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 5
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m all the gun hos's were able to prevent him from crossing the mit1 :... artetup: it. that there was force sufficient on his left to fron going further into the interior, and that there was a at force in li's rear to prevent him from retracing his steps, I was 1. 1 Art a f rer ha ! been sent from Cincinnati strong enough to Nos progress in that direction, and thus compel him to come to L Bs. for sufficient reason, no doubt, was not done. po ies of the rebel commander seemed to be to avoid an engage- I dds moo been the case he would hardly have passed w Your fres at Vernon and refused to fight them. The very my and scoming recklessness of the invasion of our State, so free from most military enterprises rendered ordinary calcula- Com os conclusions of no avail. Most persons supposed that he Do I get out of the State not far above the point where he came in. orf mas were, in consequence, concentrated at points too far south, !! not being mounted, were soon left by him far in the rear. His Liess was more like a retreat, however, than like a hostile and ajou- march. There was, probably, no time while he was in this of the Sure that he could have remained in one place for forty- hours without having been overwhelmed by armed forces. If Le to have a repetition of raids into our State, it is very impor- in that we have more mounted forces and a letter supply of field vallers in this part of the State.
I w ! to bear testimony to the readiness of the citizens in this .I of the State. about reference to party. to render the services god of them in expelling the enemy from the State. If I shall ( ite a report from Col. Buikham I will forward it to you.
Very respectfully yours. 1. C. DOWNEY,
General 4th Brigade.
REPORT OF COLONEL H. T. WILLIAMS.
11TH REGIMENT, 4THI BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
HEADQUARTERS 11TH REG., 4TH BRIG., IND. LEGION, Rising Sun, Ind., July 19, 1863.
To Brig. Gen. A. C. Downey, commanding 4ih Brigade :
I have the honor to submit the following as a report of the part taken, and duty performed, by my command in the recent laborious and exciting chase after Morgan and his raiders :
It will be remembered that you ordered me, on Friday, July 10th, to proceed with my command to Mitchell. Arriving at Seymour, Gen. Love, then in command of that post, ordered me to proceed no further. On Sunday, the 11th of July, was ordered by Gen. Love to proceed to Madison by rail, on the same train with Col. Burkham, and was informed by Gen. Love's Adjutant that in case of any diffi- culty occurring, the command of both his and my regiments would devolve upon me as ranking officer. At North Vernon we were informed that the enemy were within four miles of old Vernon, and marching on that place in force. We requested the telegraph opera- tor to inform Gen. Love of the state of things at this point, and in a few minutes a telegram was received from him ordering us not to proceed further. After forming my command in line, we marched immediately south of North Vernon to a grove. I then returned to the depot and asked Col. Burkham what disposition he thought we had better make of our forces. He remarked that we had better defend the railroad property at North Vernon, to which I replied that I thought the town of old Vernon and the bridges of that place of equal importance to those of North Vernon, and far more exposed, and that it was certainly our duty to save the place and bridges if possible. I then told Col. Burkham that he must detach from his command two pieces of artillery and one company of infantry, to be
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tto l m y command, and that he might remain at North Ver- it and I would proceed to old Vernon. The detached forces, con- Stage of Capt. Giogold's and Capt. Pholing's companies, and the . of allery from Capt. Miller's battery, both from Aurora, Wweg ruptly forward and joined my command. Leaving them in comone of Capt. J. C. Wells, (senior officer.) I proceeded forward, accompanied by Major Lostutter, of the 11th, and Capt. Wright, of Aurora, to examine the situation and select a position. After satis- tyme myself is to the best position for defense, I dispatched an fieer back to barry the troops forward with all possible speed. As fast - they arrived I busied myself in placing them in position : but before they had all reached the place designated for them to occupy, a flag of truce was announced, demanding the surrender of the town, to which I replied that " I was abundantly able to hold the place. und f Gen. Morgan got it. he must take it by hard fighting." I unmediately sent Lieut. Williams, one of my officers, back to North Vernon, ordering Col. Burkham forward to my support. Before the return of the courier, a second dag of trace was announced, asking i reconsideration of my former decision. The bearer of the flag, as I conceived, having violated the privilege of a flag of truce in approaching nearer our lines than is warranted by military usage, I refused to receive any communication from him, and left him in charge of two of my officers. Just at this time my courier returned, informing me that he did not see Col. Burkham, but that Gen. Love was advancing, and had anticipated my orders, sending me word to hold the place by all means; and furthermore, that he would be there in twenty minutes. I sent back word to the head of Gen. Love's column, asking him to come immediately to my headquarters so as to dispose of the beaver of the bag of truce. Within the twenty min- utes fien. Love came forward, and after informing him of the cir- emmstances connected with the flag of truce which prompted me to decline any communication with the bearer, I accompanied him to Capt. Taylor, of Morgan's staff, the bearer of the flag. After a short interview between the parties, Gen. Love ordered me to have him escorted beyond our lines. I designated Lient. Williams for the servier, who promptly performed the duty assigned him.
