USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 72
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Services of the Legion .-- As fast as or- ganized companies were supplied with arms and accoutrements, drills were frequent, and, for some time, attended with such promptness and regularity that the com- mand, in a few months, attained a highly creditable proficiency in company and bat- talion movements. Important service was rendered in keeping alive the martial spirit, promoting genuine loyalty, and preventing
551
INDIANA LEGION.
invasions and raids. The city of Evansville owed its immunity from guerilla incursions to the fact, well known on the opposite side of the river, that one thousand of her citi- zens, armed, equipped and organized, could · have been called from their beds and formed in line of battle in thirty minutes from the first sound of alarm. The officers and men in this branch of the service dis- played such patriotic zeal as to entitle them to the lasting gratitude of their fellow- citizens.
During the occupation of Bowling Green and Russellville, Ky., by Buckner's com- mand, frequent demonstrations were made in the direction of the Ohio river, threatening the destruction of the locks on Green river and the capture of the city of Henderson. At one time a force was detailed by order of Gen. Buckner to destroy the first lock. A regiment of volunteers marched for the pro- tection of the lock, accompanied by a detail of artillery from Col. Hollingsworth's command. They succeeded in pro- tecting the threatened point, and held possession of this important place for several days. Other demonstrations were constantly threatening the security of Evansville, and scouting parties were sent into Kentucky and up and down the Ohio river to ascertain the position, numbers and purposes, so far as possible, of rebel forces in the vicinity. Guards were posted at various approaches to the city, and the com- mand was held in readiness to repel an attack at any moment. The disastrous ter- mination of McClellan's and Pope's Vir- ginia campaigns encouraged the rebels to renew their operations in Kentucky, and guerillas again made their appearance on the border. Henderson was threatened, and in several cases details were sent from Col. Hollingsworth's command to support a small force of Union troops stationed there. Adam
Johnson's raid on Newburgh, in July 1862, was the occasion for fresh alarm. During the day of the raid a courier arrived at Evansville with intelligence that the New- burgh hospital was being sacked by a large band of Kentucky guerillas. The signal of danger was given, and in less than an hour 1,000 men were under arms. Two steam- ers, the "Eugene " and "Courier" were fired up and, with infantry and artillery on board, proceeded up the river. Col. Hol- lingsworth, with a small force of mounted men, also proceeded by land to the scene of disturbance, but neither the water or land expedition effected anything beyond the destruction by the former of the boat in which the rebels had crossed and re-crossed the river.
September 21, 1862, Col. Hollingsworth, with five companies, proceeded to Owens- boro, Ky., to aid in repelling an attack, but returned without having an opportunity to meet the enemy. On the return trip a sergeant of Company A accidentally shot himself through the head, producing instant death. The Morgan raid, in July, 1863, created intense excitement in Vanderburgh county. Every company in the county ral- lied, with full ranks, and going into camp, awaited orders until it became evident that the first brigade could not be used against the enemy. During the early part of 1864, the duties of the regiment were exceedingly onerous, because of frequent and heavy de- tails for guard duty in protecting the border from invasion. In May one company and parts of several others volunteered for the one hundred days' service. Col. Hollings- worth occupied a captaincy in the United States service, leaving Lieut. Col. Victor Bisch - subsequently appointed colonel - in command. The most important feature of its service subsequent to this time was its participating in the expedition into Ken-
552
MILITARY HISTORY.
tucky under Gen. Alvin P. Hovey and James Hughes, to rout Johnson and Seipert. These rebels had planned an invasion of southern Indiana, but by the prompt and brave conduct of the men who marched against them, were put to flight near Mor- gansfield, Ky., with a loss of three officers and thirty men captured.
