USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby 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 29
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A number of other short speeches were made, by Chairman Wanee, Secretary Norris, Dr. Smelser, Homer Palmerton and others. The large and influential relationship of the Johnstons and Carsons, who comprised the bulk of the Republican voters of the township, were out in full force, and they at first supported Dr. McFadden, the Union-at-all-hazards champion, in his determined opposition; but they were gradually won over to the affirmative by the continued argument and persuasion of the Democrats, until finally Dr. McFadden was left solitary and alone in his opposition. As a last despairing effort, he said: "Gentlemen, the people of New England are not all Abolitionists, and they are not as bad as has been represented. The Yankees were good soldiers in the
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War of the Revolution, they helped us mightily to achieve our in- dependence. The Revolution, you remember, began at Lexing- ton and Bunker Hill. I for one am not willing to give up " Yan- kee Doodle. Lexington and Bunker Hill." At this point the secretary, who was familiarly known as Dick Norris, called upon his fast friend and bosom crony, Ben Farmbrough, the great trading man of the township, for an expression of his sentiments. Ben, sur- named " Old Sly." slowly rose to his feet, and in his peculiarly quaint and comical tone, said: "Gentlemen, you all know I'm not speech maker; but at sich a time as this I thinks it stands every man in hand to impress his sentiments. I know the Southerners well; I hey traded in Old Kaintuck: I hey bot stock thar, and I hev sold stock thar. Whatever a Kaintuckian tells you, you can depend on: he's fair and squar: his word 's as good as his bond. I speak what I know: I hav et at thar tables, staid at their houses of nights, and had lots o' deelins with 'em, and thars not a more cleverer or a more honorabler set of people on the face of the urth than they ar. As for the blue-belli'd Yanks, I've hed deelins with them too; an you've got to watch 'em all the time, watch 'em as well as pray, for prayin wont do no good; they'll cheet you enny how if they git the least chance, an if they don't they make a chance. I tel you the Devil will never git his own until he gits the Yanks, and he'll be mighty loth to claim 'em for he knows 'em too well: he knows they wouldn't be in hell six months before they cheet him out of his kingdom and set up a government of their own. No, he'll not take 'em in if he can help it, he'll just shut the door in their faces and tel 'em thro' the key-hole that he don't want em, for 'em to go on still lower down, and set up a kingdom of their own, and cheet it out among themselves. If we had the few good Dimekrats out o' New England, I would say, go to thunder, we don't want to be associated with you dead-beets and everlastin cheets no longer. I fer one am fer the south. Them's my senti- ments."
It is needless to remark that Ben's speech brought down the house, and that a motion was thereupon made to vote for the reso- lutions. The chairman put the question, shall the resolutions pass, it was answered from all parts of the room as well as out doors by a stentorian yes. He then said, are there any opposed to the reso- lution. Dr. McFadden rose and said, I vote no against the last resolution ; he was feebly seconded by two others, whose names I have forgotten, and one young man, Washington Andrews, refused to vote either way. The chairman declared the resolutions passed by a large majority, nearly unanimous - he regretted that it wasn't
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entirely unanimous, but the minority, no matter how small their numbers, were entitled to vote their sentiments.
The resolutions as passed by the meeting were taken to Louis- ville, Ky., the next Monday by Mr. Fullalove, Dr. Smelser's cousin, and by him furnished to the Louisville papers, with a report of the meeting. The resolutions were published in the papers of that city, with glowing comments by the editors, who represented that this was a true exponent of the sentiments of the Western States, and that Sugar Creek Township had simply taken the initiative in giving voice to their sentiments. That Sugar Creek Township was situated in Shelby County, the home of the distinguished Democratic politician the Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, and that no doubt these resolutions were a true reflex of the sentiments prevailing not only in Indiana, but in all the Western States. They were published all over the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Lakes to the Gulf, and were circulated broadcast over the entire South. There is no doubt that they proved an important factor in stimulating the spirit of secession and hastening the advent of the inevitable conflict."
The Volunteer of March 7, 1861, contained this article: " The following are the resolutions passed by the Sugar Creek union meeting on the 16th. The first and second resolutions were passed unanimously, and the third by three or four dissenting voices. The meeting was about equally composed of Democrats and Repub- licans."
