History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 62

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: [Madison, Wis.] : Brant & Fuller
Number of Pages: 714

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siege and capture of Vicksburg, the great and decisive battle of Gettysburg, and all of the exploits of the army both in the east and west, were watched. All eyes followed the fearless Sherman and his gallant army in their brilliant campaign of 1864, and when the news of Atlanta's fall came, an immense crowd assembled in front of the old Branch bank, to hear patriotic speeches and music, and to indulge in fire-works. Wild demon- strations of delight followed the capture of Richmond and Petersburg, but all were as nothing compared with that which followed the news of Lee's surrender.

The news from Appomattox reached Evansville in the evening, but only a few heard it then. It became generally known in the morning of the next day, and at sun- rise the rejoicing commenced. The great guns belched forth their thunders, the bells pealed with joy, and flags were flung out, and fluttered gorgeously in the breeze, until Main street seemed a galaxy of stars and stripes. The city schools were dis- missed and more than a thousand youths betook themselves to the streets with wild shouts and unrestrained rejoicing. Bands of musicians paraded the streets and the joy soon became fast and furious. The Crescent City band took position on the steps of the Branch bank, and there the great crowd assembled. Distinguished citizens and sol- diers, in words of burning eloquence and thrilling patriotism, addressed the throng. The crowd itself commenced singing patri- otic songs, making the streets ring with, "Sons of Freedom, Hear the Story," "John Brown's Body," "Rally Round the Flag" and other soul-stirring airs. The whole populace of the city was on the streets. At noon a grand salute of 200 guns, under the direction of Capt. Tombler, was commenced, and the firing was splendid. Nearly all busi- ness was suspended during the day, and all

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patriotic men partook of the general joy. The city rang with cheers for Lincoln, Grant, Sheridan, Sherman and the boys in blue, and the entire day was given up to festivities and rejoicings, all feeling that the power of the rebellion was at last broken, and that peace, perma- nent and honorable, was about to dawn again on the land.

The people, elated with a series of un- paralled military successes, and buoyant with joyful anticipations of the almost immediate termination of one of the most terrible wars that ever desolated a land, and the speedy prevalence of peace, were, in the midst of their rejoicings, appalled and cast into the deepest gloom by the announcement that President Lincoln had been struck down by the hand of an assassin. The reception of this sad news in Evansville is indescribable. Men were struck dumb almost, and with white lips and blanched cheeks, whispered: " Can this be true ?" And as the startling news spread from lip to lip, all business was instinctively suspended, places of business were closed, and the insignia of mourning was hung on every house. All the flags in the city and on boats at the wharf were hung at half mast and draped in mourning. The churches were thronged with people, and the services there were of the most solemn and affecting character. All eyes were bathed in tears, and a feeling of awe and terror and dread prevailed. Mayor Walker issued a proclamation requesting a suspension of business, the draping of houses and tolling of the city bells. Guns were fired every half hour, by military authority, from sunrise to sunset. The people gath- ered in groups to discuss the appalling calamity. A look of anguish pervaded every countenance. Grief and indignation were mingled, but order was preserved, and no cause for reproach to the city was given.

If there was any one who rejoiced in his heart at this fearful calamity to the nation, his feelings were concealed from the ordi- nary observer.

These civic demonstrations, extending from the commencement to the close of the war, were ample proof of the loyalty of Vanderburgh county and the great majority of her citizens. But even a stronger proof is afforded by the careers of those who, leaving homes, kindred and friends, joined the nation's armies, and through suffering and hardship were forget- ful of self and devoted to the interest of their country. Their names, associated with the history of one of the grandest steps in the progress of human liberty, are received with gratitude to-day, and will pass in honor to remote generations.

First Troops for the Front .- The loyal spirit of Vanderburgh county was proved by the willingness with which she responded to the first call to arms. Scarcely had the people recovered from the shock occasioned by the news that Fort Sumter had been fired on when they commenced preparations for active warfare. On the 19th of April, 1861, Capt. Noah S. Thompson, who had served honorably in the Mexican war, tele- graphed to the adjutant general at Indian- apolis, " Will you receive a company from this city? " The reply was at once returned, " Yes; come on immediately." The com- pany rolls were opened for signatures on Saturday, the 20th, and such was the en- thusiasm that within four hours the company was more than full. On that evening the company met in its armory in the Klausman building, on Main street above Second, and organized, after the administration of an oath by John W. Foster, notary public, afterward the distinguished colonel. The first officers were: Noah S. Thompson, captain; Nathan Willard, first lieutenant; George C. Pope,

