USA > Indiana > Greene County > Vicksburg > Indiana. Vicksburg National Military Park Commission. Indiana at Vicksburg > Part 30
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SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the commission to co-operate with the National Park Commission in ascertaining and exactly determining the position of each Indiana organization in the siege of Vicksburg, and also to recommend to the Governor of the State such subsequent legislation as will, and in the opinion of the com- mission, permanently and suitably mark the positions, then ascer- tained, and worthily commemorate the valor and services of Indi- ana soldiers in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg.
SEC. 3. The sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or so much thereof as may be necessary. is hereby appropriated out of the funds of the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to be drawn and used by said commission to pay the necessary traveling expenses of the members thereof in the discharge of the duties aforesaid, on the presentation of such certified vouchers as the Auditor of State shall direct.
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407
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
SEC. 4. Said commission shall make a full report of the execu- tion of its trust to the Governor on or before the 30th day of Janu- ary, 1905.
FIRST REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
In obedience to said act set out above, Governor Durbin ap- pointed the following Commission: Henry C. Adams, Adelbert B. Crampton, M. M. Lacey, E. L. Semans and Phillip Lester, who, upon the completion of their duties, submitted the following report : To Hon. Winfield T. Durbin,
Governor of the State of Indiana :
SIR: The commission appointed by you in pursuance of Senate Bill No. 107, passed by the Legislature of Indiana, and approved by the Governor March 9, 1903, respectfully makes the following re- port :
In response to notice from the Governor, there met at the Governor's Office, May 18, 1903, Henry C. Adams, Adelbert B. Crampton, M. M. Lacey, and E. L. Semans, Phillip Lester being absent.
The Commission organized by electing Henry C. Adams President; Thomas M. Hardy, Secretary.
The president was directed to correspond with Capt. W. T. Rigby, Chairman of the Vicksburg National Park Commission, with reference to the best time for a visit to the Park. Such correspondence was had, and in accordance with the views of Capt. Rigby, the Commission met at Vicks- burg, November 21, 1903, and spent November 22d and 23d, in company with Capt. Rigby, in visiting the land which has been acquired by the United States from the former owners, for the purpose of establishing a National Military Park, in accordance with Act of Congress passed in No- vember, 1899, and approved by the President on the 21st day of the same month.
We found that 1,245.7 acres of land had been purchased, and that avenues had been, and were still being constructed, as follows :
CONFEDERATE AVENUE :
7.19 miles in length, which marked the Confederate line as nearly as possible at the time of the surrender, July 4, 1863.
UNION AVENUE :
7.43 miles in length, which begins at the east gate of the National Cemetery, and following the line of the main works of the Union Army at the time of the surrender, and just immediately in the rear of the same, continuing to a point at the Confederate Fort Gar- rott, where it intersects Confederate Avenue.
Other avenues are: Grant Avenue; Sherman Avenue (which have their beginnings on Union Avenue), Indiana Avenue, Wisconsin Avenue, Illinois Avenue, and Iowa Avenue.
The total length of all these avenues is 26.5 miles.
408
INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
There has been spent by the National Commission in acquiring the land and constructing avonnes, building bridges, and other improvements, about $400,000.00, and the work which is in comtemplation by the National Commission embraces the restoration of the lines of earthworks, restoring battery redoubts, mounting one hundred and twenty-five pieces of artillery, and placing many tablets showing the positions of regiments in the charges of May 19th, 21st and 22d, as well as showing other important move- ments of troops engaged in the siege; and when this great work of the nation is supplemented by that of the states whose troops were engaged in the siege of Vicksburg, the Vicksburg National Military Park will be grand in all of its parts, in all of its features, and simple and easily under- stood in all of its details.
At the time of the meeting in November, 1903, there was considerable work to be done by the National Commission, in surveys on a part of the Union line, principally on the left ; and it was not practicable for the Com- mission, at that time, to fully and satisfactorily perform its whole duties under the law, and another meeting was arranged for, in November, 1904.
The Commission met again at Vicksburg, Wednesday, November 16, 1904. in the evening, and early the next day proceeded, in company with Chairman Rigby, of the National Commission, to the work of designating the positions for monuments and tablets, for the Indiana troops, which work occupied November 17th and 18th.
These positions were marked by iron markers, which were numbered, record of which was made by the National Commission and the Indiana Commission.
There were engaged in the siege of Vicksburg the following Indiana organizations :
Twenty-four regiments of infantry: The Sth, 11th, 12th, 16th, 18th. 23d, 24th, 26th, 34th, 46th. 47th, 48th, 49th. 53d, 54th, 59th, 60th, 67th, 69th, 83d, 93d, 97th, 99th, and 100th.