Gen. Love and myself, having inspected the several points where my men were posted. I was ordered to proceed under a flag of truce to the enemy's lines to ask a delay of hostilities for two hours in which to remove the women and children from the town. After a detention of an hour and a half, I was informed that thirty minutes.
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would be given for the purpose mentioned, and fifteen minutes addi- tional in which to reach our lines, as his guns were in position and that we had sufficient knowledge that the place was already fully invested. From the demonstrations made by the enemy, all were confident that he would attack us at the expiration of the time speci- fied, and we awaited in silence and readiness for the conflict to begin, but were sadly disappointed in our expectations-our enemy evidently having concluded to march for a more congenial locality. We remained at Vernon until Sunday evening, when, in pursuance of orders, we marched to North Vernon. Here we remained until after 12 o'clock on Monday, when we received orders to embark on the cars for Osgood. The next morning, Tuesday, 14th, our whole force started on foot to Sunman, a station on the Indianapolis and Cincin- nati railroad, distance about twenty-eight miles. Our men, through the hot sun and over dusty roads, pressed vigorously on with but little complaint. Here we remained until Thursday, 16th, when we received orders to return home.
In conclusion, I have no special commendation to bestow on any one at Vernon. All seemed imbued with the importance of present- ing a bold and steady front to the enemy. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the men of my command, as well as those attached to it from Col. Burkham's command, for the promptness with which they obeyed every order. I feel under special obligations to Capt. H. F. Wright, of Aurora, late of the 3d Indiana cavalry, for the val- uable assistance rendered me in the selection of a position for defense, and the prompt occupation of those points by the forces under my command.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
H. T. WILLIAMS, Col. Comd'g 11th Reg., 4th Brig., Ind. Legion.
REPORT OF COL. HARRIS KEENEY. 10TH REGIMENT, INDIANA LEGION.
HEADQUARTERS 10TH INDIANA LEGION. { Vevay, Dec. 14th, 1864. 1
General .J. L. Mansfield :
DEAR SIR :- In accordance with your order I would respectfully :nake the following report of the doings, &c., of the 10th Regiment Indiana Legion since it has been under my command :
On the 10th day of July, 1863. I received a telegram from Adju- tant General Noble, at 4 o'clock. P. M., ordering me to report, with my regiment, to the commander of the post at Madison. I immedi- ttoly sent couriers to the commanders of the companies to report without delay at their headquarters-except company "D," Captain Bassett. who was as near Madison as Vevay : I ordered him to report et ones aft Madison, which he did with his entire company at & "clock A. M .. July 11th. I sent company "A"-artillery. two guns. Lieut. Holden commanding-to Madison the same evening, July 10th. Early in the morning of July 11th the balance of the regiment had reported to me, and were ready to start for Madison- cept company "I," Capt. Hicks, who had about twenty-five miles to travel and failed to arrive in time to accompany us on the steam- boat Bostonia, which had been sent to convey us to Madison. We barked about five hundred strong-not including the artillery and company " D"-arrived at North Madison at 2 o'clock P. M., and went into camp at Camp Noble, where, altogether, we numbered tout seven hundred men. On leaving Vevay I left Major II. B. Sheets to take charge of any forces which might arrive after our leparture: also of the companies of Minute Men which were form- ing for duty. Company "I," arriving after our departure, went on Inty at Veway, in connection with the companies formed for the
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emergency. I may say here, that through the efficiency of Major Sheets and Captain Hicks, together with Lieutenants Walker and Gordon of company "I," a great deal of trouble was prevented here on account of some rebel sympathizers. On Sunday morning, July 12th, Col. Sering (9th regiment) ordered me to take my regiment, together with a battalion from Johnson county, Col. Lambertson, and march from Camp Noble to Wirt-six miles-it having been reported that some of Morgan's men had been at that place early that morn- ing. In obedience to said order we moved. Not finding the enemy at Wirt, we turned to the right and crossed the Madison and Indian- apolis railroad at Wirt Station, and struck the Michigan road about seven miles north of Madison, where, according to arrangements, I expected to have met the 9th regiment, but that regiment had stopped and formed a line of battle across the Michigan road just east of North Madison.