" WHEREAS, We do acknowledge, and are proud to confess the services of our Con- gressmen, who are stirring and using their united efforts to promote the best interests and safety of the Union, and
" WHEREAS, We do fully endorse the Crittenden resolutions or any fair and honorable adjustment, that will answer as a basis for the settlement of our national affairs, that will be honorable and fair to the interests of all portions of our nation. Therefore,
" Resolved, That we, the citizens of Sugar Creek Township, do most earnestly recom- mend and request the General Assembly of this State, now in session, to make application to Congress to call a convention as soon as possible for the purpose of proposing amendments to the constitution of the United States, based on the Crittenden resolutions, or any other fair and honorable policy, that will amicably and forever settle the slavery ques- tion between the North and the South.
" Resolved, That while we deprecate the precipitate action of the Southern States, we are opposed to the general government using any means of forcible coercion, but believe if proper concessions and compromises are offered by the Northern States with adequate constitutional guarantees, that all these seceding States will readily come back, and a reunion of our glorious Union will be the result.
Resolved, That if, after all peaceable efforts have been made to keep the several States united in one grand confederacy, they must divide, and we must be cast with one or the other portion, we do of choice prefer to be attached to the Southern Confederacy."
There were no further attempts to hold Union meetings in Shelby County for some time, and things drifted along in this manner until the firing on Fort Sumter brought about the crisis. Nothing can well
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exceed the excitement occasioned by that first act of the rebellion. Public meetings were held in most of the villages and hamlets throughout the North, at which speeches were made and resolu- tions passed, denouncing the secession movement in unmeasured terms. The President's call for 75,000 volunteers was responded to with alacrity. No portion of the country was more prompt in stepping forward in defense of the Union than was Shelby County. In less than a week two full companies were organized and ready for the field. and five others were nearly completed. One of these was accepted by the authorities at Indianapolis, and was assigned the position of C, in the Seventh Regiment, three months' volun- teers. It was mustered into service on the 22nd of April, with John M. Blair, as Captain; John M. Flynn, Ist Lieutenant: and John C. Maze, 2nd Lieutenant. From the Volunteer of April 25, 1861, the following account of the departure of that company is taken :
" On Sabbath afternoon last, Johnson's Hall was filled to over- flowing with citizens to witness the presentation of the elegant flag (purchased by the patriotic ladies of Shelbyville) to the first com- pany of volunteers from this county, under the command of Capt. John M. Blair. The ceremonies were of an impressive and enter- taining character. ORDER OF EXERCISES: First - Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Lynch; Second -Song. ' America;' Third - Addresses, by Revs. Montgomery, Smythe, Kent and Lynch; Fourth - Pres- entation of a copy of the Bible to each of the officers, and a copy of the Testament to each volunteer. The Bible and Testaments were presented by the American Bible Society, and a full copy of the Bible would have been given each soldier had the agency at this place had a sufficient number on hand; Fifth - Presentation of flag. Misses Annie Green, Laurie Sprague and Fannie Robins, in behalf of the lady donors, came forward and presented the elegant flag, procured for the occasion as a gratuity of their zeal for the cause in which their countrymen were about to engage. Miss Green said:
" Captain Blair and Gentlemen of the Company: In behalf of the ladies of Shelbyville, I present you this flag - the flag of our country -as a memento of the past, the emblem of our happiness and greatness, and the hope of our future. The history of the world teaches us that liberty has ever been assailed, has ever been struggling for her rights, but has never been conquered. When the Roman Empire became enervated by the luxuries and licentionsness of her people, and despotism erected a throne upon her ruins, then liberty was enshrouded in the dark mantle of oppression and wrong. But amid all the struggles of mankind for their liberties, noble and patriotic fathers, husbands, brothers and sons have bared their manly breasts to the blows of her enemies, in defense of their rights. And when fallen- as many have, and may again in defense of this flag - the soldier's brav- ery, the soldier's grave and the soldier's monument, are the fondest legacies of a nation, hon- ored by historians and poets - the theme and pride of generations. Who would blot from Grecian history her Thermopyla, or the fame of Alexander, who wept on the shores of the Indian Ocean because there were no more worlds to conquer; from Rome her hundred un- paralleled victories - the fame of her Pompeys, her Scipios and her Cæsars; from France
