USA > Indiana > Union Army in the Civil War : Indiana Legion reports of brigade and regimental officers, 1st-4th brigades > Part 2
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I immediately notified my companies in the county, whose guns had also been returned to their captains, and as soon as time would adinit, we had five companies ready with arms for duty. The rebel thief knowing that his work must be done quickly, made all the dispatch possible, and had gotten safely across the river before we arrived in town. This, as a matter of course, threw the whole county into a perfect state of excitement. I kept the com- panics in camp at Newburg three days, and quiet seeming to be restored, I permitted them to go to their homes in day-time, but required them to stand guard on the Ohio river every night along the whole border of Warrick county, from that time until about the 1st of November. The citizens of Warrick county became so aroused, that I organized seven new companies, two of which are parts of Bethell's and R. R. Roberts' companies. We had, on the 15th of September last, nine companies of infantry, one company of artillery, and one company of cavalry.
About this time, the country in the vicinity of Greene river, in Kentucky, was being infested by guerrillas. The thief, Adam R. Johnson, not having left that country yet, I received orders from you to go into camp at Newburg with my men. I immediately notified the different company commanders, and went into eamp with eight companies, and remained four days. The excitement seeming to gradually decrease, and this also being the most busy season of the year for the most of the regiment, they nearly all being farmers, and nearly all of them raising tobacco, they were sacrificing their crops to a great extent, and, with your permission, I allowed them to go to their farms in day-time, but detailed one- third of each company for guard duty at night. These were of the companies that were from the country, and those from town did the scouting in day-time, and saw that all the water-crafts were kept on this side of the Ohio river.
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Some tiine later than this-I do not remember the precise time -there was a requisition made on me by the colonel commanding the post at Owensboro, stating that the guerrillas had killed Colonel Netter and taken possession of the town, and that if he did not get immediate reinforcements, the rebels would certainly overpower him and capture all the Government arms and supplies at his camp. I summoned my men together, and asked for volun- teers to go with me to Owensboro. Three hundred and fifty infantry and fifty cavalry volunteered at once, and we got on a Government boat and went up to Owensboro to offer them all the assistance in our power; but fortunately for Colonel Neuer's regiment, Colonel Crook, with the Fourth Regiment of the Legion, came to their rescue, and the day we arrived had given the rebels a most beautiful thrashing. We remained with them one day, and, not deeming it necessary to stay any longer, returned home.
In the meantime, our town of Newburg was threatened again, and Major Roberts called on Captain Johnson and Captain Bar- nett to again come into camp at Newburg, which call was promptly responded to by each company, numbering about seventy- five men cach. On my arrival home, I broke up the camp, and sent the men home again. Since that time up to the 1st of Novem- ber, we kept vigilant guard, and were all the time on the alert, but have had no alarms to call us into camp.
The following companies have been organized since the first formation of the regiment: Captain Robert Perigo, Captain Joshua F. Roberts, and Captain Peter Tay'or. Besides these there was Captain Union Bethell, Captain R. K. Roberts, and Captain Larkin Floyd, whose companies became so decimated by the men volunteering in the United States volunteer service, that they were disbanded.
Apart from these were the companies that I have organized . during the past summer, as follows: Captain Squire Johnson, Captain James Barnett, Captain Jolin Darby, Captain John R. Bell, Captain James Phillips, Captain William Bryan, Captain William T. Stone of the cavalry company, and Captain Yoost Mooga commanding the artillery company. These companies were all organized under the militia law, and are well officered. The following companies have arms, and have done good service : Captain Peter Taylor, Belgian ritles; Captain Perigo, altered muskets; Captain John Darby and Captain Bell, Belgian ritles; Captain J. F. Roberts, fifty Enfield rifles, and forty altered muskets ;
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Captain James Barnett, fifty altered muskets; Captain Squire Johnson, twenty altered muskets ; Captain William Stone's cavalry company are armed with French revolvers, and have saddles and other equipments for the whole company. Captain Yoost Mooga's artillery has one three-inch Dahlgren gun, one six-pounder brass piece, and Russian rifles.