Two batteries of artillery: The 1st and 6th.
Two companies of cavalry: Co. C, of the 1st, and Co. C, of the 4th.
The selection of positions began with that of the 93d Indiana Infan- try, whose position was nearest to the right of the Union line and end- ing with the 26th Indiana Infantry, which was nearest to the left of the Union line.
We submit herewith a copy of these records, which are as follows:
03d Regiment of Infantry. Col. DeWitt C. Thomas. First Brigade; First Division; Fifteenth Corps.
Site selected for monument : On Union Avenne, on the line of Buek- land's Brigade.
MARKER No. 832.
Site selected for the tablet marking the farthest advance in the as- sault of May 19.
MARKER No. 835.
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REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
ยท 12th ; 97th ; 99th ; and 100th Regiments of Infantry, and 6th Battery. 12th Infantry. Col. Reuben Williams. 97th Infantry. Col. Robert F. Catterson. 99th Infantry. Col. Alexander Fowler. 100th Infantry. Lieut. Col. Albert Heath. 6th Battery. Capt. Michael Mueller. First Division; Sixteenth Corps.
These troops were stationed at Haynes' Bluff, and occupied no place on the interior investment line.
Therefore, a joint monument is recommended to be erected on site selected on Sherman Avenue, near General Sherman's Headquarters.
MARKER No. 833.
83d Regiment of Infantry. Col. Benjamin F. Spooner. Second Brigade; Second Division; Sixteenth Corps.
Site selected for monument: On Union Avenue on the line of Light- burn's Brigade.
MARKER No. 834.
Site selected for tablet marking the farthest advance in the assault of May 19.
MARKER No. 846.
23d Regiment of Infantry. Lient. Col. William P. Davis. First Brigade ; Third Division; Seventeenth Corps. Site selected for monument : On Union Avenue, on the line of Gen. John E. Smith's Brigade.
MARKER No. 836.
Site selected for tablet marking the farthest advance in the assault of May 22d.
MARKER No. 837.
410
INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
48th and 59th Regiments of Infantry. 48th Infantry. Col. Norman Eddy. 59th Infantry. Col. Jesse I. Alexander. Lieut. Col. Jefferson K. Scott. First Brigade; Seventh Division; Seventeenth Corps.
Site selected for proposed joint monument : On the line of Sanborn's Brigade.
MARKER No. 838.
If a separate monument for each regiment is erected, the sites for each should be on the same line on the right and left of,
MARKER No. 838
Site selected for tablet showing the advanced position of the 48th In- fantry in the assault of May 221.
MARKER No. 841.
Site selected for tablet showing the advanced position of the 59th In- fantry in the, assault of May 22d.
MARKER No. 920.
16th ; 60th ; and 67th Regiments of Infantry ; and Co. C, 4th Cavalry.
16th Infantry. Col. Thomas J. Lucas. 60th Infantry. Col. Richard Owen. 67th Infantry. Lieut. Col. Theodore E. Buehler. First Brigade; Tenth Division ; Thirteenth Corps. Co. C. 4th Cavalry.
Ileadquarters Escort Tenth Division; Thirteenth Corps. Site selected for joint monument : On Union Avenue, on the line of Burbridge's Brigade.
MARKER No. 839.
If separate monuments are erected. they should be on the same line. on the right and left of,
MARKER No. 839.
Site for tablet marking the farthest advance of the 16th Infantry in the assault of May 22d. In Hebrew Cemetery.
MARKER No. 914.
Site for tablet marking the farthest advance of the 67th Infantry in the assault of May 22d.
MARKER No, 919,
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REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
Sth and 18th Regiments of Infantry ; and 1st Battery.
8th Infantry. Col. David Shunk. Maj. Thomas J. Brady. 18th Infantry. Col. Henry D. Washburn. Capt. Jonathan H. Williams.
First Brigade; Fourteenth Division; Thirteenth Corps. 1st Battery. Capt. Martin Klauss. Fourteenth Division ; Thirteenth Corps.
Site selected for joint monument : On Union Avenne, on the line of Benton's Brigade, Carr's Division.
MARKER No. 842.
If separate monuments are erected, they should be on the same line, on the right and left of,
MARKER No. 842.
Site selected for tablet showing the farthest advance of the Sth In- fantry in the assault of May 22d.
MARKER No. 918.
Site selected for tablet showing the farthest advance of the 18th In- fantry in the assault of May 22d.
MARKER No. 917.
