USA > Indiana > Reunion of the 9th regiment Indiana vet. vol. infantry association, 1892-1904 > Part 15
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You and all the comrades are all informed as to how we arranged with the National Commission as to the location of the monument upon the Brotherton field, and as to the inscrip- tions we were allowed upon the monument and upon the mark- er at Snodgrass Hill. After we had yielded the one point as to placing the monument, we met with the utmost kindness and consideration at the hands of Gen. Boynton and the National Commission, and the general at once very kindly offered to put up our monument for us without cost to us, which was an offer highly appreciated by us, because of the fact that our appro- priation was so limited, that we had little enough to put up our markers, and make our report without the additional expense of setting the monument. You will remember that we had been compelled to store the monument on the battlefield pend- ing the controversy as to its location.
The concession as to inscription we find was exceptional in our favor, and we were as a commission unable to get anything like so full inscription on any other marker, for any other In- diana regiment on the field, and the same rule was held against all the States. Vigilant for anything in honor of the State, the Commission determined to secure as large markers as it would - be allowed to place in the park. To this desire the National Commission responded most generously, and we were allowed to put up markers 3x3 feet by 4 feet 8 inches high, making a block of stone weighing over 6,000 pounds, and in itself a monument. Of these we will place seventy- five upon the bat- tlefield. They will dot the field all over, and wherever one is seen it will speak for itself. No need to go to it. As far as it can be seen. it will give notice that on that spot the sons of Indiana fought and bled, and it may be, made the ground holy by dying there. In the center of the whirlwind of that great battle, the 9th Indiana will have five of such stones, to mark the places where for two awful days it unflinchingly and un- yieldingly bore its part in upholding the flag.
In December, '97 we visited the battlefield and met Gen,
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Boynton and secured the approval of our design for the mark- ers, and made the arrangement for the placing of our mon- ument on Brotherton field. We at once proceeded to let our contract, for placing the markers. The contract was let to Mr. John Walsh, and at a price which justified us in deter- mining to place a bronze tablet upon each marker to receive the inscription. They are now completed and are at Chatta- nooga.
After we had contracted for the erection of the markers, but before any of them could be shipped, the war came, and at once the roads were blockaded carrying supplies to the camps on the battlefield. This interfered with our work, and our contractor telegraphed for General Carnahan and myself to come down to his aid, and we went down. We found that nothing had been done with the monument, and little with the foun- dations for the markers which I have neglected to inform you Gen. Boynton bad kindly consented to put in for us free from cost, and allow me to add, right here, that the Indiana mark ers are the only ones in the park which are placed upon foun- dations. Others are merely stones, one end of which is set in
the ground. We did what we could to help Mr, Walsh out, and it seemed when we came away that this work would go on, but the exigencies of the war interfered, and the work remains unfinished. The contractor became sick and was compelled to leave the work for some six weeks, and has only lately resum- ed his work. He is now in trouble about money, having sus- tained great losses because of interruption, raising of freight upon him, and the like. We hope to be able to help him out so that the work can be completed by October 31st. When our appropriation will lapse. and to do this it will be necessary for me to spend some time in Indianapolis, and as my time is so limited, I have decided that it is my duty to give to Com- mission work the time I would otherwise have been glad to have spent atteding the reunion.
I send with this letter some letters of Walsh, the Con- tractor, and one of General Boynton, which will explain them- selves and throw light upon the situation at the battlefield.
I am sorry that I cannot be with you at the reunion, and meet the survivors of the dear old Regiment. Tell them that I love them all, and would gladly be with them, but that as we approach the end of life, its duties multiply, and the pres- sure of other duties prevents my meeting with them. I have read this morning of the fire at Lowell. This is a severe blow to the whole-hearted people who extended to us such a hearty invitation to partake of their hospitality and I sympathize with them. I hope that the blow may not be so severe as the pub- lished account of it shows, but I have no doubt that the least
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is had enough. I can do nothing but express my sorrow. Would that I could do more. Remember me kindly to all.
D. B. MCCONNELL.
WAR DEPARTMENT CHICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA NATIONAL PARK COMMISSION CHATTANOOGAA.
CAMP THOMAS, GA., Sept. 29, 1898.
DEAR JUDGE MCCONNELL :- There has been no other in- tentions since we promised you to set up the monument of the 9th, than to do it at the first opportunity. For some time its site was covered by a camp, and for quite a time before it was so occupied, we daily expected that troops would be ordered to camp there. So, we thought best not to risk such a thing while we were moving the stone to the site. Orders had been given to begin the work before your contractor called on us, and as soon as the troops move off the Brotherton field. The monument is being moved today by our force to its site.
