USA > Indiana > History of the Ninety-seventh regiment of Indiana volunteer infantry > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
-30-
with a cannon ball. At the close of the war he returned to his old home where he enjoyed and is still enjoying a lucrative prac- tice in the law, and time has dealt kindly with him since then and he still lives and still enjoys the confidence, not only of the old soldiers, but all who know him.
William H. Schlater was appointed Major of the regiment after Col. Cavins' promotion, but never joined us in the field, having been appointed on the Military Staff of Gov. Morton.
Alexander McGregor was our first Adjutant, who resigned Jan- uary 5, 1863, and Edward Gowendyke. Lieutenant in Co. K. was appointed, who resigned January 11, 1864. and David E. Sluss, of Putnam County, of Co. D, was appointed, who remained such to the end of the war. Dave, as he was familiarly called, was a brave and efficient officer, beloved by us all and one with whom we all parted with the kindest of feeling when the pomp and circum- stance of war were over. After the war he found his better half and settled down on his farm in Putnam County, Indiana, where he still lives.
William M. Johnson, of Bloomfield, Ind., was our first Quarter- master, who resigned April 12, 1863, and who now resides in Kan- sas. He was succeeded by John G. Shryer, of Bloomfield, Ind., a fine business man, who always had the " hard tack " and bacon for the boys when it was to be had. He is now a resident of Terre Haute, Ind., and at this late day I'll tell him what become of the corn at Savannah Ga. We stole it from the mules, parched it and put it into our haversacks. He resigned May 1, 1865, and was succeeded by John W. Garner, who was mustered out with the regiment, and who resides at Jefferson ville, Ind.
George W. Terry was our Chaplain, who preached and mended watches for the boys and assisted in taking care of the wounded. He now resides in Bloomington, Ind., and is pastor of the Baptist church at that place, and loves every member of the old regiment.
Alexander M. Murphy was our first surgeon ; a most excellent man and a good surgeon, always ready with medicines for the sick and to care for the wounded, and was ready as well with words of comfort and sympathy for all who were in distress. He resigned May 14, 1864, on account of disability and returned to his home in Sullivan, Ind., where he lived, respected and honored by all who knew him and where he laid down to his last sleep February 7, 1888, when he lacked a few days of being 69 years old. He was succeeded by J. C. Hilburn, of Spencer, who died in 1873, and A. M. Murphy, whom we all know as "Dud," was appointed Asst. Surgeon. Both did their work well until the close of the war and since then both have died. Dudley died July 28, 1858. of paralysis of the heart.
James H. MeNutt, of Harveysburg, Ind., was an Asst. Surgeon and was honorably discharged November 24, 1864, and when he
-31-
said: " Let's see your tongue?" and then said, " Give him a Dover," we all went away satisfied that after a good sweat we'd In all right in the morning.
David Shelby, Captain Co. K. of Eugene, Ind. received a com- mission as Major of the regiment March 19, INGS, but declined it and died in the field as Captain of his company June 1, 151.
John Fields, Captain Co. G. was promoted Lieutenant Colonel January 1, 1865, and now resides in Bloomington. Ind.
James Holdson, Capt. Co. I, was promoted Major June 7. 19, but was mustered out as Captain of his Company June 9. 199 At the close of the war he returned to his farm in Sullivan County, where he resided and lived a quiet and praceful life He died in Sullivan county, in 1888, and is buried at the old log church not far from his okl home.
HISTORY OF LINE OFFICERS.
NAME.
{ 0.
RANK.
RESIDENCE.
Andrew J. Axtell
1.1ving.
Nathaniel franc
A Capt. . l'apt. . l'apt. .
Bloomington, Ind Solsberry, Ind . . Scotland. Ind.
Living.
Joshna M. Ogden
lat l.t.
Solsberry, Ind
Living.
A
Solsberry, Ind . Living.
1 A
INL I.t. Ist 1.t. Ist f.t. 2d lat. ld i.t .
Scotland, Ind.
1.ving.
Joshun M. Ogden Alfred Miller
A 1$
d 144. l'apt. . Capt. .
Brazil, Ind.
Living.
I.nther Wolfe John Dalgren
11
Died sept 19, 1964, of wounds recelv ed in artion
Andrew J. Coffman John W. Carmichael
= (*
2d 1.t . Capt.
Mustered out as Ist Sergeant.
Jacob E. Fletcher
Capt.
Joseph W. Young
l'apt. . l'ap !. .
Cincinnati, Ind. Spencer, Ind.