Captain Phillips and Captain William Bryan, have no arms. The Belgian rifle will do to drill with, but are of no account to shoot with, there being so great a difference in the caliber, and not much account generally. We have one armory in which we keep our artillery, but since the raid on Newburg, we find it best to have the small arms in the hands of the privates. We have no . great amount of ammunition, but perhaps enough for the present.
Our companies have always filled the requirements of the law in drilling in the worst of weather, and in summer time, have generally drilled every week.
. The proclamation of the Governor did not interfere with the Legion in my county in any way. I organized some eleven com- panies of militia under the proclamation ; and when his Excellency thought proper to disband those companies, it did not have any effect on the companies of the Legion. We have had battalion . drill and dress parade on several occasions this year, and, I must. . say, we did exceedingly well. The officers of companies deserve very much credit for their untiring efforts to become proficient in military discipline.
Now, a word as to the service. Captain Perigo, Captain J. F. Roberts, Captain Taylor, Captain John Darby, Captain Bell and . Captain William Stone, have certainly done very valuable service to the State, and to' the General Government; they have been vigilant day and night. Their companies have sent details for . guard duty on the Ohio river from the 18th day of August last until the 1st of November. They have left their crops to go to waste and stood guard to prevent the rebel thief, Adam R. Johnson, from again making a raid into Indiana on our border. Those companies have sacrificed in their crops four fold what their pay would amount to if paid the regulation price, but they attached themselves to the Legion for the good of the cause and the pro- tection of the border, and were willing even to sacrifice life itself, if necessary, to attain these ends.
And now, General, I would respectfully appeal to you to inter- cede in their behalf that they may receive a remuneration for their
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services. To Lieutenant-Colonel Adams and to Major R. R. Roberts I must tender my most sincere thanks for the valuable service rendered by those officers in the discharge of their duties. Also, to all the commissioned officers, for their energy and ability to instruct and command their companies, and would say that I think if. called into action they would, by being members of the Indiana Legion, refleet great credit to the cause.
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As to the efficiency of the militia law, I will at some other time write at some length. I find it deficient in almost every particular. I think any alteration would be an improvement, but of this I will · not now speak, but submit the foregoing.
Yours, very respectfully, .
DANIEL F. BATES, Colonel Third Regiment, First Brigade, Ind. Legion.
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REPORTS -
FROM THE
SECOND BRIGADE,
INDIANA LEGION.
NO BRIGADIER-GENERAL APPOINTED.
КАКАЯ ПИПОЛЯ 911 7721081
1858047
REPORT
OF
COLONEL JOHN W. CROOKS,
COMMANDING FOURTH REGIMENT, SECOND BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS FOURTH REGIMENT, Rockport, December 2, 1862.
Major-General Love, Commanding Indiana Legion, Indianapolis, Indiana :
GENERAL :- In obedience to orders, I have the honor to report the following as pertaining to my command :
Owing to the excitement between Evansville and Cannelton during the past summer, the duties of my command were very heavy. During the months of July, August, September, and until the 6th of October, we had not less than a score of alarms. You will see by the accompanying papers, the state of excitement in and about the town of Owensboro, Ky., how urgently they appealed for assistance, and how much they relied upon the Fourth Regi- ment of the Legion for protection. I was called to their relief not less than six times, taking my entire command, with many citizens besides. In fact I can say that the Legion of Spencer literally defended the town of Owensboro, and the camp of troops under Colonel Netter, for the space of ninety days. He told me but for our assistance in time of need, he would have to burn his stores
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and abandon the place. That the Indianians with their muskets and artillery were his only salvation. With my assurance that the entire fighting population of our county would fly to their relief, if needed, the loyal portion of Davies county, Ky., took a high Union stand, and have finally succeeded in establishing a tolerably, and only a tolerably, healthy sentiment. They had much to contend with, for I am quite certain it was not excelled in disloyalty by any county in the State of Kentucky.
Thus things went on until the morning of the 19th of Septem- ber, 1862, when the town. of Owensboro was attacked and taken by the rebels, the Colonel in command killed, and his forces rendered useless for good. Upon receiving notice of this disaster, and a call for assistance, I immediately threw across the river, below the city, under the protection of our ordinance and their camp, from five to six hundred of my command, driving the rebels from the place, and taking possession of the town.
