USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Logan's History of Indianapolis from 1818. Giving a carefully compiled record of events of the city from the organization of the state government > Part 17
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The Eseott and Miranda Opera Troupe sang at the theatre in January. A musical convention was held at Masonic Hall in September. Bayard Taylor and Henry J. Raymond lectured there in February. Lola Montez lectured there for several nights, beginning February 23. In the fall and winter, Bayard Taylor, Prof. Youmans, J. B. Gough, Dr. Robt. J. Breckinridge, G. W. Winship and others, lectured before the Young Men's Christian Association. Sallie St. Clair appeared at the Metropolitan for a few nights in February.
In view of the threatening aspeet assu- med by the southern States, and the lack of patriotism displayed by them, it was deemed proper by the assembly to unfurl the American flag from the State House dome, and the ceremony was fixed for the 22d of January, 1861. A flag staff and large flag were prepared. Extensive ar- rangements were made, the military, the firemen, city and State authorities, and citizens paraded. The preliminary exer- cises were concluded, and the flag was started up in presence of a vast and ex- pectant crowd, when the staff broke, and, with the flag, tumbled down the dome to the roof. The crowd dispersed silently, deeming the event ominous of comine trouble. A new staff however was aft: - ward procured, and the flag successf .. . ) raised, but with less display and enthust- asm.
1861-8. The First Baptist church, on the corner of Maryland and Meridian streets, was burned during a great snow storm, on the night of January 27th, 1861, presenting a sad but magnificent spectacle as the flames burst from the roof, and wrapped round the spire, which soon top- pled and plunged downward through the roof. The fire was supposed to have caught from a defective flue. The loss was a se- rious blow to the church. The first build- ing occupied by the congregation was & small one-story brick structure, on the same site, built in 1829 or 1830, and hold- ing two hundred and fifty or three hundred persons. The small bell then used was
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placed in a separate frame tower at one end of the house. This building was torn away, and the house which was now just destroyed was built there in 1851 or 1852. The first spire was built in the telescopic form usual in country towns, the upper portion being finished inside of the lower, and hoisted by tackle to its proper eleva- ; tion. It had just been hoisted to its place during a hot summer afternoon, and the workmen were still on it, when a sudden thunder gust came up, and the spire being insufficiently stayed, the guy ropes parted and it turned a somersault, coming point down on the pavement in front of the building, narrowly missing a team and wagon, and shattering itself into splinters. The men at work on it had barely time enough to get off before it went over. An- other spire was afterward built, but in a different way.
The congregation, after the destruction of the church, sold the lot (which is now occupied by Schnull's block, ) and purcha- sed the lot on the north-east corner of Pennsylvania and New York streets, and in 1862 erected the present large brick ed- ifice upon it.
President Lincoln arrived here on the 12th of February, 1861, on his way to the national capital, and was received as the guest of the city and State, being met at the State line, and escorted thither by a committee. He left the Lafayette train at Washington street, and was escorted to the Bates House by the military companies, fire department, State authorities, and a vast crowd of citizens. In a short speech from the balcony of the Bates House, he out- lined his future policy with regard to the rebellion, and held a reception during the evening, leaving for the east next morning.
Several meetings of conservative repub- licans were held at the court house in Feb- Tuary and March, to urge a compromise of the existing political differences, and the settlement of the controversy by making concessions to the South. The sessions were stormy, in consequence of the at- tendance of the more radical men, who felt that the time for all compromise had pas- sed, and before any definite action or course was decided on by the meetings, the acts of the rebels transferred the dis- cussion from the forum to the field. There was then no further talk of compromise, and those who had urged it became earnest and active in the war.
It can scarcely be expected that a full history of the part taken by this city in the war can be given in the limits of an article like this. It could only be properly dealt with in a volume. But a brief out-
-
line at least may be presented of the lead- ing events.
