USA > Indiana > Union Army in the Civil War : Indiana Legion reports of brigade and regimental officers, 1st-4th brigades > Part 3
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time four companies, under my order, went to Mauekport, Ky., where they remained two days, there being seemingly great danger, at least sufficient to warrant me in such a course. The companies: immediately on the river have been watchful and have taken such time as was necessary to prevent any threatened danger, which has: been no small matter to them in the way of time. The law under which the Legion organizes requires the Treasurer of State to set apart annually for 1861 and 1862 $70,000, to be drawn by counties in proportion to the numbers in each, &c., which is to be paid to the County Treasurers. Our County Treasurer has demanded the money and failed to proeure any part thereof. In November, 1861, a list of the number of members in each company, was sworn to by each company commander, and returned to the Adjutant- General by me and under his direction. Therefore, our companies have found themselves every way and never received a cent from the State. Why it is I am unable to tell. I have understood from Lieutenant-Colonel Irvin, that an arrangement was made at Camp Burnside for the money due the regiments, to be sent to their respective colonels. I have since had no information on the subject. Your careful attention to this matter is earnestly requested and will be thankfully received.
The condition of the regiment is good. The companies are all armed, with the exception of the Rosewood Guards, and the new company lately organized, the Scott Rifles, their officers not being commissioned. The arms are in good condition. We. have on hand a sufficiency of ammunition for ordinary purposes. A sup- ply of blank cartridges has just been received.
In reference to an efficient military law, the Legion law should be amended so as to require those who fail to attend and drill to be placed under arrest, and such a mode adopted as to compel a full attendance at all drills. Also a law should be enacted requiring the sedentary militia to drill at regular stated times, under such penalties as would insure their attendance. If this is done, it would fill up the ranks of the Legion, as most persons would prefer to drill with officers of experience. If the Governor's order requiring all to drill had continued to the present time, this regi- ment of the Legion would now number one thousand members; of this I have no doubt. For this reason, if a proper law is enacted you can forcsec its effects.
Respectfully reported, LEWIS JORDAN, SR., Colonel Sixth Regt., Second Brigade, Ind. Legion.
REPORT
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BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOIIN L. MANSFIELD, 1
THIRD BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, Madison, December 25, 1862.
Major-General JOHN LOVE:
SIR :- I have the honor to transmit to you, in accordance with your order, the reports of Colonels Sering, Brown, and Willey, whose regiments constitute parts of the Third Brigade, Indiana Legion. The report of Lieutenant-Colonel Templeton (Tenth Regiment), belonging to the same brigade, has already been for- warded to you. You will observe that some of these reports fail to give an exact statement of the numerical forces of their regi- ments. This is owing to the fact that removals from the county and enlistments in the United States service, exonerate our mem- bers from service in the Legion, while, at the same time, drills and musters, in ordinary times, can be held only at proper intervals with troops who receive no compensation, unless when called into active service.
It will appear from these reports that the Third Brigade, since its organization, has rendered important services to the State, and that it has been a great saving, financially, by superseding the necessity of keeping a regular force for the protection of our
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border. As early as the middle of September, 1861, when General Buckner threatened Louisville, companies of infantry and artillery of the Ninth Regiment reported themselves to General Anderson, at Louisville, at his request; and an artillery company of the Eighth, jointly with one of the Seventh Regiment, were perma- nently stationed on the Indiana shore, opposite the mouth of Salt river. About the same time, or soon after, when rebel camps had been established in Owen county, Kentucky, the troops of the Ninth and Tenth, together with our loyal citizens under the com- mand of officers of the Legion, performed serious guard duty along our border.
Again, during the latter part of May, 1862, troops of the Third Brigade were ordered to Camp Morton to relieve the United States troops who were guarding some 4,000 rebel prisoners there, and finally they entered the three months' service of the United States.
On the 10th of June, 1862, another part of the Third Brigade was called into active service for sixty days, for the same purpose of guarding prisoners at Indianapolis.