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her tragic victories on the Rhine and the fame of her Napoleon at whose victorious tread the whole continent trembled; from England her Waterloo, her Nelson and her Wellington; from America the glorious deeds of Bunker Hill, Yorktown, Lunday's Lane, battle of Lake Erie and defense of Fort Sumter? Who would forget her warriors - her Washington, her Marion, her Knox, her Greene, her Jackson, her Scott, or her Major Anderson? Is there one who would sully these bright achievements of our country or dishonor the glorious old flag of our Union? Alas! there comes a voice from the land of Marion, of Greene, of Knox, and lastly, and most mournful of all, from the land of Washington, uttered by degenerate sons thereof, whose highest aim is their country's dishonor, boastingly answering, YES. But here is a bright oasis in the desert of degeneracy. Scarcely has the echo of that voice died away, ere that banner is lifted aloft by proud and patriotic hands, and around its standard are gathered the bravest and noblest of the land, to defend and protect it from traitorous hands, wherever found. And now as you go forth to swell the mighty number rising in the strength and majesty of a nation to repel the invasion of a traitcrous foe, and to vindicate our nation's honor, bear it proudly, guard it well, defend it nobly and
' In the dark and trying hour, ' In the breaking forth of power, ' In the rush of steeds and men, ' God's right hand will shield thee then. '
Let your motto be 'Victory or death!' And may this flag with its stars and stripes, never be trailed in the dust, but
'long may it wave ' O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. "
Capt. Blair responded :
"To the liberal and patriotic ladies of Shelbyville, allow me, and in behalf of my fellow soldiers', to express our warmest gratitude for this noble Banner. Speaking is not the soldiers' province. Rather is it their duty to defend that right, when the voice is raised in behalf of the Union and Constitution, but to crush it out when uttered by unworthy men against the Constitution and that glorious old Banner, which has so often waved over many a hard fought battle-field, and never yet been struck at half mast until assailed by the trait- orous hands of its own countrymen. We accept this noble and generous gift, and with it, the motto suggested by the fair donors, 'Victory or death!' May we hope the first senti- ment shall crown our efforts. But, for me, and I but reiterate the sentiments of my fellow soldiers, death is far more preferable than this noble Banner should ever be disgraced."
After this the volunteers sat down to a sumptuous banquet given by order of the city council.
The second company was organized on the 22nd of April by electing T. A. McFarland, Captain, D. T. Sleeth, Ist Lieutenant, and Robert Connor, 2nd Lieutenant. The meeting for recruiting this company was held on the 17th of April. The following account of it was published at that time: "The meeting was organized by the appointment of Hon. T. A. McFarland, President, Green Vernon and Joseph Tull, Vice Presidents, and J. W. Elliott, Secretary. After a few patriotic remarks by Mr. McFarland, on taking the chair, the meeting was addressed at length by Col. W. M. Mc- Carty, T. A. McFarland, James Milleson, Mr. Oldham and E. G. Mayhew, in favor of the maintenance of the Union, the constitution and the enforcement of the laws. On motion a committee, con- sisting of James Elliott (Mayor), John C. Green, E. B. Wingate, James Milleson and Dr. D. Adams, was appointed to draft resolu- tions expressive of the sense of the meeting. The committee,
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through their chairman, reported the following, which were passed amid great enthusiasm :
"WHEREAS, There exists an open and avowed rebellion against the constitution and laws of our country, which, if permitted to continue, will prove subversive of the liberties of the whole people of the union, and tarnish forever the glory, honor and fair name of our beloved country in the eyes of the world; therefore,
"Resolved, That we, the people of Shelby County, totally ignoring all past divisions, unite in one common sentiment, that the supremacy of the constitution, the union and the laws, under their properly constituted authorities must be maintained.
"Resolved, That, emulating the example of our forefathers, we pledge our lives, our for- tunes and our saered honors, to maintain the honor of our national flag, consecrated by the blood of patriots on a hundred battle fields, and the integrity of the Union, the palladium of our liberty and the only hope of our posterity.