The news of the attack upon Fort Sum- ter reached the city April 12th, and at once produced the profoundest feeling .- Business was suspended, and every one enger for the latest intelligence. During the afternoon a handbill was posted calling a meeting at the court house, and at the appointed hour the room was thronged .--- An adjournment was voted to Masonic Hall, and the excited crowd, now momen- tarily augmenting, rolled down Washing- ton street. The hall was at once filled, as well as the theatre and the intervening street. The American flag was produced, and greeted with deafening cheers. Speech- es were made at the several meetings, bit- ter resolutions were adopted, and volun- teering at once begun. The throng dis- persed at a late hour, excited and enraged over the news that the Fort hal been sur- rendered. On the following day the Greys, Guards, Independent Zouaves, Zonave Guards, and a light artillery company be- gan recruiting. Flags were everywhere displayed, and the fife and drum heard at every corner. The president's proclamation for seventy-five thousand men appeared on the 15th, and the governor's call for six regiments from this State, on the 16th.
The State fair ground was chosen as the rendesvous. It was named Camp Morton, and on the 16th and lith the city compa- nies moved there, having meanwhile been quartered in the public halls of the city. Companies from abroad were also hourly arriving, greeted by cheers and the firing of cannon, and were sworn in at the State Ifouse and sent to camp. In a few days eight or ten thousand men had reported for duty. Had sixty, instead of six, regi- ments been demanded, the call would have been almost as readily filled. Our own companies were full and others forming. Home guards were organized for each ward. Every one was anxious to contrib- ute, and blankets, food and clothing were collected by the wagon load for the men so suddenly collected with no provision for their comfort. The ladies formed so- cieties and materially assisted in this work. The enthusiasm was wonderful : The zeal, faith and courage, sublime. The material and men were superabundant, and the excess made the labor of the au- thorities all the more difficult. Everything had to be learned by a people unacquain- ted with war, and for some time contusion reigned supreme. Order, however, was gradually restored, the six regiments were organized and brigaded, and the work of drilling and equipping them began.
On the 24th of April Stephen A. Doug-
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lass visited the city and made a speech. He went to Camp. Morton, visiting the troops and arousing great enthusiasm among them.
Some feeling arising concerning the support of the families of soldiers during their absence, the City Council, on the 20th of April, voted an appropriation of $10,- 000 for their maintenance.
Seven companies were formed here under this call, the most of them being in the eleventh regiment under Col. Lew Wallace. They were moved in a few days to the old Bellefontaine depot, uniformed soon after and persistently drilled. Stands of col- ors were presented to them at the State House on behalf of the ladies, and feeling like old troops they clamored for service. They were accordingly sent to Evansville, (ostensibly to guard the borler, ) on the 9th of May. The excess of troops report- ing here, over the six regiments ealled for by the Government, were organized under State authority in six one year regiments for the State service, but were soon after re-enlisted, (except one regiment of one year men, ) for three years and all trans- ferred to the Federal service. The six regiments of troops under the first call were reviewed by General G. B. McClel- lan in the fields north-west of the military grounds, (then occupied by the State troops and known as Camp Sullivan, ) on the 24th of May. Ile shortly after ordered them into active service in West Virginia. where they participated actively and ef- The twentieth regiment and several bat- teries were rendesvoused here and camped on the commons north-west of Camp Sulli- van. The twenty-sixth and thirty-third and other regiments subsequently occupied Camp Sullivan. The drafted men were also placed there in 1862-3. The fifty- seventh regiment occupied a camp on the canal west of the Lafayette depot, and la- ter organizations, recruits and drafted men were sent to Camp Carrington. In August 1862 a further call for troops was made. Bragg and Kirby Smith were ad- vancing on Louisville. Great efforts were fectively in the campaign. The eleventh regiment, meanwhile, was left at Evans- ville, but growing tired of their position, an order was obtained from Washington transferring them to Cumberland, Mary- land. They afterward joined Patterson's army, participating in the movements of that force prior and subsequent to the bat- tle of Bull run. The three months regi- ments were discharged, returned home, but shortly afterward were again rendesvoused here to re-enter the three years service. Their old organizations were maintained, although the regiments were mostly com- | made to fill the quota, and good bounties posed of new recruits. The State troops, ineanwhile, had been transferred to the Federal service and sent to the field, and the additional regiments afterward called for by the Government were gathering here aud elsewhere. The nineteenth Reg- ular regiment, added with others to the army by President Lincoln, rendesvoused here and was gradually growing in strength. It remained here till the fall of 1862, when its head-quarters were trans- ferred to Detroit.
