History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 77

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships > Part 77

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

This list may be even now incomplete, since it is true that many are put down to the wrong county, as Randolph men to Wayne, Jay County men to Randolph, etc., and for great num- bers their places of residence were left entirely blank -a defect much to be regretted, indeed, but which, at this late day, it is impossible to supply.

Many Randolph soldiers also enlisted in regiments from other States, or in the regular United States service. For instance, a large number joined the Fortieth Ohio Regiment, of which Col. Jonathan Cranor was the commanding officer.

Besides, most of the colored volunteers from Randolph (of whom there were many) joined in such a way that their names do not appear on the record made by the Adjutant General's office as enlisting from Randolph, or, indeed, from the State of Indiana at all.

Very many, also, of the soldiers now residing in Randolph. enlisted from other counties. and many. too, even from other States, which fact causes the preparation of a full and accurate account of the soldiers of and in Randolph to be a task doubly and trebly difficult.

The Adjutant General's office is not to be blamed for its lack of information, since doubtless the reports of the regiments and companies have been given as they were furnished. Yet it is a matter of deep regret that the chief available source of statis- tical authority in this matter should be so incomplete and defect- ive, not to say erroneous, as it even is, however, in some cases. Every possible effort was made by the Adjutant General's office to correct errors and to supply omissions, and, in great numbers of cases, with gratifying success; yet, in vory many instances also, no additional or rectifying information has been obtained.

STATE RELIEF, ETC.

This branch of the subject is very extensive, and might well receive a far more elaborate discussion than can be attempted in this work. And it may be questioned by some whether. in a lo. cal history of a single county, any special mention of this de- partment of military action should be made. But, to the writer of these articles at least, it seems clear that such action will be a thing especially appropriate, even in a history of Randolph Connty.

Since the work performed by the State of Indiana through the pre-eminent uetivity of Gov. Oliver P. Morton, assisted by his numerous subordinates, was greatly prominent throughout the entire war, and since, as will be related, one of our own citizens

245

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

was closely connected with that work, almost from the very be- ginning of the conflict, it will be eminently in place to insert a brief account thereof in this history of Randolph County, and hence we proceed to the pleasing task. The war broke out so suddenly and rose so rapidly to gigantic proportions that the Government found itself without adequate means of equipment or of support.

The soldiers were hurried to the conflict, but the Nation, un- used to war, know not how to handle so vast a movement. The supplies, particularly of clothing, were scanty and tardily fur- nished. Gov. Morton was among the first to foresee and to at- tempt to provide for the destitution. Angust 20, 1861, he tele- graphed from Washington to Indianapolis: "Urge Maj. Mont- gomery (United States Quartermaster at Indianapolis) to get overcoats of any good material, and not wait for a public letting. Do have them made at once. The men are suffering and I am distressed for them. Perhaps a few thousand can be forwarded by Capt. Dickerson at once from Cincinnati."

This urgency came none too soon. The men were already shivering under the damp and chilly nights of the mountains of West Virginia. This direction was given before any complaints from the troops had come to hand.

But in two days those complaints began to arrive. Maj. Montgomery failed to furnish a supply, but Capt. Dickerson, at Cincinnati, sent forward 4,000 overcoats in care of Gen. Rose- crans, then in command in Western Virginia. They did not ar- rive, however. September 14, 1861, Gen. Asahel Stone, Com- missary General, was sent forward to assist in hunting them up; 1,200 were found and pushed through, but it was some weeks before the "tape" was broken and supplies in quantity were re- ceived. October 7, Brig. Gen. J. J. Reynolds, then commanding an Indiana brigade, telegraphed thus: " Clothing is coming for- ward. In a few days we shall have a supply for the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Seventeenth Regiments, except shoes and socks and caps-the last not so important-shoes and socks much needed. These regiments have suffered greatly, but not a man among them has any fault to find with the Governor of the State."

