patriotic speech, which was responded to by Hon. John F. Carr. A large crowd had assembled to bid fare- well to the brave boys who had volunteered to defend their coun- try's flag. It was a tearful scene when wives, mothers and daugh- ters said farewell to husbands, fathers and sons, some of them perhaps for the last time. Upon the organization John W. Pool was elected captain, and Jesse Patterson and Azrial W. Flinn, first and second lieutenants. Their commissions were dated July 17, 1861. The later officers were: Captains William H. Crenshaw, September 29, 1862; John Nelson, January 1, 1865. First Lieutenants, W. H. Crenshaw, April 10, 1862; Daniel L. Eversole, September 29, 1862; John Nilson, August 18, 1864; Jacob L. Hinkle, January 1, 1865. Second Lieutenants, W. H. Crenshaw, March 25, 1862; William Guthrie, April 10, 1862; D. L. Eversole, May 1, 1862; John Daley, September 29, 1862; Jacob L. Hinkle, November 8, 1864; Mahlon E. Williamson,
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February 4, 1865. Capt. Pool afterward became major of the Ninety-third Regiment, and Capt. Crenshaw was promoted major of his own regiment. This company started out with an enroll- ment of ninety-seven men and was recruited with a total of fifty- seven. It lost in all thirty-one by death, and five by desertion.
The Twenty-fifth Regiment was organized at Evansville, and mustered into the service on the 19th of August. From there it moved to St. Louis and joined Fremont's army. In December, at Warrensburg, it assisted in the capture of 1,300 rebels. These it escorted to St. Louis, and there remained in Benton until Feb- ruary following, when it joined the expedition against Forts Henry and Donelson. At the latter place it formed part of the attack- ing force, and in a storming party was the first to enter the outer works. The regiment was later engaged at Pittsburg Landing, with a loss of twenty-seven killed and 122 wounded. In the fall it took part in the pursuit of Price and Van Dorn, and engaged them at Hatchie River; after this it marched to northern Missis- sippi, where it remained doing guard duty and chasing guerrillas until September, 1862. It was engaged with a large force of the enemy at Holly Springs. In January following (1863), it was moved to Memphis, and there remained on provost duty until January, 1864, when it joined Sherman's army on its raid through Mississippi. After its veteran furlough, in the early part of 1864, it proceeded to Decatur, Ala., and there remained some time. From the 8th to the 26th of August, it took part in the siege of Atlanta. It then marched around that place, and was in the bat- tle at Jonesboro. In October it moved from Atlanta in pursuit of Hood's army, and fought the battle of Snake Creek Gap. It returned in time to take part in the "march to the sea " and the siege of Savannah. From there it moved northward through the Carolinas, and fought in several battles and skirmishes. It was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 17, 1865, and a few days later was finally discharged at Indianapolis.
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PUBLIC OPINION.
As the summer advanced the people had come to a realization of the true condition of affairs. A strong sentiment set in against the Administration. The Democrats of this locality were ardent for the preservation of the Union, but were stoutly opposed to the party in power, and the methods used, to a large extent, to maintain the Union unimpaired. It was not the object, but the means, that they opposed. The Jackson Union, in an editorial of its issue August 29, 1861, speaking of the opposition in the county to its course in regard to the war, said: "We are glad to learn, however, that we speak the universal sentiment of the De- mocracy of Jackson County, as well as of the conservative portion of the Republican party. While we might consider it our duty as conductor of the organ of the party in Jackson County to yield individual opinion upon a point, involving no great principle, upon the question of Union or no Union, Government or no Govern- ment, which is a purely national question, and has no rele- vance to political parties, we have no concessions to make, no demands with which to comply, no duty to perform save that of a good citizen and loyal patriot. But if we know the Democracy of Jackson County, and we think we do, there will be no occasion for us to be brought in antagonism with them upon the momentous issue at stake. They are for the Union; so are we. They are for the Constitution; so are we. They are for peace, if peace can be had consistently with the national honor and dignity, and so are we. Hence, we stand upon the same plat- form." On Monday, September 2, 1861, the Democrats of the county held a mass convention at Brownstown. Among the reso- lutions adopted is found the following: "That we are not pre- pared to abandon our country in this, the day and hour of her trouble; but that now, as in all her previous trials, the Demo- cratic arm will ever be ready to strike down our country's foes, either at home or abroad; that the corruption, extravagance, in-
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competency and favoritism shown in the war department of the Federal Government deserve, and should receive, our unqualified condemnation; that the present deplorable civil war has been forced upon the country by disunionists of the Southern States, now in revolt against the Constitutional Government and in arms around the Capital." This last resolution was added at the special instance of George W. Carr and Jason B. Brown. These will give a good idea of public sentiment in the summer of 1861.