The Capture of John Morgan .- The famous invasion of Indiana in 1863, by Gen. John Morgan, the famous rebel ranger, was intended to break railroad communi- cation, attract much of the military attention to himself, and prepare for the capture of Louisville and Cincinnati by Gen. Buckner. He succeeded in doing an immense amount of damage, in levying large sums of money, and most of all, creating wonderfully wide-spread alarm throughout southern In- diana, nearly every town of which feared attack. During the fall and winter of 1862, the cavalry command of Col. J. M. Shackel- ford, stationed in Kentucky, was frequently engaged with the guerillas. Some time thereafter William Davenport, of Hopkins- ville, Ky., an old friend of President Lincoln, went to Washington, and in conversation with the president concerning the depreda- tions of John Morgan, said that if Col. Shackelford were made a brigadier general he would guarantee the great guerilla's cap- ture. Col. Shackelford was then nominated as a brigadier general by the president, and unanimously confirmed by the senate. He was placed in command of the First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and commanded the chase after Morgan, on the 27th day of June, 1863. From Russell- ville, Ky., he moved to Glasgow, thence to Marrowbone. From thence he pressed on to Lebanon, at which place Gen. Hobson turned his brigade over to Gen. Shackelford and assumed command of all the forces. A rapid advance was made | session of. Finding the way of retreat cut
from Lebanon to Springfield; thence to Bardstown and Brandensburg. When within two miles of Brandensburg, the pur- suing forces discovered the smoke arising from the burning transports that had set the enemy across the river, and heard his shouts of triumph. Twenty-four hours were lost in obtaining transports and crossing the river. But when once across the river, the pursuit was eagerly resumed. Swift march was made through Indiana to Harrison, Ohio. The pursuit was continued day and night. At length, on July 19, near Buffing- ton's Island, the report of artillery was heard. Officers and men, notwithstanding the immense fatigue they had undergone, seemed to be inspired with new life and energy, and there was a general rush for- ward. The enemy was soon found in force. Lines were immediately formed, and a battle was commenced. After fighting about an hour the cavalry charged and drove the enemy in confusion. Immediately a flag of truce came from Col. Dick Morgan. No terms but an immedi- ate and unconditional surrender would be considered, and with their commands, Cols. Morgan, Ward and Smith marched within the Union lines. The command was moved up the river about fifteen miles, where Gen. John Morgan, with his forces, was found in a deep ravine. An attack was not made that day, and during the night the enemy slipped out by a path, and by daylight was four miles in advance of Gen. Shackelford. The general at once gave chase, and ran Morgan fifty-seven miles. Several skirm- ishes took place, and the enemy was brought to a stand on the 20th at Keizer's creek. A fight ensued, which lasted one hour. By a flank movement, accomplished with great rapidity and effectiveness, the only road on which Morgan could retreat was taken pos-
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553
THE MORGAN RAID.
off, and being hotly pressed from the front, he retired to an immense bluff for refuge. A flag was sent up demanding an uncondi- tional surrender of Morgan and his command. The flag was met by rebel officers, with · a request for a personal interview with Gen. Shackelford, and one hour for consultation among their officers. Forty minutes were granted, and within that time the whole command, excepting Gen. Morgan, with a detachment of about 600 officers and men who deserted the command, surrendered. It was the general understanding that Morgan himself had surrendered, but he escaped and fled before his pursuer. On that day there were captured between 1,200 and 1,300 men, with their horses, arms, etc.
On the morning of the 21st, Gen. Shackelford called for 1,000 volunteers who would stay in their saddles as long as neces- sary without eating or sleeping until Morgan was captured. The entire command would have volunteered bnt for the want of horses. With 500 men the chase was resumed. Traveling day and night the enemy was overtaken on Friday morning the 24th, at Washington. The rebel pickets were driven in and the entire force driven out of the town. One mile east of Washington the enemy made a stand in a dense wood. Gen. Shackelford's command formed a line of battle and soon drove him from his position. He fell back two miles, tore up a bridge over a rugged stream and took position in the woods on a high hill, just beyond the stream. Gen. Shackelford's advance moved upon his left flank, while a portion of his forces crossed the stream above the site of the bridge and moved up the hill in face of a heavy fire. Steadily they advanced and drove the enemy before them. He crossed another stream, burned two bridges, and caused much delay, but his relentless pur- suers succeeded in crossing, and pressed on
all night. At daylight on the 25th they came up with him one mile from Athens. They pressed forward and shelled him for thirty minutes. He fled to the woods for shelter. Maj. Gen. Burnside had sent for- ward fresh troops, and issued an order placing Gen. Shackelford in command of all the forces in pursuit of Morgan. A hot pursuit with heavy skirmishing followed. The enemy was chased to Richmond, thence to Springfield, and on to Hammondsville. Hammondsville was reached at daylight on Sabbath morning, the 26th. Learning the whereabouts of Morgan, Gen. Shackelford placed his forces on the New Lisbon road, and continued the pursuit. When he had gone about seven miles, he was informed by Maj. Rue, then in charge of the advance, that he had come up with the enemy. The whole column was thrown forward at the the utmost speed of the horses. Being overtaken, the enemy started to run, and was fired upon vigorously. A flag of truce was shown, the firing ceased, and Morgan asked a personal interview with his captor. He claimed to have surrendered to a militia captain, who had agreed to parole him, his officers and men, and thus tried to avoid his inevitable fate. Gen. Shackelford told his prisoner that he had followed him thirty days and nights; had met and defeated him a number of times; had captured nearly all his command; that Morgan had acknowl- edged that the militia captain was no im- pediment to him, but that he knew his escape from Shackelford was impossible; that on the field with his right and left covered and his rear sorely pressed he had yielded; and that under these circumstances his pretended surrender to a militia captain was not only absurd and ridiculous but unfair and illegal and would not be recognized. Morgan then demanded to be placed back upon the field, but the demand was not
55.4
MILITARY HISTORY.