Being without any further orders, and not knowing the disposition of the other forces, I called a halt, and dispatched a courier to the headquarters of Col. Sering for orders what to do. In answer, he ordered me back to camp without having seen anything of the enemy.
Had we-as I wanted to do-taken our forces and moved out in the morning on the Michigan road, we would have certainly been able at least to have cut off the rear of Morgan's forces at or about Bry- antsburg. Had we encountered the rebels, I have confidence that the men under my command would have acted their part well. We remained at Camp Noble for two or three days and received crders to march for home, the danger being over in that vicinity, which order was promptly obeyed, as was the order for marching to the threatened danger, all feeling well satisfied, but greatly disappointed in not meeting the enemy.
In the recent threatened raid under Morgan, there was but little done by the Legion here. By order of the Governor I notified the Captains to hold themselves in readiness to march on short notice. Not considering it necessary to call all to guard duty, I ordered two companies-Captains Pavey's and Siebenthal's-to do that duty, which order was promptly obeyed. They were on duty four days, when the danger of invasion having passed, they were discharged. I would say here, for the most of the officers and men of the regi- ment, that they merit praise for the promptness in which they have answered the calls in assisting to repel invasion, and for regimental and battalion drill.
In regard to the present organization of the Legion, it is not as
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om Pers as it was when I took command of this regiment, of greit numbers of the men and officers volunteer-
1. 0 I land States service. One company (" B") alone hav- on sixty five recruits to the United States service, Hang moved, while some have passed the age of mili- Die huistead of having nine hundred and fifty men, as af fo ase mel only have about four hundred and fifty. I hope that sat . Ily a matter before our next Legislature and have the laws : vad !afect all who are of the proper age will be compelled to "'while. to come regular military organization, so that the 1theo 66 .0. 1 daty will not fall on a few men to guard others' a. Fry are permitted to rest secure and are not required is precious lives to the cold and to the enemy.
Respectfully, yours, HARRIS KEENEY. Col. 10th Ind. Legion.
REPORT OF COL. JOHN A. PLATTER, COMMANDING 12TH REGIMENT, INDIANA LEGION.
1 -
AURORA, IND., December 15th, 1864.
GENERAL MASSHIELD, Commanding Indiana Legion:
GENERAL :-- In compliance with your request I submit the follow- ing report of services rendered by the 12th Regiment of Indiana Legion. Owing to the absence of former officers my report has been mavoplably delayed. Ihope, however, it will be in time.
Ti. 12th Regiment, under command of Colonel J. H. Burkham, was called ont July 9th, 1863. during the Morgan raid, under orders : repair to Mitchell, Indiana : but upon arriving at Seymour the regiment was ordered on picket duty by General Love, commanding "it that place, ' which capacity it rendered service until the 11th, when it was ordered to Madison. Ind. But on arriving at North
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Vernon the enemy were reported menacing the town of Old Vernon. Colonel Burkham here received orders from Gov. Morton to hold North Vernon at all hazards until reinforcements arrived. The regi- ment was soon formed in line of battle, and so remained until rein- forcements came up. Reinforcements having arrived the regiment, in connection with other troops, moved in the direction of Old Ver- non, arriving there just in time to save the place from the ravage of the vandals under John Morgan.
It was soon ascertained that the enemy was moving in the direc- tion of Aurora or Lawrenceburg, and the regiment was now ordered to take the train, and if possible gain his advance at Lawrenceburg, or some place on the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Railroad ; but in con- sequence of unavoidable delay on the road, the enemy had crossed at Van Wedden's station an hour previous to the arrival of the regiment at that place. It was now considered useless for an infantry regiment to further pursue a mounted enemy, and in view of the heavy servi- ces performed by the regiment, and their fatigued condition, Colonel Burkham was ordered to report to Colonel Gavin, at Lawrenceburg, where the regiment performed picket duty until the 15th, when it was discharged from further service. Captain Miller and Company, of Aurora, with four pieces of artillery, accompanied the regiment, and performed duty with credit to themselves.