RENEWED VOLUNTEERING.
Up to this time the President had made three calls for troops, aggregating more than 315,000 men. Under these calls volun- teering went on rapidly in nearly all parts of the North .. Jack- son County was not behind. Recruiting offices were established in all portions of the county, and ample opportunity was afforded for all to enlist who desired. The next company from the county was K, in the Eighth Cavalry (Thirty-ninth) Regiment of Indi- ana Volunteers. This company was recruited mostly from Sey- mour and vicinity, and was composed largely of the men that had been in Capt. Jones' company of three months' volunteers in the Sixth Regiment. At the organization of the regiment Capt. Jones became lieutenant-colonel. Company K was mustered into the service August 19, 1861, with ninety-four men, besides its of- ficers. The commissioned officers during its whole term of service were as follows: Captains, Charles A. Gordon, September 2, 1861; Jacob Mitchell, March 7, 1864. First Lieutenants, John A. Stockdell, September 2, 1861; George W. Gordon, April 3, 1862; Jacob Mitchell, July 18, 1862; John Hamilton, March 7, 1864; James Thompson, January, 1865. Second Lieutenants, Gabriel Woodmansee, September 2, 1861; Andrew J. Coleman, April 15, 1862; John Hamilton, October 20, 1862; Albert Downing, March 7, 1864; Robert Shilling, May 10, 1864; George D. Rigle, Janu- ary 1, 1865. The company was recruited with a total of seventy-
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seven men, and lost in died twenty-three and by desertion seven. They were originally organized as sharpshooters, but were after- ward mounted as cavalry. Soon after organization they went to Kentucky, and remained in the Green River country until the fol- lowing spring. The regiment was engaged at the battle of Shiloh, at Corinth, and then moved through northern Alabama to Nash- ville. From there it went through Kentucky in pursuit of Gen. Bragg. It took part in the battle of Stone River with a severe loss. In April, 1863, it was mounted and served in that capacity throughout the campaign. It was engaged in many skirmishes in various portions of the South and many of the important bat- tles. It saw service in the Sherman campaign against Atlanta and Savannah, and later through the Carolinas. It was discharged at Indianapolis during the last week of July, 1865. Few regi- ments did more effective service than this one.
THE COMPANIES FOR THE FIFTIETH REGIMENT.
