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 7
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of the Sons of Liberty, who did not wish to involve his family and property in civil war, that it had been determined by that organiza- tion to resist the draft, and that five hundred guerrillas from Ken- tucky-many of whom were already amongst us-were to co-ope- rate. 4th. Confessions of the prisoners, who state that the uprising was to be general, and that they expected to receive heavy reinforce- ments from other counties.
From the testimony taken by my staff officers during and since the difficulties, I am led to the belief that not more than three hundred persons were engaged in actual hostilities. The rioters were divided into small bands, the largest that I could hear of numbering seventy-five (75) men. The ringleaders were guerrillas from Kentucky, whose object was plunder. They seemed to care but little about the draft, and only used it to obtain assistance in their nefarious scheme. When the movement failed they escaped, carrying off, as the prisoners say, the entire proceeds of the robber- ies, and leaving their dupes to suffer for their crimes. Some escaped to Kentucky, and others to the disloyal portions of the State. I think that at least fifty persons were robbed by these men. Most of the stolen horses were recovered. The number of prisoners taken by my forces was about forty. Some of these, against whom I could find no testimony, I released. I delivered seven conscripts, who had been engaged in the affair, to Col. Merriwather, Provost Marshal of this district. I sent ninety-one citizens, who had participated in it, to Major Gen. Hovey, as directed by you.
The evidence against most of them is very strong, many of them having confessed that they participated in the robberies and resist- ance to the draft. I arrested several persons for the awful crime of persuading their ignorant neighbors into resistance to law, while they themselves took no active part in the trouble they had created.
I proposed to deliver a portion of the prisoners to the civil authori- ties for trial, but the leading citizens of Leavenworth, without regard to party, fearing that an effort might be made to relieve them, peti- tioned me, in writing, to send them to some military post for con- finement. The people living near the scene of this disturbance, being apprehensive of further violent proceedings, I stationed Captain Aydelotte's company (L, 6th Reg't.) at Hartford, with orders to remain there until quiet was restored. I will communicate, in a for- mal report, the operations of the forces under my command during this disturbance.
I am satisfied that the prompt action of the militia force had the M. R .- 6
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offret to deter many persons from participating in this disturbance, and that if a large force had not promptly confronted the robbers, the affair would have assumed a more alarming aspect. The credit of assembling our forces is mainly due to my subordinate officers, who, in many cases, had mustered their commands and gone in pursuit before my orders reached them. There were no casualties; one or two of my men had their clothes pierced by balls fired at them.
Permit me to suggest, in conclusion, that the facts set forth in this communication be given to the public, so that the importance of the affair may be neither underrated nor exaggerated.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, HENRY JORDAN, Brigadier General Commanding. CoL. E. HI. C. CAVIN, A. A. G., Gen. Hughes's Staff.
TESTIMONY AND CONFESSIONS IN THE CRAWFORD AND ORANGE COUNTY CONSPIRACIES.
( REPORTED BY DIRECTION OF BRIG. GEN. HENRY JORDAN.)
The prisoners were brought into a room, one at a time, and ques- tioned by Gen. Jordan and Col. Woodbury. They were not sworn, ail all their confessions were voluntary. Each prisoner was assured that he would not be compelled to disclose anything against his own will. The examination was public. Such citizens as wished to enter the room were admitted, and allowed to listen to the questions and answers.
JUSIU's LOMAX lives in Greenfield township, Orange county; states that he is a drafted man : that he went to Williamsburg, in Orange county, where he heard that the drafted men were going to resist the draft. Geo. Cofman, of Floyd county, made a speech, and advised the drafted men to resist. At another meeting, held south of Wil- liaisburg. Saturday evening, October 1, John Allstott, of Craw- ford county, advised us to resist. The guns taken from the IIome Guards were taken through spite. I took a gun from Valentine
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Cook, of the Valeene Home Guards. I was along when Patterson Apple was arrested and robbed of his pistol. A good many of the drafted men were present at these meetings. A number of stran- gers were also present. I understood that some of them were from Kentucky. A man named Lynch, from Harrison county, was pre- sent. John W. Stone has been through there, advising the men to resist the draft. Jacob Cook took the lead in disarming Valentine Cook. Heimener Seibolt took the lead in taking the pistol from Patterson Apple.