Lieut. Col. John F. Cheek, late of 7th Regiment, and Captain H. F. Wright, late of 3d Cavalry, volunteered their services and accom- panied the regiment, rendering valuable service. The regiment is in rather an inefficient condition-poorly equipped. The companies need to be re-organized. It is my intention to make this an efficient regiment, if our incoming Legislature will give us an efficient mili- tary law. I have reason to hope they will see the great necessity of such a law as will enable us to thoroughly organize the Legion.
Trusting that this may be the case,
I am General, very truly, Your obedient servant, JOHN A. PLATTER, Colonel 12th Regiment, Indiana Legion.
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REPORT OF COLONEL LAWRENCE S. SHULER,
COMMANDING 103D REGIMENT INDIANA MILITIA.
INDIANAPOLIS. July 20th. 1863.
LN . Wintant Mineral State of Indiana:
I love the honor to report to you the following as the proceedings ! my e mnmand while chasing John Morgan through the States of I: lang nl Ohio.
The er vnand proceeded from Indianapolis, by order of General Car gon of the evening of Saturday, July the 10th, and arrived Vernon. Indiana, at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 11th instant. At the g . I was ordered, by Major General Lew Wallace, to mount as muy of may men as possible, and follow Morgan vigorously as long is in ui hin the state lines.
Th june yours of said order I mounted one hundred and forty-six mon an . thelock in the afternoon of said day started in pursuit. Armeen . P. M., of July the 11th, we overtook Brig. Gen. Hob- Jet's comment, who had been following him for some days. I imme- Hotelyour forward and ascertained that it was General Hobson's wish the: I hould take the advance of his column. I ordered my They forward and took the advance at about 11 o'clock. on July the 12:1. I pressed forward as rapidly as possible, and succeeded in regi _ Mercan's rear guard about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. After pohang up everal stranglers we came up with the main body of the Pneus - roop at Harrison, which is situated on the line of Indiana , i ohio. Tore we found the bridge over the Whitewater burned. After firm & everal shots at the enemy across the river, we forded it and tool persession of Harrison. At that place, our men being greatly fitimmed. we rested for a few hours. At 5 o'clock, on the morning of the 18th, we again resumed the chase. He having been hity pursued on the day previous. marched rapidly all night and
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was twenty-five miles in the advance. I followed him as far as Bata- via, Ohio, and finding the citizens willing to protect their own State, commenced my return from that point.
But few points were visited along the line where we did not find the most extravagant demonstrations of joy at the arrival of our own troops and the departure of Morgan's band of horse thieves and rob- bers. At Batavia, and other points along the line, we were met by many true patriots, who cheered the soldiers on, and were unbounded in their hospitality. Mr. Swing, on behalf of the citizens of Bata- via, thanked the soldiers of Indiana, in the most feeling terms, for their gallant efforts in driving the enemy from their own State, and offering themselves for the defence of another. In behalf of the State of Indiana, my fellow-citizens, P. S. Kennedy, of Danville, Sol. Blair, of Plainfield, and Lieut. T. R. Lawhead, responded, thank- ing the citizens for their hospitality and warm feelings in behalf of the Government. I am sorry to state that there were few points along the line of our march where we did not find men who had been rendering assistance to John Morgan, and who were then willing to do every thing in their power to help him on his expedition of rob- bery and plunder. Their sympathies were all for Vallandigham, and there was no one among them who could not render valuable infor- mation in regard to the " Order of K. G. C.'s."
I would most respectfully suggest the propriety of sending scouts throughout the southern part of our State, whose duty it should be to arrest parties who are declaring themselves friends of Vallandig- ham, and of the Southern Confederacy. Had it not been for the aid and encouragement which these sympathisers gave, Morgan could never have made a successful raid through our own State.
From Batavia, Ohio, my command returned, expressing themselves well pleased with their efforts to defend their homes and firesides.
I wish especially to notice the conduct of Lieut. Col. Lyons, Major Banta, Adjutant Coons, and other officers of my regiment, who, du- ring the whole chase, manifested cool courage and exalted patriotism.
I have the honor to be,
Your most obedient servant,
L. S. SHULER,
Colonel commanding 103d Regiment Indiana Militia.
REPORT OF COLONEL WILLIAM C. WILSON. 1OATH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
IL :DQUARTERS TOSTH REGIMENT. INDIANA MILITIA, INDIANAPOLIS, July 1Sth. 1863.