"Resolved, That appealing to the God of battles to sustain us, we are determined to crush out this rebellion, as the only means of perpetuating the noblest system of Govern- ment ever devised by human wisdom.
"During the absence of the Committee on Resolutions a paper was presented for the enrollment of Volunteers. Forty names were signed at once and arrangements made to continue the en- rollment in the morning. * * * After three rousing cheers for Gov. Hicks, of Maryland, and three times three for the stars and stripes, the meeting adjourned."
This company was entirely filled by the 22nd, the date of elect- ing officers. At that time the name "Shelby Guard of Honor " was adopted and an invitation extended to the " Freeport Rovers," the " Brandywine Invincibles," the "Home Guard," of St. Paul, and all other companies in the county to meet at Shelbyville and muster the military forces of the county. Cols. Mckenzie and Shank, and Capts. Coalscott and McGuire were asked to assist in the drilling and mustering.
The following items of interest appeared in the Volunteer of April 25th :
.. The second company of volunteers from Shelby County, under command of Captain T. A. McFarland, are now awaiting marching orders. The company numbers about one hundred, mostly robust and able-bodied men."
"A HIGH COMPANY .- There is now being organized in this place a company of volunteers, whose services will be offered to the General Government, when required, of a high order-or rather high men-no man standing less than five feet ten inches being eligible to membership. Some twenty odd names have already been enrolled, and it is intended to have the company filled up and ready to report itself under the next requisition, which may probably be in the course of a few days. Able-bodied men filling the bill in stature and willing to do duty commensurate with their size, are requested to come forward and enroll their names imme-
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diately. The whereabouts of the list can be ascertained on inquiry at this office."
"AID FOR VOLUNTEERS' FAMILIES. - Our citizens have sub- scribed liberally towards the support of families of volunteers during their absence. We learn it is also the intention of the City Council and the County Commissioners to make liberal provisions for the same object."
It is probable that Shelbyville has never had a more exciting time than the week following the announcement of the fall of Fort Sumter. The whole county was in a state of unusual commotion, while martial bands served to quicken the patriotism of the citizens. On the first Saturday night after the news reached town of the inauguration of war, one man was shot. This was John Vanpelt, a volunteer in company number one. It occurred during a raid made on the saloon of a man named John Frakes, who did the shooting. From the extracts just made and the resolutions passed at that time, there can be but little doubt as to the loyalty of the people in this community at the beginning of the war. Nothing can give a better idea of the progress of events than these items taken from the weekly paper published here at the time. During this period there was but one paper published in Shelbyville called the Volunteer. The Banner, a Republican organ, had suspended prior to the open- ing of the war. The Volunteer was Democratic in politics, and the articles may at times be somewhat biased with the opinions, or in the interest of that party. They are given, however, as the best that is now at hand adapted to this work. The reproduction of these local items will be continued to a considerable extent throughout this chapter on the military history.
The Seventh Regiment to which Capt. Blair's company be- longed, was one of the earliest of the Indiana regiments in the field. The regiments for the civil war began with the Sixth, as the State had furnished five for the Mexican War, and those numbers were not again used. Ebenezer Dumont, who had served with distinc- tion in the Mexican War, was commissioned Colonel of this regi- ment. In the latter part of May it proceeded to Western Virginia, and on the 2d of June, took part in the first battle of the war after Fort Sumter, at Philippi. In writing home about this affair, Cap- tain Blair said: "Col. Dumont's division entered the town by a bridge direct from the north of the town, in which a portion of the Rebels had encamped. Col. Dumont was at the head of his regi- ment and the first to enter Philippi; Company B next, and Com- pany C (Capt. Blair's), was the first full company that entered the town. To the Seventh Regiment be-
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longs the honor of hauling down the Rebel flag and placing in its stead the stars and stripes, and the colors of our regiment. Cor- poral Hacker, one of the color guards of my company, claims the honor of first throwing the stars and stripes to the breeze. Others claim the same honor, but to the color guards of the Seventh be- long the honor." The regiment remained in camp there for six weeks, after which it moved to Bealington, and was there engaged in some shirmishes. On the IIth of July, near Leadsville, Capt. Blair and Lieut. Tucker, of the Seventh, captured three Rebel prisoners. On Cheat river, at Carrick's Ford, where the Rebel General Garnett was killed, the Seventh took a conspicuous part, and after the engagement pursued the enemy for a considerable distance. The regiment was mustered out at Indianapolis. at the expiration of its term of enlistment. Capt. Blair re-entered the services as Adjutant of the Seventh Regiment, three years' volun- teers. Lieut. Flynn became Lieutenant in the Fifty-first, and Lieut. Maze became First Lieutenant in the Thirty-third Regiment.
