USA > Indiana > Rush County > History of Rush County, Indiana, from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 40
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was formerly a Whig, but is now an earnest Republican. He and wife are members of the Christian Church and are widely and favorably known.
JAMES WILSON (deceased), was born in Bourbon County, Ky., May 5, 1819, son of William and Devora (Custer) Wilson, of Irish and German descent, respectively. The father of our subject re- moved from Kentucky to this county in 1832. The subject of this sketch received a limited education and remained at home with his parents until 1848. For many years he gave his attention to the breeding of thorough-bred horses and cattle, and at one time owned 6,000 acres of land. Mr. Wilson was married February 8, 1848, to Miss Ellen Jameson, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., born March 21, 1829, daughter of Thomas and Louisa (Cartmel) Jam- eson, natives of Kentucky and of Scotch-Irish origin. The follow- ing children reached their majority: John M., Richmond J., Louisa, Richard, William W. and Joseph H. Politically, Mr. Wilson was a Republican, and in his death, which occurred March 5, 1882, Rush County lost one of its most valued and honored men. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Christian Church, and is one of the most worthy mothers, beloved by all who know her. The portrait of Mr. Wilson is shown on another page of this volume.
WILLIAM H. WILSON, a leading farmer of this township, was born near New Salem, in this county, August 5th, 1837, being the eldest of three children to Conrad and Rebecca (Ewalt) Wilson, natives of Bourbon County, Ky., where they were married in 1836. By occupation, the father of our subject was a farmer, and came to Rush County as early as 1836, and located in the woods, just north of the present town of New Salem. After clearing a farm from the then unbroken wilderness, he sold it and purchased land on Big Flat Rock, six miles south of Rushville, and subsequently removed to Lewis County, Mo., where his death occurred. The mother of Mr. Wilson returned to this county, where she died in 1878, at fifty- eight years of age. The boyhood of the immediate subject of this biography was spent on the farm and he was the recipient of a good common school education. For twenty years, Mr. Wilson in con- nection with his farming interests, has been engaged in breeding fine horses, at which he is considered one of the most successful in this township. The marriage of our subject, took place September 3rd, 1863, to Miss Alice Logan, whose birth occurred December 5th, 1840. To this marriage were born these children: John L., Henrietta, Margaret E., James F., William H., Charles B., and Donald C. In politics, he is a pronounced Prohibitionist, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
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CHAPTER VI.
MILITARY HISTORY -- THE CAMPAIGN OF 1860 - RESOLUTIONS AND PUBLIC OPINION -- BEGINNING OF HOSTILITIES -- FIRST COMPANY FOR THE WAR -- FLAG PRESENTATION -HOME DEFENSE -A LULL IN THE STORM -- RENEWED VOLUNTEER- ING - OTHER COMPANIES OF RUSH COUNTY MEN -- PUBLIC OPINION IN 1863-64 -- BOUNTY AND RELIEF -MEN FUR- NISHED FOR THE WAR -- ROLL OF HONOR.
NATION'S wars form the most interesting of all its chapters in history, and its combats on the field of battle are often struggles for existence and independ- ence. This very contest for life itself, is sufficient to create the absorbing interest with which a people watch the country's warlike movements. But when feats of daring heroism, inspired by the most exalted patriot- ism, are added there is an additional halo thrown around the scenes of these conflicts and they become conse- crated to the cause that was victorious. The deeds of the heroes live in song and poetry; and the Nation bows in. reverence at the shrine of its illustrious warriors.
The Mexican War was the only one of importance in which the United States was engaged after Rush County was organized and before the Civil War. The majority of the voters of the county were opposed to the Administration that carried on that war and the enthusiasm in that behalf was not very pronounced. There were some men who joined companies from other counties but it is probable that no distinct organization of men from Rush County was perfected. The records at the Adjutant General's office are somewhat deficient in this particular and it was impossible to learn who the Rush County men were who engaged in that war.
The Civil War in the United States was of such gigantic pro- portions, and was brought about by so long a train of circum- stances that have an exclusively national bearing, that a review in this place would be impossible and impertinent to this work.