Gov. Morton saw that the men would suffer, especially for overcoats, and he resolved that they should be supplied, if "Uncle Sam " would pay, well; if not, the boys must have coats, anyhow. He went to New York and bought, through Hon. Robert Dale Owen, purchasing State agent, 29,000 overcoats. For a part he paid "regulation price"-$7.75, but for the rest he had to pay $9.25. Quartermaster Gen. Meigs refused to pay more than $7.75, and Gov. Morton said: "If the United States will not pay for them, Indiana will. The troops must not suffer." When complained of, Gov. Morton replied: "Well, the overcoats have been bought, no matter now by whom, so the men get them."

But other things must be had and in abundance. October 16, 1861, Gov. Morton appealed "to the patriotic women of In- diana for additional blankets, socks, gloves, mittens, woolen shirts and drawers," to be furnished at once and forwarded to the camps. This appeal was earnest, eloquent and patriotic, and not in vain.

The State Quartermaster General, J. H. Vajen, in May, 1862, reports in substance: "This proclamation met with a most cor- dial response, and many thousands of dollars worth of blankets, socks, gloves, mittens, shirts and drawers were forwarded, as also sheets, pillows, pads, Bandages, lint and dressing-gowns, for hospital use, in so much that a circular was issued announcing that the supply was enough."

Indiana was the first to organize for temporary relief, under the energetic supervision of the State Commissary General, Asa- hel Stone, Esq. The duty of this agency was "to render all possible relief to our soldiers, especially to the sick and wounded, whether in transit, in hospitals or on the battle-field." By this agency, sanitary supplies, hospital stores, donated or purchased, surgeons, nurses, etc., were sent forward wherever needed, and Indiana was generally "first on the ground" to proffer a help- ing hand.

In 1862, it was realized that the war was going to last, and

the "General Military Agency of Indiana" was established by the appointment of Dr. William Hannaman, of Indianapolis, a gentleman of large experience, integrity and humanity, as Gen- eral Military Agent," December 16, 1862; and local agents were appointed in the army and elsewhere, who were directed to do "everything possible to be done for the comfort of the soldiers." Steamers were chartered to carry stores, surgeons and nurses and to bring home the sick and wounded. Boats were dispatched, heavily laden with vegetables, hospital stores, clothing, delicacies for sick and convalescent soldiers, etc., bringing home hundreds on hundreds of sick and wounded to hospitals and homes. Sup- plies were sent to the prisons. Claims for bounty, back pay, etc., were collected. The pay of the soldiers was conveyed to friends at home by hundreds of thousands of dollars. The good done by this and other agencies is beyond the power of language to express.

The State Sanitary Commission was established still earlier, February, 1862. Contributions were large and frequent. The order of Freemasons contributed at one time $10,000. The State Sanitary Fair, in the fall of 1863, netted $40,000. The results are reported by Dr. Hannaman thus:

On hand at organization-cash, $13,490.92.

Contributions in 1862-cash, $9,038.20; goods, $86,088.

Contributions in 1863-cash, $36,232.11; goods, $101,430.74.

Contributions to December, 1864-cash, $97,035.22; goods, $126,086.91.

Contributions to close of commission - cash, $91,774.30; goods, $45,394.38.

Total-Cash, $247,570.72: goods, $359,000.03.

Total to State Sanitary Commission, $606,570.78; contribu- tions to United States Commission from Indiana, $16,049.50; contributions to soldiers' relief by counties, etc., $4, 566,898.06, making in all above $5,000,000, besides vast amounts of which no record was ever kept.

During the year 1863 alone, seven steamers were sent down the Mississippi by the State Sanitary, as follows:

Capitola, George Merritt, to Vicksburg, February 18; con- tents, 454 packages stores, twenty-five female nurses, twenty. five surgeons; twenty-five Indiana regiments visited and sup- plied.

Lady Franklin, Dr. C. J. Woods, 1,000 packages, several nurses and surgeons.