Learning that night that the rebels were encamped about eight · miles out, we organized a force for the purpose of giving them battle. Most of my men were much fatigued, many of them having marched over twenty miles, yet they set out with an alac- rity and eagerness unexampled. We arrived in front of the enemy between sunrise and daylight next morning. Mý command consisted of three hundred and fifty of the Spencer Legion, some five or eight citizens of Davies county, and sixty of Netter's mounted men. The enemy's forces consisted of a battalion of five hundred under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Martin of the rebel army. We had with us one 6-pounder cannon ; they had . a 4-pounder piece.
They opened the ball by dispersing our cavalry, who had incau- tiously gone beyond supporting distance, and who were lost to your service the balance of the day. Hearing the engagement of the cavalry, we hastened forward, put our cannon in position, and at the third round dismounted it by bursting up the trunnion caps, which resulted in sending it to the rear. We now saw no alterna- tive but to close in with the infantry, which was done in a style that would have been commendable to veterans. The engagement lasted one hour and a half, the enemy playing upon us his small cannon, charged with sacks of small Minie balls, all the while. The deadly aim of our backwoodsmen, however, proved too hot ; observ- ing their wavering lines, we made a charge, scattering thern in the wildest confusion.
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Our casualties were three killed and thirty-five wounded. The cavalry had two wounded and eight of the men taken prisoners, who were paroled the same evening. The enemy's loss was thirty- six killed, between seventy and eighty wounded, and sixteen taken prisoners. We also captured twelve or fifteen horses, one hundred and thirty-five or forty small arms, and a great many blankets, sabers, &c.
It is needless to say that all did well; both officers and men seemed to vie with each other in deeds of daring. Thus termi- nated the battle of Panther ereck.
Subsequent to this, you will olive, by accompanying papers, another very urgent request to return to Owensboro with my com- Inand. The rebels had threatened to return with reinforcements, and visit the place with retribution for their Panther ereek diseom- fiture, which kept the public mind, and especially the troops at that point, in the wildest state of excitement.
On the morning of the 6th of October, I again had between four and five hundred men opposite Owensboro, on this side of the river. By this time my men began to complain; "the citizens would not defend themselves; more than half of the town were rebel sympathizers; they had lost their friends at Panther ercek in defending a people who would not fight for themselves; their crops were suffering, tobacco in particular, the only thing they expected to realize a remunerative price for." Although the last man would have crossed the river if I had said so, I was charitable enough to heed their murmerings. I put two pieces of artillery in position; sent Major Holman, who was then in command, a note declining to cross the river; that I proposed to defend his camp and town from this side of the river; "that he should give the citizens of Owens- boro notice that just as soon as the women and children could escape, after the attack was made upon him, or the town taken possession of by the rebels, I should commence shelling it from this side, a thing I was amply prepared to peform." His answer to this you will' see in the closing paragraph of his note of the 6th of October. No attack was made, at that time, either upon the camp or city, nor have they had any trouble on the border of Davies county, Kentucky, since.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN W. CROOKS,
Colonel Fourth Regiment Indiana Legion.
P. S .- I have been in command of all the troops in this county since their organization. J. W. C.
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REPORT
OF
COLONEL CHARLES FOURNIER,
COMMANDING FIFTH REGIMENT, SECOND BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS FIFTE REGIMENT, Perry County, December 5, 1862.
Major-General LOVE, Commanding Indiana Legion, Indianapolis:
GENERAL :- In obedience to orders received, I beg leave to sub- mit the following report concerning the service rendered by my command sinee . its organization. As early as August, 1$61, trou- bles began on the border, in the counties in Kentucky opposite to ours. Several bands of guerrillas formed themselves in the back parts of Hancock and Davies counties, who threatened to attack this side of the river. This regiment of the Legion, at that time, consisted of eight companies, under the command of Colonel Charles Mason, a force of about 450 men, who were not all armed then, but were shortly after provided with arms by the Quarter- Master General.