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MILITARY HISTORY.

second lieutenant; J. C. C. Miller, third lieu- tenant. The company took the name of " The Crescent City Guards," and during the evening after organization paraded the streets of the city amid great enthusiasm, escorted by the Crescent City band and a large procession of citizens. Preparations were at once made to depart for Indianap- olis on the following Tuesday morning. On Monday morning Capt. Thompson pro- ceeded to Indianapolis, and telegraphed back to the lieutenant, " We cannot get in; disband the company." By this time the company was 132 strong, and at least 100 more had offered themselves, drilling in mil- itary tactics had been actively commenced, and the disappointment to the men occa- sioned by the news from their captain was very great. At length, however, the com- pany was received into the service of the state, and marched to the fair grounds to camp until called into active service. The company was mustered into the United States service June 7, 1861, as Com- pany E, Fourteenth Regiment infan- try - the first of the three years' regi- ments from Indiana. The commissions of the officers above named were dated April 19, 1861. Capt. Thompson resigned, and Lieut. Willard was promoted to the vacancy September 15, 1861, serving until June 24, 1864, when his term expired. The first lieutenants were: Edward Ballenger, commissioned September 15, 1861, died September 23, 1862, of wounds received in action; Chester O. Davis, commissioned September 24, 1862, resigned February 23, 1863; Charles H. Myerhoff, commissioned May 4, 1863, mustered out October 17, 1865, - was absent in hospital on account of wounds received in action when company was mustered out. The second lieutenants were: John C. C. Miller, commissioned April 19, 1861, resigned September 15,

IS61; Thomas M. Marshall, commissioned September 15, 1861, dismissed October 17, 1862; Horace Bradford, commissioned Octo- ber IS, 1862, mustered out June 24, 1864, term expired. The following is a complete roster of the non-commissioned officers and privates of this 'company: First Sergeant Edward Ballenger, promoted first lieutenant. Sergeant August Junod, elected first lieu- tenant, killed Cheat Mountain, September 12, 1861. Sergeant Chester O. Davis, pro- moted first lieutenant. Sergeant Thomas M. Marshall, promoted second lieutenant. Sergeant Horace Bradford, promoted second lieutenant. Corporal John Dalzell, wounded Winchester, discharged October 22, 1862, disability. Corporal Carl Schone, appointed sergeant, discharged March 2, 1863. Cor- poral Charles H. Myerhoff, promoted first lieutenant. Corporal John D. Lyons, dis- charged July 15, 1862, disability. Corporal William H. Mitchell, discharged October 20, 1862, joined Fourth United States artil- lery. Corporal John S. Troy, discharged May 10, 1862. Corporal Joseph R. Weas- ner, discharged June 21, 1862. Corporal Thomas Davis, dropped from rolls October 15, 1862. Samuel L. Potts, principal mu- sician, discharged February 25, 1863. Clayborn Clements, musician, veteran, transferred to Company C. John Dougherty, wagoner, discharged September 21, 1861.

Privates .- Beck, Ludwig, discharged Oc- tober 20, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Bergman, William, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Bettus, George W., discharged August 7, 1861, accidental wounds, served in Veteran Relief Corps; Born, Wendel, discharged May 20, 1862, disability; Bodenheimer, George W., wounded at Fredericksburg, to Veteran Relief Corps, November 16, 1863; Bowen, John, dropped from rolls October 15, 1862; Campbell, George, wounded at Antietam,

Аввал в Жусьводы

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FIRST COMPANY.

mustered out June 16, 1864; Carnsted, Charles, died at Huttosnville, Va., Novem- ber 3, 1861; Dailey, John A., captured at Chancellorsville, mustered out June 16, 1864; Donahue, Michael, not mustered out; .Duncan, Ira H., discharged December 15, 1861, disability; Edrington, Silas, discharged May 10, 1862, disability; Everhart, Fred, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Feldman, Francis A., died April 4, 1862, at Winchester, Va., wounds; Fickas, William . H., discharged October 24, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Fluke, Se- fren, wounded at Antietam, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Foss, Chris- tian, discharged May 20, 1862, disability; Gephardt, Louis, wounded at Antietam, captured at Chancellorsville, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Grey, William H., appointed wagoner, transfered to Vet- eran Relief Corps; Harter, Henry, ap- pointed corporal, wounded at Antietam, transfered to Veteran Relief Corps; Hennel, Joseph, captured at Fredericksburg, mus- tered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Henson, John, discharged May 10, 1862, disability; Hergt, Charles, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Hitch, Thomas, discharged October 24, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Hitch, George, wounded Chancellorville, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Hagerman, Chris- tian, discharged August 2, 1862, disability ; Hoffmeinster, Henry, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Hugle, Christian, not discharged; Jenner, William D., discharged October 20, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Jolly, Joseph, appointed cor- poral, discharged March 14, 1863; Koppler, William, discharged June 16, 1862, account of wounds received at Winchester; Ken- nedy, Edward, killed at Antietam, September 17, 1862; Kiger, Ferdinand, discharged Oc- tober 24, 1862, joined Fourth United States

