USA > Indiana > Operations of the Indiana Legion and Minute Men, 1863-4 : Documents presented to the General Assembly, with the governor's message, January 6, 1865 > Part 2
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To pursue Morgan on foot was folly. From Vernon I was at first disposed to march immediately to Madison, but concluded to wait until it was definitely ascertained where the enemy was going. It soun appeared that he was heading east. I then suggested throwing a force down the Lawrenceburgh railroad, and telegraphed for per- mission to move my command to Osgood.
I telegraphed to Lawrenceburgh, asking citizens to collect wagons and meet me at a designated point in my advance. There can be no doubt that if this plan could have been carried out, I could have over- taken Morgan somewhere about the State line. He was at that time not more than twenty-five miles ahead of us, and moving slowly.
With the wagons I could have made a forced march of sixty miles. Unfortunately, the confusion in Dearborn county, consequent upon the enemy's presence, was so great as to make it next to impossible to procure a sufficiency of the required transportation.
On the 14th I marched to Sunman's station, on the Indianapolis
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MORG .Y RAID.
It Linn om Ribroad. a few miles beyond Milan, joining fin. Und. . I . a amand, added to mine, made a force of about fifty five for fred strong amply sufficient to have flogged the enemy 2.00 01 fight. While at Vemon Lisned an order for the Fre ament. of all the horses within three miles of
Sedated. Shuler. to whom the business was entrusted. delock he had one hundred and sixty horses.
of by detail from his regiment and Co. Gregory's. Of the detachment was given Col. Shuler, and he a. med stor top parsnit. with orders to follow Morgan vigorously. trail while in Indiana.
I am glad to say, outstripped tien. Hobson's cavalry. on my at Harrison. where he reports having had 1 Very ranch to be regretted that the Legion isto so en iy of infantry. Two or three regiments of cavalry would have togget Morgan before he passed into Ohio. I respect- illy -agree attention to the organization of that arm of the ser- vice. In conclusion. I have no doubt the men under my command would have acquitted themselves handsomely in fight, if opportunity had offered. Their conduct under arms was in every way creditable. Very respectfully.
Your friend and servant.
LEW. WALLACE. Maj. Gen. Volunteers.
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MORGAN RAID.
REPORT OF LIEUT. W. H. SMITH, R. Q. M. & A. A. C. .. - MAJOR GENERAL WALLACE'S DIVISION.
PROPERTY IMPRESSED.
INDIANAPOLIS, July 28, 1863.
GENERAL :
I have the honor to submit the following statement of property impressed by order of Major General Lew. Wallace for the use of the United States forces under his command during the late Morgan expedition, and for which receipts were given by W. H. Smith, First Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster of the 103d Regiment Indiana Militia, and A. A. C. S. General Wallace's Division :
Taken at Sunman, Indiana.
Date. Namc.
Article Nett Weight.
July 15 ... Jane Stewart
Two head of cattle .1000 pounds. ..
... H. Ripka One 66
600
.‹ ... J. Stagner, med TO 66
400
.4 ... Michael Abplanwhite Lwo 66
400 6:
יל ... C. Anderson .. Three 6:
819
.. ... A. Lawrence .. 'Two
640 66
.6 ... Sam. J. Alden Two 66
1000 66
16 ... James Vannus One
450
6.
... F. Whitehead Two
6.
650
... H. Neiman Two bushels of salt.
JORGAN FAID.
Findus. Interno, July 11. 1865.
1
ery horse. 16 hands high.
1 rol. .. .. ..
.. 15 . .
cach.
Forses. 16 .. .. 10 . 2 bridles and 1 halter. 1 1 Black Horse, 17 hands high. . . .. 16 .. ..
.. 15 hand- and 3 inches high
1 1 .. map. 15 hands high. ..
1 2my horse. 14!
5 bridles. " Soon. I bay mare, saddle and bridle ; no receipt DET. me wher being found.
Respectfully submitted, W. H. SMITIL. Ist. Lieut. R. Q. M. 103d Reg ... und A. A. C. S. C.m. Wallace & Div.