Courier, Dr. Talbot Bullard and Gen. A. Stone, 500 pack- ages, several nurses and surgeons. The steamer brought back a large number of sick and wounded soldiers. Four surgeons (among them Dr. Bullard) died on the trip or soon afterward.

Atlanta, Col. W. E. French, 200 packages, several surgeons and nurses. Brought back from Memphis 175 sick and wounded.

City Belle, Gen. A. Stone, 400 packages and a large company of surgeons and nurses, reaching Vicksburg July 4th, the day of the surrender.

Sunny Side, E. J. Putman, 1,100 packages and Dr. W. H. Wishard as surgeon; 200 sick soldiers were brought back.

City Belle, Dr. C. J. Woods, 2,000 packages; 100 sick came north on the return trip.

As a specimen of the work accomplished, we give the follow- ing concerning the City Belle:

December 19, 1863, left Cairo, Ill., for a trip down the Mis- sissippi River. At Port Pillow, Fifty-second Regiment, left fourteen barrels potatoes, two barrels of onions, six barrels of apples, three barrels of turnips, four dozen cans of fruit. At Memphis, Twenty-fifth and Eighty-ninth Regiments, fifty barrels of potatoes, five of onions, five of turnips, two of crackers, thirty of apples, twenty dozen cans of fruit, four boxes of clothing. At Helena Hospital, 400 sick men, twenty barrele of potatoes, nine of onions, fifteen of apples, five of turnips, twenty dozen cans of fruit. At Vicksburg, Twenty-third and Fifty-third Regi- ments, forty barrels of potatoes, twenty-six of apples, ten of onions, ten of turnips, two of cabbage and twenty dozen canned fruit. Vicksburg General Hospital, forty barrels potatoes, thirty of apples, ten of turnips, twenty dozen canned fruit, one box bottled whisky. At Natchez Marine Hospital, three barrels of potatoes, two of onions, four of apples, one of crackers, two dozen

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

canned fruit. At Baton Rouge, Twenty-first Regiment, forty barrels potatoes, ten of onions, twenty-five apples, five corn meal, ten turnips. Baton Rouge Hospital, one barrel of cabbages, one of pickled cabbage, one of crackers, four of apples, two onions, four potatoes, one turnip, one box bottled whisky, two dozen canned fruit, four boxes clothing, two boxes reading matter. At New Orleans, 441 barrels of potatoes, 438 barrels of apples, 121 onions, 148 turnips, 13 of crackers, 112 boxes canned fruit, 23 boxes bottled whisky, 160 boxes reading matter and elothing- 2,012 packages in all, mostly barrels. October 24, 1863, eleven boxes of clothing and one bale of blankets were shipped to Rich- mond for Union prisoners; 200 caps, 200 shirts, 200 pair of drawers, 200 pair of socks, 200 blouses, 700 blankets, 200 pair of trousers, 200 great coats, 200 pair of shoes. Why so large an amount of supplies was left by the City Belle as above at New Orleans is not explained. Doubtless there was a sufficient rea- son; perhaps many regiments were stationed there at the time.

James H. Turner, Agent Indiana Sanitary Commission, at Chattanooga, during Sherman's advance to Atlanta, summer of 1864, during the period between February 15 and September 1, distributed as follows: 2,640 barrels of potatoes, 15.985 pounds of dried apples. 1,295 gallons of kraut, 1, 168 cans of fruit, 1,278 pounds of dried peaches, 142 bottles of wine, 137 bottles of whisky, 988 bushels of onions, 461 dozen eggs, 493 pounds of butter, 211 gallons apple-butter, 157 pounds small fruit, 132 dozen lemons, 220 bottles ale, 558 pounds crackers, 35 pounds rice. 1,800 pounds corn meal, 100 pounds tobacco, 19 bed sacks, 280 gallons pickles, 35 bottles cordials, 995 shirts. 410 drawers, 124 sheets, 77 pillows, 182 pillow slips, 9 comforts. 3, 149 pounds rags, 4,055 bandages, 355 fans, 82 pants, 35 combs, 445 hand- kerchiefs, 543 pairs socks, 228 towels, 308 pads, 450 comfort- bags, 25 boxes reading matter.