49th ; 54th ; and 69th Regiments of Infantry. 49th Infantry. Col. James A. Keigwin. Lieut. Col. James H. Thornton. 54th Infantry. Col. Fielding Mansfield. , 69th Infantry. Col. Thomas W. Bennett. Lieut. Col. Oran Perry.
First Brigade; Nineteenth Division; Thirteenth Corps.
Site selected for joint monument : On Union Avenue, on the line of Osterhans' Division.
MARKER No. 843.
If separate monuments are erected, they should be on the same line, on the right and left of,
MARKER No. 843.
Site selected for tablet marking the farthest advance of the 49th In- fantry in the assault of May 22d.
MARKER No. 921.
Site selected for tablet marking the farthest advance of the 69th In- fantry in the assault of May 22d.
MARKER No. 922.
412
INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
47th Regiment of Infantry; and Co. C, 1st Cavalry. 4.th Infantry. Col. James R. Slack. Lieut. Col. John A. Mclaughlin. Second Brigade; Twelfth Division; Thirteenth Corps. Co. C, 1st Cavalry. Capt. William McReynolds. Lieut. James L. Carey.
Headquarters Escort; Twelfth Division ; Thirteenth Corps.
Site selected for joint monument : On Union Avenue, on the line of Slack's Brigade.
MARKER No. 844.
If separate monuments are erected. they should be on the same line. on the right and left of,
MARKER No. S44.
11th ; 24th ; 34th ; and 46th Regiments of Infantry. 11th Infantry. Col. Daniel Macauley. Lieut. Col. William W. Darnall. 24th Infantry. Col. William T. Spicely. 34th Infantry. Col. Robert A. Cameron. Lient. Col. William Swaim. Maj. Robert B. Jones. 46th Infantry. Col. Thomas A. Bringhurst.
All of (Gen. McGinnis') First Brigade; Thirteenth Division; Thirteenth Corps.
Site selected for joint monument : On Union Avenue, opposite the line of General McGinnis' Brigade.
MARKER No. 845.
If separate monuments are erected, they should be on the same line, on the right and left of.
MARKER No. 845.
Tablets showing the advanced positions of the 11th ; 24th; 34th, and 46th Regiments will be placed on Sharpshooters' Line by the National Com- mission.
53d Regiment of Infantry. Col. Walter Q. Gresham.
Second Brigade; Fourth Division ; Sixteenth Corps.
Site selected for monument : On Illinois Avenue, near the north end of Illinois Circle.
MARKER No. 846.
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REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
26th Regiment of Infantry. Col. Jolm G. Clark. First Brigade; Herron's Division.
Site selected for monument: On Iowa Avenue, at the point of the farthest advance of Vandiver's Brigade.
MARKER No. 847.
Proposed site for Indiana State Monument: On Union Avenue. Po- sition designated by,
MARKER No. 85I.
The Commission reserved, subject to the approval of the Legislature of the State of Indiana, a site for a state monument, which we believe is the most beautiful position on the Union line, and in the immediate lo- cality where were encamped the greatest number of Indiana Regiments.
All of the positions designated were selected by the Indiana Commis- sion and the National Commission, in perfect harmony, and we have bad valuable advice of no less than nineteen of the Indiana organizations which were engaged in the siege, these comrades being present with us on the occasion of our meetings at Vicksburg in 1903 and 1904.
We cannot speak too highly of the skill, ability, and efficiency of the Chairman of the National Commission, Capt. W. F. Rigby. He has been engaged in his duties at Vicksburg for more than five years, and has not only surveyed and made himselt thoroughly acquainted with the topog- raphy of the country surrounding Vicksburg; the location of all of the earthworks of both Union and Confederate armies, but by careful, thorough and painstaking studies of the reports of the regimental, Brigade, Divis- ion, and Corps Commanders, and the Generals chief in command of both armies, has acquired a wonderful knowledge of the movements of all the troops engaged in the battles, which preceded and led up to the invest- ment of Vicksburg, as well as during the siege proper. The work of con- struction which he has carried on is of a high character, and the kindness and patience he has shown to all who visit Vicksburg Park, cannot be excelled.
We have, heretofore, set out in this report that there were twenty-four regiments of infantry ; two batteries of artillery, and two companies of cavalry, from Indiana, engaged at the siege of Vicksburg.
There were company organizations in these regiments from seventy- one counties in Indiana. There is probably not a battle in the war in which a greater part of the State of Indiana was represented by its sol- diers.
The State of Illinois furnished fifty-five (55) regiments of infantry; eight (8) cavalry organizations, one (1) battalion, one (1) independent company, of cavalry ; and fifteen (15) batteries of artillery. In all, eighty (80) organizations.
