USA > Indiana > Orange County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 60
USA > Indiana > Washington County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 60
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 60
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others, was commissioned Brigadier-General. In later years the organi- zation of the county militia was merely nominal, and the musters were little better than farces, owing, doubtless, to the prevailing sense of security from danger from enemies.
ORANGE COUNTY IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
The war with Mexico in 1846-47 brought ont more than a full com- pany from Orange County. On the 13th of May, 1846, President Polk called for volunteers, and soon afterward in response to this William A. Bowles, Trustin B. Kinder, William T. Spicely, John Murray and oth- ers, began the formation of a company in the county. The organization was completed some time in June, and the following officers were elected: William A. Bowles, Captain; T. B. Kinder, First Lieutenant; W. T. Spicely, Second Lieutenant; John Murray, Third Lieutenant. Soon after this the company assembled at Paoli to march to New Albany, where the Second Regiment, to which they were assigned, was being organized. The boys in bright new uniforms were drawn up in front of the residence of the Captain, and were there presented with a beautiful banner in behalf of the county by one of the Doughertys, it is said Capt. Bowles replied in a short eloquent speech, pledging the lives of his company for the preservation of the national flag. Lieut. Kinder, a tal- ented young lawyer, delivered a speech of considerable length and of great strength. He declared that he would leave his bones to bleach on the sunny plains of Mexico rather than see his country's flag dishonored and trailed in the dust. Lieut. Spicely also delivered a speech to the same effect. The company, then. in wagons and on horseback, started for New Albany, being escorted some distance from town by the brass band of Paoli. and a large delegation of sorrowing relatives and friends. some of whom continued on to New Albany. The Company became B, of the Second Regiment. Indiana Volunteers. and at New Albany Capt. Bowles was promoted to the Colonelcy of the regiment, and was succeeded as Captain of Company B, by T. B. Kinder. In July the regiment started for Mexico. An account of the service of this regiment will be found in another part of this volume. The roll of the company at the date of munster-in cannot be given. The following is the roll June 23, 1847, at the time of muster out: William T. Spicely, Captain; John Murray, First Lieutenant: John Gullett, Second Lieutenant; D. S. Lewis, Third Lieutenant: John Hungate, Augustus G. Brooks, James H. Vandeveer, and Abner Dougherty, Sergeants; Eli McDonald, Albert Mayfield, Chris- tian P. Leatherman and Christopher C. Shore, Corporals. Privates- David A. Apple, John Allen, John R. Allen, William Burks, James Blackburn, John Brown, Robert W. Bolton, Thornton. Burgeas, William Cook, Patrick Cosgrove, Martin Cutsinger. James Cobble, Alexander Conklin. G. Dougherty, Abe Dover, Epaulette Dufriend, James Dooley,
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Irwin Drake, Charles Edwards, Henry Edwards, Martin Gobble, Daniel Hulmstutter, John Hulmstutter, Samuel Harris, Samuel Hostetler, B. N. Hostetler, H. B. Hawkins, William Henson. Edward W. Hollowell, Nel. son Johnson, Squire Kesterson, Joshua Y. Lewis, John R. McGhee, Elihu McDonald, Elias F. Moyer, James Moyer, William Morgan, Francis N. Noblitt, James M. Pinnick, Elijah Pinnick, Josephus Pounds, Jonathan Palmer, Elisha Pruett, Jacob Quinlan, Hiram Russell, W. J. Shelton. William Scarlett, John A. Smith, Eli Stalenp. Oliver M. Throop, Angel Tillery, George H. Tyler, Samuel VanCamp and Benjamin Walker. The following were killed at Buena Vista: Capt. T. B. Kinder, John T. Har- din. Joseph Lafferty, Arthur Massey, David McDonald. John Shultz and Joseph H. Harrison. The following died of wounds or disease: James H. Edwards, James H. Smith. David W. Johnson. Wesley Edwards. John Robertson, Benjamin Taylor, William Goldsmith. The following were discharged, probably for disability: William Warren, Robert Dougherty, Henry Harrison, Joab Burt, Enos Evans, Alexander Keith. Harvey Morris, Clement McDonald and John P. McDonald. At the bat- tle of Buena Vista Capt. Kinder was dangerously wounded, and was placed in ambulance which started for the rear, but was upset in one of the many ravines on the battle field. Here the wounded Captain was killed by the Mexican Lancers. His body was brought to Paoli where it was publicly received by a large assemblage at the court house, and was then conveyed to Indianapolis, the former home of the young sol- dier. for interment, being also publicly received by a large throng of cit- zens at Orleans on the way. John T. Hardin was killed by a spent ball just as the battle was over. Another company of this regiment was partly raised in Orange County, an account of which will be found in Part V.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN 1860-61.