1.ving.
lHledat I arrange. Tenn. June li ' Died July A 'Gi, of wound receive 1 battle of Jackson. Miv.
Alfred F. Phillips
Ist 1.t.
Wesley Chent wood .
ist I.t.
David Spinks
Ial I.t.
Mustered ont 1st sergeant
William F. Jeranld
IHed July 1. '&'. wonnds received battle Farkson Aty.
Joseph W. Young John Fonb
Killed nt Kenesaw Mt June 17. ( Mustered out as sergeant. 1.Iving
John D. Alexander Joseph W. Plerey +
Ist I.t.
William 11. Sherley
Ist I.t.
Joseph 1, Friend .
= 1st l.t.
William 1 !. Shorfey
John W. Busby
2dl 1.t .
Mustered ont Ist sergeant.
Jamen Siner Thomas Finn
Joseph T. OHphant William T. Butcher Joseph T. Oliphant
F
26 1.t . ''apt. . l'apt. . t'apt
Illinois llobblevtile, Ind. Fredonin, Kansas llobbleville, Ind
living
living
INL !. 1.
1.Jving
1
Scotland, Ind.
Scotland, Ind.
I.Iving Mustered out as Ist sergeant Dend.
Luther Wolfe
B
13 IHt 1.t.
Brazil, lud.
living.
Resigned July 2ti, Ist Dend Died at lant. range. Tenn_ June li,'& Killed June _: bl. battle Kenconw Mt 1.1ving.
Alfred F. Phillips
Wiley K. Mitemore
l'api ..
Int I.t.
Jnrob E. Fletcher William F. Jernuld
Ist l.t.
1'incinnati, Ind. . l'uba, Ind.
======
hi L.t .
James J. Smiley .
Capi. . ('apt. .
fireencastle, Ind. Bloom field, Ind.
1.1ving.
KHled by wall falling upon him atn fire. Greencastle, Ind sitter war Dled siner the war Killed by fal Ing wall as ahore
James Watty
I.lving
Died February .. INi .
Nathaniel Crane Thomas R. Cook . Joshua M. Ogden John E. Corwin John t'atron
-32-
HISTORY OF LINE OFFICERS-Continued.
NAME.
CO.
RANK.
RESIDENCE.
REMARKS.
Elijah Mitchell . . .
E
Ist Lt.
Died Dec. 17,'79, at his home, Kol- een, Ind.
William T. Butcher Martin R. Isenhower
Ist Lt. Ist Lt.
Fredonia, Kansas Missouri
Living.
Elijah Mitebell
E 2d Lt .
Died December 17, 1879.
John D. Alexander
E
2d Lt .
Bloomfield, Ind. .
Living.
James M. Roach Zachariah Dean George Elliott
E F
2d Lt . Capt. . Capt. . 1st Lt. Ist Lt.
Bedford, Ind. Bedford, Ind.
Living.
Isaac M. Darnell
F F
Died Jan. 12, 1863, of disease.
Isaac M. Darnell .
F
Samuel Fritz .
G
Capt. .
York, Nebraska Swan Lake, Ark. . York, Nebraska
Died December, 1889.
John L. Bridges
G
Ist Lt.
Mustered out as Ist Sergeant.
Henry Gastineau . John Packwood James Robinson
G
2d Lt .
H
Capt. .
Died at his home near Vandalia, Owen county, Ind., Sept. 1, 1863, while on leave of absence.
James S Meek
H H
Capt. . Ist Lt. Ist Lt.
Spencer, Ind.
Living.
James S. Meek
Living.
Joseph P. White
H
Living.
Joseph P. White
H
2d Lt
Living.
Samuel Hancock
H
2d Lt .
Mustered out Ist Sergeant.
James Holdson
1
Capt. .
Died since the war at his home in Sullivan county, Ind.
Josiah Stanley
Dugger, Ind.
Living.
Albert P. Forsythe .
Josiah Stanley
I
1st Lt.
Dugger, Ind.
Living.
Nathan H. Hinkle John M. Osborn
1
David &belby
K K
James Jordan
K
Harvey E. Moore .
Ist Lt.
John M. Givens
K K
Ist Lt.
Edward Groendyke
K
2d Lt .
K
2d Lt .
Harvey E. Moore . Thomas Patrick
.
K
2d Lt .
Pr. Adjutant, resigned June 11, '64. Mustered out as Ist Sergeant.
F
F 2d Lt . 2d Lt . F 2d Lt
Mustered out as Ist Sergeant. Living.
Henry Gastineau William Hatfield Henry Gastineau .
G Capt. .
Died December, 1889.