To GENT LA. NIAL.
MEMOLANDI '! . PROPERTY RECEIPTED FOR BY W. H. SMITH, IST LIEU- TENANT AMPIA S. R. M. GEN. WALLACE & DIVISION, INDIANA MILITIA. MORGAN RAID.
Y Columbus. Ind.
July 11- E Nielods. I ioan mare, 1 bridle and I saddle. July 11-Jebo Young, 2 bay horses. B saddles and 2 bridles. July 11- S. M.Dramat. 3 saddles and + bridles.
W. IT. SMITHI, Ist Ligait. R" Q. M. 103d Regi. n. A. A.d. H. Gen. Wallace's Div. Militia, Morgan Raid.
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MORGAN RAID.
REPORT OF GENERAL JOHN LOVE.
INDIANAPOLIS. July 20, 1863.
HIS EXCELLENCY, O. P. MORTON,
Governor of Indiana :
SIR :- By appointment as your Aid-de-Camp to visit New Albany, on the receipt of news here that Morgan was in the vicinity of Cory- don, and to advise you of the condition of affairs there, I left this city, on the 9th inst., at 4 o'clock P. M .; reached Jeffersonville at 10, and New Albany at 11 P. M., where I found General James Hughes in command. General Hughes had made the best disposition possible of the forces under him.
About two o'clock A. M. of the 10th, we learned that Morgan did not intend an attack on New Albany, but was marching towards Salem. General Hughes being relieved from the command about this time, with his Staff, we took the early Jeffersonville train for Seymour, arriving at 10 A. M. General Hughes joined the troops he had organized and stationed at Mitchell.
I remained at Seymour to organize Minute Men, and make the necessary disposition to meet Morgan, should he advance on Sey- mour, as then appeared quite probable. There were at Seymour two regiments of United States volunteers. To enable me to command all the forces, General Willcox appointed me Acting Brigadier Gen- eral. The town of Seymour was filled with men from the neighbor- hood. These men were speedily organized, sworn into the State service for the emergency, and armed and equipped, to the number of three hundred. Mounted men, armed with their own rifles and
MORGAN RAID.
" country. and giving me information of
for @ Ftain information that Morgan had taken : learn what course he wonbl next take. -1 De Olio and Mississippi Railroad, then place: if to march on Indianapolis, as i would be towards Seymour from Salem. d. na ring of the 11th, an engineer on the Jefferson- were lar Segpour, and reported that Morgan with Hos ins through Vienna at 6 o'clock the evening
Best of the trinity of Salem at 6 o clock the Logogood Morgan's whole fores marching towards ouformation. confirmed by two different and reliable Ta gore all I so reported to your excellency, and to Her Wax. it was the more satisfactory to get such reliable ho ii- sinpe . s all sorts of reports were in circulation ; Ti: Vegan ind actually taken Orleans, and was About 3 o'clock P. M. on the 11th I .i.el m . Fr they Comeal Willcox to proceed with my command , Vermont.
Palitos o in tran port ation at Seymour. we started for Vernon with Le Michigan Sharp-shooters. under Colonel De En under Lieutenant Colonel Frank Hays. com- .f the 63d Indiana, and detachments of exchanged 1 1 ..
i tome trie the wret of Seymour to Captain M. W. Shields. of 'ich-on. sie let her active in arousing the neighborhood to arms. und wis placed Lindh at the head of the mounted men, and ren- i. r.linvon ih servie .. We reached North Vernon at about 4 Yep !. P. M .. for the wildest excitement prevailed. Rumors r. min . : Morgan had three times demanded the surrender Vernon, and va- then within one mile of the town. At North Vernon, I band Colonel Burkham, with part of his Regiment, from Warborn e ants, and ordered him to Vernon by the line of the rail- Pal. In ten minutes, our column was on the old road to Vernon, a itiner of two miles. By rapid marching. much of the time in ·ble-gines, although the day was intensely hot, we reached Ver- mat about 5 delock, our men in the best of spirits. When the Fond of the esu i reached Vernon. I received a message from Col. Williams, of Ohio county, then in command, to hasten in person to
17
MORGAN RAID.
the front. Here I found Col. Williams with an Aid of Morgan's, who was within our lines with a flag of truce, to demand, for the second time, the surrender of the town. I directed the Aid to say to Gen. Morgan that I had a sufficient force for my purpose, that the country was swarming with armed men, that it would be impossible for him to escape, and that if he would surrender to me, I would treat him as a prisoner of war.