artillery; Keshler, Emdil, wounded Antie- tam, mustered out June 16, 1864, term ex- pired; Kinney, James K., discharged Octo- ber 24, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Kramer, John P., discharged May 10, 1862, disability; Konig, Fred, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Kornman, Adolph, discharged February 16, 1863, dis- ability; Kretchman, Charles, discharged February 7, 1863, disability; Kinkle, George H., died October 9, 1862, of wounds re- ceived at Antietam; Kline, Matthew, ap- pointed sergeant, wounded Antietam and Fredericksburg; Laughlin, John M., dis- charged October 20, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Lennert, Herman, discharged October 20, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Loop, Francis M., discharged October 20, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Lyons, Joseph, discharged May 10, 1862, disability; Meyer, John G., mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Meyer, George, discharged Oc- tober 24, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Murrisena, Frank, discharged October 10, 1861, disability; McMullin, James H., wounded three times, captured at Chancellorsville, killed at Wilderness, May 6, 1864; McCarty, James J., discharged De- cember 15, 1861; McQuill, James, dis- charged May 19, 1862, on account of wounds received at Winchester; Newbanks, Charles E., dropped October 15, 1862, returned and discharged 1863; Nixon, William, captured at Fredericksburg, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Ottinger, Jacob, mus- tered out June 16, 1864, term expired; O'Bryen, Frank, killed at Antietam, Septem- ber 17, 1862; Peacock, William, discharged October 20, 1864, joined Fourth United States artillery; Planitz, Antoine, dropped April 10, 1863; Quintell, James, appointed sergeant, transferred to Veteran Relief Corps, September 1, 1863; Richardt, Con-

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MILITARY HISTORY.

rad, mustered out June 16, 1864, term ex- pired; Richard, John, killed at Antietam, September 17, 1862; Rourke, John, dis- charged October 23, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Scudder, Frank, transferred to Fourth United States artillery, killed at Chancellorsville: Shultz, Edward, discharged October 23, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Shultz, August, wounded June 1, 1864, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Schreeber, Stephen, discharged October 20, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Semler, Fred, wounded at Cheat Mountain, September 12, 1861; Sneider, Joseph N., appointed ser- geant, wounded at Chancellorville; Summer- field, Henry, discharged April 10, 1863, on account of wounds received at Antietam; Shelby, James W., wounded at Gettysburg, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired; Stack, John, discharged May 29, 1863, disa- bility; Strausner, Peter, discharged October 16, 1861, blindness; Stark, John, killed at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; Trout, Caspar, mustered out June 16, 1864, as absent sick, term expired; Thompson, Joseph G., cap- tured Fredericksburg, wounded and cap- tured Wilderness; Utalhofen, William, missing in action at Wilderness; Watson, Alexander, not discharged; Weisenthal, Louis, discharged August 19, 1861, disabil- ity; Winder, George, killed at Cheat Moun- tain, September 12, 1861; Winters, Sebas- tian, discharged April 11, 1863, account wounds received Fredericksburg; Win- gert, John H., died December 17, 1862, of wounds received Fredericksburg; Wood- ruff, John, discharged October 23, 1862, joined Fourth United States artillery; Zus- span, Adam, wounded Antietam, mustered out June 16, 1864, term expired.

Recruits .- Hartlin, Nicholas, wounded Wilderness, transferred Twentieth regi- ment June, 1864; Robeson, Charles, trans-

ferred to Twentieth regiment June, 1864. The company started out with ninety- eight men and received two recruits. Of these twelve died, six deserted and three were unaccounted for. Col. Thomas G. Williamson, of Evansville, served in this regiment as first lieutenant. Company A, from April 24, 1861, to July 5, 1861, and as captain Company F, from July 5, 1861 to April 26, 1862, when he resigned.

