USA > Indiana > History of the One hundred and sixty-first regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry > Part 21
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SAVANNAH.
The camp at Savannah was quite a contrast to the one we had just left and the hospital was very poorly patron- ized. Some thirty cases of measles broke out, but these were sent to the division hospital, and deaths occurred as fol- lows: William G. Weaver, Company I, fever; Joseph F. Turner, Company I, measles. Just before leaving for Cuba the following privates from the hospital corps, United States Army, were transferred to this regiment for duty at regimental
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
hospital: Morris F. Leech, Jacob W. Dexter, Franklin Scott and John Cox, who were among those originally transferred from this regiment to United States hospital corps. These having had six months experience in the division hospital, and the hospital funds now being granted made the hospital able to take care of the sick much better than ever before.
CUBA.
When we arrived in Cuba there was but one ambu- lance load of sick. These were mostly measles and all able to sit up. The eight-mile march to Marianao, although hot and dusty, had no bad effect on the men, but rather served as a means of relief after having been penned up on board the transport for four days. After shifting the tents around from place to place for a few days, a location was at last found on a nice grassy spot about one, quarter of a mile from the regiment. The nurses had just gotten rid of all the cases of measles and were preparing to have an easy time when a worse woe overtook them. A case of smallpox broke out in the hospital, December 27, Fred Imes, of Company I, being the patient. None of the corps had ever had this disease and none were fool- hardy enough to run into it; but since it was their duty to take care of this case, and having been already exposed, no one even intimated that he was unwilling to do his duty. The hospital was immediately put under quarantine. It was necessary for some one to take the patient to an iso- lated tent, two hundred yards away, and live there the life of a hermit until the case terminated. Franklin Scott, a personal friend of Imes, volunteered to go and nurse him, as brave an act as a soldier ever did. The Imes case not being a bad one, he was back in his company at the end of nine weeks. The next two cases were Jacob Dexter, of
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
Company I, a night nurse, and Andrew Graham, of Company D, who was just convalescing from measles when Imes was brought in. Dexter took on the hemorrhagic form and died in less than a week. Graham, on whom the eruption appeared almost solid, lived a week longer.
Every thing was favorable to good health as could be anywhere, and, aside from the sore arms, not many men were excused from duty. A pleasant northeaster almost incessantly blowing across the isle. To the hospital corps and attaches the time is one long to be remembered. To Major Smith they are indebted 'for many pleasures that the hospital corps of other regiments did not have. It was due to his kindness that they were permitted to have an ambu- lance to go to the sea-shore twice a week as well as to take an occasional trip to the surrounding country. Marshall Dickey, of Company " F," was the third case to be admit- ted. His proved to be a mild attack of veriloid, however, and he soon recovered. He was then utilized to assist in nursing the others. John Werner, of Company "A," who had the small-pox some years before, volunteered his serv- ices as nurse also, which were gladly accepted. Scott had a very severe attack of the disease; for a time his life was despaired of but he finally recovered at the end of two months. Everything that could be procured for the com- fort of these patients was ordered by Major Smith, such as milk at twenty-five cents per quart, butter at fifty cents per pound, eggs at forty cents per dozen and canned deli- cacies regardless of cost. The major was equally as care- ful of his patients in every way, visiting them two or three times a day and seeing to their burial. The major had had some experience with this disease and he was very success- ful in preventing its spread through the regiment. Vacci- nation was begun immediately on the appearance of the first case, but the virus proved to be inert. Good virus
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HISTORY OF THE
was procured as soon as possible; and the whole regiment vaccinated. Some arms that were produced were a sight to behold. . For some reason the vaccine and small pox seemed to be of especial virulent type. While the hospital was under quarantine Chas. Trimble, of Company "F," died at the Second Division hospital of malarial cacxia. The boy had never recovered from a long siege of malarial fever at Jacksonville and had not the constitution to with- stand further hardships. The quarantine was raised and the hospital moved up by the camp on February 3rd. The hospital was in its new location but a few days when Andrew Gould, of Company M, was admitted for malarial fever; shortly symptoms of small pox began to appear and he was immediately placed in a detention tent. In two more days the disease was fully manifest and he was removed to the Second Division hospital. In ten days more we heard the sad news of his death. The loss of all these cases was felt much heavier on account of their being young men somewhat above the average in morals and intelligence. It was sad indeed to see those brave boys so full of vigor, stricken in a foreign land so far from home and loved ones. Comrades have sodded their graves with green and placed a carved stone at the head of each. And in after years when all their comrades have passed away we know that a grateful country will protect that lonely spot, hallowed by their dust and keep those graves for- ever green.