considered, and with his officers and men he was dismounted and disarmed. He was de- livered to Maj. Gen. Burnside at Cincinnati, Ohio. The number of prisoners captured with Morgan was about 350.
The Drafts .- Notwithstanding the prompt and liberal responses made by the people to the nation's call for aid, it became neces- sary to resort to the drafts in supplying Indiana's quota under the president's third call for troops, issued August 4, 1862, and asking for 300,000 men. The deficiency due from the state was very small, and it soon afterward became known that the state had in fact furnished more than her quota; but the account of troops furnished had been made up inaccurately and showed many townships in arrears on their quotas. The governor and leading citizens in all parts of the state deplored the necessity of the draft, because it was then looked upon as a dis- graceful thing, but it was resorted to as the only means of equalizing the burdens of furnishing the troops. The first draft occurred October 6, 1862, the enrollment for which was made September 19, at which time Vanderburgh county was charged with a total militia force of 3,536. To be de- ducted from this were 401 exempts, leaving 3,135 subject to draft. The county was credited with 1,550 men then in the service, and a total volunteer list of 1,641, the diff- erence representing men whose terms had expired. When the draft was ordered the county was deficient on its quota eighty-one men, distributed as follows: Armstrong township, nineteen; Scott township, nineteen; German township, forty-three.
dition to those heretofore stated. To offset this, there were credits of 1,206 new volun- teer recruits, sixty-three veteran re-enlist- ments and ninety-seven drafted men, a total of 1,366, thus making a surplus of thirteen. The president's last call for troops was for 300,000 men, issued December 19, 1864. On the 14th of April, 1865, all efforts to raise troops were abandoned. At that date the county was charged, on the call last mentioned, with a quota of 318 men, and was credited with 311 new volunteer re- cruits, eight veteran re-enlistments and two drafted, thus showing a surplus of three. The grand total of men with which Vander- burgh county was credited as furnishing for the war was 3,664; in this number, however, each term of service forms a unit, without regard to the fact that two, and sometimes three, enlistments were made by the same individual at different periods. The draft officers in Vanderburgh connty in 1862 were: William E. French, draft commis- sioner; Philip C. Decker, marshal; T. C. Gale, surgeon. The officers in the provost marshal's department for the first con- gressional district, appointed under the act of congress approved March 3, 1863, were as follows: Provost marshals - Blythe Hynes, appointed May 1, 1863, resigned May 19, 1864; Cyrus K. Drew, appointed May 25, 1864, resigned August 1, 1864; James W. Wartmann, appointed August S, 1864, resigned September 5, 1864 ; Alvah Johnson, appointed November 22, 1864, honorably discharged October 31, 1865. Commissioners - Nathaniel Usher, ap- pointed May 1, 1863, resigned August 29, 1864, and James W. Wartmann, appointed September 13, 1864, honorably discharged May 8, 1865. Surgeon - William G. Ral- ston, appointed May 1, 1863, honorably dis- charged May 30, 1865. Owing to the
Under the call of October 17, 1863, for 300,000 troops, the quota for Vanderburgh county was 255, which number was raised without draft. Up to July IS, 1864, when the call for 500,000 men was made, the county was required to furnish 1,353 in ad- | evident fairness with which the drafts were
555
BOUNTY AND RELIEF.
conducted at Evansville, no resistance was offered to prevent their progress. Some individual efforts were made to escape their consequences; a few, being drafted, success- fully evaded the deputy marshals and fled ' from the state; others resorted to strategy, with ill success in most cases, to deceive the officers; but there was never a riot nor an organized effort at opposition to this never popular necessity of war.