Having but 1,000 men, and assured that Morgan's whole force was around the town, I sent to Morgan to ask two hours to remove the women and children before he commenced the attack. He replied, he would give but fifteen minutes. It was now nearly dark : the women and children were hurried out of the town, and disposi- tion made to defend to the last. Arriving so late in the day, and a stranger to the country, and unacquainted with the roads, to and from the town, it was impossible to make such arrangements as I would otherwise have done. From reports brought me, and the firing in the rear towards North Vernon, I supposed Morgan intended to march round the town, take North Vernon, and so cut us off. The firing turned out to be a skirmish between some of our men and a detachment of Morgan's men, sent to damage the O. & M. R. R. track to the west of North Vernon. Morgan's detachment reached the O. & M. R. R., but did no damage beyond such as was repaired in two hours. Having only about forty mounted men, it was impossi- ble to get information of the movements of the enemy, our mounted men being employed as videttes to the picket stations, to prevent surprise. At 1 o'clock at night, the Recorder of Jennings County, Thos. Riley, Esq., who was taken prisoner in the morning, made his way into town, and gave me information that Morgan had marched towards Dupont. I sent all the mounted men I could raise-about twenty-under Capt. Boyd, to follow him. Our scouts followed to within two miles of Dupont, returning about 8 o'clock in the morn- ing, with twenty prisoners, their horses, arms, and equipments. The prisoners were sent to this city. The women and children were sent for in time to reach their homes at daylight. I am pleased to be able to report, that beyond the natural alarm occasioned by so unexpected and apparently great danger, no serious disaster occurred to the women and children, the night being warm and cloudy. On the morning of the 12th, I joined my forces with Maj. Gen. Wallace, who arrived at Vernon at 9 o'clock.
Rumors were conflicting all day of the 12th. He was supposed to be attempting to escape by Madison. On the 13th we heard he M. R .- 2
Hotel be land roverle Summan. on con. ilest : : : Milan. Our entire force, What at 6 o'clock P. M. of the 14th, hogy on mailes. Morgan not being far in n'amight to this city, tel. on the die to ( ... Williams and his gallant regi- og. det with only ... . hundred men of un esame of Jennings County, he refused to Morgen. force of fatty-five hundred, with Oh ly arrival at Veruon, I found Col. is the best disposition of the three small field pieces l. and that he was determined to hold out till
Tras ke Veri n was the first check Morgan had met www. our N: to. and, it is believed, embarrassed him, go Jek ali- routo ten miles from the course he had 1:kot Bht. Hli- plan was, no doubt, to take North Ver- . in the nek entering there. It i proper that I J. m. - II. Vanter, Egg. of Vernon, and Col. James Miley, were most active and energetic, and rendered No people could have behaved better than did the View. mod particularly would I speak of the women Www. they fomiel it was necessary for them to leave, be eller, not an exciting sound or act escaped them. Omly. It should be to us all a source of con- ! erity and crnestress with which our citizens, to rals, and viel with each other who should be fore- ! " He must service. What Morgan's plans may have get developed, but if the most natural-that of
1 wwwwiettien ---- he signally failed in our State. So neil. that he failed to break communication on 1 r Than twenty-four hours, and many of them not 1.w .: We pir-gel him to the Ohio line, and I think Corrente care of this in such an exhausted condition 1 1. o. Ne tapprived at the report of the rout and capture i have confirmed. My impromptu staff, consisting of MAG. T. WOORD. Sig Thors B. Harvey, Capts. J. L. Buell. IL A N. S . C Durl.a. and Charles Pool. were very efficient, Maks simple assistance. My brigade, as finally organized
19
MORGAN RAID.