The day before leaving for America the patients in the regimental hospital were returned to quarters and on the next day all were able to go aboard the transport; six men who were in the division hospital were all that were left behind. On arrival at Savannah, Georgia, the hospital was broken up; all cases requiring more care than could be afforded them in quarters were sent to the military hospital
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
in the city of Savannah. Some four or five cases were all that required removal. The cases in the Second Division hospital were brought over from Cuba just before the regi- ment was mustered out, all convalescent. On looking back over the eight months of hospital experience in the field, one of the striking features is the lack of the variety of diseases, the overwhelming majority of cases being due to malarial infection; few cases of typhoid fever are recorded and but one case of pneumonia, that one a complication of measles. The twenty deaths that occurred is not a great mortality but the effects of the poisonous miasma of Florida will be in greater evidence in the broken constitution of many a survivor in after years.
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REGIMENTAL BAND
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HISTORY OF THE
ERNEST S. WILLIAMS.
Mr. Ernest S. Williams, chief musician, was appointed to his position December 3, 1898. He is the son of S. E. Williams, one of the foremost musicians of the state, and was born at Fountain City, Indiana, on the 27th
ERNEST S. WILLIAMS.
day of September, 1881. He received his education in the schools of Winchester, Indiana, but at a very early age it became apparent that he was, by his natural gifts, fitted above everything else for the musical profession. At the early age of seven, under the direction of his father, he began the study of the rudiments and the practice of the cornet. Mr. Williams has had connection with the leading bands of the state, and since his appointment as chief
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HISTORY OF THE
musician in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana he has proven efficient and acceptable in every particular, bringing the band to a recognized position as one of the very best of the Seventh Army Corps. One of Mr. Williams' latest and best compositions is the "March of the One Hundred and Sixty-first," which he has just published and dedicated to the members of that regiment.
MEMBERS.
Warren, Bronson, baritone.
Byers, John, snare drum.
Braselton, E. K., solo alto. Coffey, Albert, fourth alto.
Darnell, Charles, slide trombone.
Dumenil, Ellsworth, slide trombone.
Hammock, John, first B-flat cornet.
Harris, W. S., first clarinet.
Hoar, John, bass drum. Hay, G. C., solo cornet.
Huffman, Ed., tenor trombone.
Jakes, David, second clarinet.
Lance, Ed., third alto.
Lunow, Martin, slide trombone.
McCloud, John, E-flat clarinet.
Meissner, A. C., E-flat bass.
Reinhart, Walter, second B-flat cornet. Paxton, George, piccolo. Rucker, H. V., E-flat bass. Walker, Fred, baritone.
Williams, E. S., solo cornet.
Webb, M. S., second alto.
Leland, Charles, drum-major.
Cocker, Joe, cook.
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
ORGANIZATION.
Shortly after the formation of the regiment at Camp Mount, the proper steps were taken preparatory to the regimental musical organization. A careful search through the different companies brought forth several fair musicians and they at once secured instruments, some owning their own, and some using instruments rented by the officers from dealers in the city; during the remainder of the month of July and up to August 12 the boys lent their efforts toward furnishing band music for the regiment and visitors. Upon leaving Indianapolis for Jacksonville, the rented instruments were returned, and those who owned them shipped theirs home. After Mr. Beck, of Columbus, Indi- ana, after several other conclusions, concluded that the sand of Florida would certainly destroy his already fail- ing eyesight, Mr. Antonio Montani, of Indianapolis, was appointed chief musician (band master) and Mr. H. M. Lord, of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, as one of the principal musicians.
Arriving at Jacksonville it was several days before a new set of band instruments was received, and when they did arrive they were of a very inferior grade; however some progress was made under Mr. Montani's direction.