WILLIAM SANDERS resides in Sterling township, Crawford county. I saw that something was going to be done. My son James was along with the crowd, aud I wanted to get him away from them. I overtook some of them near Belcher's. Before we got to E. H. Golden's there were at least thirty men present. There were seven men present that I can swear to, namely : Union McMickle, Bob Allen, John Allstott, Jas. Sanders, Thos. Highfield, John McKabe, and Benton Newkirk. They told me that they were going to press Goldens' money and horses. Don't know what they got, as I took no hand in the robbery. I saw Goldens' wife, but did not tell her that I had nothing to do with it. I did not see Goldens. They pressed a horse and a pistol in another place. Allstott told me that if I ever told it my life was at stake. Just as I was in the act of starting home I heard them say that they knew of several rich hauls. I was at the Post Office in Brownstown on Thursday. There was a good deal of talk about seizing the guns of the Home Guards. I heard Ben. Brown and Benton Newkirk hurrah for Jeff. Davis. The crowd was of unusual size-fifty men or more. The robbers used nicknames, and it being dark I only knew those I saw inside at Gol- dens' house.
LORENZO D. KNIGHT, resident of Patoka township, Crawford county. I am a member of the Knights of the Golden Circle. The signs Gen. Jordan gave me are right. When Morgan was last in Kentucky they told me that if he came over here he would help us and we would help him. We were to seize horses in the neighbor- hood to mount ourselves. They cursed Lincoln bitterly. Dr. Bowles was a General in the order. I heard Horace Heffren's name fre- quently. We were to get help from Harrison county in resisting the draft. They were to put Woods, Cummings and Goldens out of the way. There was talk of robbing Bill Ray, who was understood to
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have a large sum of money about him. I was with MeMickle, All- stott and company, when they went to rob Cummins on Friday morn- og. I understood that a majority of the people of my county were " Rights." I have heard Jesse McWilliams denounce the Presi- det, de. Kinsey Livingston and Perry Knight asked me to join the K. G. C. I saw at their meetings Jas. Sanders, John Mason, Elisha Mason, Tim. Mason, John Knight, Win. Sanders, Larkin Lankford. Hemy Strand, Duval L. Brown, Jesse Cuzzant, Tim. Bel- cher. Joel Newkirk and Jonathan Newkirk. The most of these men Here at Kendal's store, in Orange county, on Saturday, October 1st. I voted to resist the draft at a meeting at Zion's Hollow, near Brownstown. This meeting was held on Thursday evening, Sept4 29th. I think a majority voted not to resist the draft. Those who voted n't to resist the draft said they had failed to get the assistance from other countries that they expected. Frank Enlow said he would hot report if drafted. I was with them at Goldens when he was rol bed. We did not get as much money as we expected. I think ( ur leaders got all the money. Elias Corby, of Orange, was also at Goldens.
JOSEPH E. ALLEN, resides in Sterling township, Crawford county. I Lear l Union MeMickle say he intended to use Jas. Sloan up, and kill Woods. Cummings and Joseph Miller at the risk of his life. The man that went under the name of Bob Allen was not Bob Allen. The rioters said they were opposed to the milk and water policy of Jan Lemonds (County Clerk) and Mart. Tucker (Sheriff,) and would have a policy of their own. I voted to resist the draft. We under- stood that there was three hundred of our men in camp in Harrison county. There were men from Kentucky with us. Don't know anything about the firing that was done at Col. Johnson's regiment. No far as Ilnow, all the rioters belong to the K. G. C.
MARTIN BELCHER lives in East township, Orange county. I am a brother of Jerry Belcher. I told Captain Tucker that I had no arms of my own, but a borrowed revolver. I delivered it up. I have leon at one of those meetings. It was at the school house in Zion's Hollow. Enos Nella was there : also Union MeMickle and Josiah Stronde. Heard some talk about resisting the draft. It was the general understanding that the ballot-boxes were to be stuffed; also, that all the strangers among us lad the right to vote.
REPORT OF COLONEL CHARLES FOURNIER,
COMMANDING 5TH REGIMENT INDIANA LEGION.
HEADQUARTERS 5TH REG'T INDIANA LEGION, Cannelton, Ind., Dec. 6th, 1864.
Gen. H. Jordan, Commanding 2d Brig., 2d Div., Ind. Legion :
GENERAL :- According to orders received, I would respectfully submit the following report of the operations of the 5th Regiment of the Indiana Legion during 1863 and 1864, compiled from the reports of company commanders :
On February 3d, 1833, I ordered out company Hickory Rangers (fifty-four men) to do guard duty along the lower part of the county, the rebels having full possession of the town of Lewisport, Ky., six miles below Troy. The company was kept on duty three days, sta- tioned at Cannelton, Tell City, and Troy.