TRANSMISSION OF MONEY.

Thomas A. Goodwin, agent, came North, June 2, 1862. from the Army of the Tennessee with $125,000. July 9. 1862, he brought $31,000.

October 5, 1862, B. F. Tuttle reports $59,050 from Camp Nevin, Nashville and Woodstock.

Gen. A. Stone, in January, 1862, brought home for the Eighth, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-sixth, $15.484.60.

In March, 1862, Gen. Stone brought from Pea Ridge. Ark., for the Eighth, Eighteenth and Twenty-second, 858, 049.55.

During the course of the war, 40,060 packages, containing about $2.000,000, were sent home through the State agents with- oin expense to the senders (except the expressage from the agent's residence) and without the loss of a single package.

SOLDIERS HOME -- INDIANAPOLIS.

June, 1862, a building was erected, 150x24 feet, with a kitchen twenty-four feet square; 100 feet were fitted with bunks. In the fall. another building, 250x24 feet. for a dining-hall, seat- ing about 1,000 men, was added. In 1863, a third building was made, 150x24 feet, for a hospital. In April and May, 1864, two more were built, 175x28 feet each, accommodating 1,000 men with banks. The " Home" could then lodge 1,800 and feed 8,000, yet Gen. Stone says there were times when not half could Ins accommodated that needed to be cared for. The saving in rations alone amounted, from August, 1862. to January, 1865, to $71,310.22. Total meals furnished in three years and ten months, 3,777.791, showing an average per day in 1862 of 1,400; 1863, 2,240; 1864, 4, 498; 1865. 2,842; 1866, 463.

The above brief and imperfeet statement gives but a slight idea of the importance and magnitude of the operations of In- diana as a State in aid of the Federal Government in suppressing the rebellion.

Indiana began the movement of separate State co-operation; was chiefly first at every place of need and continued to be a model of promptness, efficiency and economy, and, in the exeen- tion of this vast work, under the hand of our noble war Govern- or, Gen. Asahel Stone, our respected fellow citizen, was proved a valuable, efficient and sneeessful assistant.

BOUNTIES, RELIEF, ETC.

Very soon after the war commenced, the fact became apparent that great and speedy efforts would be needed for the relief of the families of the soldiers. Their wages were not enough for the purpose, those wages were often greatly in arrears, and to send the money home when obtained was nearly or quite impossible. The Legislature of Indiana passed an act, authorizing counties, cities and towns to afford relief when needed and to levy a tax for that special object. Great sums were raised under this act and ex- pended for bounties and relief. Often bonds were issued and funds obtained by the sale of the bonds. Townships also acted and raised and expended large amounts for the support of sol- diers' families.

This issue being of doubtful legality, the Legislature passed another act, March 3, 1865, legalizing the action of cities, towns and villages, as also townships when approved by the County Commissioners, and directing the levy of a tax for payment. The next day, still another act became a law, levying 3 mills on the dollar for the years 1865 and 1866, to aid siek soldiers, sol- diers' families, etc. The Legislature passed several laws evinc- ing a similar generous and patriotic spirit and a sincere and ear- nest purpose to discharge the whole duty of the State to her suf- fering children.

COUNTY RELIEF, ETC.

The loyal citizens throughout the whole North were active and enthusiastic from first to last in rendering assistance in every possible way to the soldiers in the field and to their fami- lies at home. Much of their aid went through the State Com- missioners, but no small amount was sent forward privately as individual benefactions to special friends or the companies or regiments to which they belonged. The author of Delaware County History, lately published, has collected much information of this sort as to that county. Perhaps a similar account might be obtained concerning Randolph County, if the requisite pains were to be taken. The author regrets that time has failed him to make the needed researches in this particular.