The political campaign in 1860, exceeded any of its predeces- sors for excitement and interest, and few, if any, have since equaled it. In Rush County, the contest was most vigorous, and the en- ergy displayed by the politicians and partisans of the different
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sides was but a reflex of the larger national contest. Speeches were made here by a number of the leading men in each party. Rallies were held in all parts of the county. Nearly every town- ship had its organization of " Wide Awakes " for the Republicans, and a " Hickory Club " for the Democrats. Night after night was disturbed by the fitful glare of torch-light processions, and the hoarse shouts of partisans. In the State election in October, Hen- dricks received a majority in the county of about eighty over Lane, the opposing candidate. The general result showed the election of Lane by nearly 10,000 majority. From that time the fight was more bitter than ever. In November, the result in the State was still more disastrous for the Democrats. In this county, Douglas received 1, 119 votes; Lincoln, 1,757; Breckenridge, 476, and Bell, 35. Lincoln was elected, having received ISo electoral votes out of a total of 303. Then came the news of the secession of the States, and many stout hearts began to fail and doubt the final outcome.
From this time on the situation became constantly more criti- cal. As, one after another the Cotton States passed ordinances, the hope of preserving the Union unbroken became more and more doubtful. The people all over the North held Union meetings, at which the various phases of all the leading public questions were fully discussed by the leading local speakers. In Rush County both Democrats and Republicans held such meetings during the first part of February, 1861. The Republican meeting was presided over by Jefferson Helm, Sr., as Chairman, and had for Secretaries Isaac C. Stewart and Andrew Hall. Addresses were made by Leonidas Sexton and Joel Wolfe. A committee on resolutions was composed of the following men: L. Sexton, B. R. Ward, William Thomas, Peter Looney, A. M. Sargeant, Henry C. Junken, George R. Kelley, Lewis M. Kitchen, George Gray, James Jones, Thomas Stuart and Henry Myers. The following resolutions were unani- mously adopted :
" Resolved, That we as Republicans, are not in any degree re- sponsible for the present disturbances, and we will not in the future do anything which will tend to disrupt the Union, violate the Con- stitution of the United States or oppose or interfere with the exe- cution of any of the laws passed in accordance with the provisions thereof.
" Resolved, That we believe a complete and satisfactory remedy for all the present political troubles, is to be found in a strict obe- dience to the Constitution of the United States as it is and the laws now in force.
" Resolved, That justice requires the repeal of all laws upon the
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Statute Books of all the States in the Union which may be in con- flict with the Constitution of the United States.
" Resolved, That we believe the mere act of obedience to the Constitution and Laws of the United States by every citizen thereof, would at once restore peace and prosperity throughout the land; yet, if unloyal and dissatisfied citizens and disappointed political aspir- ants, require new guaranties of good conduct from us before they will return to their allegiance to the Constitution, many of them have sworn to support, for the sake of the masses of those States, we will cheerfully support any arrangement of compromise that may be acceptable to the country, which may be compatible with our honor, our principles and integrity.
" Resolved, That while the Republican party is not yet invested with power in the government, and in no position to make their propositions respected or acceptable, it is unreasonable and unfair to require or expect of them to settle our present political troubles, as is claimed by so many, indeed by all, opponents of that party; and it is the opinion of this convention, that until the inauguration of Lincoln, nothing more or further than a disposition to settle our political discussions, should be shown by Republicans, but that after- ward, when in power, and in a position to propose terms that will command respect, the Republicans should show such undoubted fairness, such unquestionable magnaminity and such overpowering generosity as will reconcile all who are not traitors from principles. With the latter, there will be time and opportunity to deal after- ward."
The Democratic meeting was addressed by R. D. Logan, who was at that time Judge of the Circuit Court in this district. The resolutions adopted were as follows :
" Resolved, That we are firmly and unalterably attached to the Federal Union, formed as it was by the wisdom of our fathers and baptized in their blood, and are in favor of its preservation at any sacrifice.
" Resolved, That we deprecate a government maintained by the sword, or union held together by the bayonet; as our fathers laid the basis of our national existence in the fraternal sentiment of the whole people, so we must restore harmony by restoring these sen- timents until in our political vocabulary there shall be ' no North, no South,' but one undivided family, emulous only in acts of kind- ness and charity toward each other.
" Resolved, That the olive branch, tendered by our sister of Ken- tucky, and embraced in the proposition submitted by Senator Crit- tenden as an amendment to the Constitution, or any similar basis of settlement, will, in our judgment, be endorsed by the people of In-
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diana by an overwhelming majority, when the Republican Legisla- ture shall so far trust the people as to submit the question to them.