On February 25th, a request was sent from Hawesville to send some companies over to repel a rebel attack. Maj. Lees, to whom an order was given from here, called out companies Newcomb Guards, (twenty-two men,) Dutch Yagers, (thirty-eight men,) Emmet Guards, (twenty-six men,) together with Capt. Payne's company, Cannelton Artillery, (sixteen men,) and stationed his forces opposite Hawesville, ready to cross if necessary. No attack was made by the rebels and the companies were discharged.
On the 3d day of March a company of rebel mounted infantry rode into Hawesville about dusk. Proper measures were made for a night attack, but a reconnoisance being made by myself and a few offi- cers into Hawesville about midnight, it was found that the rebels, after enjoying a supper with their sympathizers, had withdrawn to parts , unknown.
On June Sth a company of rebels came into Cloverport, Ky., for the purpose of obtaining horses. As they avowed their purpose to
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( ane over and obtain a sufficient number of horses from Tobin's Bot- ta, I ordered Capt. Tobin, with his company, (eighty-seven men,) to the point opposite Cloverport. The rebels did not wish to fight for the possession of the horses, but took such as they could gather up in Closerport and made tracks for a more congenial clime.
On the 17th of June the rebel Capt. Hines crossed into Indiana, eighteen miles above here, with a force of sixty-five men. Immedi- ately upon receiving the news, I gathered what mounted men I could and started forthwith in pursuit. It was said that it was the purpose of the rebels to destroy the U. S. ram Monarch, then lying high and dry on Flint Island Bar. We reached the ram at 10 o'clock at night, and there learned that the rebels had gone towards Corydon. Capt. Esary, commanding the 2d battery of this regiment, had ordered out all the companies under his command in pursuit of Hines, who turmol to recross the river above Leavenworth at the upper Blue River Island. When on the Island, the Legion of Crawford and Harrison counties, together with Capt. Essary's command, opened fire on the rebels, who, after a vain attempt to swim the river, threw their arms into the water and surrendered. Capt. Essary captured five men, with their horses and equipments. The other command captured two straszlers, one of them mounted.
All the prisoners were sent under guard to Louisville, by steamer J. T. McCombs. The horses and equipments were delivered to Capt. Merriweather, Provost Marshal of the District, except one horse, which belonged to Union Star, Kentucky. The companies were dis- charged from daty on the 20th. The number of men ont on this raid were one hundred and eighty-five mounted infantry of the 21 battalion, and seventy-four of the 1st battalion, together with fifty- eeven men of the cavalry company Hickory Rangers.
Such a lesson was taught the rebels that it kept them in check for awhile, until the 8th of July, when by the returning steamer the startling news was brought that the rebel General John Morgan had taken the steamers Alice Dean and MeCombs and was embarking his men at Brandenburgh, Kentucky-about sixty miles from here. Forthwith every man was called out for duty, and in less than four hours we had taken an advantageous position three miles above Can- Helton, where steamers, at low water, are obliged to pass close to the Indiana shore, in order to dispute Morgan's passage down the river, should be attempt to pass. All companies along the border of this county, together with the Militia on the river, were on duty until it was ascertained that Morgan had crossed his forces and burned the
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Alice Dean. All such as could be mounted were then sent to Leavenworth, where we heard that Morgan was attempting to recross. Upwards of two hundred mounted men of the 2d Battalion had already gone in pursuit the day before, who arrived too late at Corydon and Leavenworth to participate in the heavy skirmish so gallantly sustained by the boys of the Harrison County Legion.
A portion of the men were sent on the Paoli road, as it was said that Morgan was marching on the Ohio and Mississippi railroad. As we had no telegraph communication the wildest rumors were always afloat. On the 11th I received, through Col. Crooks, commanding 4th regiment, an order from Governor Morton to establish a line of pickets so as to form a connection between New Albany and Evans- ville. A line was formed forthwith, connecting Crawford and Spen- cer counties, and Col. Crook notified thereof, who expressed his satisfaction after examining the lines. The men belonging to the Legion were kept on duty until the 17th day of July, when learning that Morgan had gone out of the State they were discharged.
My command brought in four deserters of Morgan's on the 12th and two on the 13th, all of whom were sent to Louisville and turned over to Gen. Boyle.
Maj. James Lees and Capt. Essary rendered most efficient services . during this raid, as did also Lieut. Hathorn, of company Hickory Rangers, who acted as Adjutant, and proved himself a most efficient officer.
On September 15th, Capt. Eldred Pate, Provost Marshal of Han- cock county, Ky., called on me for help to disperse or capture a company of rebels then in that county. With a few men of com- pany Dutch Yagers, I went across and remained until the evening of the 16th, when the news came from Capt. Westerfield that the rebels had gone to Calhoun.