The statistics found in the Adjutant General's report as to relief are as follows:

Randolph County, 849,397.53; townships, $45,050; total, 894,447.53; Henry County (all), $82,178.09; Grant County (all), $31,546.25; Adams County, $18,359.44; Allen County, $73,853 .- 22; Cass County, $82,624.93.

Only eleven counties in the State have exceeded Randolph in the amount raised by taxation for soldiers' relief, to wit: De- catur, Delaware, Hamilton, Jackson, La Porte, Marion, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, Vigo, Wabash, Wayne.

Thus it will appear that this county has come fully up to the State at large in rendering relief to soldiers' families.

Doubtless like other railroad towns, Union City and Win- chester fed the soldier as they passed to and fro on the trains along the railroad, and collections of money and goods were made throughout the townships and the county at large for sanitary and relief purposes, and the loyal people gave freely of their means to cheer their heroes at the front and their dependant ones at home. ' Possibly at some future day it may be practicable to collect details of information as to this most interesting topic, but for the present we must forbear.

NATIONAL ACTION, ETC.

No nation probably has dealt so liberally as has our own with her soldiers of the war of 1861.

1. The wages were uncommonly large for the most part .- $13 and $16 besides full support.

2. The supplies were abundant and excellent.

3. Large bounties were given by the Nation, by counties and otherwise.

4. Great sums were expended for relief.

5. Immense amounts were applied in their behalf, through sanitary commissions, national, State and voluntary.

6. Large quantities of bounty land have been offered and generous pensions have been secured to the crippled and disabled soldiers.

Homes have been established for the helpless, which are

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

supported in a style of excellence and even magnificence unparal- leled among the nations of the earth.

In many other ways, by hospitals, nurses, etc., labor and money have been expended for their benefit both during and since the war. Thus the Nation has shown her generous, moth- erly kindness, and declared that the soldiers were her constant care. Suffering and distress have, of course, existed neverthe- less; yet wonderful efforts have been exerted without ceasing to help and comfort, to relieve and bless. The National bounties are stated below.

It is understood to be a fact that the soldiers at the Dayton Soldiers' Home, and presumably at the other institutions of the kind throughout the country, are allowed to have and enjoy full possession and full control of their pensions, in addition to the support furnished them at the "Home" at which they may be re- eiding.

NATIONAL BOUNTIES.

AMOUNT.

AUTHORITY.

TO WHOM.

TIME.

$100

All Volunteers ..

To July, 1864.

400

Act July 22, 1861 .. General order Joly 25, 1863 ....

300 300

Circaler Oct. 24, 1863 Telegram Dec. 24, 1863

Re-enlisted Volunteers. Recroits in old Regiment ...... Recruits Io any 3-year organi- Zation ....

June 25, 1863, to April 1, 1864 Oct. 21, 1863, to April 1, 1864

100. 200 300

Act July, 1864, Cir. 27. Act July, 1864, Cir. 27. Act Jaly, 1864, Clr. 27. Order 287, Nov. 28, 1864 ..

First Army Veteran Corps ...

Nov. 28, 1864, to July 1, 1865

Letters Nov. 29, Dec. 22, 1863 ...

Colored Recruits.

April, 1861, to Oct. 24, 1863. April, 1861, to Oct. 24, 1863.

100. 10J.

Act of Congress Act of Congress ..

Colored Volunteers new He- Elmenta

Oct. 24, 1863, to Dec. 24, 1883 April 1, 1864, to June 1, 1864 Oct. 25, 1863, to March 31, 1864

Act of Congress

l'olored Volunteers old Regts. Colored Volunteers llablo tu draft ...

Oct. 17 to Oct. 24, 1863. Dec. 25, 1863, to Mar. 31, 1864

300 .. 300.

Act of Congress Act of Congress.