After the first flurry arising from the sudden concentration of the three months
volunteers and the State troops at this point was over, and they had gone to the field, the work progressed more quietly and methodically. Tho anxiety to enter to the service was greater than the de- mand for troops, and some trouble was ex- perienced in securing permission to raise additional regiments. After the three months troops were re-organized as three years men, however, additional regiments were demanded, and recruits for the first organizations were constantly called for. They were very readily obtained without local bounties, for business had been very dull since the preceding winter, and hun- dreds of men were out of work. This stagnation in general business continued here until the winter of 1862 and spring of 1863, when, from the Government de- mand for various articles, and the scarcity of workmen, high wages began to be de- manded, and volunteering decreased. Uni- forms had been searee on the streets after the first regiments left. They afterward began to multiply, and from the capture of Ft. Donelson till after the close of the war they constantly became more numer- ous, until the city at last was a heavily garrisoned post. During the late fall and winter of 1861, however, the skeleton nine- teenth Regular regiment constituted the main force here, and their perfect disci- pline and fine dress parades, with the added attraction of their full regimental band, drew crowds of admiring spectators.
offered for recruits. A draft was ordered and the preparatory enrollment was made, but before it took place the requisition was filled. The seventieth and seventy- ninth regiments were raised at that time, mainly in this district, and hurried to Louisville. They served to the close of the war, participating in Sherman's com. paign against Atlanta and the march to the sea. No unnsual war excitement disturbed the city from this date until early in July 1863.
It was then announced by the papers that Jolin Morgan had crossed the Ohio
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river, and later in the day news came that he was rapidly moving toward this city, to release the prisoners. The fire bells were rung, and a vast crowd collected at the Bates house. The governor announced the news, and recommended the immediate ces- sation of business, and the formation of military companies. It was resolved to form companies in each ward, and recruit- ing at once began. Dispatches were sent elsewhere calling for aid. The next morn- ing martial law was declared, business ceased, the ward companies were sworn in- to the State legion, and a regiment twelve hundred strong organized under Colonel Rugg, armed, equipped and constantly drilled. It met that night on University square, to receive blankets, accoutrements and ammunition, and was ordered to march next day. During this and the two follow- ing days, companies and regiments were coming by rail from all parts of the State, and a considerable army was extemporized. The excitement and enthusiasm increased hourly, surpassing any thing seen during the war. Other regiments were organized and sent to meet the eneiny, but the city regiment was persistently marched and drilled on University square and else- where, attaining very creditable proficiency in forty-eight hours. Signals were estab- lished by the fire bells, for the regiment to start on the campaign, and they were thus called together about twice a day. The warriors parted so frequently from their wives and sweethearts that they grew tired of it, and finally left for the seat of war on University square at each alarm, without a thought of those they left be- hind. The artillery and cavalry wings of the regiment meanwhile were executing various manœuvres not laid down in any system of tactics, sometimes putting the infantry in great bodily fear. Morgan soon turned eastward, but the regiment continued its martial exercises for several days afterward, and rapidly attained celer- ity and precision in marching and in the manual of arms. The organization was continued for two or three months, and in September an effort was made to uni- form it and the police guards at the ex- pense of the city, but it failed, and the force disbanded shortly afterward. Its services in the Morgan raid were after- ward paid for by the State. The sudden organization of, and the immediate profi- ciency attained by this regiment conclu- sively proved that the people can be fully relied on in any emergency.
Recruiting went on steadily from this date, the city's quota always being supplied with reasonable promptness, but Inte in the fall another draft was expected, and
the citizens held a meeting on the 11th of December, asking the council to appro- priate a sufficient sum to pay $50 of boun- ty to each recruit who might be credited to the township. On the 14th of December the council accordingly appropriated $25,- 000 for that object, ordering the sale of bonds to that amount to raise the money. The bonds were prepared and sold in a few days, and recruiting went on with more activity. Committees were appointed, and funds raised in each ward to add to the bounty, and the required number of men was soon obtained.