Truly yours, H. V. BOYNTON.
Hon. D. B. McConnell, Char'n Ind. Monument Commission.
WAR DEPARTMENT CHICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA NATIONAL PARK COMMISSION CHATTANOOGA.
CHATTANOOGA, TENN., Sept. 28, 1898. Capt. D. B. Mc Connell, Logansport, Ind.
DEAR SIR :- Your letter of 23rd inst. came to hand. Our workmen were then on the work preliminary to the erec- tion of your monument (9th Ind.) I have tried several times to do this during the occupation of the Park by troops but all work of that kind and much of the other also had to be sus- pended. I am now at work on the monument, and will put it up at once as General Boynton said he would. So Mr. Walsh can go on and fix the bronze tablets on his markers. I have an official text giving locations of nearly all of the markers and he will have no trouble to locate them. I will also assist him when called upon. This is a pleasure to do this for you and you should not think otherwise.
Yours sincerely, E. E. BETTS, Eng.
On motion report was accepted and ordered printed in the Minutes of this meeting.
Capt. McConnell through Lieut. Banta and Comrade Whitehall of the committee to report on cost and feasibility of holding our reunion for 1899 upon the battle field of Chica- mauga made an oral report to the effect that estimated cost of such an excursion including sleeping car or tourist car accom- modations would approximately be for each person $35 for tourist car accommodations and $40 palace ear sleepers, or $25 for ordinary passenger car accommodations. Capt. Ilods- den the other member of the committee was not present the
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committee recommended that the the matter be taken under consideration for another year with the view of holding such a reunion in A. D. 1900 if the association at its next meeting so decided. The recommendation of the committee was con- curred in and the matter laid over until next meeting.
Motion was made and carried to appoint a committee to confer with the officers and any veteran associations existing of the different regiments constituting Hazen's Brigade at the battle of Stone River in reference to procuring a bronze statute of Gen. Hazen to be placed on Hazen Brigade monu- ment at Stone River. Gen. Suman and Capt. A. S. McCor- mick were elected as such committee and directed to report progress at our next meeting.
The roll of members was next called and those present noted and the Corresponding Secretary furnished with infor- mation as to changes of addresses of survivors and of deaths since last report.
On motion of J. K. Powers the Corresponding Secretary was ordered to incorporate in the forth coming reunion report the muster roll of the 9th in as brief space as consistent, and show the name of every officer and man borne on its rolls in either the three months or three years veteran organization.
On motion a committee consisting of Lieutenant Helmick, Captain Madden and Lieutenant Kelly was appointed to wait on the 20th Indiana Regiment Veteran Association, holding its annual meeting in an adjoining hall and invite the 20th to join the 9th at this time in a fraternal love feast.
The committee repaired at once to the headquarters of the 20th Regiment and in a few moments returned accompanied by the 20th Veterans, who were received, by the 9th Veterans rising and applauding heartily the visitors.
Adjutant John E. Luther, Acting President of the 20th, said his regiment appreciated the kindly compliment of the Ninth to join them in a social hour, but many of his Comrades had been delayed in reaching the reunion and it was absolute- ly necessary that they proceed with the transaction of their regular business in order to conclude their work in time for the out-going trains, and suggested that in return for the court- esy shown, himself and comrades would be glad to extend the hand of comradeship to the men of the Ninth and thereupon the members of the 20th filed around the room and were pre- sented to the comrades of the Ninth individually and a short season of hearty hand-shaking and fraternal greetings ensued after which the 20th returned to their headquarters and the Ninth resumed the transaction of regular business, and on motion proceeded to the election of its next place of meeting. Quartermaster Kelley nominated Plymouth and urged that his people would not only extend a generous welcome, but he felt
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justice to comrades living in the east part of district, demand- ed that Plymouth be chosen. Comrade John H. Watts nom- inated Monticello, and strongly urged that as Monticello had never had the reunion, that the reunion of 1899 be held there.
On a vote Plymouth was almost unanimously the choice and a vote of thanks was tendered Monticello for its kind in- vitation.
On motion the time of meeting at Plymouth in 1899 was fixed for the first Wednesday and Thursday of October.