Bounty and Relief .- The bounties paid by the United States ranged from $100to $400, increasing as the war advanced. Local bounties were not necessary at first to stim- ulate enlistments. Quotas were filled with- out difficulty. Small bounties were paid, however, the main purpose being to benefit the families of volunteers .- Later, when the fear of the draft prevailed, enormous local bounties were offered by the county and by the townships to induce volunteering. The total amount thus expended is shown in a table appended below. As soon as the first troops had gone to the front means of affording substantial relief to their families were devised. In this work the county, through its board of commissioners, and the city, through its council, took an active part. But the most efficient sources of relief were the people in their individual capacities. Special efforts were made to collect all sorts of useful articles to be distributed among the 'needy. In response to a call made through the press, a large number of people assembled in Mozart hall on the evening of the 22d of August, 1861, to adopt a system like these were ever ready to aid and encour- age others to aid in the relief ^work. On this occasion 130 wagon loads of wood and vast quantities of farm produce of all sorts, were delivered to the committee for distribution to soldiers' families during the cold winter that followed. All who en- gaged in this work proved their patriotism of extending needed aid for as long a period as the continuation of the war might deprive families of their supporting members. Such representative citizens as John S. Hopkins, W. T. Page, R. Kehr, William Heilman, Anthony Reis, C. Babcock, Philip Horn- brook, Dr. Hallock, and many others, took an active part in the proceedings of the land earned the continued gratitude, not only
evening. With few words committees were appointed who went to work immediately and vigorously in this work of loyalty and love. At this time there was no idea of the extent to which their strength would be tasked,-no idea that the war was to be pro- longed through years of suffering to fami- lies left without the active brain and strong arms that had been wont to devise means for and achieve their daily subsistence. Neverthe- less there was no halting. All through those years the loyal people of Vanderburgh county were not for a day unmindful of the soldier's family. Perhaps the most notable occasion growing out of this work, usually done in quiet and without display, was the great demonstration of November 14, 1863. At this time the farmers of the county were thoroughly aroused. They came into the city and made a gala day. They formed an immense procession, with bands of music and " jolt-wagons," loaded with wood and products of the farm, and went through the streets creating genuine patriotic joy in thé hearts of the throngs that along the line of their march came to greet them and bless them for their great kindness. Patriotic music filled the air; banners and the beloved stars and stripes were everywhere to be seen; speeches were made by Judge William F. Parrett, and Capt. William Reavis, and last though not least, a sumptuous repast was served to the farmers by Mrs. Dr. Walker, Mrs. Mayor Baker, Mrs. Robert Early, Miss Victoria Cody and others, who,
556
MILITARY HISTORY.
of the direct beneficiaries of their acts, but also of every loyal person. After the war closed, the county continued to spend vast sums of money to properly care for disabled soldiers and for soldiers' widows and or- phans whose circumstances would otherwise have driven them to the sheltering roof of the poor-house. The vast sum given by individuals during and after the war period, of which no account was kept, can never be estimated in dollars and cents. In addition to the intrinsic value of these gifts the good they did in encouraging the despondent and filling sad hear's with the bright sunshine of happiness can not be reckoned by any sys- tem of mathematics yet discovered by human reason. The following statement shows the amounts of bounties and relief afforded by the county and townships in their official capacities :
Bounty.
Relief.
Vanderburgh county
$60,000 00
$38,600 00
Pigeon township.
70,000 00
Knight
5,300 00
Scott
66
7,140 00
Armstrong
5,490 00
Perry
5,800 00
Union
4,550 00
Center
5,410 00
German
.
7,475 00
All the townships
50,000 00
Total Grand total.