During the winter of 1863-'64, and the following summer, the old veteran regi- ments were returning on thirty day fur- loughs for recreation and recruiting, before re-entering the service. One or more of them arrived every week, and were suita- bly received by the State and city authori- ties, the council having appropriated mon- ey for that purpose. Many recruits were obtained here for their ranks, and the Seventeenth Regiment re-enlisted and were credited, in a body, to this city. On learn- ing that our quota had been filled, they confirmed their action regardless of bounty, but on the 8th of March Colonel Wilder asked the council to grant it to them. A committee reported against it, but the coun- cil, after further consideration of the sub- ject, passed an ordinance on the 14th of March, appropriating $5,355 in bounties to the regiment. An attempt was afterward made to have this sum increased, but with- out success.
The campaign against Atlanta having begun, and the governors of Illinois, Indi- ana and Ohio having tendered a heavy force of one hundred day men to guard the lines of communication, a call was issued for troops for that term. The response not being very prompt, ward meetings were held, asking the council to appropriate bounties to those who might enlist under the call, and on the 9th of May $5,000 were appropriated for the maintenance of the families of one hundred day men, the sum to be disbursed by the Soldier's Aid Com- mittee. Recruiting was actively prose- cuted, and the city regiment was shortly raised, equipped and sent to Alabama un- der Colonel Vance, Lt .- Colonel Cramer and Major Bates. It was assigned to duty along the line of communication, and after the expiration of its term was sent home, discharged and paid off.
From this date recruiting became more difficult, and larger bounties were required. The demand for labor had increased the rates of wages, and few persons were out of work. Five hundred thousand more men were called for, and as the response
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was not satisfactory, preparations were made for a draft. The enrollment in June, 1864, showed seven thousand five hundred and seventy-three men subject to draft in the city, and the quota was fixed at one thousand two hundred and fifty-nine. Ef- forts to fill it by recruiting were made, and meetings were held in the wards and in the tabernacle on Court square, to secure sub- scriptions to pay bounties. Forty or fifty thousand dollars were subscribed and paid to recruits, but the required number was not obtained in time, and the draft took place September 25th, for about four hun- dred and fifty men. Drafted men's meet- ings were repeatedly held afterward, and great efforts made to raise money. Sixty or seventy thousand dollars more being subscribed by them, the council on the 28th of September, appropriated $52,000 to as- sist them, and on the 3d of October $40,000 more were appropriated. The city elerk was directed to collect the subscriptions of the citizens. Mayor Caven used every means to assist the work and by strenuous exertions the required number of volun- teers were secured in October and Novem- ber, and the drafted men relieved at a cost of nearly $180,000. Much complaint had been made prior and subsequent to the draft, of the incorrect enrollment on which it was made, and that the city and town- ship were drafted together, compelling the city to expend $20,000 beyond its propor- tion, to relieve the township. The council on the 12th of December, appointed a com- mittee to revise and correet the lists, and secure a correct enrollment.
The President, on the 20th of December, again called for three hundred thousand men, directing a draft if it was not filled by volunteers. Mayor Caven, on the 28th, recommended the Council to appropriate $90,000 for bounties, at $150 each, for re- cruits. The Council, after consideration of the subject, ordered the balance of the appropriation, $2,500, to be paid, and ap- propriated $20,000 in aldition for the same purpose. On the 21 of January, 1835, the Mayor again urged an appropri- tion to pay $150 bounty for volunteers, and the appointment of ward committees to sell orders and raise funds. He also urged the correction of the enrollment lists, and that the city be drafted sepa- rately by wards. The Council at once re- sponded, by appropriating $125,000, to be paid in $150 bounties and $10 premium fur recruits. On the 5th of January they authorized the bounties to be increased to $200, and sent Hon. John Coburn to Washington to secure a draft by wards. He succeeded in his mission, and the draft was afterward so made. Commit-
tees were also appointed for each ward, to sell city orders, or warrants. On the 10th special committees were appointed to see if the bounties could be increased in amount, and to urge the Legislature to so amend the charter that loans might be made directly to pay bounties. On the 17th committees were appointed to super- intend recruiting and assign the men pro rata to each ward. The time fixed for the draft was rapidly approaching, the quota was large and unfilled, the citizens grew excited, and many of them turned their attention to recruiting. In February the Council appropriated $400 to each man who might be drafted, provided he had purchased a $50 order before the draft. After the draft occurred they confirmed the grant, ordering the money to be paid at once to those who furnished substitutes, and in installments to those who were compelled to serve. The Council had furnished twelve hundred cords of wool to soldiers families in August, 1864, and now gave $3,500 more for the same pur. pose. On the 20th of February, three thousand six hundred citizens petitioned the Council to effect a loan sufficient to pay all orders, bounties, ke. The petition was deferred for more names, and on the 22d, seven hundred and seventy-two more were reported. A resolution offered by Mayor Caven was adopted, authorizing a loan of $400,000 in bonds of $50, $100, $500 and $1,000 oach, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, at such rate of interest semi-annually, as might be lawful where the bonds were payable. A special tax levy was to be made to pay interest and forin a sinking fund to meet the principal. Messrs. Brown, Coburn and Jamison were appointed a committee to prepare and ne- gotiate the bonds. They did so. The bonds were sent to New York, where they remained unsold for several months, and were then recalled, cancelled, and the committee discharged.