" Resolved, That under the present alarming condition of our country, we regard all persons, whether in Congress or out, who are opposed to compromise or in favor of coercion, as dangerous persons to be entrusted with power, as unfriendly to the Union and disloyal to her best interests.
" Resolved, That the people of the South, and especially of " Old Kentuck," in other days when our people were exposed to the ruthless savages, the tomahawk and the scalping knife, were our friends, neighbors and our brethren, and with matchless gen- erosity and brave and daring heroism, rushed to our rescue, and while the bones of a single member of their gallant bands rest upon our soil we will remember the deed in acts of unmistakable gratitude."
At the close of the reading of these resolutions a "youth of tender years " proposed the following, which was adopted with the resolutions :
" A union of hearts and a union of hands, A union that none may sever, A union of lakes and a union of lands, The American Union forever."
Such were the expressions of the two leading political parties in Rush County two months before the commencement of active war. At that time several of the States had already passed ordinances of secession and had done all in their power to put themselves out- side the Union as it had been founded by the Fathers of the Re- public. The country was distracted from one end of the land to the other. For many years the Southern States had been domi- nant in the affairs of the Nation, and when they saw the balance of power gradually drifting away from them, they were resolved not to give it up. The slavery question was, of course, at the bottom of the whole trouble. The south had grown rich and prosperous through its system of slave labor. In the north there had come into existence a party that was openly and avowedly opposed to slave labor, and many of its leading men were in favor of its total abolition in all parts of the Union. The election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, as a leader of this party, was accepted by the Southern States as a menace to what they deemed their rights. No time could have been more auspicious in which to be- gin the secession movement than that which elapsed between the election of Lincoln and his inauguration. President Buchanan remained almost a passive spectator of this attack on the unity of the Nation. By some it was thought that he secretly sympathized
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with the southern movement, but there is now hardly a doubt that he was a genuine patriot at heart. His indecision and hesitation were fatal to the welfare of the country, and in the end cost the people of the whole country much distress in a long and bloody war.
Early in February, 1861, there was a Peace Congress called at Washington for the purpose of fixing up the differences between the two sections of the country. This congress was composed of delegates appointed by the Legislatures of the several States, and was presided over by ex-President John Tyler, a delegate from Virginia. Indiana was represented by five delegates, among whom was Pleasant A. Hackleman, a citizen of Rushville. After a somewhat stormy session of several days, this Peace Congress adjourned without having accomplished its object. Every effort to avert the impending calamity of civil war proved futile.
Those in the north who had supported Lincoln believed that when he took the helm of government that the secessionists would be stopped in their attempts to break up the Union. But after the new administration began and week after week went by without any apparent change, and the Southern States continued to go out of the Union, by conventions, without molestation, many began to doubt, the ability of the government to maintain the Union. Some went so far as to denounce the "Peace Policy," which it was sup- posed had been adopted. There were some of this class in Rush County. From the Rushville Republican of March 20, 1861, the following paragraph of editorial is taken. The paper was then edited by Andrew Hall, and this extract will serve to show the drift of public sentiment in this locality:
" The result of the 'Peace Policy,' then, in our view, is to aban- don the property and sovereignty of the government in the seceded States, and to establish them as an independent nation. This may be better than civil war. To our mind it is infinitely better than the insulting dictation which proposes to change the constitution so as to make it secure the blessings of slavery to an aristocracy, in- stead of the 'blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.' If the government takes no steps to assert its rights in the seceding States, the friends of the Union among the masses will have no banner to rally around, and that reaction which has been so confidently predicted, cannot take place."
On the 4th of April the facksonian in a long editorial headed, "Should the President Recognize the Southern Confederacy?" said: "That it is a government possessing administrative, judicial and legislative powers, no one can doubt, and that it will be recog- nized by the various powers of the earth is now a settled fact. By
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evacuating the forts our government has at least indirectly acknow- ledged its independence. Why not do so formally? There are but two paths to travel; one leading to a peaceful recognition, the other to a forcible obedience, if, indeed, we have the physical power to compel submission, which is very much doubted by some, and certainly indicated by the action of the President in withdrawing the federal troops from their soil. To undertake the latter would be to drench the land in fraternal blood, bring upon us the con- tempt of other nations and bankrupt both north and south, and after the battles were over and the bones of our countrymen lay bleaching beneath a southern sun, an army must still be kept up, and the Government held together by the bayonet. This cannot be done, and that is an exceedingly short-sighted policy which would so change, or attempt to change, the fundamental under-strata of our political and governmental fabric from principles of love and friendship in which it was conceived, to that of might and power concentrated in a standing army." The editor, Mr. William A. Cullen, then proceeded to advocate the recognition, by the Presi- dent, of the Confederacy with the hope that the erring seceders would in time see the folly of their ways and return to the Union, in which alone could be found the palladium of good government.