Early in the fall of 1861 Cyrus L. Dunham was commissioned a colonel to organize the Fiftieth Regiment. Col. Dunham had for several years been a resident of Jackson County, but a few years prior to that time had moved to New Albany. A camp of rendezvous was established at Seymour, known as Camp Heffren. Under these circumstances Jackson County people came to the front with four companies. Company A was recruited from the south- eastern portion of this county, and was officered as follows: Captains, Samuel T. Wells, September 11, 1861; Andrew J. Burrell, March 1, 1862; Malaich McCoy, April 4. 1863, Residuary Battalion. Company A, Thomas B. Boyatt, October 20, 1864. First-Lieu- tenants, Andrew J. Burrell, September 12, 1861; Henry C. Hous- ton, March 6, 1862; Malaich McCoy, November 28, 1862; John Judy, April 4, 1863, Residuary Battalion. Levi B. Davis, Octo- ber 20, 1864; Albert Owen, March 2, 1865. Second Lieutenants, Malaich McCoy, September 12, 1861; John F. Leonard, Novem-
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ber 28, 1862; Frederick Miller, April 4, 1863, Residuary Bat- talion. Albert Owen, October 20, 1864; Alva West, July 30, 1864. The original muster roll of the company con- tained 101 names, during its entire term of service received forty-five recruits; seven deserted and twenty-seven died. Com- pany B, was officered as follows: Captains, Burr Peck, Septem- 12, 1861; Thomas B. Boyatt, October 20, 1864, Residuary Bat- talion. George W. Taylor, November 11, 1864. First Lieuten- ants, John B. Davies, September 12, 1861; Thomas B. Boyatt, May 20, 1864; Levi B. Davis, October 20, 1864, Residuary Battalion. John Bowman, November 14, 1864. Second Lieuten- ants, Thomas B. Boyatt, September 12, 1861; Levi B. Davis, August 5, 1864; Albert Owen, October 20, 1864, Residuary Battalion, July 30, 1864. This company started out with 102 men and was afterward recruited with fifty-one, a total of 153; eighteen died and eight deserted. Company H of this regiment was organized mostly from men in the northwestern part of the county in the vicinity of Houston. Its officers were: Captains, John Scott, September 12, 1861; George W. Taylor, November 11, 1864. First Lieutenants, Cyrus R. Hunter, September 12, 1861; George W. Taylor, October 31, 1862; John Bowman, No- vember 14, 1864. Second Lieutenants, George W. Taylor, Septem- ber 12, 1861; George W. Hays, October 31, 1862. The original enlistment of this company was ninety-nine, and its total number of recruits was twenty-nine. Its loss by death was twenty-two and by desertion three. The fourth company in this regiment from Jackson County was assigned the position of K, and had for its officers the following men: Captains, Richard McComick, September 12, 1864; James Johnson, November 13, 1864. First Lieutenant, Francis W. Johnson, September 12, 1861. Second Lieutenants, William McForgey, September 12, 1861; William Mahon, February 15, 1862; Edward Harbison, March 1, 1862; James H. Johnson, June 5, 1863; Joseph McNelly, November
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13, 1864. Out of an original enlistment of ninety-five, and twenty-six recruits, fourteen died and three deserted. In addi- tion to these companies, which were composed almost entirely of Jackson County men, the Fiftieth Regiment had a considerable number of men in other companies. The regimental officers from this county were: Colonel, Samuel T. Wells, November 19, 1863, having been both major and lieutenant-colonel before then. John Scott, lieutenant-colonel of Residuary Battalion, September 10, 1862; James R. Monroe, surgeon, October 2, 1862; Amos M. Durand, July 2, 1863.
SKETCH OF THE FIFTIETH REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized at Seymour, and in October, 1861, moved to New Albany. In December it marched to Bards- town, Ky., and went into a camp of instruction. From there it went to Bowling Green, and after the occupation of Nashville it was distributed along the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, where it remained until September, 1862. At that time it was ordered to Munfordsville, and with the forces at that place was surren- dered. On being paroled the regiment proceeded to Indianapolis, where it remained in parole camp until exchanged. Early in November it started for the field, and at Jackson, Tenn., it was attached to Gen. Sullivan's division. On the 31st of December it engaged the enemy under Gen. Forrest during the whole day, at Parker's Cross-Roads, Tenn., capturing 500 prisoners and seven pieces of artillery. The regiment remained in the vicinity of Jackson until the following spring, then went to Memphis by way of Collierville; thence it was ordered to Arkansas, and was engaged at Little Rock. In September it moved to Lewisburg, and there remained on garrison duty until May 17, 1864. In March, 350 of the men re-enlisted as veterans. In the Camden expedition, under the command of Steele, it engaged the enemy at the follow- ing places: Terre Noir, Prairie Leon, Red Mound, Camden and Sa-
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line River. In July the regiment came home on veteran furlough, but in September returned to Little Rock and went into garrison duty for some months. December 31, 1864, the non-veterans were mustered out, and the veterans and recruits to the number of 450 consolidated into a battalion of five companies. The battalion left Arkansas in February, and joined Canby's besieging army near Mobile, in the capture of which it participated, and was also engaged at Spanish Fort. It was afterward in a skirmish at Wheeler's Station .. In May, 1865, the battalion was consolidated with the Fifty-second Regiment. In the new organization Capt. Thomas B. Boyatt was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. Taylor, major. Three of these Jackson County companies were among the re-enlisted as veterans, and served until the close of the war. This in brief is a sketch of the Fiftieth Regiment, of which Jackson County formed so large a proportion. Its officers acquitted themselves with credit, and many of them are still in the county. At the battle of Parker's Cross Roads Col. Wells was in command, and served with distinction.