A strong political sentiment prevailed in Orange County for one or more years next prior to the Rebellion of 1961-65. The citizens were aware of the differences which bitterly divided the North and the South, and took sides according to their education, sympathy, location or con- scientious belief. The great majority of the people of the county stoutly denounced any interference whatever on the part of the North with the institution of slavery, many Republicans being of that 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 ordinances of secession and make preparations
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to set up a separate government, the question of the constitutional right of coercion became for a time the all-absorbing topic. In November, 1860, the able editor of the American Eagle, H. Comingore, said through his paper :
"It does appear to us that our Southern neighbors are acting rather hastily-notwithstanding they have great canse for complaint. They should wait and see what course Lincoln intends to pursue. If it is his determination to carry out the ultra-Republican doctrines against the South, it will then be time enough for them to take steps for a separation of the Union."
This was perhaps the prevailing sentiment in the county. The major- ity of the citizens were of Southern origin, had relatives and pecuniary interests in the South, believed in State sovereignty, the right of seces- sion and the right of slavery, and had for years opposed that Northern faction which had advocated the abolition of slavery. In this view they were highly determined and conscientious. The Eagle of December 27, 1860, said:
" We are satisfied that the citizens of South Carolina have acted rather hastily in passing their secession ordinance. They should have waited the action of the efforts now making in Congress to secure the rights of the Southern States."
The paper, as an exponent of the views of many in the county, broached and discussed the subject as to what Indiana, particularly the southern portion, should do in the dilemma-whether she should go with the South in case of a dissolution of the Union, or remain with the North. On the 17th of January, 1861, a large mass meeting of the cit- izens was held at Paoli to consider the state of the country. Theodore Stackhouse was made President of the meeting ; John H. Campbell and David Hudelson, Vice Presidents: J. N. Riley, John Frazer and H. Comingore, Secretaries. Prayer was offered by Rev. J. B. Ramsdell, and the following committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting: J. B. Buskirk, Dr. J. A. Ritter, John Frazer, Jonathan Lindley, W. Proctor, Rev. Ramsdell, William Holaday, N. Wil- lis, W. F. Mavity, John A. Lane, W. W. Wells and S. Foster. While this committee were preparing their report, patriotic speeches were deliv- ered by Rev. Ramsdell, A. J. Simpson, T. Stackhouse, D. S. Huffstutter, Dr. S. Dill. F. Wilson, MI. S. Mavity. et. al. The sentiments of the ora- tors were loyalty to the Government, and the fervent hope that the Union might be preserved with the rights of all factions undisturbed. The res- olutions prepared by the committee were read and unanimously adopted by the representatives of all political factions of the county. They rec- ommended that the Crittenden Resolutions be adopted as the basis upon which all differences might be amicably adjusted; affirmed that the laws and the Constitution must be sustained and enforced, and favored a State
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Convention to determine what course Indians should pursue. Great enthusiasm and harmony prevailed. A similar meeting was held at Livo- nia. and was largely attended. On the 15th of February. 1861. a sim- ilar meeting was held at French Lick, a large crowd assembling from . many miles in all directions. Rev. Samuel G. Hamilton was President, and A. J. Rhodes, Secretary. Resolutions were reported by W. A. Bowles, David Livingood and Reuben Cox, Committee, stating that this was a white man's government, regretting the severance of the Union, and hop- ing that it might be restored; opposing the coercion of the Southern States, and expressing sympathy for the South in the perversion of the Constitution by the President of the United States. The meeting was strongly divided over these resolutions, and a warin discussion ensued. Soon after this Mr. Bowles challenged any person in the county to pub- licly debate with him the question of the right of slavery from a Bible standpoint, he to affirm. So far as known, the challenge was not accepted.
THE COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.