The Second Mississippi Regiment had been furnished by their state with a fine set of Boston musical instruments, valued at three thousand five hundred dollars, and prior to leaving for home on September 12, the instruments had been turned to account with the government, and late in the night of September 11, Major Megrew returned from a conference with Chief Quartermaster Pond bearing an order for the Second Mississippi instruments to be turned over to the quartermaster of the One Hundred and Sixty- first Indiana, and on the morning of the 12th they were in
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HISTORY OF THE
the possession of the One Hundred and Sixty-first Regi- mental Band.
About this time Mr. Montani's health began to fail, and on this account, and also on account of sickness in the band, no progress was made, although the organization was sufficient for the needs at this time.
On October 2 Ist, the regiment was ordered to Savan- nah, and after arrival there Mr. Montani secured his dis- charge. The position of director fell to Principal Musician Harry M. Lord, and under him the band took a fresh start and accomplished much. Mr. Lord was taken sick two weeks later, however, and was sent to the division hos- pital. At this juncture it was evident the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana would go to Cuba, and Captain Stott started for Indiana, the result being that several good musicians were secured. Mr. E. S. Williams, of Win- chester, solo cornetist, being appointed chief musician, and Frederick Walker, from Shelbyville, as principal musician; much needed music was secured and the band made great strides. Arriving in Cuba, Mr. G. A. Hay, cornetist, was appointed principal musician to succeed Mr. Lord, who had been furloughed and discharged. Although handi- capped by some sickness the band never lost a mem- ber. They withstood the climate of Cuba admirably, and returned to Savannah March 29. 1899, with the regiment. The band was scheduled for one concert each week at division headquarters, the majority of which were given. Several concerts were played at St. James Park in Jackson- ville, and one at the Windsor hotel; two were given at the De Sota in Savannah, and one at General Lee's residence in Marianao, Cuba. Music was also furnished for the One Hundred and Sixty-first reception at Marianao on the even- ing of March the 20th, besides several concerts furnished after the return of the regiment to America. As a band
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
this ranked second to none in. the Seventh Army Corps. All are as proud of their record as the men are of the rec- ord of the regiment during the Spanish-American war.
BUGLE AND DRUM CORPS.
The organization of the Bugle Corps was effected early in the history of the regiment and was made by the selec- tion of two men from each company, but until sufficient practice enabled them to sound a call that could be recog- nized for what it was meant, John Strauss, of Company M, did the bugle work for the regiment, and was there- after chief bugler, under whose directions the men became quite proficient in their art, and many a time when "Dutch," of Torrey's calvary, would startle the stillness of the night with his fine expression of Retreat, the response that went back from camp the One Hundred and Sixty-first was like it,
The drum corps came into existence just before going to Cuba, and have aided materially in the department of music to which they belong, especially in the morning, " Can't get 'em up."
There have been changes in both these bodies, but at mustering-out time they were composed as follows:
BUGLE CORPS.
Company A, Parley Miller.
Company B, Otto Ware.
Company C, Will Mickelson and Wiley Moore.
Company D, Charles W. Brownscome and John E. Harper.
Company E, Percy Jones.
Company F, Will G. Ford and George Muye.
BUGLE AND DRUM CORPS.
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA .. 433
Company G, Henry Vandyke and Edward Beeson. Company H, John Fedder and B. Middleton. Company I, Charles E. Conner and William E. Comer. Company K, Horace Israel and Alexander Clarke. Company L, A. E. Gordon and A. E. Thomas. Company M, Charles L. Kelsey.
DRUMMERS.
Company A, William Fortune.
Company B, George W. Cravens.
Company D, John K. Prather. Company E, Edward White. Company F, Fred. B. Stanley. Company G, Eugene Taylor. Company I, Walter Simons. Company K, William Fuller.
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ROLL OF HONOR
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HISTORY OF THE
ROLL OF HONOR.
This is the saddest part of the writer's task, to chron- icle the death of his comrades, who came out with glad enthusiasm for the cause they espoused and with patriotic devotion to the flag they loved. With a heart for any fate they made the great sacrifice and laid down their lives for the flag they had sworn to defend; not on the battle field, in the midst of the smoke and flame and leaden hail, falling by some comrade's side-that had been better; but in the miasmic atmosphere of the army hospital, with fevered cheek and glistening eye they tossed upon their cot, drag- ging the long days and weary hours through, hoping still, till touched by the silence of death. They all died bravely, uncomplaining, as soldiers ought to die. Those who paid the great price on native soil were sent home for burial. In many cases escorts from their companies went to the city and gathered round the flag-draped coffin in which their comrade lay and after a brief service by the chaplain the remains were escorted to the depot for shipment. Those who died on foreign soil are resting to-day beneath the palms of Cuba. There are four of them whose graves are No.'s 16, 17, 19, and 26 in that soldier row that lies just up from Playa's coast.