The President declared the election of officers for the en- suing year was next in order. On motion the present officers were re-elected by acclamation. It being desirable that one member of the executive committee' be a resident of Plymouth Comrade John Morrow at once moved that the name of John Morrow be stricken from the membership of the executive committee and that the name of Washington Kelly be substituted and the motion prevailed. On motion the recording secretary was instructed to prepare a resolution thanking the comrades of . Burnham Post G. A. R. and the citizens of Lowell, for their kindly entertainment of the members of the 9th Veteran Asso- ciation during this reunion.
Recording Secretary Helmnick submitted to Corresponding Secretary Whitehall for publication in the Lowell Tribune and in regular annual report the following:
Resolved, that the sincere thanks of this association are hereby tendered to the comrades; citizens and ladies, of Lowell for their most generous entertainment of the 9th Ind. Veterans during our 12th annual reunion and we especially desire to extend to those of the good people of Lowell, who were suffer- ers by the late destructive fire in the business portion of the town our sincere sympathy.
Resolved, that the thanks of the 9th Ind. Veteran Asso- ciation is hereby tendered to the K. P. Lodge for supplying headquarters for this Association during the present session, and we sincerely sympathize with Burnham Post in the loss by fire of its Post room and Post property. Official,
J. M. HELMICK, Rec. Sec. I. C. B. SUMAN, Pres.
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IN ATTENDANCE.
Col. I. C. B. Suman, President, Valparaiso, Ind. ; A. L. Whitehall, corresponding secretary, wife and grandson Earl Whitehall, Chicago, Ill .; Lieut. J. M. Helinick, recording secretary, and wife, Wheatfield, Ind .; Lieut. John Banta, treasurer, Logansport; John W. Jackson, band, Delphi.
Co. A-Capt. Thomas Madden, Indianapolis; A. S. Mc- Cormick, Lafayette; Capt. G. K. Marshall, Logansport; J. S. Hummer, Sedalia, Ind. Co. C-H. D. Nichols and wife, Lynn, Ind. ; Chas. W. Knapp, Esq., son of John L. Knapp, deceased, Spring Valley, Ill. Co. D-Lieut. W. Kelly, Plymouth, Ind. ; Lieut. G. H. Wilbur, Milwaukee; J. G. Leonard, Plymouth, Ind. ; A L. Andrews, Plymouth, Ind. ; John Goddard and wife, Morrocco, Ind.
Co. E-Serg. O. V. Servis, wife and daughter, Orchard Grove, Ind. ; Henry Burgess, Hebron, Ind. ; Corporal J. P. Baldwin and wife, LeRoy, Ind. ; George Williams, Palmer, Ind. ; James McKnight, LeRoy, Ind. ; C. W. Wise and wife, Los Angeles, Cal. ; John Stewart and wife, Palmer; Chas. Kluck, Hamel, Minn .; W. H. Rifenberg and wife, Hobart, Ind. ; G. Aylie, Hebron, Ind.
Co. G -- Sergt. Robt. Stephenson, Parr, Ind .; Horace E. James, Hammond, Ind. ; Win. Brummit, New Carlisle, Ind. Co. H-Sergt. J. Morrow and wife, Hebron; A. S. Thatcher and wife, Hebron; Thomas J. Robinson, Hebron; Isaac Bryant, Hebron; Sergt. Harvey Gibbs and wife, LeRoy, Ind .; George Post, Hammond, Ind. ; Jas. K. Powers, Marshaltown, Ia. ; J. W. Zea, Valparaiso, Ind. ; J. W. Matthews and wife, Hobart; Dan Lynch and wife, Lowell; C. E. Ketcham and wife, Lowell; W. R. Harris, McCool, Ind.
Co. K-Sergt. S. K. Landis, Carroll, Ind .; Wm. Banta and wife, Curveton, Ind. ; Geo. Friend and wife, Logansport; A. Cook, Logansport; L. H. . Burns, Logansport; Alpheus Porter, Logansport; M. D. Welty, Frankfort, Ind .; J. H. Watts and daughter, Monticello, Ind .; Jacob Miller, Braid- wood, Ind .; Jerome Martin, Waukarusa, Ind. : Win. Mc- Laughlin, Carroll, Ind.
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MEMOIRS.
DR. J. K. BLACKSTONE.
From the Hebron Indiana News, containing an obituary of Dr. Blackstone, we make the following extract: Born at Pike- ton, O., on February 12th, 1827, died of heart failure at Hebron Indiana, January 28th, 1898. Dr. Blackstone was a student in the Ohio University at the beginning of the Mexican war and enlisted and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant at the age of 19 ; he was compelled to resign on account of ill health, and later graduated from the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio. Removed to Hebron, Ind., in June, 1856, and began the practice of medicine; marrying Margaret Bryant February 18th, 1858, who survives him.