Colored Volunteers now Regts Colored Volunteers old Regts Hluble to Draft.

Oct. 25, 1863, to Mur. 31, 1864

300

Act of Congress ..

100

Act of Congress

200 .. 300.

Act of Congress.

Colored Volunteers threo ye tre'

Besides this bounty land is given to each soldier, and also the length of service in the army is deducted from the time otherwise requisite to fix a homestead claim.

COUNTY BOUNTY.

According to the Adjutant General's report, Randolph had given up to that time $115,705. In this respect other counties have far exceeded her. But the fact that large bounty had to be offered by the county is not a proof of superior loyalty, but rather otherwise. Fifty-four counties exceed Randolph in the amount of bounty reported as paid by public taxation. One exceeds a million dollars ($1,224,000); two average $500,000; seven more above $300,000; seventeen more exceed $200,000; twenty-seven : more above $115,000. These statistics, though accurate, may, perhaps, not be full, since in some cases, at least, the counties have expended money in this matter in later years. For instance, Delaware. County, in the Adjntaut General's report, is rated at $230,905.75, whereas she actually did expend at least $360,000, her full amount for bounty having been $181,900.

The whole sum throughout the State for bounty and relief, up to 1869, is estimated at fully $20,000,000-a wondrous sum, willingly paid for the safety of the Federal Union, besides. of course, twenty times that amount in public National expenditure as the share of Indiana in the general burdens endured on ac- count of the war.

The National pensions are given briefly as follows :

NATIONAL PENSIONS.

All civilized nations pension their injured or disabled sol- diers or provide for those dependent upon such. The survivors (as also their unmarried widows) of the war of 1812 receive $8 per month. Those injured or disabled in other military service receive sums differing in monthly amount, rising in some extreme cases, as for the loss of both bands, eyes or feet, to $72 per month; and those dependent upon such soldiers obtain, in case of death, the amount which he would have received if living,

with, in some cases, an additional $2 monthly for each child un- der sixteen years of age. The Nation has, in addition to giving pensions established several "Soldiers' Homes," at which dis- abled soldiers may receive a complete support. The "Home" nearest Randolph County is at Dayton, Ohio, at which, as in like manner elsewhere, no pains or expense is spared to furnish maintenance and comfort to these "heroes of the Nation," and in these "Homes" several thousand enfeebled or disabled men are enjoying the bountiful supply furnished by the National Government to such crippled and helpless ones.

Such struggles, such burdens borne, such sacrifices made, men, money, means, so freely, so lavishly, so persistently given -- such hardships, perils, sufferings, wounds, imprisonment and death so heroically endured-such fearful things undergone through four' long and bloody years over the face of a vast continent, show the determination of a mighty people that the integrity of the Na- tion shall be forever inviolate. Loyalty to the Union lies deep and steadfast in the hearts of the people, and in that grand, that sublime conviction, Randolph County, like the rest of our noble commonwealth, is settled and grounded in a purpose firm, stead- fast, unalterable! Sic sit semper (so be it always).

ACCOUNT OF REGIMENTS.

Eighth Regiment Infantry, three months .- The Eighth Regi- ment of Infantry of Indiana Volunteers was mustered in the serv- ice April 25, 1861, William P. Benton, Colonel. The muster- in took place at Indianapolis, and the muster-out at the same place, August 6, 1861. The statistics of the regiment are as follows:

Companies, 10, A to K inclusive; officers, 37; men, 747; to- tal, 784; died, 7; deserters, 15; accounted for, 784.

Each company consisted of seventy-four men. They were enlisted as follows:

Company A, April 21, Wayne County.

Company B, April 23, Grant County.

Company C, April 24, Randolph County.

Company D, April 21, Delaware County.

Company E, April 22, Madison County.

Company F, April 25, Henry County.

Company G, April 22, Wayne County.

Company H, April 25, Wayne County.

Company I, April 21, Hancock County.

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History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 77

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman Number of Pages: 664

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664