On Friday, March 12, 1899, Lieutenant-Colonel Backus and the chaplain with a detail of men from the companies to which these dead comrades belonged sodded the graves and placed at their heads 1 rge blocks of limestone, each containing a marble slab upon which is chiseled the name and other appropriate facts concerning the departed soldier. These stones were prepared at the instance of Colonel Dur- bin by Antonio Bello, of Company L, a practical worker in marble, and are of such a substantial character as to last as
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HISTORY OF THE
long as time, if not disturbed, and thus our comrades are sleeping in their silent graves of glory where their devotion to the stars and stripes has laid them to rest. No. 16 is Jacob W. Dexter's grave, the first of the three low stones on your left if you look at them from the foot of the graves; the next No. 17, is Charles Trimble's, and No. 19, nearest to the high stone is Alonzo M. Graham's, while No. 26 is seen to the extreme right being the grave of Andrew Gould. We knew when we left that destiny with its silent tread would touch perhaps the threshold of many a heart to bid it prepare for the unseen world. These comrades of ours, brave and strong on that day, were the ones to hear the call and when the hour was ready they made the sacrifice that placed their names on the Honor Roll and made for themselves a glory as undying as the memory of a grateful people. Whether they are resting to-day side by side with dear ones in the Holy fields at home where loving hands have laid them away or whether their sleeping forms sanctify the red soil of that land they went to save, their companionship and their sacrifice will be an evergreen spot in the memory of us all. " Under the sod and the dew waiting the judgment day;" they did their duty; we honor them for it and leave the rest with God.
ERNEST R. PUHLMAN.
Private Ernest R. Puhlman, Company A, was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1877. The first death in the regiment occurred by accident; Ernest R. Puhlman with some of his comrades were bathing in Trout creek September 3; Puhl- man, misjudging the water's depth, dove from a railroad trestle and striking bottom dislocated his third spinal verte- bra; he was unconscious up to the moment of his death,
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
EC
ERNEST R. PUHLMAN.
and died at 6:30 P. M., September 4, 1898, in the Third Division hospital, Camp Cuba Libre.
JOHN J. LEWIS.
Hospital Steward John J. Lewis was born near Mitchell, Lawrence county, Indiana, May 2, 1878. He received his early education in Germany, and his medical training in the medical department of the University of Indianapolis, graduating with honor March 27, 1898. He was appointed chief hospital steward of the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry upon the unani- mous recommendation of his college faculty. He discharged all his duties faithfully and acceptably; he was courteous
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HISTORY OF THE
and reserved, and especially kind to his associates. His illness began about September I, and was not thought to be serious; patient in suffering, he always replied, " I'm all
JOHN J. LEWIS.
right," but his illness suddenly became serious, and heart failure ensued, from which he died at 9:40 P. M. on Thurs- day, September 8, 1898, in the Third Division hospital at Camp Cuba Libre.
CLARENCE D. KUNS, COMPANY I.
Private Clarence D. Kuns, Company I, was born at Dayton, Ohio, in 1874; died of typhoid at 12:30 A. M.,
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
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CLARENCE D. KUNS, COMPANY I.
September 24, 1898, at Camp Cuba Libre; buried at Brookston, Indiana.
* ROBERT ANGLETON, COMPANY E.
Private Robert Angleton was born at Jeffersonville, Indiana, in 1878, and died October 11, 1898, of typhoid fever at the same place while on a sick furlough.
JOHN A. SEBREE, COMPANY D.
Private John A. Sebree, age 22, died of typhoid fever October 14, 1898, at Camp Cuba Libre; he was born in Ghent, New York, to which place his remains were shipped for burial.
WALLACE D. STIVERS, COMPANY I.
Corporal Wallace D. Stivers, age 21, died of typhoid fever October 14, 1898, at Camp Cuba Libre; his remains were sent to Rensselaer for burial.