Nothing important occurred until January 12th, 1864, when we were again called upon by the authorities at Hawesville. I did not comply with their wish to send men there, as the citizens of Hawes- ville seemed not to consider the rebels as enemies ; on the contrary, some of the prominent citizens seemed on good terms with them.
On the 15th and 16th of April the companies were called out for inspection, by order of his Excellency, Gov. Morton. A detailed report was sent to Gen. Noble on the 18th of April.
In May, of this year, the rebels again began to be thick on the border, and strong patrol guards had to be called out repeatedly" during this and the following month. The rebels fired from Hawes-
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viile, Lewisport, Owensboro,' and other points, at U. S. transports al other steamers.
On the 21st of May they crossed into Spencer county, at Taylors- Ville, but were immediately repulsed by the Legion there. Small squals of lines' and Forrest's men were then constantly hovering around on the Kentucky shore, coming into the small Kentucky bor- der towns whenever they had an opportunity of doing so unmolested.
On the 15th of June. Capt. Essary's command was ordered out to repel an expected attack of the rebels then in force at Concordia, Ky. He ordered out, and took with him into camp, company Oil Ridles, (199 men ; ) company Oil Greys, Capt. Charlet, (102 men ;) company Union Guards, Capt. Horten, (54 men ;) Clark Township Infantry, Capt. Haines, (55 men :) and company Voltigeurs, Capt. Aller, (Is men.) The men were posted from Rono to the mouth of Oil Creek. A few shots were exchanged across the river on the 16th, but as there were no means of crossing the river with horses ( ur men were compelled to stand it without being able to give them a fight, which they were more than willing to do. Our boys claim to have wounded some of the secesh. Only one of the rebel bullets struck the saddle of one of our men on picket duty.
Capt. Ilines, of old notoriety, commanded the rebels. He with- diew his forces from Concordia on the 19th, and I discharged the men on the 20th and 21st, except company Tell City Artillery and company Cinmelton Artillery, who were kept under arms that day - the rebels having fired into the U. S. transport Science No. 2 at Hawesville. A strong night guard of the companies of Cannel- ton and Tell City was called out and kept on daty until June 23d. About this time the U. S. gunboat Springfield (No. 22) was placed on duty between Cannelton and New Albany by the Naval Commander of the District. An occasional shell, thrown unexpectedly into the squad of guerrillas galloping along the river bank, between here and Salt river, kept the rebels in salutary dread of Uncle Sam's spitfires, and things went on quietly until July 24th, when a strong squad, pressed by the need of money and clothing, attempted to come into Hawesville again, after robbing a country store half a mile from the town, but Capt. Morgan, of the Springfield, gave them a salute from Lis brass bull-dogs that made them and their rebel sympathizers, on both sides of the river, wish that powder had not been invented. As long as the gunboat remained here we had very little trouble except to call out a night guard now and then.
Gen. Carrington's order of August 13th was rigidly enforced.
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Several prisoners, taken under this order, were forwarded to Louis- ville to be sent to Gen. Carrington's headquarters.
During August and September squads of companies Tobin Guards, Hoosier Wild Cats, Tell City Rifles, and Tell City, Troy and Cannel- ton Artillery, were kept on guard duty.
On the 3d of October I received an order from your headquarters to put a strong force along the border of the County.
All Companies were called out and placed in regular camps along the river from Rono to Troy, a distance of 40 miles. Rebels were in force along the Kentucky shore, then, with the purpose of crossing, as they expected help on this side from sympathisers and such mal- contents who had conceived the foolish idea of resisting the draft. The men were kept on duty until October 13th, when I received orders to discharge the Companies. Since then guards have been only kept over the pieces of Artillery in possession of Company, Tell City Artillery.
So called Confederate forces, well mounted, but poorly armed, are at present very numerous on the Kentucky shore ; unless a strong caval- ry force is stationed on that side of the river no permanent good can be effected. Three or four hundred men could be raised in this County as volunteers for such service ; perhaps the Governor, on application, would give permission to raise a Cavalry forec for that purpose.
The above report compiled from the report of Company officers, gives a general outline of the operations of the regiment I have the honor to command. All officers and men with few exceptions per- formed their duty well.
A more uniform system in the management of the Legion is neces- sary,and I hope the next Legislature will pass such amendments to the present Militia Law, as will make the organization more efficient than it is at present.
To the vigilance and personal exertion of the Company and Field officers of the Regiment, the citizens of this county are indebted for the freedom from rebel raids, and destruction of property thereby.