under Gen. Wallace, consisted of the Boone County regiment, under Col. Gregory ; the Hendricks County regiment, under the immediate command of Col. Bennet, of the 69th regiment Indiana Volunteers. who, though on sick leave, and then suffering, volunteered his ser- vices ; the splendid battery of Von Sehlen; and, as before stated, the Michigan Sharpshooters ; and a battalion of the 68d regiment Indiana, and a detachment of exchanged men. It is with pleasure I bear testimony to the zeal and earnestness of every officer and sol- dier of the brigade, and the uncomplaining endurance of the hard- ships of this brief but exciting expedition. To Gen. O. B. Willcox. the State is under obligations for his hearty co-operation with the State authorities, and his energy and skill in the disposition of the forces.
I have the honor to be, Governor,
Very Respectfully, JOHN LOVE, Act'g Brig. Gen.
IMPORT OF COLONEL FOUN A. MANN. .
- Mount Vernon, Int. Dec. 19th. 100. 1
with your request. dated November male ile foll wing report of the ope- gott. hrdin Le im, theo my report to Love. Jat. 1 Decomber 11th. 1:02:
in rest of the year 1548, we had very frequent If there Tris by guerrilla pirties, in the email Cion opp Begin Kentucky. It was . sh de of the white rend eming. to keep up a entant vidde services. Th infantry compa- of Foutcode guar ? lagy. Both in Mount Vernon det merte didaten miles below and fifteen miles above 20 . Very it. Captain William Baker's company- Paket digande"-were very faithful in the dis- if this day: the members of this company, living oppo- r.i. Fsinh Conity. Ky .. Bring the most exp sul In Der- gerling. from time to time, the whole Hương Sh of the Way & to Sin Island, a lis- .. always giving me dievely notice of any moveit sle ffs . river. During the month 1-ok. v w derabl exciten nt was created by : report We were dressing at Uniontown med marching on Poids al enit on that day, at Evansville. I board of 1.dumont late at night. and immediately proceeded to
21
MORGAN RAID.
Mount Vernon. Arriving at 2 o'clock A. M., I found everything had been done that was necessary for the defense of the town. The report. however, of the contemplated attack proved to be erroneous. A short time after this, Morgan crossed the Ohio river into Indiana. On the 9th of July, late at night, I received orders from Governor Morton to call out my regiment, and be in readiness for immediate service. I sent messengers at once to notify the different companies, and, although some were fourteen miles away, every company was in town, with almost every man belonging to cach, by 12 M. on the following day.
At 3 o'clock P. M., on the 10th, I received orders to hold myself in readiness to move at a moment's notice, stating that transports would be there for us that evening. At 9 o'clock, the boat arrived- took on board seven companies of infantry, but did not get away until the following morning, on account of fog in the river, Licut. Col. Wm. H. Larkin being in command of the infantry on steamer, while myself and Major E. W. Murray accompanied the cavalry, under Captain John D. Hinch, by land. We reached Evansville at daylight (after a fatiguing night-march) on the 11th.
The companies that went to Evansville were the " Mount Vernon Rifles," Captain Edward Brown ; the " Union Guards," Captam Phil- ip Peter ; the "Independent Guards," Captain Nelson J. Nettleton : the " Prairie Guards," Captain Nath. B. Ashworth ; the "Farmers- ville Guards," Captain Thos. Thompson ; the "Pocket Guards," Captain Wm. C. Baker ; the " Hickory Ridge Guards," Captain N. C. Perry, and the "Posey Rangers," my cavalry company, under command of Captain Jolm D. Hinch-in all about 500 men.
After the arrival of the boat with the infantry, we were assigned to quarters at " Camp Meade," which assumed the appearance of a regular military encampment.