Ohio furnished twenty-six regiments of infantry, (26) ; one (1) regi- ment of cavalry ; and twelve (12) batteries of artillery. In all, thirty-nine (39) organizations.
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
lowa furnished twenty-eight (28) regiments of infantry; two (2) regi- ments of cavalry; and two (2) batteries of artillery. In all. thirty-two (32) organizations.
Indiana comes fourth in the number of troops furnished.
There has been appropriated by the State of Illinois for State, Regi- mental, and Battery monuments $250,000.00.
Iowa has appropriated $150,000.00.
Ohio has appropriated $56,000.00.
New York, with three regiments, and one battery, has appropriated $12,500.00.
Some other states have made liberal appropriations, and we would respectfully recommend and ask for an appropriation from the Legislature, of the session of 1905, for the erection of monuments, which will give to Indiana troops engaged at Vicksburg, a recognition which would be in harmony with that given by other states to their soldiers who served at Vicksburg, and which will carry out the provisions of Section 2 of the Act 107 of 1903, which says :
"That it shall be the duty of the Commission to recommend to the Governor of the State such subsequent legislation as will in their opinion permanently and suitably mark the positions, then ascertained, and worth- ily commemorate the valor and services of Indiana soldiers in the cam- paign and siege of Vicksburg."
Respectfully submitted :
HENRY C. ADAMS, President. THOMAS M. HARDY, Secretary. ADELBERT B. CRAMPTON.
M. M. LACEY. E. L. SEMANS. PHILLIP LESTER.
ACT AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMIS- SION TO CONSTRUCT THE MONUMENTS.
The Sixty-fifth General Assembly, acting upon the foregoing report, passed an act introduced by Senator Kimbrough, January 23, 1907, and approved by Governor Hanly March 2, 1907, provid- ing for the appointment of a commission empowered to erect such monuments as had been recommended, and making an appropria- tion therefor.
AN ACT to provide for the appointment of commissioners to procure and supervise the erection of monuments in the Vicksburg National Park. as memorials for the organizations of Indiana soldiers who took part in the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the year 1863; to provide for the dedication of the same; to perform all other duties naturally in- cident and pertaining to such, and making an appropriation to pay therefor.
(S. 252. Approved March 2, 1907.)
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REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
Preamble.
WHEREAS, Under the act of Congress of the United States, ap- proved November 21, 1899, establishing the Vicksburg National Military Park. the Government of the United States has purchased more than twelve hundred (1,200) acres of land, embracing the bat- tlefield of Vicksburg, for a national military park, and has ex- pended in laying off and improving the same, about five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) and is still engaged in perfecting such improvements ; and,
WHEREAS, The said acts of Congress leave the duty of erecting monuments to memorialize the services of the soldiers of the various states in said battle to the states from which they came; and,
WHEREAS, The Legislature of Indiana, by an act approved March 9, 1903, provided for the appointment of a commission to select and locate places for monuments to be thereafter erected, and said commission was appointed by the Governor and has performed its duties and made report thereof. as provided in said act ; and,
WHEREAS, The State of Indiana had engaged in said siege of Vicksburg twenty-four (24) regiments of infantry, two (2) com- panies of cavalry and two (2) batteries of artillery ; and.
WHEREAS, The States of Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, New York, Massa- chusetts, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hamp- shire, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, by the legislatures thereof. have made appropriations amounting in all to $623,500, and have appointed commissioners for the purpose of erecting memorial mon- uments to commemorate the services of the troops of said States; now, therefore,
Vicksburg National Park Commission-Appointment.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of the State of Indiana, That the Governor be and is hereby empowered to select and appoint a commission of five citizens of the State of Indiana, who shall have served as soldiers in Indiana organizations in the war of the rebellion, and were present at and engaged in said siege of Vicksburg, to contract for the construction and erection of memorial monuments and tablets, under the supervision of the Vicksburg National Military Park Commission, and to cause the same to be paid for in compliance with the provisions of this act hereinafter set out.
Officers of Commssion.
SEC. 2. The officers of said commission shall be selected by the members thereof. and shall be a president, who shall be a member, and such other officers as the commission may find necessary,
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
Under Direction of Governor.
SEC. 3. The commission shall be subject to the direction and control of the Governor, to whom said commission shall report, as directed by said Governor, who shall have power of removal and appointment, so long as said commission shall continue its service. Expenses.