FOUR MORE COMPANIES.
The Sixty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers was scarcely less conspicuous for the number of men from Jackson County which it contained, than the Fiftieth. This regiment was organized under the call of July, 1862. The camp of rendezvous was fixed at Madison, and when it became known that Judge Frank Emerson was to be the colonel, the activity in volunteering throughout the county was never before nor since equaled. Many, in fact all, who were inclined to enlist saw a favorable opportunity of doing so with a large band of their own acquaint- ances, commanded by officers well known to be of the truest kind. An account of each of the four companies furnished for this reg- iment is here given in the order they were assigned in the reg- iment:
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Of Company E, commanded by Byford E. Long, as captain, the Jackson Union of August 14, 1862, says: "On Monday we were again an eye-witness to the impressive scene of husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and lovers bidding an affectionate adieu to their near and dear ones, previous to their departure for camp and initiation into the military service of their country. It was upon the occasion of the departure of Capt. B. E. Long's com- pany for the rendezvous at Madison. While we felt proud and happy at the valor and patriotism which prompted the men to enlist in the service of their country, yet we experienced the most painful emotions of regret and sorrow as we meditated upon the necessity which required them to abandon the comforts and peace- ful pursuits of home in exchange for the hardships and dangers of a soldier's life, and at that moment we fain would have been the executioner to touch the fated spring which would have launched the guilty originators of the existing unhappy war into the uttermost depths of hell and damnation. The company was called together at noon on Monday, when the men partook of a bountiful repast on the court house lawn, prepared by the beauti- ful and patriotic ladies of Brownstown, and for which they received the heartfelt thanks and lasting gratitude of the gallant soldiers. After the boys did ample justice to the palatable viands, they, and the assembled concourse of ladies and gentleman, were entertained in a brief speech by Capt. Long. At about half past three o'clock, the company was formed into line and marched to the depot. An immense multitude had congregated at the depot to witness the departure of the company. Previous to the arrival of the train, in response to loud calls, patriotic speeches were made by Capt. Long and Holmes W. Chadwick." The orig- inal enlisted men in this company were ninety-eight. Its total loss was thirty-eight, including seven deserters. Capt. Long was the only captain, and his commission was dated August 20, 1862, and was honorably discharged November 5, 1864. The first lieu-
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tenants were James B. Stilwell, August 20, 1864; Meredith R. Edmunds, September 3, 1863. Second lieutenants: Andrew J. Hamilton, August 20, 1862; Meredith R. Edmunds, June 1, 1863.
Company F was raised in the vicinity of Medora, and was officered by William C. Hall as captain, his commission being dated August 20, 1862. The first lieutenants were James W. Owen, August 20, 1862; Lewis W. Peck, April 25, 1863. Second lieutenants, Charles D. Prow, August 20, 1862; John M. Henderlider, April 25, 1863. The original enrollment was 83, and its recruits were 4. Of these 1 deserted and 11 died. A company was raised at Seymour for the Sixty-seventh, and it was assigned the position of G. At the election of officers Nelson Crabb was elected captain, Stephen Story and George T. Polson lieutenants. Their commissions were dated August 20, 1862. Story was promoted captain September 5, 1863, and at the same time John H. McCormick was commissioned first lieutenant. These were the 'only changes in the company's com- missioned officers. Out of a total enrollment of 94 the loss was but five died.
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