In 1861 Dr. Blackstone organized Co. E of the 9th In- diana Infantry and was commissioned Captain, and subse- quently became the 1st Assistant Surgeon of the regiment. Dr. Blackstone on leaving the service, returned to Hebron, and re- sumed the practice of medicine and was so engaged at the time of his sudden demise, while waiting in the depot of his native town for a train upon which he desired to embark. He was a cultured gentleman, skilled in his profession, and was an active influential citizen in the community in which he had lived for so many years. He left three sons and a daughter and his widow. His loss was keenly felt at Hebron and by his old comrades by whom he was well esteemed.
ROBERT E. STEWART.
Born March 20th, 1832. Died February 11th., 1898. - Comrade Stewart was born at Springfield, Ohio, and married at Sydney, Ohio, in 1854, to Nancy A. Wright, who survives him. He removed to Logansport in 1855 and enlisted August 10th., 1861, in Co. K of the 9th Indiana Infantry, and received in- juries on February, 1862, while in line of duty in West Virginia for which he was discharged in the following August. The Comrade suffered from this injury in the service of his country up to the hour of his death.
DAVID HI. MILLER.
Born December 2, A. D. 1837, Died April 11, A. D. 1898. Comrade David II. Miller was born at Perryville in Ver- milion County, Indiana, and later removed to Cass County,
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Indiana. Comrade Miller was a good soldier in Company K of the 9th Indiana Infantry, and like many other ex-soldiers, came home badly shattered in health, but by good care of him- self survived for many years to enjoy the blessings of peace in the land he loved. His home was at Onward, Cass County, Indiana. For twenty-one years he had been an active Odd Fel- low, and was esteemed by his brethren.
The correspondent of the Cincinnati Enquirer, writing from Soldier's Home at Marion, Indiana, under date of Sep- tember 25th, 1898, reports: John A. Long, a member of Company I, Ninth Indiana Infantry, died in the hospital Tuesday evening.
Comrade Samuel M. Thaxton, who served in Company O of the 9th Indiana Regiment, died at Walkerton, Indiana, No- vember 16, 1895.
Samuel F. Beatty, a Corporal in Company A, 9th Indiana Veteran Infantry, died at Pawnee City, Nebraska, in October, 1896. We have no further particulars. Comrade Beatty was popular in his company and an excellent soldier.
Richard W. McDonald, a private in Company A of the 9th Indiana in the three year service, died at Flora, Indiana, in April, 1898. No further particulars.
Other Comrades of the Ninth have doubtless died during the past year or two, but no report has been made to the Cor- responding Secretary.
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NINTH NOTES.
From the Delphi (Ind. ) Journal of August 16, 1898, we obtained the following:
THE MAN ON THE CORNER-HE FINDS TIME TO WRITE A FEW LINES THIS WEEK-HE TALKED WITH A QUINTETTE OF VET- ERAN SOLDIERS OLD SETTLERS DAY WIIO HELD A REUNION OF THEIR OWN.
I shook hands with a jolly quintette of veterans last Sat- urday. They made old settlers day the occasion for a reunion and it "was a reunion that was a reunion."
The veterans to whom I refer were Captain Thomas Mad- den, of Indianapolis, Asbury MeCormick, formerly of Rock- field but now of Lafayette; James Wharton, of Bringhurst, and Captain George Marshall and John Banta, of Logansport. They all enlisted in the Ninth Indiana in 1861 and were among the first to taste of the bitter cup of hostilities between the sec- tions. On December 13, 1861, they found themselves at Buf- falo mountain on the Green Briar river in West Virginia. They got into a fight with the "Johnnies" and in the twinkling of an eye three men were killed and Captain Madden was shot through the right lung with a minnie ball. Two of the men killed were Joseph Gordon, son of Major Gordon, of Indianapolis, and David Souder, uncle of Dr. Souder, of Burrows.
The desperate wound which Captain Madden received ren- dered him as helpless as a child and the four comrades who spent the day with him last Saturday secured a blanket, placed him on it and each man taking a corner they carried him down a cow-path in a mountain a distance of four miles where his wound was dressed. He slowly recovered and a few weeks later James Wharton accompanied him home. Thirty-seven years have passed since that eventful day. They were boys then, hopeful, ambitious, patriotic, willing to do, and dare, and die for their country. They are men now, just as brave, just as hopeful and just as patriotic, but a trifle grayer, and they look at the setting rather than the rising sun. How thankful they should be that a merciful . Providence has spared their lives that they might see and know that the Union they offered their lives to preserve is in truth and fact a glorious and indivisible Union, with one hope, and one flag, and one people.
