Logan's Indianapolis directory, 1868, Part 57

Author:
Publication date: 1868
Publisher: Logan
Number of Pages: 416

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It was then announced by the papers that John Morgan had crossed the Ohio

HISTORY OF

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 enemy, 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 sweethcarts 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 ccler- 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, bnt late 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 vetcran 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- tics, 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 Batcs. 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

INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.

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 $92,000 to as- sist them, and on the 3d of October $40,000 more were appropriated. The city clerk 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 correct 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 addition for the same purpose. On the 2d of January, 1865, 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 for 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 16th 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 wood 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, &c. 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 form 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.

HISTORY OF

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- alized 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 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 and 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 caused great activity in trade, but as the 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.

Extensive camps, hospitals, barracks, sta- bles and other structures were built by the government during the war; the most prominent of these may be mentioned here.

Camps Morton and Sullivan had been occupied by the three-months men and State troops while organizing and preparing for the field, and the last named camp had afterward been sufficient for the regiments subsequently organized, Camp Morton be- ing unused; but after the capture of Fort Donelson, when several thousand rebel prisoners were sent to this point, addi- tional troops and camps were at once need-

ed. Camp Morton was then fitted up as a prison camp. It was surrounded with a high, tight fence and sentry walk; addi- tional buildings were added from time to time, and the defenses strengthened, until at last it was as complete in its appoint- ments as any other in the country. More than five thousand prisoners were occa- sionally confined in it, and many thou- sands during the war. Among its inmates were the greater part of Morgan's men, captured after their celebrated raid through Indiana and Ohio. Toward the close of the war many of these men, becoming con- vinced that their cause was lost, enlisted in the Union army for service against the Indians; others took the oath of allegiance and were discharged, and several thousand were released and sent home after the war ended.

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 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-many 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 mostly occupied by recruits, new regiments and drafted men. Camp Sullivan, on the military grounds, was not so extensive, well built or arranged as the two former. It had been occupied by the State troops, and afterward by new regiments, transient troops and drafted men.

As the war progressed and this point became more important as a depot of sup- plies, troops and prisoners, all these camps, with others in and around the city, were constantly occupied. Among other im- portant establishments the Soldiers' Home founded in 1862, for the accommodation of transient soldiers, soon became prominent, and was greatly enlarged before the war ended. It was in charge of the veteran reserve corps at first, and afterward in that of the Ninth regiment of Hancock's corps. Single soldiers, squads, detach- ments, and regiments of troops, passing

INDIANAPOLIS FROM 1818.

through or temporarily stopping in the city, were accommodated with lodging and cooked food in this establishment, and it was of great service when the veteran regi- ments were returning on furlough during the war, and at its close, when they return- ed for discharge.

In addition to camps Carrington, Burn- side, Sullivan and the Soldiers' Home, a cavalry camp was established near the city; and when the negro regiment was authorized late in the fall of 1863, Camp Fremont was temporarily established in Fletcher's woods, south-east of the city. The government, in 1864, took the old Bellefontaine depot, in the north part of the ninth ward, and fitted it up as an ex- tensive stable to accommodate the thou- sands of artillery, cavalry and wagon horses, bought and brought to this point; and for the storage, also, of the necessary grain and forage. Barracks were also added for the many teamsters and quarter-mas- ters' employees in service here.

It was proposed early in 1865 to aban- don all the government camps, prisons, stables and hospitals then in use in and around the city, and construct new, more extensive and better arranged ones several miles out in the country. The site was selected, the plan approved by the authori- ties at Washington, and the order prepared, but before it was issued, the war termina- ted, and the new buildings were not needed.

When the war first began and the three- months troops collected here, but few arms and still less ammunition could be sup- plied. It was evident that ammunition would have to be fabricated, and Herman Sturm applied to the Governor for au- thority to manufacture it for the State. Permission was granted in May, and with one or two assistants, he immediately be- gan making musket balls and cartridges at Mclaughlin's gun-shop, on east Wash- ington street. The demand soon extended the business, and a small frame structure was erected in July and occupied in Au- gust, north of the State-house. Additional buildings were soon erected and the nuni- ber of workmen increased; but the facili- ties were not equal to the rapidly growing demand, and a removal took place to Ott's building, on Washington street, south of the State-house. It remained there some time, and was then removed to buildings specially designed for it east of the city. It had grown from a small beginning to great proportions ; several hundreds of per- sons were employed, and vast amounts of artillery and small-arm ammunition were daily fabricated-the armies of the west being largely supplied by it. It filled

a pressing want early in the war; but the government having established an arsenal here, and ammunition being largely man- ufactured elsewhere, the State institution was discontinued in 1864,

The national government in 1861 deter- mined to found a number of arsenals in the west, one of them being located liere. Eighty acres of ground were bought north- east of and adjoining the city, plans adopt- ed for the buildings and improvements, and Captain Jas. M. Whittemore, of the regular army, appointed commandant and superin- tendent. The improvements, consisting of buildings for the storage of small arms and accouterments, artillery and wagons, offi- cers' quarters, magazines, barracks, fen- cing, grading, &c., were begun in 1862, and have been prosecuted to the present time, and are now nearly completed, at a cost of several hundred thousand dollars. The buildings are large, well planned and perfectly constructed. All the improve- ments are of the best design, materials, and finish. Large amounts of arms artil- lery, ammunition, and other government property, are now stored there. The Wal- lace building, on Delaware and Maryland streets, was used during the war as the U. S. Arsenal and storehouse. Wm. Y. Wiley was appointed military store-keeper. Capt. Whittemore served as commander and su- perintendent till the close of the war, be- ing then relieved by brevet Col. W. H. Harris, the present commander. An arse- nal guard of about thirty men was enlist- ed for that special duty in 1864, and is now stationed there.