The company of Capt. McFarland was mustered into the ser- vice as Company A, in the Sixteenth Regiment, one year's enlist- ment, on the 14th of May. The officers were Thomas A. McFarland, Captain: David T. Sleeth, Ist Lieutenant, and Wm. H. F. Randall, 2d Lieutenant. In this regiment. Robert Conover, of Shelbyville, was Adjutant. This was the regiment, at the head of which Pleasant A. Hackleman was placed. He led it through the vicissitudes of a year's campaign, most of which was in the Vir- ginias. In April, 1862, he was made Brigadier General and after- ward, at the battle of Corinth, was killed. Ile lived at Rushville. At the expiration of their term of enlistment, Capt. McFarland and Lieut. Sleeth re-entered the service in the Seventieth Indiana Regiment.
Besides this company of Capt. McFarland's Shelby County had another full company in the Sixteenth Regiment. This was Hİ, and it was raised in the vicinity of Fairland. The commissioned offi- cers were: William Judkins, Captain; Henry L. Francis, First Lieutenant, and Samuel Tull, Second Lieutenant, their commissions bearing date April 23, 1861, one week after the firing on Fort Sumter. They all served out the year of enlistment without change.
There was, of course, some opposition to the war in this com- munity, but it was so feeble then as to receive but little attention. Indeed, there was scarcely a locality in the whole country where there were not differences in this regard. Many who were patriots at heart still thought there was no lawful way to compel the south to remain in the Union, and they somehow or other retained that
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now exploded doctrine that there was no power in the constitution, or elsewhere, to coerce a State. An incident of the times that will illustrate how easily suspicion attached to a person holding adverse views, is given in the following from the Volunteer of July 11th, 1861: "On Monday Mayor Elliott received a letter from the Sur- veyor of Cincinnati, informing him that Moses Frankel, of this place, had been detected with a quantity of contraband goods in his pos- session, consisting of nine Colt's Navy revolvers. Frankel repre- sented to the surveyor that he intended selling the pistols to citizens of this place and vicinity, when the surveyor consented to release him and his goods on condition that the latter should be shipped to this place in care of Mayor Elliott. The pistols arrived on Mon- day evening when Frankel managed to get them and retained them until Tuesday evening, when he surrendered them up to the Mayor. We believe Frankel has not yet been arrested, nor are we aware that there is any direct evidence that he meant to put them in improper hands, but the case is an ugly looking one, and will require a pretty straight and well authenticated explanation to exculpate Mr. F. from an intention to place these formidable weapons in the hands of the enemies of the government, especially in the estima- tion of the community." On the 17th of the same month Frankel was still here. and there was loud talk, and some steps taken, to- ward a plan of dealing summarily with him and his goods. Deem- ing "discretion the better part of valor," he suddenly left for parts unknown.
It was still hoped by a large number throughout the north that the war would be waged with the sole object of saving the Union without putting down slavery, the prime cause of all the trouble.
The following paragraph of editorial appeared August Ist and is to the point: "Disunionists in all parts of the Union, and under every possible disguise, will attempt to engineer this war so as to accomplish their cherished design. It will soon be made apparent to the world, whether there is yet enough true loyalty to the con- stitution, and genuine patriotism in this country to effectually put down this great rebellion and at the same time, in the midst of the frenzy and turbulence of civil war, and the animosities and factions it engenders, baffle the machinations of these conspirators, who would convert a war for the maintenance of the Union into a cru- sade against slavery."
During the month of August, the recruiting for the company that was to take the place of Capt. Blairs in the 7th reorganized regiment, was begun. A considerable number of the old company re-enlisted for three years or during the war. Several other com- panies were being enlisted at the same time with good success. In
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