About the 25th of August, a band of guerrillas entered the opposite town of Hawesville at night, and, with the help of the seeesh eitizens of that place, drove the Union men out of the town, who crossed over to find protection on our side. The company, Deutsche Sayer,
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which I commanded at that time, comprising the Newcomb Guards, Emmett Guards, and Cannelton Artillery, were immediately called out, and the guerrillas left the town before day-break, without doing! much damage, and fell back on Yelvington, in the back part of Hancock county. The alarm once created, almost every company volunteered to keep a night guard in the towns and along the bor- der. This was done for several successive weeks, until we were assured that the robber band had gone to join the Southern enemy. In October a new appeal was made for help, by Captain Ritchie, commanding the Clay Guards, at Hawesville. Guerrillas had again invaded the town in the night, and succeeded in capturing several of the company, arms, and ammunition. I crossed immediately to Hawesville, with a small force, such as could be collected in a hurry, but, as always, the birds had fled.
The principal citizens of Hawesville were then notified that I should hold them and their town responsible for all outrages com- mitted upon Union men. From his Excellency, Governor Boyle, of Kentucky, I received full authority to act in any emergency. Nothing occurred of further notice until in June, 1862, when large forces collected in Davies, Hancock, and Breckinridge counties. Troops were sent from Louisville to Henderson and Greensboro. and a Provost Marshal appointed in cach county. Two days after the appointment of Major Stout as Provost Marshal of Hancock county, he called on me again for help against a company who were forming on the Hartford road. With a company from Can- nelton, I crossed the river, and with the aid of Captain Ritchie's company and Captain Lightfoot's company of mounted infantry, we succeeded in dispersing the rebels, taking thirteen prisoners, who were sent to Colonel Dent, at Louisville. Afterward, six more were taken who were in the neighborhood, and also sent to Louisville. This checked them up a little, but on the 17th of September they commenced the same game. Bands had actually formed on a larger scale than ever, and they succeeded in taking Owensboro on the 10th of September, from where they were driven by the Spencer County Legion, a portion of which I commanded that day under Colonel . Crooks. After being routed the next day by Colonel Crooks at Panther Creek, they fell back into Hancock and Breckinridge counties, and prepared to attack Colonel Shanks at Cloverport. As soon as I received a messenger from him, I repaired there with two companies, the Tobin Guards and the Rome Legion, about one hundred and forty men. We stayed in
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camp until Sunday morning, when, receiving positive news that the guerrillas had gone south again and crossed Greene river, we crossed the river, leaving to Colonel Shanks a piece of artillery with ammunition, which he kept there until his regiment was con- solidated with that of the unfortunate Colonel Miller. Since then we have had but little trouble. Floating rumors, and the attack on Newburg, raised sometimes an excitement, but nothing happened of any consequence. My command has always been ready and willing to go and fight wherever their services were needed, and will do so in future, for which we are (thanks to your efforts, Gen- eral,) well prepared.
The regiment was commanded in the first by Colonel Charles Mason, who resigned in November, 1861, when the command was given to me by his Excellency, Governor Morton. The regiment now consists of sixteen regularly organized companies, all provided with arms and ammunition, and numbering about eight hundred and fifty experienced men, most of whom are tolerably well drilled.
Hoping that this report is according to order,
I remain, General, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
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CHARLES FOURNIER. Colonel Fifth Regiment, Indiana Legion.
REPORT
OF
COLONEL JOHN P. MORGAN,
COMMANDING SIXTH REGIMENT, (DIVIDED,) SECOND BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS, SIXTH REGIMENT, Leavenworth, Crawford County.
Major-General LOVE :
SIR :- In compliance with your order, I make the following report of the operations of the Legion in Crawford county.
On the Sth day of September, 1962, I was commissioned Colonel of the Sixth Regiment, Indiana Legion. On the 23d September last, the excitement on the border was intense; the people in the town of Leavenworth and vicinity believed that an invasion upon the town was probable, and they demanded that I would call a sufficient number of companies to picket the place.
I therefore ordered Captain Girdner and Captain Vandevers to report their commands at the town of Leavenworth on the 24th of September. They, with their companies, reported as ordered, and remained in camp three days.
The danger being past, the companies were discharged, and they returned home.