But the most important serviee was rendered by that Brigade during the month of September of the present year. Cineinnati, and the border counties of Indiana were threatened by General Kirby Smith, while General Bragg was marehing on Louisville. All the regular forees which could be spared from Indiana were sent to Louisville. The Ohio river, between Cincinnati and Louisville, was in many places fordable for horse and foot, and bands of guerrillas and recruiting parties could be seen from our side moving on the Kentucky shore. The citizens of Indiana obeyed, promptly and cheerfully, the proclamation of our Governor, but it could not be expected of them that they should, by day and by night, guard the fords and repel with military discipline any attempt at invasion. It was on this occasion (September 12th), that I called, with the consent of his Excellency, Governor Morton, two companies of infantry and one of artillery, of the Ninth Regiment, into active service, to guard some of the most exposed fording places of the Ohio river. The infantry were discharged after two weeks service, on the arrival of. Colonel J. O. Gray, withi two companies of cavalry and four companies of infantry. After that time, the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Regiments of the Legion, in conjunction with Colonel Giray's forces, formed a nucleus for our armed citizens to offer a systematic resistence to any invasion across the Ohio river; and I am convinced that these defensive
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preparations have prevented any attempt being made to invade our State in this section of country.
In conclusion, I beg leave to state that the citizens, officers, and soldiers of the Third Brigade, have shown on all occasions, a highly patriotic spirit, ready to serve their country whenever they are called on, and displaying the order and discipline of true soldiers.
Your obedient servant,
JOHN L. MANSFIELD, Brig. Gen. Com. Third Brigade, Ind. Legion.
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REPORT
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COLONEL E. A. MAGINNESS,
COMMANDING SEVENTH REGIMENT, THIRD BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
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INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH REGIMENT, New Albany, December 11, 1862.
Major-General JOHN LOVE, Indianapolis :
GENERAL :- I have the honor to report that I came into command of the Legion for this county on the 6th of September, 1962. A. this time our border was threatened by the rapid approach of the rebels toward Louisville, and the people were consequently greatly alarmed and excited. The Governor of the State had called ou' the militia of the border counties, to organize as directed by hi: proclamation.
The Legion in this county formed a nucleus for a rapid and tolerably effective organization; and during the time when the danger seemed imminent, the companies performed good service ir guarding the gunboat building here, and the Government property which had been removed from Lonisville for safety.
On entering upon the command, I found the Legion very much disorganized ; the alarm consequent upon the invasion of Kentucky R. I. L .- 4
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gave it a temporary vitality, but the danger having passed, it sank into a condition of lethargy from which I think nothing less than some impending calamity can arouse it. To account for this con- dition, and at the same time to render justice. to the Legion, it will be necessary to review briefly its progress from its organization.
I am without data, and can only approximate in statements of time and numbers.
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The Legion in this county was organized under the command of Colonel B. F. Scribner, during the spring of 1861, and consisted of some eighteen companies, and numbered about 900 men. Almost all of these were uniformed, but not over one-third were arined. For the first four months the companies made great progress in drilling and discipline ; but after that time the delay in arming them caused great dissatisfaction, and the formation of the Twenty-Third and Thirty-Eighth Regiments absorbed a great many of the officers and men of the Legion who had taken the most active interest in its organization. In fact, there was not a > company that had not lost some, and several of them had lost all, of their officers. The result was that the greater number of the companies were disorganized and all of them demoralized. But if the Legion had done nothing else, it had so far served a noble purpose in educating many young men for service in the field, and in infusing a martial enthusiasm into the people, fraught with the happiest results, in assisting to build up our national army.
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From Colonel Scribner the command passed to Colonel W. W. Tuley. When General Anderson was called to duty in Kentucky, he desired Colonel Tuley to send Knapp's Artillery to a point opposite the mouth of Salt river, and keep it supported by at least one company of infantry. The artillery was accordingly sent and kept there about three months. During that time three infantry companies of the Legion were at different times on service at that point. Two of these companies have been partially paid, but two of them have received no pay whatever.
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During Colonel Tuley's administration, one company of infantry was sent to Indianapolis to guard prisoners, and continued in that. service some months. But, with the exception of these companies, the Legion was utterly broken up, and when I came into command I found even these companies very much shattered, nor have I the pleasure at this time to report evidences of a more restored condition.