Flag Presentation .- When Capt. Thomp- son's company was ready to depart the . ladies of the city of Evansville sought to show their appreciation of the heroism which was leading these men from the quiet joys of home to the hardships of army life, and arranged to present a silk flag to the company on the afternoon of May 10, at the court-house. The following account of the ceremonies of the occasion is taken from the Journal of May II, 1861 :

" Long before the hour had arrived for the presentation the crowd began to assem- ble, and but few minutes elapsed before the windows of the court-house, Crescent City hall and the windows and balcony of the Washington hotel were filled with ladies, while Main street was blocked with men. There was but little noise or confusion. A feeling of sadness appeared to pervade the entire assemblage that the time had ever arrived when this people were called on to arm their neighbors and friends, and present to their care the American flag, which they are expected to protect and defend against traitorous and re- bellious Americans. Notwithstanding the sadness which many thoughtful countenances indicated, the compressed lips showed there was no lack of determination, and the flash- ing eyes and heaving bosoms - when the beautiful symbol of our country's nationality and glory was unfurled to the breeze - plainly spoke death to the traitorous hand

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FLAG PRESENTATION.

that should attempt to desecrate or dis- honor it.

"The Turner corps was out in full num- bers, and moved with the precision of old soldiers. Capt. Thompson's company - the Crescent City Guards - headed by the Crescent City band, marched up in double file, and stood immediately in front of the portico, with the Turners in the rear in two ranks, while the crowd was compactly packed in between the two com- panies, and down the street to a considerable distance. The band opened the exercises by playing, "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." The same piece was then sung by a party of young ladies and gentlemen with fine effect. The song struck a tender chord, and the hearty cheers that went up from the vast crowd showed that Columbia was enshrined in their hearts.

"Mr. Shanklin, in behalf of the ladies, then presented the flag, with the following elo- quent and touching appeal:

" ' Captain, in behalf of the ladies, I pre- sent this flag to you, and through you to the company which you command. It is the work of fair hands, prompted by the patriot- ism of noble hearts. The custom of pre- senting a flag to the soldier going forth to battle for his country is not a new one. Away back in olden times, the banners that waved victoriously over the grim legions of Cæsar were made and presented by the sturdy - matrons of Rome. The cross of St. George, that flaunted defiantly on the red field of Wat-) erloo, upon which cross the first Napoleon was that day crucified and afterward the great stone of St. Helena rolled against the door of his sepulchre-that cross was made by the proud mothers of England; and in every battlefield, when the din and storm of strife is loudest, as the soldier through the thick smoke of battle catches sight of his country's flag, his heart beats quicker

and his arm grows stronger to think that its bright colors were put on by the brighter eyes, and its pure white by the still whiter hands of his countrywomen. History tells us that the original of this flag was born at Bunker Hill, and baptized at Saratoga, while the choir of continental cannon was chant- ing the baptismal service; it came of age at Yorktown, and now, when it is grown up in its full manhood and strength, southern traitors insist that it must be born again. Well, if it must be so, let its new birth be at Charleston, and its re-baptism at Mont- gomery, with the same proud eagle for its godfather. You remember when, during the revolutionary war, our flag was shot away from the breast works of Fort Moultrie, a young soldier by the name of Jasper sprang forward, and, amid the hot fire of the enemy, planted it firmly on top of the ramparts. Eighty years have rolled by since then, and once more at the same Fort Moultrie, almost on the very spot where it fell before, has our flag been insulted and dishonored ! Is there a heart in this vast crowd that will not join in the prayer that Indiana may furnish the next Jasper, who shall once more plant our flag on the breastworks of Moultrie ? The same glorious immortality that covers, with a golden sheen of light, the Jasper of the revolution, awaits the coming Jasper of our day.

" 'Soldiers, to you this flag is entrusted. The knight who brought back his banner untorn and unsullied by the fierce contest of battle, was disowned and rejected by his lady love. Do not be afraid of soiling this noble flag; if it be blackened by the smoke of battle, the same fair hands will make its folds white again on your return; if it be torn and riddled in the raging strife of the battle-field, not a broken star that shall not shine again, not a tattered stripe that shall

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MILITARY HISTORY.