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On the 25th of September you visited our county, and placed in the hands of the auditor one three-inch rifled cannon and two hundred muskets. The cannon was placed in the hands of Captain G. W. Lyon's company. A portion of the muskets were ...
distributed to the companies of the Legion, the balance is in the hands of the auditor.
There are five organized companies of the Legion in this county; for three of which the officers are commissioned, in the other two elections were held, returns made, but no commissions came to the officers.
There are one hundred stands of arms, sent by our repre- sentative, the late Captain Sloan, without any fixtures, &c .; one hundred stands of arms placed in the hands of Captain G. W. . Lyon by General Love; two hundred Austrian rifle 'muskets placed in the hands of the auditor by General Love on the 25th day of September, 1862, and also one three-inch rifled cannon. These being the total amount of arms in the county.
I have no means by which to determine the amount of ammuni- tion that has been left to the county.
General, hoping that the above may prove satisfactory,
I am, with great respect, Yours truly,
. JOHN P. MORGAN, E. C. CALDWELL, Adjutant. Colonel.
REPORT
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COLONEL LEWIS JORDAN,
COMMANDING SIXTH REGIMENT, (PROPER,) SECOND BRIGADE.
INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS SIXTH REGIMENT, Corydon, January 1, 1863.
To Major-General LOVE:
The undersigned, Colonel of the Sixth Regiment, Second Bri- gade of the Indiana Legion, would respectfully report the opera- tions and condition of the regiment from its organization to the present time.
From the passage of the Legion Act to November 1, 1861, there were ten companics organized, numbering at that time 535 members. Since that date to November 1, 1862, there have been two companies organized, one of which is a cavalry company. The Sannia Guards have disbanded within the last year, all but seventeen having volunteered in the United States service, and those seventeen having been transferred to other companies of the Legion. For the first eight months after the first organization of the companies of the Legion, they drilled regularly two or three times a week, since that time they have regularly drilled, with but few execptions, once a week, until within the last month. Some are drilling semi-monthly and some monthly, at the present time, with the exception of the Rosewood Guards, from whom I have no information for some time past. At least 600 have volunteered from the ranks of the Legion in the United States service. The
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number of the members of the Legion in this regiment on the 1st day of November, 1862, was 721. We have had four regimental drills the past year. On the approach of danger on our border, on the 20th of September last, I called out the regiment and encamped at Mauckport, in our county, on the Ohio river, for seven days. The rebels, or at least a guerrilla band, having previously occupied Brandenburg, Ky., some thirty or forty Union refugees having escaped to our side of the river. The rebels having just previously stormed Munfordsville, and occupying Elizabethtown, Ky., some twenty-five or thirty miles distant, and there being very great danger of a raid through our county, the river being fordable in several places bordering our county. The refugees wishing to return to their families at Brandenburg, I sent 250 men, under com- mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Irwin and Adjutant Hith, who crossed about one o'clock on the morning of the 25th of September, took possession of the town, and planted the flag on the Court House; having taken -twelve prisoners, who took the oath and were released. A company of Webb's cavalry coming in. Lieu- tenant-Colonel Irvin, with his command, returned to this side of the river. The town has ever since remained in Union hands, and quiet seems to be restored on our border. The quarter-master, under my direction, furnished provisions, provender, and other necessary articles for the regiment, cavalry company, &c., while encamped. His bill, amounting to $426 82, is less than his outlay, as he deducted such articles as were left on hand, believing that the bill would be promptly paid, without unnecessary delay, as has been caused. He has visited Indianapolis, and was then promised the money immediately on my certifying the facts, which was done. He paid the greater portion of the bills, believing that his money would be immediately forwarded to him, as the Adjutant-General informed him that this would be done. But such has not proved to be the ease. Payment, I understand, has been suspended. The delay and suspension is rather severe, and is more than he should . individually lose. Why the Adjutant could not properly inform him of the facts as they have transpired, is a mystery. His expenses have been no small item, besides his loss of time in trying to get his just ducs. Your attention to this matter I will take as a great favor.
Two companies were called upon and sent to the Fort at Salt river, Ky., to aid the United States forces, when there seemed to be danger, and remained while it was necessary. Previous to this
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