En. Lat. Noble, Adjutant General of the State of Indiana:
S ... :- I have the honor to submit the following report of the part ken by the 105th Regiment. Indiana Militia, under my command, Is the pursuit of the forces of John Morgan. On the afternoon of 1. 12th day of July. 1863. I was assigned to the command of said " giment, composed as follows :
Company .1-Captain Taylor, .. B-Captain Beubridge, C-Captain Ramsey, D-Captain Longwill, E-Captain Walker, F -- Captain Givens. G-Captain Disbrow. I !-- Captain Weast. I -Captain Wels theHigh. .. K-Captain Busby.
" regiment was first formed into line and fully supplied with verything but ammunition, on the evening of the 12th. At 12 el ch of the 13th July, I received an order from General Carrington to move the regiment from bivouac at the State House to Camp Car- rington. While in the execution of this order I received, about 2 Gelecek, and order to supply the regiment with forty rounds of ammu- ration, and to report them at the Indiana Central Railroad, in order to march at Bockel. These orders were promptly executed, and my regiment prepared to go aboard the cars at 3 o'clock, P. M., of said day, at the point indicated. For some reason we were here com-
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pelled to stand by our arms until about 6, or 63, o'clock, before transportation was ready. After the regiment was placed aboard the cars, it was perhaps from one to two hours before the train moved out. Good speed was made until we reached Richmond, Indiana, where another delay of from one to one-and-one-half hours occurred in the movement of the train. I reached Hamilton, Ohio, just after day-break on the morning of the 14th and immediately formed my regiment on an open space of ground near the Depot, and ordered the men to stand to their arms for further orders. While thus await- ing orders, I learned that General Carrington had not arrived on the train, and called on Colonel Gray, the ranking Colonel present, and consulted with him in the premises. In the mean time, I learned from the citizens that the forces of Morgan had passed through the lower edge af the city of Hamilton at about 2 o'clock of the morning of the 14th, and that parties of citizen scouts were out to report his movements. It was also reported to me that a large body of cavalry seemed to be approaching from the direction in which Morgan's forces were reported to be, and I thereupon threw out Company "A" under Captain Taylor, as a picket to guard that approach, but soon learned that the alarm was false. Between 10 and 11 o'clock of the 14th, Brigadier General Hascall arrived. At two o'clock, by order of General Hascall, my regiment, with the balance of the brigade, was again ordered to take the cars for Cincinnati, Ohio, which point we reached in good order at 8 o'clock, the same evening, and camped in "Fifth-Street Market." I remained at that point in camp until Thursday evening at 5 o'clock, when I received orders from General Hascall to report my regiment at the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Depot at 7 o'clock, A. M., of Friday morning, July 17th, for trans- portation to Indianapolis. The regiment was at the Depot on time, but did not get aboard the cars and move out until 11 o'clock, A. M. reaching Indianapolis at daybreak on the morning of the 18th of July, on which day, under the General Order of the Govenor, they were mustered out of service.
I cannot close this report without expressing my regret at the delay occasioned in the movement of the trains at Indianapolis, and the delay at Richmond at the time of our advance. Had the move- ment not been delayed at those two points, as above stated, we, undoubtedly, would have reached Hamilton, Ohio, in time to have formed a line of battle, and have successfully intercepted the advance of Morgan, and driven him to the river and held him in check until the forces pursuing reached him in the rear. At Cincinnati my M. R .- 5
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rezer it was very anxious to move forward in the direction of Chil- Lexi, Ohio, or Parkersburgh, Va., for the purpose of again attempt- ing to intercept the advance of Morgan, but doubtless the large mass of Ohio troops, then raised, precluded that movement on our part. I leire to state that the injury done by Morgan's forces to the citizens in eastern Indiana and south western Ohio, in my judgement. was very insignificant, in comparison with the forces of the raiders. and I account for this, by reason of the hot pursuit by our forces - rendering any delay for that purpose extremely dangerous to the energy. I further report, that prior to my departure from Indianapo- lis. I submitted to each company the question of their willingness to go levoul the State of Indiana, and have the pleasure to report that the Dotermination was unanimons, with the exception of some four or fiv men in the regiment, who were unfit for duty and prudence diet ord that they should remain. I beg leave to return to all the officers and men of the Command, my thanks for their promptness in the discharge of every duty, and for the zeal they manifested to rigore the enemy.
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