Such were some of the sentiments held by the different parties in Rush County on the eve of the Rebellion.
Beginning of Hostilities. - Nothing in Rush County has ever exceeded the excitement that followed the news of the bombard- ment of Fort Sumter. For nearly a week people in every walk of life abandoned their callings and congregated in groups about the towns and villages, anxious to learn the latest reports from the scene of the conflict. They discussed, in their way, the various phases and probable results of the deed which had so fired their hearts. The first news reached Rushville on Sunday morning, April the 15th. Those who were wending their way to their re- spective places of worship, either turned aside to inquire further of the details, or pursued their course with little thought of their religion. Perhaps a short prayer was breathed for the preserva- tion of the common country and the maintenance of the right.
It was not long before the President's call for 75,000 volunteers sent a cheering thrill through the Nation and the people gladly re- sponded to the call to arms. Argument had now ceased and the questions that had so long agitated the whole land were to be com- mitted to the stern arbitration of war.
On Wednesday evening, April 17, a meeting was held at the court house in Rushville, at which Col. Joseph Nichols, presided. Stirring speeches were made by Joel Wolfe, P. A. Hackleman and
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other leading citizens of the place. A number of men volunteered, and after passing some resolutions adjourned until Saturday follow- ing. On that day a large crowd gathered at the court house and listened to speeches from Joseph J. Amos, William A. Cullen, William Cassady, P. A. Hackleman, Joel Wolfe and Rev. James Havens. The sentiment in favor of sustaining the government was almost universal among the people. One company of volun- teers was made up and the enthusiasm indicated that more could have been done if necessary. Representative citizens of the county representing a million dollars worth of property pledged themselves to the support of families of volunteers, to which end full arrange- ments were made. After a long string of whereases reciting the unhappy condition of the country, the following resolutions were adopted :
" Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to aid and support the constituted authorities of this State and of the United States, in all lawful efforts toward putting down rebellion, to enforce the laws, and to maintain the Union of the States under the Federal Consti- tution at all hazards and at any expense.
" Resolved, That we are ready to furnish men and money for these purposes; and we pledge the resources of Rush County, to the State in any lawful and reasonable effort on her part, to sustain the government in the exercise of its legitimate and constitutional authority, against all opposers.
" Resolved, That the question whether the flag of the country shall be sustained or not, rises above all party considerations, and that every good citizen will be formed on the side of his govern- ment, giving his influence to uphold the emblem of its authority, and to maintain intact the old constitution under which the country has had prosperity at home and respectability abroad for more than seventy years."
The company which was completed at that meeting was the first organized in the county for the Civil War. The original enrollment in the order in which the names appeared was as follows: N. Shad- dinger, P. J. Beachbeard, J. P. Orr, J. M. Carr, W. J. Harris, O. A. Morgan, Joel Wolfe, J. R. Bell, Thomas Mason, Robert Mason, John Fox, John R. Carr, George W. Bates, John C. Ellis, Henry Dixon, Reu Pugh, Jr., Robert J. Price, Henry West, C. C. Flinn, Samuel Burns, R. D. Oliver, A. B. Harris, Oliver Carr, William Sheaff, Edward S. Gue, William R. Johnson, Lewis Michael, An- derson Levi, Thomas Lakin, James McCarty, William Burnes, D. C. Scull, John McGuire, Thomas Wallace, Patrick Biglan, Charles G. Shaw, Daniel Striker, J. A. Simmonds, C. R. Bolander, William B. Holden, J. M. Semple, William Carney, H. H. Guffin,
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James Jordan, Thomas Crupper, B. J. Wilhelm, Henry Risinger, G. H. Cohen, J. C. Hawkins, Freeman Williams, Madison Kirk- man, F. C. Bell, J. P. Fairley, Oliver Glore, Linsey Walker, James Stephens, William W. Mendal, Simon Cassady, Lemuel Day, Ben- jamin Harney, Harrison Crawford, John A. Blair, James D. Blair, Martin Conway, W. O. Sexton, Barnard Kelly, J. W. Innis, G. W. Marsh, George Richey, Daniel Thomas, H. P. Thomas, Henry Davis, Charles Gibson, William H. Young, Oliver Denning, Ezra C. Lee, William D. Hall, Nelson Hendricks, Jacob Wilhelm, Wes. Nelson, Samuel Miller, Marcus Thorp, James Brown, Samuel Lynn, Samuel C. Pegg, James Koonts, W. D. Woods, Charles Hummler, Robert Opterback, Charles Callahan, Franklin McCoy, R. A. McClure and David R. Crawford. The first election for officers resulted in the choice of Joel Wolfe for Captain; P. J. Beachbeard, Ist Lieutenant; R. J. Price, 2nd Lieutenant and John Fairley, 3rd Lieutenant. This company was tendered to the Gov- ernor, but was too late to get into the first six regiments that were organized in the State for that war. It went into camp at the Fair Grounds at Rushville to await marching orders from the Governor. Besides these another company of Home Guards was organized.