Here is to the health of the jolly quintette of comrades who are bound by ties that death alone can sever. They have lived to see the flag for which they fought wave in victory over a foreign foe, and may they live much longer.
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From the Indianapolis Journal we clip the following :-
WAR HISTORY.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal :
In the Journal of the 18th inst. is a letter giving an ac- count of the progress of the recent levies to Chicamauga battle- field. In that article the writer speaks of a stop made near Murfreesboro at va pile of stone quarried from near by and dedicated to the memory of an Indiana company which was slaughtered in its entirety one eventful morning when taken by surprise. " This is an error. The only military monument erected at the battlefield of Stone River outside of the National cemetery is the one which was erceted to the fallen heroes of . Hazen's Brigade, which contained the Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This monument was erected shortly after the battle by order of General Rosecrans, the work being done by men detailed from the brigade. It contains the names of the members of that brigade who fell at Stone River and at Shiloh. All members of that brigade who were killed at Stone River, were and still are buried in the inclosure around the monument, which wall is two feet thich and four feet high, and orders were given that the hallowed ground should be forever cared for by the superintendent of the national cemetery.
It is believed that this monument was the first one to be built to the memory of the Union dead during the war of the rebellion, and it is unique in its character and in its method of construction. It is error to say that any Indiana company was there slaughtered in its entirety or taken by surprise. "The bloody Ninth" fought all through the terrible battle of Stone River, and as always, covered itself with glory, and while it furnished its full share of martyrs who yielded up their lives that the Nation might live, it suffered no loss of any company, and it was never surprised there or elsewhere.
THE NINTH.
Lieutenant Colonel Suman, Captain Pettit, Lieutenants Criswell and Brinton were wounded and the gallant Lieutenant Kessler killed, also Major James D. Braden of Elkhart, present Chief of City Police, Asbury MeCormick of Lafayette, and quite a number of our comrades of the Ninth yet living, were wounded at the point marked by the monument, and many a family in the Southland yet sorrow for a gallant son or brother who fell in one of the several gallant charges made for the pur- pose of dislodging the Ninth Indiana from their strong position in the railroad cut near by and from which the regiment could not be driven. The Hazen monument marks the spot where not only repose the bodies of the gallant color bearer of the
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Ninth and his brave comrades who fell there, but indicates as well that portion of the field where a great number of gallant wearers of the gray met death or were sorely wounded in un- successful but persistent efforts to turn the Union left.
TO THE MEMBERS.
Concerning Delinquent Dues, the committee reported that very satisfactory progress had been made in the way of adjust- ment of dnes in arrear. Very many comrades had paid up all their delinquent dues in full, while others had felt able to only pay a part and the committee being satisfied a part had been remitted and the account of the member thereby squared up to to the close of 1898.
The Committee find that much of the dues shown to be delinquent is because of the fact that the member who has fail- ed to pay has lived too remote from the points at which our reunions have been held to be able to attend during the past six or seven years, and hence have neglected to pay their dues. That in nearly every case where a comrade attends one of our meetings he adjusts his dues, and it is believed that many com- rades who can and will attend our next reunion at Plymouth, will there adjust their back dues satisfactorily. The committee suggest that comrades who have been in attendance at our last two meetings kindly urge all old members to attend, assuring them that the question of dues should not subject them to any embarassment or influence them to forego the pleasure of meet- ing old comrades as a settlement in full can be readily accom- plished by speaking to Comrades McConnell, Banta or White- ball. In case the member does not feel able to pay full amount of back dnes, he has only to suggest what amount he does feel able and willing to pay, and the matter can be adjusted on a basis to suit him and the books duly credited and a new start made. Or the member in arrear and wishing to pay up on a basis satisfactory to himself can correspond with Treas- urer Banta at Logansport or Secretary Whitehall at Chicago and have his account adjusted accordingly.
The Corresponding Secretary again urges comrades to sup- ply him with information they may obtain as to death of any comrade of the 9th or the ascertainment of the post office ad- dress of any surviving comrade not yet placed on our roster of survivors.
At Lowell the Corresponding Secretary distributed a number of surplus reports to comrades who had not the com- plete series of eleven reports. He also exhibited a bound volume of the eleven pamphlets and stated the cost of binding in cloth was 65 cents, and a large number of the comrades
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