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I have stated above the causes which first injuriously affected
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the Legion in this county ; the neglect to distribute the appropria- tion, by withholding from it material aid, to which it was justly entitled, and reasonably expected, also conspired to assist its down- fall. . But these causes only hastened its decay. I am satisfied that under the most favorable auspices the Legion could not have enjoyed a continued prosperity under the law that gave it birth. This law is utterly and fatally defective, insomuch as it discovers no inducements to allure, nor penalties to compel, men to join the organization. I will not, however, enumerate its. defects. The entire law is a conglomeration of folly and absurdity, and worthy only of condemnation. Amendments can not clothe it even with respectability : it should be repealed, and a new law enacted that will enable the State to rely at all times upon an efficient military · force of at least 20,000 men.
You have done me the honor, General, to request suggestions as to the requirements for a more efficient military law. I regret that. the nature of my engagements have been such as to prevent me from giving the subject the thought which it demands, but I will state a few suggestions that occur to me at the present moment.
The law should be compulsory, so far as to insure the organiza- tion of at least 20,000 men ; this might be done by compelling all between certain ages, (say between 21 and 30) to belong to the organization.
The entire force should be governed by a uniform military law ; and attendance to company meetings, and in fact, obedience to all orders of officers, should be enforced by the most stringent penalties.
Provision should be made in regard to the removal or punishment of officers who may be inattentive, or incompetent to discharge their duties.
The State should uniform the entire force, excepting commis- sioned officers, whose uniform should be prescribed, and should hold the men responsible for the care and preservation of the uniform.
Battalion drills should occupy one-half day every two weeks.
The companies should not consist of over sixty, nor less than fifty men, and six companies should comprise a regiment. This arrangement would be the best adapted for the convenience of neighborhoods.
The regiments would be small, but as they would not be sub- jected to the diseases of active service, they would always remain of the same strength, and be kept under stricter discipline.
I submit these crude thoughts to you, General, for whatever
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they may be worth. I am fully satisfied that the committee of which you are chairman, will be able to draft a law worthy of the times and of the State, whether the Legislature will pass it, is a different thing.
I submit herewith a report in regard to the arms, &c., furnished the county.
In conclusion allow me to respectfully urge upon you the neces- sity and justice of a speedy distribution of the military fund. The Legion here has incurred many expenses for armory rent, gas, music, &c., which should be paid; the honor of the State requires that these debts should be paid without further delay, and the future prosperity of the Legion depends in a great measure upon the assistance it will receive from the fund appropriated for its benefit.
I remain, General, very truly yours,
EDMUND A. MAGINNESS, Colonel, Indiana Legion.
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REPORT
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COLONEL JOHN F. WILLEY,
COMMANDING EIGHTH REGIMENT, THIRD BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA, December 4, 1842.
General JOHN F. MANSFIELD,
Commanding Eighth Regiment, Indiana Legion.
GENERAL :- Inclosed I send you a full report of the strength and condition of the Eighth Regiment, Indiana Legion.
I have but recently taken command, and you must pardon me for any errors I may commit in my report, as it is the first. Our condition would immediately brighten if we had an efficient militia law. The Legion has been of great service during the fall, in guarding the shoals on the Ohio, such as the Grassy flats, guarded by company A, Captain B. S. Henderson, and others.
We are a terror to those in our midst, who would sympathize with rebellion. I hope you will use your influence to secure that law.
We will not call the battalion together, unless ordered to do so. until April next, when we would be happy to see you, and will give you notice of the time and place.
I am, General, yours respectfully,
JOHN F. WILLEY, Colonel, Com'd. Eighth Regt., Ind. Legion
REPORT
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COLONEL SAMUEL B. SERING,
COMMANDING NINTH REGIMENT, THIRD BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, HEADQUARTERS NINTH REGIMENT, Madison, December 24, 1862.
To General JOHN L. MANSFIELD, Commanding Third Brigade, Indiana Legion:
SIR :- In compliance with your order, I have the honor to submit the following imperfect report of the operations of the Ninth Regiment, Indiana Legion, since its organization :
This regiment was partially organized in the spring of 1861, under the command of the late Colonel John. A. Hendricks, who was actively engaged in the discharge of this duty, when he was called to a more useful position in the Twenty-Second Regiment, Indiana Volunteers.