The news of the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter created great excitement in the county, and brought out expressions of all shades of opinion from ultra-Abolitioniam to ultra-Secession. Many of the cit- izens were unfavorable to coercion, and so stated. Others were for imme. diate war. Some were in doubt as to the best course to pursue. All or nearly all were opposed to a permanent dissolution of the Union. Many opposed any interference with slavery. Some thought the South right; others the North. A revolution in opinion was undergoing. The crisis in political opinion had been reached, but still many hesitated, not wishing to make a mistake on so vital a question. Soon a decided stand was made in favor of the raising of volunteers for the preservation of the Union. Steps were immediately taken to raise a company of home guards at Paoli, and perhaps elsewhere, to insure the security of life and property at home. On the 25th of April, the Eagle said: " We have con- tended from the start against a civil war, and shall continue to advocate that policy to the end. If the South should make an attempt to invade the North, we will be found as ready as any man to repel the invasion." The same issue also said: " We are opposed to war being made upon the Southern States by the North, and we are just as strongly opposed to the South making war upon the Northern States. We sincerely hope and trust that it may not be necessary to use force on either side." The same issue said: " On Tuesday an American flag with the word Union, and each State represented by a star was put up on the public square. It is a neat flag and pole, to which nobody will object." The issue of May 2, said: "A number of our young men have joined a company of horsemen at Bedford to go into the service of the State." L. B. Cogs. well and A. Ebling were Captains of the home guards at Paoli-one of
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a horse company and the other of a foot company. Night watches were instituted at Paoli and Orleans to be in readiness for any emergency which might threaten the towns or citizens.
THE FIRST VOLUNTEERS FOR THE WAR.
It is said that the first troops from Orange County to get into the United States service went south about the middle of May and joined a loyal Kentucky regiment. Their names and numbers cannot be given. The first considerable number of men who left the county for the service was raised in the vicinity of Orleans, and left for Cincinnati to join the United States service about the 20th of June. There were twenty-five or thirty of them, under the command of Thomas N. Davis. A number of them returned when it was found difficult to get into satisfactory regi- ments. Those who remained there were Hugh Langford, Alfred Smith, E. H. Talbot, J. K. McPherson, John Hall, John A. Lee, John Donavan, W. H. H. Wright, C. A. Smith, G. W. Harrison, H. B. Martin, Gilbert Heart, J. H. Nitsman, Samuel R. Tegarden, R. E. Marygoes, W. C. Fitts. J. M. Waldrip, Christian Clayton and J. F. Gotzell. What became of these men cannot be stated definitely.
UNION MASS MEETINGS.
On the 15th of May, after the citizens had had time to deliberate since the fall of Fort Sumter, an enormous Union meeting of the citizens of Orange and Washington Counties was held at Livonia. William R. Wible was made Chairman, and E. P. Huston, Secretary. Jobu L Morri- son spoke for over an hour with the most tiery loyalty. Revs. McCann, Hutchinson and Barr followed him in addresses of like loyalty and elo- quence. The Committee on Resolutions, A. McPheeters, William Guth- rie, W. F. Patton and E. L. Stalker, reported a long series, expressing the determination to stand by the old flag, declaring that no State had the right to secede-that such an act was treason, asserting that the South was responsible for the war, approving the prompt and decisive action of the Government, and the arming of the militia, and expressing gratitica- tion at the quick response from the loyal States to the call for volunteers. This was one of the strongest and most loyal meetings of the war.
COMPANIES OF HOME GUARDS.
Soon after this H. T. Braxtan issued a call for about thirty volun- teers for the company of Capt. Sheeks, then forming at Mitchell. About this time, also, a rifle company was organized at Paoli, and uniforms were obtained. In several places throughout the county hickory poles were erected, up which were run the stars and stripes, usually amid loyal cheers. The parties were uniting to preserve the Union. Early in June a large meeting of all parties was held at Paoli, where appropriate reso- Intions were adopted expressing sorrow for the death of Senator Douglas.
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In June two companies of home guards (afterward the Indiana Legion) were organized in Orange County, and mustered into service-one com- pany being at Orleans and the other at Orangeville. The officers of the Orangeville Company were: John A. Ritter, Captain; Theodore Stack. house, First Lieutenant; Thomas B. Ware, Second Lieutenant. The Orleans Company was officered as follows: William T. Spicely, Captain; Charles Jenkins, First Lieutenant; Arthur W. Gray, Second Lieutenant .. Both companies were mustered into the State service June 26.