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HISTORY OF THE
WALLACE D. STIVERS, COMPANY I.
* FRED SHROEDER.
Private Fred Schroeder, age 22, died in the regimental hospital, at Camp Cuba Libre, of typhoid fever, October 14, 1898; buried at Hammond, Indiana.
CHARLES E. LEITER, COMPANY L.
Private Charles E. Leiter, age 28, died of typhoid fever October 17, 1898, at Camp Cuba Libre. He was born at Gilboa, Ohio, to which place the remains were sent.
HENRY STILLE, COMPANY M.
Private Henry Stille, born in July, 1878, at New Point, Indiana, died of typhoid fever October 17, 1898, at Camp Cuba Libre.
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
443
HENRY STILLE, COMPANY M.
GEORGE KEPPERLING, COMPANY I. .
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HISTORY OF THE
GEORGE KEPPERLING, COMPANY I.
Private George Kepperling, age 21, died of typhoid fever October 23, 1898, at Chalmers, Indiana, where he was at that time on sick furlough.
DENVER BROWN, COMPANY F.
Private Denver Brown, age 30. the color bearer, died of typhoid fever October 23, 1898, at Camp Cuba Libre.
DENVER BROWN, COMPANY F.
He was born in West Manchester, Ohio, at which place the remains were buried.
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
CLYDE C. GABLE, COMPANY H.
Private Clyde C. Gable, age 21, died of typhoid fever at Fort McPherson, November 3, 1898.
* FRANK M. GREEN, COMPANY D.
Private Frank M. Green, age 24, died of typhoid fever November 3, 1898, in the Third Division hospital at Camp Cuba Libre, after the regiment had left for Savannah. His remains were sent to North Vernon, Indiana.
WILLIAM G. WEAVER, COMPANY I.
Private William G. Weaver, age 31, died of typhoid fever at Camp Onward, Savannah, November 7, 1898. He
WILLIAM G. WEAVER, COMPANY I.
was born near Monticello, Indiana, and was buried in the. cemetery near his home, Chaplain Biederwolf, who was at that time home, having charge of the funeral services.
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HISTORY OF THE
JOSEPH F. TURNER, COMPANY I.
Private Joseph F. Turner, age 25, died of pneumonia November 30, 1898, at Camp Onward. His remains were interred at Wheatfield, Indiana.
JOSEPH F. TURNER, COMPANY I. (TAKEN THREE DAYS BEFORE DEATH.)
JACOB W. DEXTER, COMPANY I.
Private Jacob W. Dexter, age twenty-two, enlisted at Monticello, June 28, 1898. He was transferred to the hos- pital corps August 20, 1898, and by testimony of the chief surgeon was one of the most obedient and best nurses in the corps. Exposed to the smallpox while on duty, he stood at his post and cared for his comrades until the dread disease fastened upon him, and he died on January 17. He was buried in the United States military cemetery, side by side with his dead comrades. His grave is No. 16.
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
447
JACOB W. DEXTER, COMPANY I.
CHARLES EVERSON, COMPANY K.
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HISTORY OF THE
CHARLES EVERSON, COMPANY K.
Private Charles Everson, age twenty-nine, died of typhoid fever December 2, 1898, at Camp Onward, and his remains were sent to his home at Columbus, Indiana.
CHARLES TRIMBLE, COMPANY F.
Private Charles Trimble, age nineteen, died of typhoid fever at Camp Columbia, Cuba, January 18, 1899, and was.
CHARLES TRIMBLE, COMPANY F.
buried in the United States military cemetery, near Playa de Marianao, Cuba. His grave is No. 17.
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
ALONZO M. GRAHAM, COMPANY D.
Private Alonzo M. Graham, age twenty-six, born at Lancaster, Indiana, and died of smallpox January 24, 1899,
ALONZO M. GRAHAM, COMPANY D.
at Camp Columbia. His grave is No. 19 in the United States military cemetery, near Playa de Marianao.
ANDREW GOULD, COMPANY M.
Private Andrew Gould, born at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and died of smallpox February 17, 1899, at Camp Colum- bia, Cuba. His grave is No. 26 in the United States mili- tary cemetery, near Playa de Marianao.
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST IND.
ANDREW GOULD, COMPANY M.
* Photographs not obtainable.
1951 .
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