On the 30th day of August, 1861, I received authority from his Excellency, Governor Morton, to take command of this regiment, and at once entered upon the discharge of this duty. At that · time the regiment was composed of ten companies of infantry and one of artillery. But one company of infantry had received arins,
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and the "Western Artillery Company," Captain Israel Fowler. had in their possession one regular 6-pounder smooth-bore gun. and two irregular sized brass guns, without the ordinary equip- ments and accoutrements necessary for an artillery company. Pre- vious to this time, some five hundred United States muskets had been distributed to independent companies in the county.
On the 19th of September, 1861, a message was received request- ing that the artillery company, and as many of the infantry as were willing to go, should report at once to General Anderson, at Louis- ville, (that eity being threatened by the advance of rebel troops under General Buckner.) The artillery company, under the com- mand of Lieutenant Z. M. Crawford, and the " Madison Zouaves." Captain Purcell, responded to the call, (there being no other com- panies of the regiment armed;) also, a portion of the independent companies of the city. This small force proceeded to Louisville, and reported as directed. The danger having passed, and their services not being needed at Louisville, they returned home. About this time, a considerable foree of rebel troops were eneamped in Owen county, Kentucky, some twenty miles from this eity, and recruiting for the Southern army was progressing in the county opposite. It was deemed necessary to guard closely this portion of the border, and to hold in readiness all the military force at our command, to meet any emergency. Six companies of this regi- ment, having been furnished with arms, rendered valuable assist- ance in furnishing guards, and held themselves in readiness to march to any point where their services might be required.
From this period to the 26th day of May, 1862, but little service was required of this regiment, except their regular drills and parades. On the 26th of May, 1862, an order was received to fur- nish three companies of infantry, from this regiment, to guard prisoners at Camp Morton, Indianapolis. The " Madison Zouaves," Captain Purcell, the " Washington Grays," Captain Comley, and the "Shelby Grays," Captain Woodfill, responded to this call, and proceeded at onee to Indianapolis, where they were mustered into the service of the United States for three months. After remain- ing at Camp Morton some two weeks, they were ordered into Ken- tucky. Captain Comley's company was detailed for duty on the line of the Louisville and Nashville railroad; Captain Woodfill's and Captain Purcell's companies were part of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, and were engaged in the battle of Richmond, where they acquitted themselves with credit. Captain
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Comley's company did valuable service on the line of the Nash- ville railroad, until the expiration of their term of service.
About the 10th of June, 1862, this regiment was again called upon to furnish three more companies of infantry to guard prison- ers at Camp Morton, Indianapolis. The "Saluda Guards," Cap- tain Monroe, the "Bee Camp Guards," Captain Richardson, and the " Middle-Fork Guards," Captain Patten, responded to this call, and at once proceeded to Camp Morton, where they served some sixty days, when the prisoners were exchanged, and their services no longer required. Captain Monroe's company was sent, with a portion of the prisoners, to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and was absent on this duty about one month.
About the 1st of September, 1862, our border was again threat- ened by the advance of rebel troops under the command of Gene- rals Kirby Smith, Bragg, and others; and there being rebel camps in our immediate vicinity, in Kentucky, it was deemed necessary to call into active service a portion of the regiment.
On the 12th of September, 1862, by your order, the Western Artillery Company, Captain Fowler. the Bee Camp Guards. Cap- tain Richardson, and the Middle-Fork Guards, Captain Patten. were called into active service for a period of two weeks, unless sooner discharged. This foree was posted at points along the river, in this county, and served the time required. The Western Artil- lery ,company was retained in service one month, when they were discharged. Since that time this regiment has not been required to do any active duty. But I take pleasure in stating that they hold themselves in readiness to obey your orders, and to go to any point where their services may be required.
Not knowing that I would be required to furnish a report of the unimportant military operations of this regiment, I have not taken the trouble to keep a memorandum that I could refer to, to enable me to make a more acceptable report.