The quota not being filled, the draft took place, by wards, on the 25th of Feb- ruary. The Council at once ordered the loan committee to borrow $100,000 from the banks, at one per cent., at four months, with privilege of renewal, depositing or- ders at sixty cents on the dollar as secu- rity, the orders to be sold by the banks on ten days notice, if the debt was not paid. On the 6th of March this was reconsid- ered, and the Treasurer ordered to borrow $100,000 from the banks, at one per cent., for four months, with privilege of renewal, depositing bonds and orders at seventy- five cents on the dollar, as security. giving the banks the privilege of selling at ten days notice, if the debt was not paid.
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The loan was taken by Fletcher's, Har- risons'. the Citizens' National, First Na- tional and Indianapolis National Banks, $20.000 from each, and the money thus re- alizel was appropriated at once to bounties. The drafted men were now very active in securing recruits. Offices were opened in the Council chamber and elsewhere, $400 bounties were paid, a number of substi- tutes were furnished, and the quota was nearly filled, when it was announced that on a revisal of the lists of credits, the quota was entirely filled, and with several hundred to spare. Bounties at once fell from $400 to $100, but the work was stopped, and $25,000 to $30,000 of the fund saved. All felt, however, that the lists should have been revised before the draft was made, and a heavy expenditure thus avoided. The war ended four weeks afterward, and no further recruits were needed. The city and citizens had spent about $700,000 in the past ten months, in bounties for troops, and expenses con- nected with the war.
The prisoners were guarded at first by the Nineteenth regulars, but other troops were afterward detailed to that duty, and some regiments were raised for that special ser- vice. Temporary camps for the guards The government immediately began the reduction of the army. Sick and conva- lescent troops, new recruits, drafted men, Quarter-masters' employees and others were at once discharged. The rebel pris- oners were released und sent home. The veteran regiments rapidly returned and were mustered out. The veteran reserve corps dwindled to a skeleton organization, and by the close of the year the ninth regiment of Hancock's corps constituted almost the entire force stationed in the city. The camps were abandoned and the property sold. The houses were re- moved elsewhere, and by the summer of 1866 a uniform was rarely seen on the streets. The return of the veteran troops kept up the excitement for some time, and were at first established near the prison; but after the invalid corps (afterward the veteran reserve, ) were detailed to guard duty, camps of a more permanent charac- ter were built, requiring many thousands of feet of lumber. Camp Burnside, just south of the prison, grew into a large, populous, well arranged and well built village by the end of the war. The vet- eran corps guarding the rebels occupied this camp-inany of the officers and men having their families with them. Camp Carrington, formerly a temporary affair, and afterward one of the best arran- ged and constructed camps near the city, was mostly built in 1864. It was at a considerable distance to the west of the prison, near the Lafayette road. and was caused great activity in trade, but as the , mostly occupied by recruits, new regiments great floating population of the past three years dwindled in number, and the gov- ernment demand for supplies ceased, the difference in the throng on the streets was soon perceptible, and the town grew dull.
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