VOLUNTEERS FOR THE TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
During the latter part of June and the early part of July, from the home guards or militia organizations, two full companies were raised in the county for the Twenty- fourth Regiment which rendezvoused at Vin. cennes, under Col. A. P. Hovey. One company was mainly raised in and around Orleans, and the other in and around Paoli, though men were secured from all portions of the county. W. T. Spicely led the move- ment at Orleans, and Solomon Dill at Paoli. War meetings were held at these two towns and at Valeene, Chambersburg, Orangeville, French Lick and elsewhere. At these meetings orators would inflame the patri- otism of the young men, in fiery and eloquent addresses, and beautiful ladies would pass the fatal enlistment. roll around. At Orleans about fifty of the old citizens pledged themselves to care for the families of volunteers in the company of Capt. Spicely. Great interest was felt throughout the county for the companies of Capts. Spicely and Dill. In the short space of a week and a half or two weeks. both companies were raised and fally organized. The officers of the company at Orleans were W. T. Spicely, Captain; Charles S. Jenkins, First Lieutenant; A. W. Gray, Second Lieutenant; and the officers of the Paoli Company were Solomon Dill, Captain; John W. Tucker, First Lieutenant; S. H. South - wick, Second Lieutenant. Capt. Spicely's company left Orleaus for Vincennes, July 10. 1861, and was given a public and touching farewell by the citizens. Good advice was given the boys in public addresses, and responses were made by members of the company. Two or three days later Capt. Dill's company left Paoli for Vincennes, going via Orleans and Mitchell. A large crowd of town and country folk assembled on the public square at Paoli to see the boys off. The occasion though enthusiastic was sober and sorrowful. Ah. it was hard to see the dear boys go. There were brothers and fathers and husbands and sons there --- some going away forever, brave, valient, beloved. to die amid the cypress or magnolia swamps of the "Sunny South," or perhaps to return with empty sleeves or broken constitutions. Good-byes and kisses were exchanged amid bitter tears and passionate embraces, and with colors Hy. ing and drums beating. away the company went. The American Eagle of July 18 said "No county in the State made up two companies of volun -
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teers and sent them into camp in a shorter time than our county did. From the best information we can get, over 300 men have volunteered from our county."
SKETCH OF THE REGIMENT.
Capt. Spicely's company became G of the Twenty-fourth Regiment, and Capt. Dill's, Company B of the same regiment. Both companies were mustered into the three years' service on the 31st of July, 1561. and with their regiment started for St. Louis, Mo., on the 19th of August. The regiment joined Gen. Fremont's forces and moved into the interior of Missouri, where it remained until February, 1862, when it joined the troops at Fort Donelson. It reached Paducah one day after the surrender of Fort Donelson, thence moved to Fort Henry, and later moved with Gen. Grant's army to Pittsburg Landing. At the battle of Shiloh it was hotly engaged, losing many officers and men including its Major, John Gerber. Col. Hovey having been promoted Brigadier-General, he was succeeded by W. T. Spicely, of Orleans. This was May 14, 1862. In May and June the regiment participated in the siege of Corinth and after the evacuation moved to Memphis, and in July to Helena, Ark., where it remained dur. ing the succeeding winter, participating in sundry expeditions. In the spring of 1803 it joined Grant's army and moved with Hovey's division of the Thirteenth Corps, in the campaign against Vicksburg, engaging in all the battles and skirmishes, including the battles of Port Gibson and Champion Hills. In the latter battle it distinguished itself for its daring charges on the enemy. It was actively engaged in the trenches before Vicksburg during the siege from May 19 to July 4. After this in August it moved to New Orleans by boat. In the fall of 1863 it did duty at New Iberia, La., and later at Algiers, near New Orleans, where January 1, 1864, it " veteranized," and soon afterward was granted a furlough. During the year 1564, the regiment occupied various points in Louisiana, and while at Morganza in December was consolidated with the Sixty-seventh Regiment, the new organization retaining the designa. tion of the Twenty- fourth Regiment. In January, 1865, it moved to Barrancos, Fla., remaining there until the movement againt Mobile in April, in which it participated, fighting near Blakely, assaulting the enemy several times and first placing the Federal colors npon the rebel works. After this it moved to Selma, Ala., and thence to Galveston, Tex. On the 16th of July, 1865, it was re organized as a battalion of tive companies. The other five companies, consisting of the older sol- diers, were mustered out of the service and sent home, being publicly received at Indianapolis. The battalion remained in the service until early in 1566.