$171,165 00
$88,600 00 $259,765 00
Militia Companies. -- The early militia and the Indiana Legion have been noticed elsewhere. The citizens of Evansville have never been unmindful of that wise injunction, " In time of peace prepare for war." With the close of the civil war and the return to their homes and their peaceful pursuits, on the farm, and in the shop, the victorious soldiers in that great struggle laid aside the feelings which had animated them on the march and in the battle, but the martial
spirit was not allowed to die. As a result of it several independent military organiza- tions were formed. The spirit was fostered and has grown strong in the younger gen- erations, even to those whose memories do not reach back to the war period. One of the last of these independent companies formed after the civil war closed, and per- haps the best remembered, was the Evans- ville Light Guards, organized June, 1876, with those veterans, Capt. Charles Myer- hoff, Lieut. August Leich, and Lieut. Will Warren, as its officers. Subsequently A. J. McCutchan became captain, and Phil C. Helder second lieutenant of the company. The organization was abandoned about 1883. The first Evansville company to form a part of the state militia was the Evansville Rifles, organized in October, 1877, with Capt. William M. Blakey, First Lieut. Jacob Messick and Second Lieut. Henry Hammer- sley as its officers. These gentlemen were succeeded by Jacob Messick, captain; R. L. Dawes, first lieutenant, and Walter S. Viele, second lieutenant; these by George. A. Cunningham, captain; Edgar Garvin, first lieutenant, and Harry Stinson, second lieu- tenant; and, in turn, these by J. W. Messick, captain; Harry Stinson, first lieutenant, and Walter S. Viele, second lieutenant. The organization was abandoned in 1883, after taking various prizes at competitive drills, in which some of the best-drilled companies of the country participated. The Bennett Rifles (colored) forming Company M, First regiment Indiana Legion, organized in Sep- tember, 1885, is the oldest company now in Evansville. Capt. W. Allen Street and First Lieut. James Bennett are its officers. The Evansville Light Infantry, Company G, First regiment Indiana Legion, was in- corporated October 10, 1887, and mustered into the state service by Maj. W. D. Ewing, November 7, 1887. Its officers are : W. D.
557
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Ewing, president; W. H. Caldwell, vice- president; I. H. Odell, vice-presi- dent; S. P. Gillett, treasurer; F. M. Gilbert, secretary; T. J. Groves, manager; C. H. McCarer, captain; Harry Stinson, first lieutenant; Henry Lubberman, second lieutenant, and B. R. Beecher, third lieuten- ant. The Evansville Rifles, Company F,! First regiment Indiana Legion, organized October 24, 1887, is commanded by Capt. Henry Horster, First Lieut. Harry P. Cor- nick, and Second Lieut. Julius Blum.
Grand Army of the Republic .- The ob- jects and aims of this organization, insti- tuted in times of peace, yet composed exclusively of survivors of the war, are benevolent and fraternal. Farragut Post, No. 27, Department of Indiana, was organ- ized June 24, ISSI, with forty-two charter members. To the present time 443 have been admitted to memberships; sixteen have been lost by death, and enough by removals from this locality and other causes, to reduce the membership to 342. Among its mem- bership are those who served in all branches of the army, and many from all parts of the country, many of whom were officers high in command and statesmen of national repute. The post commanders in the order of their succession have been: W. H. Keller, (three terms), C. H. Myer- hoff, A. C. Rosencranz, Jacob W. Messick, A. J. McCutchan and Christopher J. Mur- phy, now commanding. From the organi- zation to the present, Capt. August Leich has been adjutant; Dr. J. W. Compton, surgeon, and Conrad Reichert, sergeant major. The other officers at the date of organization were: Charles H. Myerhoff, S. V. C .; George H. Neekamp, J. V. C .; Michael Gorman, Qrm .; H. A. Mattison, chaplain; J. W. Messick, O. of D .; W. A. Shuder, O. of G., and J. H. Holtman, Qrm. Sergt. The other present officers are: Ed-
ward Grill, S. V. C .; H. P. Hopkins, J. V. C .; August Schmitt, Qrm .; S. B. Sansom, chap- lain; C. H. Myerhoff, O. of D .; R. M. Nickels, O. of G., and Joseph E. Schu, Qrm. Sergt. The post was incorporated under state law in 1885; the present trustees are: A. C. Rosencranz, S. R. Hornbrook and C. H. Butterfield.
Under the auspices of the post Memorial day exercises are annually conducted, when that tender tribute of loving praise due the heroic dead of the nation's armies is paid with appropri- ate ceremonies. While ever thoughtful of those who have pitched their tents in the silent encampment on the other side of that deep river which flows between this life and the vast beyond, the post has not been un- mindful of the living in its works of charity, and its efforts of love to bring back that har- monious feeling between the two sections of the country lately at war, which ought to exist for the good of the present and the greatness of the future. The reunion of the Blue 'and the Grey under its auspices, held at Evansville, in IS87, was a great event in the history of the city and of the country, being the most successful practical effort of its kind known to the people of the nation. The post induced by invitation a discus- sion of the Shiloh fight between Gen. James C. Veatch and Gen. Alvin P. Hovey, which created intense interest among ex- soldiers in all parts of the country; and through its members, has given to the litera- ture of the war period many valuable pa- pers. Its armory in the Masonic block is one of the finest in the state, and is hand- somely furnished with every convenience for the comfort and entertainment of its members. The auxiliary branches, the Woman's Relief Corps, and Sons of Veterans, are in a flourishing condition. The former was instituted in IS85.
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