We remained there until the day following, when, hearing that Morgan was moving east towards Cincinnati, and fearing a guerrilla raid from Union county, Ky., I requested to be allowed to return home with my regiment to protect our own county ; General Farquhar thereupon, ordered me to take my cavalry and return to Mount Ver- non, there to organize the local militia for defense. On leaving home for Evansville, I left Captain S. Milner, of the "Mount Ver- non Artillery," with his battery, and Captain Rightmyer, with the " Springfield Guards," under the command of the former, at Mount Vernon for its defense-and I was highly gratified on my return to find that Captain Milner had, with his usual energy, organized the
.
agents of aftery. in com- 1. Latin, ren. hood at Evansville
hul pe '-mile.el them to return A. the thugs were the th may. in a line, receive this bred con in anus. The Th day lal le . about on a year's ban ater in time and dismissed them to their bo mmer fald 1.6 Regiment deserve great motivate and energy on this esession. During your 1- 3, very little service was performed by ryiline beleg quiet along the border during this
rode detby the yer 1861 were manifold, and part of the .R. Frby being threatened more or less throughout in March. Forrest made his inroad into Western Ken- Tout l'dlech. On leaving there. he moved to the d giver and crossed at Følgeville. ! :. wepi kene known. I orlered my regiment . ty cinorgb y, Raring that he might attempt wird. (io. Borat Uningown or Henderson, Monisering, Indian. The companies again ral- che crfidly performed the daty of standing guard pois a look-ont for several days, until we heard of mille s uth, and the danger lol ja sol. Things oui , low ver. but a short time. About the 1st of June, - Began to come into Union and Henderson counties- teaching the quiet of the border. An attempt was made, myers to die East, to carry of a number of horses from of ot seiny : till they successful in sterling a WY our citizens. Arriving at home duthis the I mi me sured de var security. Lerdered otel hodl a jeita onit guard along the month of the Way eh-which duty was cheerfully per- You to " Pocket (inords" and our companies in town. Our ". very promptly established a volunteer watch, which was bring the entire summer. About the 1st of July, the rebel
28
MORGAN RAID.
Colonels A. R. Johnson and Seipert, Majors Chenowith and Taylor. made their appearance in Union and Henderson counties, Kentucky, with considerable forces, establishing and enforcing a rigid conserip- tion, until their numbers were swelled to near a thousand men, mostly, however, very poorly armed. I reported the situation tc General Carrington ; but he was unable to render us much assistance He did, however, send us thirty men of the 46th Indiana, under command of Lieutenant Forgy, to aid us in guarding the river. which was now, at several points, fordable.
About the first of August, Major General James Hughes arrived at Evansville, to superintend the defence of this part of the State. I immediately reported to him the State of affairs opposite to us, in Kentucky. General Alvin P. Hovey, being at home, received, about the first of August, a communication from General Hughes suggest- ing an expedition into Kentucky against the rebel forces of Adam Johnson, requesting him (General Hovey) to take command of the expedition-provided the services of the Legion could be procured for such an expedition. At a consultation with Lieutenant Colonel Larkin and myself, it was agreed that the effort should be made. I ordered all the companies of my regiment, including the cavalry and artillery, to report in town next day, at 9 o'clock, armed and equipped, which they did, with commendable promptness. The proposition for an expedition into Kentuckey was made to them, and received with enthusiasm -- four hundred of them at once volunteering to accompany the General to Kentucky. This was the 14th day of August. The forces sent by General Hughes from Vanderburgh and Warrick, began to arrive on the morning of the 15th, and, by 9 o'clock, A. M., the 16th, we had, in addition to my own men, 150 cavalry and artillery from Vanderburgh, and Captain Stone's com- pany of cavalry from Warrick, (50,) with about 250 men of the 46th Indiana Infantry Volunteers, and 200 of the 32d Indiana Infantry Volunteers, all on board transports, except our cavalry and artillery, which marched by land, on this side, to Uniontown, Kentucky-all the forces reaching there about 12 o'clock, M. General Hovey immediately pushed forward toward Morganfield, taking the rebels completely by surprise ; they, however, scattered in every direction, and but few were captured. A little after dark, all the forces had reached Morganfield. Next morning, General Hovey, with the cavalry, the Mount Vernon artillery, (2 pieces,) the 32d Indians Infantry Volunteers, and a part of the Legion infantry, started out on an expedition to Gyger's Lake, the rebels being reported encamped
MORGAN RAID.