SEC. 4. Said commission shall serve without pay, other than actual expenses necessary to the discharge of their duties: Pro- vided. however, That one of the members thereof may be employed for a reasonable compensation to perform service for such commis- sion, if such commission shall deem such employment advantageous : Provided, however, That any such employment shall be in writing, and, to be binding, shall have the consent and approval of the Gov- ernor endorsed thereon.
Monuments and Markers-Contracts.
SEC. 5. All contracts for designs or monuments and markers, and for the transportation and erection of the same, to be valid and binding. shall be in triplicate, in writing, signed by the president of the commission, and approved by the Governor, and copies of such contracts shall be delivered, one to the Governor, one to the contractor, and one to be retained by the commission.
Contracts-Notice-Awards.
SEC. 6. Due notice of time and place of awarding contracts for monuments and markers shall be given by notices published weekly for four consecutive weeks, in two daily newspapers of largest cir- culation, published in the city of Indianapolis.
Payments.
SEC. 7. Payments shall be made upon warrants drawn by the Auditor of State upon vouchers approved by said commission for the work and expenses provided for in this act, such vouchers to be in compliance with the law prescribed for vouchers now in force. Appropriation.
SEC. 8. To carry out the provisions of this aet, there is hereby appropriated out of any fund in the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the sum of thirty-eight thousand dollars ($38,000), to be expended in the following manner: In the erection of mon- uments for twenty-eight (28) organizations, not less than the sum of thirty-three thousand six hundred dollars ($33,600), or as much thereof as may be necessary, which sum shall be available on and after November 1, 1907. The sum of forty-four hundred dollars
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REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
($4,400), or so much thereof as may be necessary, to be available on and after June 1, 1907, for the expense of the commission as traveling expenses, and for the expenses of the Governor and of the participation of the State in the dedication ceremonies of said mon- uments, at a date to be hereafter agreed upon, clerk hire, labor em- ployed, office rent, and other necessary expenses, and any other nec- essary and legitimate expense incurred by this commission in accom- plishing the purpose for which the commission is created: Pro- vided, That should there remain a balance of said appropriation after the erection of the monuments, as above provided for and the dedication of the same, such balance, not exceeding four thousand dollars ($4,000), is hereby appropriated for markers for the differ- ent historical points occupied by respective regiments and batteries during the progress of the battle, where monuments can not be erected, and other than those provided by the govenment.
Diligence and Promptness.
SEC. 9. The work of the commission must proceed with dili- gence and promptness, and wherever practicable the representatives of the different regiments and batteries may be consulted as to their wishes in regard to designs and sites of the monuments, and their wishes shall control where no delay is occasioned thereby.
Maximum Cost-Contributions.
SEC. 10. The maximum limit for each monument for each or- ganization may be increased by contribution by persons who desire to make such, and the commission shall use contribution in con- junction with the provision by the State in the erection of the monument, which shall be selected by those especially interested, but in all instances the contribution must be in the hands of the commission before the design is selected; otherwise the proposed contribution shall not be considered.
Commission-When Discontinued.
SEC. 11. When the work of the commission is done. or in the judgment of the Governor it is no longer proper or expedient to continue it, it shall be discontinued by order of the Governor, whereon all contracts must be at once closed out and a complete report made to the Governor, all debts paid and any balance re- maining unexpended shall at once be returned to the general rev- enue fund of the State.
[27]
418
INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
SECOND REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
Governor J. Frank Hanly, in compliance with the provisions of this act, named the following participants in the campaign of Vicks- burg as members of this commission: General George F. McGin- nis, M. M. Lacey. John W. Sale, Henry C. Adams and Lewis C. Moore.
The following report was made to Governor Hanly :
INDIANAPOLIS, January 4, 1909. To the Honorable J. Frank Hanly,
Governor of the State of Indiana :
SIR: The Indiana-Vicksburg Military Park Commission respectfully submit herewith the report of duties performed by said Commission under the authority of an act of the 65th General Assembly of the State of In- diana.
May 29, 1907, in response to call of the Governor, the Commission met at the State House, in the city of Indianapolis, and organized by electing Henry C. Adams, President ; George F. McGinnis, Vice President ; John W. Sale, Treasurer, and M. M. Lacey, Secretary.
August 22, 1907, the Commission met to discuss the matter of designs for the monuments to be erected. It was then suggested that it might be best to have six classes of monuments, one class for cavalry companies, one class for batteries of artillery. one for regiments which were not in brigades with other Indiana regiments, one for two regiments in same bri- gade, one for three regiments in same brigade, one for four regiments in same brigade. Mr. H. L. Ogborn was selected as designer to present plans and designs for monuments in accordance with suggestions made.
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