G Ist Lt.
G Ist Lt.
York, Nebraska
Died December, 1889. Mustered out as Corporal.
G
2d Lt .
Living.
Died Aug. 7,'63, Camp Sherman, Miss. Living.
George Elliott
Johu Dickinson
I Capt. . 1 Ist Lt. I Ist Lt.
Dugger, Ind.
Living. Living.
Josiah Stanley
I
I
Died June 13, 1864, of disease.
James Jordan
2d Lt . 2d Lt . 2d Lt . Capt. . Capt. . Ist Lt.
Nathan H. Hinkle
Spencer, Ind. Spencer, Ind. Spencer, Ind.
John Fields
Living.
I have not given the names of the men in every company and what became of them-died, wounded, killed and mustered out, as I might have done, by consulting the reports of the Adjutant General of our state, thinking it best to recommend that a his- torian be appointed from each company and that such historian give a record of each man who served in each company. I wrote to several of the officers of companies to find out whether they could furnish me the histories of their companies, and they wrote me that they could not do so, as the members were so scattered, and so I abandoned it and make the recommendation as above, and hope it may meet your approval. I wish I could have named and given the history of every man who soldiered with me, for I have a brotherly affection for them all, which will last as long as my life shall continue in this tide of time and away beyond in
-33-
that country from whose bourne no traveler returns; and to every one of our old regiment living and dead this historical sketch is affectionately dedicated.
A few words to my comrades and I have done. When our regi- ment reached Indianapolis in June, 1865, the regiment was paid off, we received our discharges and our band of veterans melted away into civil life like snow when spring breathes upon it. And when the boys came marching home, in some homes there was re- joieing, in others sorrow and tears. Some came back and left their messmates behind ; some had died in battle, or of wounds received, of sickness and disease, and his wife was a widow, his children fatherless and an aged mother and father chillless.
The wounds of the heart partially healed bled anew at the thought of his absence, when they heard the sound of the drum to which the remaining soldiers came marching home. When we think of our regiment as she went forth 1,000 strong and look upon our numbers here to-day, we may well ask ourselves where are the others of our number. So many of them have folded their arms over their breasts for the last time ; their footfalls are no longer heard in the walks of men, they are silently sleeping in their grave-tents, whose green doors will never outward swing until the Angel of God, standing with one foot upon the land and the other upon the sea, shall declare that time shall be no more. Time will come when not one of us will be living. Every year our com- rades are falling here and there. Loyalty to country and flag will not save us from death that is waiting for us all somewhere in the turn of the lane of life. We yet speak of each other as boys, and so we will ever be to each other. But alas, the hey-day of boy- hood is gone, and we all have passed the meridian of and are going down toward the sunset of life. Few of us ran read the story of the war without spectacles. Our hands are unsteady now. The tide of time has swept over us and left wrinkles in our faces and snow in our hair. In fact, my comrades, we are all growing old. Take up a life insurance table and see what are your chances for life. Only 20 or 30 years at farthest. Then how will you live for the next 20 or 30 years ? Will you live for self and the world or will you be loyal to God and his service as you have been loyal to your country and its flag ? While the shadows lengthen and your eyes grow dim, and the ploughshare of time is leaving its furrows in your faces, choose ye this day whom you will serve. Let me entrent you as a brother and comrade, who shared with you your toils and marches and passed with you under the storm clouds of battle and who loves every one of you present and at- sent, to seek that peace of God that passeth all' understanding. that love that casteth out all fear. Ere another reunion some of us will be in our graves, and what shall be said of us then ? It will be said no doubt that he was a faithful soldier and a giant
-34-
citizen, but the vital question with us will be: When the wal was over and he followed no longer the great Captains of the war- Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Meade, Mcclellan, Thomas and Logan-what Captain did he follow then ? Did he follow seli and selfish things, or in the footsteps of the meek and lowly Saviour of men? Oh, comrades, follow Christ now as your great Captain, who will in your weary march through life be to you as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. So that when you ยท are done with earth and earthly things, when your marches and toils are ended, it may be said of us: He had on the breastplate .of Righteousness, the helmet of Salvation, the shield of Faith and his feet were shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace ; and so being equipped as Christian soldiers we shall all be ready to go home to our Father's house to join the grand encamp- ment on the eternal hills, where the Angels shall sound God's own reveille.
JOHN D. ALEXANDER, Co. D, 97th Ind. Infty. Vols., Historian.
231 F.W.
BOUND TO MEAM Heckman Binder
MAR. 65 N MANCHESTER INDIANA
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.