COMPANIES FOR THE THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
The American Eagle of August 15, 1861, said: " H. L. Williams and others are now engaged in getting up a third company for the war.
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The officers of the company will not be elected until after it is made up. We understand that half of the company is ready." At this time also, Lieut. Wheeler, of Bartholomew County called for recruits in Orange County. By the 25th of August the company of Capt. Williams lacked only about fifteen men of being full, and at this time the officers were elected as follows: H. L. Williams, Captain; T. D. Potter, First Lieu. tenant; William Leonard, Second Lieutenant. Soon after this the remainder of men necessary were obtained, and on the 31st of August the company left the county for New Albany to join the Thirty-eighth Regiment. Wheeler's company was quickly formed, and the following officers were elected: W. C. Wheeler, Captain; George W. Webb, First Lieutenant; John P. Southern, Second Lieutenant. Wheeler's com- pany became A of the Thirty-eighth Regiment, and Williams' company I of the same. They left the county about the same time, and were mostly mustered in on the 17th and 18th of September, 1861. Sixteen or eight. een men joined Company I later, and were mustered in October 4.
SERVICE OF THE THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
The Thirty-eighth Regiment, to which these companies were assigned, entered the three years' service, and on the 21st of September, 1861. moved to Elizabethtown, Ky. The fall and winter were passed at Camps Nevin and Wood, on Barren and Green Rivers. In February, 1862, it moved with Buell's army against Bowling Green and Nashville, reaching the latter place March 6. On the 25th it moved to Franklin, thence to Columbia, thence to Shelbyville, and while at this point moved several times against Morgan's cavalry. On the 13th of May the regiment skir- mished the enemy near Rogersville. On the 29th of May it moved toward Chattanooga, arriving on June 7, then returned to Shelbyville. and soon moved to Stevenson, and to Decherd, where it remained from August 17 to the crossing of the Tennessee River by Bragg. then fell back to Nashville, and later to Louisville. It participated in the cam- paign through Kentucky, and fought gallantly at Perryville, losing twenty-seven killed, 123 wounded and seven prisoners. On the 2d of November it moved to Bowling Green, where it was placed with the First Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps. Early in December it moved to Nashville, and later to near Murfreesboro, where, on the 31st of December, 1862, and the 1st and 2d of January, 1863, it participated in the galling battle of Stone River, losing fourteen killed and eighty-six wounded. It camped at Murfreesboro. and later moved toward Chatta. nooga, skirmishing hotly at Hoover's Gap, losing one killed and fifteen wounded. On the 19th and 20th of September, 1863, it was desperately engaged at bloody Chickamauga, losing nine men killed, fifty-nine wounded and forty-two missing. It then returned to Chattanooga, but late in November took part in the engagements of Lookout Mountain
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and Mission Ridge. The winter was passed at Rossville, Ga., and at Chattanooga; and at the former place the regiment "veteranized" December 28. 1863, and January 3, 1864, started home on "veteran furlough " reaching Indianapolis on the 9th with 360 men and. officers. Late in February it took the field at Chattanooga, thence moved to Tyner's Station in March and Graysville in April. On May 7 it started on the Atlanta campaign, and participated in all the engagements on that famous march, losing a total of 103 men, killed, wounded and missing. At Jonesboro, the regiment carried the rebel works in a charge. The color-bearer was shot as he planted the colors inside the rebel works, and Lieut. Redding seized them and carried them through the day. Early in October it moved after Hood as far as Gaylesville, Ala., and in November started on the "march to the sea." On the 5th of February, 1865. it started from Savannah northward through the Carolinas, par- ticipating in all the battles of note as at Bentonville. Later it moved to Raleigh, and, after Johnson's surrender, to Richmond and on to Wash- ington. It was then transferred to Louisville, Ky., and after a time was mustered out July 15, 1865. Indianapolis was reached July 18, with about 600 men. where the boys were given a public reception by Gov. Morton and others. They were then discharged.
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