& still dre zur forces failed to come up with the 1 After his rovir in the evening. General Hovey overal Pavia hol arrived at Chiot orn from Paducah, Shortly afterwards General Payne himself reached - quarters. After consultation. it was determined sh ullmove out towards Smith's Mills and Henderson, Darhve the night it rained in torrents, in consequence er free dil not get under way until about & o'clock. Mir Ge. . 0 Juge. Hughes, having, during the night, reached "Inne'l gry decompanied the expedition on its march to Hen- wiel Smith's Mills about 2 o'clock, P. M .. and .Ifwe the night: having captured at this place some five or 1 1 s the rest. the Adjutant of Colonel Seipert, who was dy by some of our cavalrymen, under the impression
1. Tempting to escape. On searching these oficers, I " them blank paroles for the Indiann Legion, showing et diagn on their part to make a raid into Indiana. Next amain continued our march to Henderson, where we !it 11 . 'clock. General Hovey having ordered the transports hour arrival, we immediately shipped our infantry and Figyel the steamers for Mount Vernon, and ferried the 1. Ohio, to take up the line of march for home. ett rauch, some fifty negrees came to our lines. By order i Hovoy. I hal them taken to Evansville, and mustered afterwards into the service of the United States. I Tere that the officers anl men of the 1st Regiment, as t'as. fr on the counties of Vanderburgh and Warrick, who 11 find the expedition, deserve the highest praise for their 1 phe themselves as well as veteran troops. I assure 0. Vi p. d. I felt porout of the Legion, of all arms-infantry. ol artillery : the latter especially received the praise of all regular About the Mount Vernon battery especially being con- 1 Si at as most batteries in the regular volunteer service.
Aril ito Kentucky. we have had, to a great extent, quiet Before closing my dispatch. I wish to say. Gen- rvices of the Indiana Legion have been, by some. 1011, Incl. There is no doubt in my mind but that this at the fingermment the necessity of keeping, About a great portion of the time during the first, three years, at B To estimate, one regiment of troops in the counties of Posey, do hrgh anl Warrick, thereby saving the annual expense of.
25
MORGAN RAID,
perhaps, half a million dollars, besides enabling our military authori- ties to keep all regular forces at the front. In the hope that our next Legislature will so amend our militia law as to make it more efficient.
I remain, General, your most humble and ob't. serv't., JOHN A. MANN, Colonel Commanding 1st Reg't. Ind. Legion.
REPORT OF COLONEL DANIEL F. BATES,
COMMANDING 3D REGIMENT INDIANA LEGION.
HEADQUARTERS 3D REG'T, 1ST BRIG., IND. LEG., Newburgh, Warrick county, Ind., Nov. 25, 1864.
General Mansfield, Indianapolis, Indiana :
SIR :- In obedience to instructions received from you, Nov. 19th inst., I herewith transmit the following report of the 3d Regiment Indiana Legion :
On the 8th day of July, 1863, I received orders from Governor O. P. Morton to go into camp with my command at or near Newburgh to repel an invasion of John Morgan. In obedience to that order, I ordered out my regiment and stationed the companies as follows : Eight companies of infantry and one of artillery at Scuffletown Bar on the Ohio river ; one company of cavalry at Newburgh, to use as scouts; two companies of infantry I mounted and sent out as scouts into the counties of Dubois, Orange and the upper part of Perry, as it was reported to me that Morgan was moving west.
We remained in camp eight days, at which time I was ordered to relieve the companies of daily duty, but hold them in readiness for immediate service, if necessity required it. 'I let the men go to their
·
1
..
1
1
1 1 Buy And the P. I'm not direct-
1
Loft, I was onl " 1 to back up camp, allt
arrel -inge to our aus to enter mether.
DANIEL F. DATES.
REPORT OF CAPTAIN G. W. LYON. C .... .. CA ANDALERT. INMANA LEGION.
LEAVENWORTH. Ind., July 25, 1863.
9. C. Ovoce. Ajelent The Regiment Indicios Ingin , Even-
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