Flag Presentation .- On Sunday afternoon April 28, the ladies of Rushville presented a silk flag to Capt. Wolfe's company. The presentation speech was made by Miss India Hackleman, as follows: " BRAVE COUNTRYMEN AND VOLUNTEERS- I have been selected on behalf of the ladies of Rushville, to present to the Rush County ) Guards, who have so gallantly volunteered to defend their country against the assaults of traitors, this flag, which is the gorgeous en- sign of the Republic under which we live and to which we are indebted for our prosperity and civilization. In doing so, I presume to address you a few feeble words of encouragement. The ladies of Rushville are united in a strong feeling of love for their country, and in a burning indignation for the wrongs which have been in- flicted on her honor and integrity. The heroic blood of the mothers and daughters of the Revolution courses through their veins, and should their patriotism be put to the dreadful test, you will find them ready to imitate their noble conduct during that long and san- guinary struggle.
" The beautiful banner which they are about to entrust to your keeping, the meteor flag of our country is the banner of all others that we have loved and reverenced since our earliest recollec- tion. It has been our nation's pride and glory ever since she had a place among the family of nations. Tyranny and oppression have fled from before it, unable to find protection beneath its ample folds. Proudly streaming from our noble ships, the glorious emblem of
Edward young.
IST LEIUT. CO.F IBTH IND. VOLS.
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the free, it has floated over every ocean and in every clime to pro- tect our commerce and to proclaim our power. Our ancestors, led on by the immortal Washington, waded through seas of blood to raise it, and it has been valiantly upheld and defended ever since, by a brave people, whose onward march in intelligence and refine- ment is without precedent in the annals of history; and shall it now, after it has waved in beauty and glory for so many years, be ruthlessly torn and trampled under foot by traitors? Almighty God forbid it! Are there not men to be found now as valorous and true as those of former time, who will arise in their majesty to defend their country and their country's flag? We feel assured that there are and that the Rush County Guards will ever be found among the bravest of the brave. Into your keeping, then, we resign, this flag, conjuring you by all you hold sacred and dear, never to dis- grace it on the field of duty and honor! Proudly bear it aloft, as the children of Israel bore the ark, as the emblem of your hopes in your country's salvation. Let the stars and stripes be trailed in the dust and dishonored, and anarchy will prevail throughout our borders. Should the demands of duty and patriotism point to the battlefield, and death itself stare you in the face, shrink not, fear not, but remembering the mighty interests at stake, push forward to victory. Think of the glorious future that awaits our country if rescued from the menaces of the great rebellion which threaten to destroy it and with it our civil and religious liberties, and prove faithful and true in the hour of trial. Should difficulties and dan- gers encompass you about, dark clouds of despair obscure the beaming star of hope, lift your eyes to where your country's flag floats in proud defiance, remember the dear ones at home, breathe a fervent prayer to the God of Hosts, and press on! Truth and right will certainly triumph. Law and order will surely prevail and our country will be saved, forever to remain 'the land of the free and the home of the brave.' You will return to us a gallant band of plumed warriors, your proud banner floating in the breeze, with not a star obliterated, or a stripe rent in twain by any act of omis- sion or neglect on your part. Here then receive the emblem of your nation's honor and prowess, and proudly carry it wherever love of country, the preservation of constitutional government and the punishment of rebellion may require, and never return to Rush- ville without it, even should it be tattered and torn, for we shall have the proud consolation of knowing that no flag was ever de- faced in a holier or juster cause."
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