not wave as proudly as ever to the breeze. so that peace and concord and harmony, God of heaven, forbid that the flag of the may dwell once more throughout that land which the Almighty intended as an appen- dix to Paradise. ' stars and stripes should ever be dishonored; that flag in which the dying Pike was wrapped when borne from the field of battle " Mr. Willard accepted the flag in behalf of the captain and company in a short and appropriate address. He said the flag would never be dishonored in the hands to which it was entrusted. He returned thanks also for the many acts of kindness on the part of the ladies toward the company, and said was it his fate to fall in the field of battle, he knew that his family would be cared for by the generous people in whose midst he left them. The address was received with much favor. - glorious shroud for such a soldier's form, that flag; which, when the splinters went flying from his vessel, and the blood running deep over the decks, the dying Lawrence said should never be struck, that flag under which the American soldier has felt that death has no sting nor the grave a victory to him who dies for his country's honor - no, no; it must never be dishonored. As its long and graceful folds bend and wave in the breeze, the red stripes look like so many veins or arteries, filled with healthful life- "The Star Spangled Banner, that good old song that so stirs the hearts of the people and arouses their enthusiasm, was played by the band and afterward sung by the people. The singing was fine, and the words and music thrilled every heart, not a few eyes being suffused with tears. Three cheers were then given for the ladies; three for the flag; three for the boys, and three for the Union. The companies then took up their line of march down the street, and, after listening to some splendid music fur- nished by the regimental band, belonging to Col. Wallace's regiment, the immense crowd gradually dispersed." blood, drawn from the wounds of the old revolutionary sires who bled beneath its glorious folds; and as for the white stripes every one knows that they are the milky way out of which new stars are continually forming. It is the red veins that give life and health and vigor to the flag; take them off and it looks like a ghastly shroud; if it be dyed a still deeper red in the blood of trait- ors, bring it home and the ladies will prove to you that traitors, blood will soon wash out but patriots' blood never. There is a magic in that flag which makes brave soldiers, and you will find it. If the shroud of Benedict Arnold had been made out of the stars and stripes, he would have been a very respect- able looking corpse. And now in conclu- sion the ladies have but one thing to ask in return for this beautiful flag; and appeal to your gallantry to grant the request. When you come home from fields of battle they want you to bring a rattlesnake flag and present it to them. They want to see the old serpent that is tempting our fair south- ern Eve to fall again. May the armies of the Union bruise the head of that serpent pretty considerably in the coming campaign,

Sketch of the Regiment .- On July 5, 1861, the regiment, fully armed and equipped, left Indianapolis for the seat of war in western Virginia, everywhere along the route creat- ing the wildest enthusiasm. On the 11th, after a forced march from Clarksburgh, the regiment reached Rich Mountain, where it was held in reserve in line of battle, but did not participate in the engagement. After the victory the column moved on, through Beverly to Cheat Mountain, where the Four- teenth was stationed on outpost duty until October 8, in the meantime bearing a con_

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FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.

spicuous part in the engagement with Lee's army on Cheat Mountain, September 12, losing three killed, eleven wounded and two prisoners, and in the battle of Green Brier, on October 3, losing five killed and eleven wounded. The winter was spent in quar- ters at Romney and Paw Paw Tunnel. On March 4, 1862, it started to Winchester, and on the evening of the 22d following, was engaged in some severe skirmishing with Stonewall Jackson's army, and on the next day participated in the decisive battle of Winchester Heights, losing four killed and fifty wounded. The regiment took part in the pursuit of the enemy that followed this battle, then marched to Fredericks- burg, thence back to Port Royal, aiding in driving the enemy out of that place, and thereafter until June 23 was so constantly on the march that 339 miles were made, a part of the time most of the men being without shoes and very short of rations. From Bristow Station, via Alexandria, mov- ing by rail and water, the regiment reached Turkey Bend, on the James river, July 2, and there finding the army of the Potomac retreating before a closely pursuing enemy, was at once sent out to meet the enemy, and assisted in checking his advance, after some severe fighting. Being assigned to the Sec- ond army corps, it was kept on the extreme outpost, without tents or covering of any kind, for some twenty days, coming in con- tact with the enemy almost night and day. At Centreville, on August 30th, it assisted in covering the retreat of the army of the Potomac; was in the Maryland campaign, being at South Mountain as a . reserve force on September 12; and follow- ing the rebels over the mountains, partici- pated in the battle of Antietam on the 17th, serving in Kimball's brigade of French's division, it being the only portion of the line of battle that did not, at some

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History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 62

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: [Madison, Wis.] : Brant & Fuller Number of Pages: 714

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: [Madison, Wis.] : Brant & Fuller
Number of Pages: 714