The financial condition of the city was greatly influenced by the war, and it is best, perhaps, to consider it in connection with our war history; though, in doing so, many facts already given in the statement of the war movements will necessarily be repeated.

It is now impossible, from loss of re- cords, to give a certain statement concern- ing the early financial condition of the corporation. The old books yet in exist- ence are in such shape that no clear idea can be drawn from them. It is only with- in a few years that a system has been adopted showing the condition of the finan- ces at any given time. Such facts for for- mer years as were published at the time are given below.

The valuation of real and personal prop- erty in 1847 was about $1,000,000. In 1850 it had risen to $2,326,185; in 1853, to $5,131,582 ; in 1856, to $7,146,670 ; in 1858, to $10,475,000; in 1860, to $10,700,000; in 1862, to $10,250,000; in 1863, $10,750,000; in 1864, $13,250,000; in 1865, $20,144,447; in 1866, $24,231,750; in 1867, it sunk to

HISTORY OF

$21,943,605, and rose in 1868 to $23,593,- 619. These figures show the steady growth of the place, as well as the temporary checks it has experienced. The listed polls in 1847 were about 400; in 1853, 1,460 ; in 1857, 1,862; in 1860, 2,200; in 1863, 3,200; in 1866, 5,160; in 1867, 5,300 ; in 1868, 5,780.

Taxation under the charter of 1847, for general purposes, was limited to 15 cents on the $100; but special taxes to any amount could be levied, if authorized by the general vote. Repeated efforts were made, from 1847 to 1853, to induce the citizens to vote special taxes for various objects; but with the exception of taxes for schools, clock, cisterns and to pay debts, the movements were generally defeated, and the entire levy did not exceed 45 cents on the $100. To avoid the trouble in re- gard to special taxes, the council, in 1853, adopted the general incorporation act as the city charter; and though the taxing power was thereby increased, they hesitated, in view of the general opposition of the tax- payers, to materially advance the rate, and it did not usually go beyond 60 or 80 cents before the war. After the war be- gan, a different policy was necessarily adopted, and the people have since become acquainted with heavier rates on vastly increased valuations.

The receipts and expenditures for all purposes, (other than schools,) are given as published at the time, giving generally the actual current receipts without includ- ing balances. The levy for 1847, (includ- ing $865 of delinquencies from former years, ) amounted to $4,226, nearly $4,000 being realized therefrom, and the expendi- tures considerably exeeded the receipts. In 1850 the receipts were $9,327, expendi- tures $7,554. In 1851, receipts $10,515, expenses over that sum. In 1853, receipts $10,906, expenses $7,030, $2,908 being de- voted to cisterns and the fire department. In 1854 receipts .$20,500, expenses nearly the same. In 1856 receipts $27,889, ex- penses $46,105. In 1857 receipts $32,697, expenses $31,003. In 1859 receipts $59,- 168, expenses 56, 442; $10,232, being spent on the fire department cisterns, $4,882 for police and $4,771 for gas. In 1860 the re- ceipts were $87,262, expenses $80,172; lead- ingitems being for street improvements, re- pairs and bridges, $28,790; fire depart- ment and cisterns, $11,353; police, $5,986; gas expenditures, $6,445. The actual cur- rent receipts and expenditures, (not includ- ing balances from former years,) and the leading items of expenditure, as nearly as they can be obtained from the reports from 1861 to 1868, are given as follows :

1861.

1862.

$84,508 79,132 97,119

$84,508 79,132 99,487 156,444

15,653 2,744 18,809 33,322 20,240

16,249 12,510 12,668

$6,300 9,693 10,687 18,473 27,990

10,180 10,662 11,524 12,040 14,618

$7,648 8,966 10,988 12,505 15,220

$2,842

1864.

125,011

5,509

1865

597,831

854,391 404,713

33,380

20,332

23,416

9,638

3,051

1867.

445,253

331,525

52,186

27,207

37,511

17,452

1868.

431,669

224,941

36,018

33,049

27,509

27,528

38,164 37,100

11,113 8,116 6,336

Bounties and all

War Expenses.

Receipts.

Expenses.

Street Improve-

Cleaning and

Fire Department

and Cisterns.

Police and Detec-

Salaries, Fees &

Per Centage.

Gas Expendit'rs,

Lighting tax,

&c.

Jail Expenses.

$5,010 35,155 718,179 151,197 70,575

The old corporation authorities had in- curred a debt of a thousand or fifteen hundred dollars at the time the city char- ter was adopted. The street improvements then undertaken by the city government soon increased it to nearly $6,000, and in 1849 a tax of ten cents on the $100 was authorized by vote of the citizens to pay it. The proceeds of the levy almost extin- guished it in 1850, but in 1851 it again swelled to $5,400. The increased receipts, however, enabled the treasury to meet cur- rent expenses and diminished the debt to $567 in 1854. The employment in that year of a police force, together with the increased current expenses, enlarged the

debt to $11,000 in the spring of 1855, and to $15,300 in the spring of 1856. Orders were selling at a heavy discount, and the reputation of the city suffered. The Coun- cil determined to effect a loan of $25,000 to meet expenses and fund the debt, and having prepared the bonds, sent Jeremiah D. Skeen to New York City, in August 1856, as their agent to negotiate them. He succeeded in hypothecating them for $5,000, which he applied to his own use, and after much trouble and several years delay, they were recovered by the city on payment of that sum with interest. Skeen and his sureties were sued by the city, and judgment finally obtained in January

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Logan's Indianapolis directory, 1868, Part 57

Author: Publication date: 1868 Publisher: Logan Number of Pages: 416

Author:
Publication date: 1868
Publisher: Logan
Number of Pages: 416