Respectfully submitting the above to your kind consideration.
I remain General,
Your obedient servant CH. FOURNIER, Col. 5th Reg., I. L.
REPORT OF BRIG. GENL HENRY JORDAN.
HEADQUARTERS 2D BRIG., 2D DIN., IND. LEGION, Corydon, January 2, 1865.
Moj. G.n. Mansfield, Commanding Ind. Legion :
GENERAL :- Col. Fournier, of the 5th Reg't Indiana Legion, in a letter dated Canneltop, Dec. 28, 1864, says :
" I would further make respectfully the following report, to be added. if necessary. to the report made to you some time ago con- cerning the operations of this regiment.
" Since the commencement of December, rebel forces have come into the town of Hawesville in strong numbers, and made, in fact, the town their headquarters.
" Maj. Walker Taylor, in command of the forces, demanded that they should be left undisturbed in possession of the town of Hawes- ville, promising not to interrupt any of the citizens on this side.
" I met the rebel Major on the ferry boat for a conversation on the point named above, but no terms were agreed to there, and all com- munication stopped.
" On the 23d of December. a ruffian who calls himself Capt. Bill Davidson, with his robber band, took possession of the packet Morn- ing Star, at Lewisport, ten miles below here, where they murdered, in cold blood, four Union soldiers, drowned the steward of the boat, and robbed the boat and all the passengers of whatever money or valuables they had.
" From Lewisport they made the boat take them to Hawesville, without landing either at Troy, Tell City, or Cannelton. As soon as I learned the facts, the companies on the river were called out for duty, and four pieces of artillery brought into position from Tell City. No sufficient force could be collected during the night to go across the river, which would have been of little use, the guerrillas having gone into camp three miles below Hawesville. In the morn-
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ing they returned to Hawesville, and were received by my men with a few effective shells, which were thrown after them through the town. This has been, until now, an effective remedy against their depredations. We have neither seen nor heard of any since.
" The shells did but little damage to any of the Hawesville houses, passing through a few, just enough to show the Hawesville people that I was in earnest when I told them last Friday that I should shell the guerrillas out as soon as they would show themselves. In order to carry out this policy effectually, and to afford the border of this county a necessary protection, I have called out a force of fifty men to be stationed here as long as occasion shall require. I have also stopped all communication with the other side of the river, and control all the movements of the ferries.
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" Yesterday the Tell City Rifles brought in three men who wanted to take the oath, confessing they had been guerrillas. They were sent to Louisville.
(Signed) "CHAS. FOURNIER."
The guerrillas attacked a steamboat at Brandenburg last Sunday morning, (Jan. 1st), but were repulsed by the guard on the boat. I think the guerrillas in Kentucky are quite as strong as ever, reports of their having joined Hood to the contrary notwithstanding.
If what Col. Fournier has done does not meet your approbation you will please write to him, giving him full instructions.
Very Respectfully,
HENRY JORDAN, Brig. Gen. Ind. Legion.
REPORT OF BREVET MAJ. GEN. ALVIN P. HOVEY.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF INDIANA, ! Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 8, 1864. 1 Bien. C.p. I. Thomme, Adjudant General U. S. A. :
Gistrs. :- T have the honor to make the following report of my credito n in Kentucky, from the 16th to the 22d day of August, 1. D. 19it :
Behig at Mt. Vernon, Indiana, awaiting commands under a verbal Ber from the Secretary of War, and having received reliable infor- mation that Colonels Johnson and Seipert, of the Confederate Army, wele collecting a large force in Union and Henderson Counties, i.umaberit., from one to two thousand. for the purpose of crossing the O'to river and destroying the towns on the Indiana border, I wrote to Major Cion. Hughes, of the Indiana Legion, then at Evansville, Imliona, dirceting the defense of the border, stating that if sufficient i re could be raised, I would cross the river and attack the camps rej tel at and near Morgansfield, Ky. hoping to surprise and can- ture a large number of the force there engaged in conscription and under. By the aid of Major Gen. Hughes, and by my own exer- .... , I hal. on the morning of the 17th day of August, A. D. 18644, at Mount Vernon. hel .. the 46th Reg't Ind. Infantry Vol's, Col. Bringhurst commanding-200 men; the non-veterans of the 32d B. At Ind. Infantry Vol's, Col. Erdelmeyer commanding-200 men; coral parts of companies of infantry, and three companies of cay- aliv. of the Indiana Legion, from the conties of Vanderburg, War- riek and Posey-making a force of 750 infantry and cavalry. To this was added five pieces of artillery belonging to the Indiana Legion.
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