I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
SAMUEL B. SERING, Colonel Commanding.
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REPORT
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COLONEL KENNEDY BROWN,
COMMANDING NINTII REGIMENT, (NUMBERED IMPROPERLY,) THIRD BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, . VERNON, IND., December 19, 1862.
General MANSFIELD:
SIR :- I herewith present a report of the operations and condi- tion of the Ninth Regiment, Indiana Legion, since July 13, 1862. At that time I was Major of the Regiment, but was shortly after promoted to Colonel. At that time it was called upon to go to Indianapolis to guard prisoners, then in Camp Morton. On or about the 15th or 16th, I took to Indianapolis six hundred and fifty rank and file. My command was called upon for one month, but owing to the emergency of the times, was kept six weeks, giving, I think, full satisfaction by the services rendered.
We were mustered out of the United States service on the 31st of August. Since that time nothing of importance has been done, excepting drills, unless it was on one occasion, when I was ordered to hold my command in readiness to march at a moment's warn- ing. In less than eighteen hours after I received the order, my command was massed at Vernon, ready to go wherever called or needed.
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Some six or seven companies now have arms, all of which are in good order.
The Ninth Regiment now numbers over seven hundred men and officers.
One company of the regiment offered their services to the Government to go down the Mississippi river with the exchanged prisoners. They were gone some four weeks, lost but few men. and those by sickness, except one, who, it was thought, was shoved overboard by some of the prisoners.
Hoping that this very imperfect report may be satisfactorily received, as it is, under the circumstances, as correct as I can pos- sibly make it.
I remain, K. BROWN, Colonel Com'd. Ninth Regiment, Indiana Legion.
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REPORT
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LIEUT .- COLONEL JESSE J. STEPLETON,
COMMANDING TENTH REGIMENT, THIRD BRIGADE, INDIANA LEGION.
INDIANA LEGION, VEVAY, IND., December 12, 1862.
Major-General LOVE, Indiana Legion:
SIR :- The Tenth Regiment, Indiana Legion, was organized in the year 1861, and has drilled according to orders since that time.
It was called upon to do duty at Indianapolis to guard rebel prisoners, to which it responded to, and has always been ready since its organization, when called upon by the Governor of the State, to do duty.
At the time of invasion in Kentucky by the rebel generals, Bragg and Kirby Smith, it was called upon by Governor Morton to hold itself in readiness to go to Louisville, Kentucky, which call it also responded to. We had a force of eight hundred men belonging to the Tenth Regiment, Indiana Legion, ready to go, commanded by the Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment (J. J. Ste- pleton), the Colonel being absent at that time on military duty at Covington, Kentucky.
The Tenth Regiment, Indiana Legion, was called on at one time to go to Warsaw, Ky., for the protection of that place, and our border counties, which it did, and did good service in keeping back a large force of rebel guerrillas in 1861.
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We have eight companies belonging regularly to the Tenth Regi- ment Indiana Legion. There have been quite.a number, sinee its organization, gone into the three years' service. The three companies in the county belonging to Craig township, have done, I think, more service than any other companies in the regiment; especially at the time of the rebel raid in Kentucky. Captains Samuel Pavey, John Lancaster, and Lemuel Liepenthall, deserve credit for the promptness which they and their companies, manifested at the . time of the late troubles in Kentucky. They laid upon the banks of the Ohio river every night for three weeks, and I ean truly say that those times demanded that such a watch should be kept; it was so kept until Bragg's army retreated some distance through Kentucky. Therefore, we would most sincerely ask the Legislature to see that the Tenth Regiment, Indiana Legion, be paid for the services they have rendered to the Government and the State of Indiana, on its borders.
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The regiment is still under very good organization, but we ask that there be some ehange in the law governing the Indiana Legion, so that it will give us power to act with more promptness. .
And we ask, " Why we are not entitled to pay for our services rendered as aforesaid?" As we think, that if any Legion Regi- ment has done its portion of duty, the Tenth has done its share, if not more.
JESSE J. STEPLETON, Lieut .- Col. Com'd. Tenth Regiment, Indiana Legion.
REPORT
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