USA > Mississippi > History of the Seventh Indiana cavalry volunteers, and the expeditions, campaigns, raids, marches, and battles of the armies with which it was connected. with biographical sketches of Brevet Major General John P. C. Shanks, and of Brever Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Browne, and other officers of the regiment; with an account of the burning of the steamer Sultana on the Mississippi river, and of the capture, trial conviction and execution fo Dick Davis, the Guerrilla > Part 4
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For the purpose of compelling the Democratic members to place themselves on re ord. either for or against a vigorony prosecution of the wir for the suppression of the rebellion, on the 10th of January, he introduced this resolution :
"1. Resolved. That we are in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the present war, within the hits of the Constitution, and in accordance with the recognized usages of civilized warfare, for the suppression of the ret chion, and the restoration of the union of all the states; and that all necessary appropriations should be made by this General Assembly to assist the State in answer- ing all reparations of the goveral Government in the payment of any proper expenses that have accrued, that have not here:o- fore been provided for; and ate opposed to obstructing, in any manner whatever, the general Government in the exercise of any' (iste powers."
This resolution Was referred to a select committee of nine, consisting of six Democrats and three Republicans. After tak-
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GENERAL THOMAS M. BROWNE.
ing the matter under advisement, the Democratic portion of the committee, submitted a majority report, in which they say, "As it regards the subject matter of the first resolution we know of no disposition or intention on the part of any member of this body, or of the dominant political party in the State, to inter- fere with the exercise of the rightful powers of the general Gov- ernment, for the purpose of putting down the rebellion and pre- serving the national Government under the Constitution. Yet we do not desire to conceal the fact that we are opposed to much of the policy and conduct of the Administration in its so-called efforts to accomplish those desirable objects; and especially are we opposed to the Emancipation Proclamation, of September the 22d. 1862, and the entire negro policy of the radicals, who now, unfortunately, have controll of the Government, believing that such policy is calculated to destroy, and not preserve the Union and constitutional liberty. And in proof of these opinions, we refer, with pain, to the deplorable condition of our national affairs, which we believe, is the legitimate result of the cause stute d. 'The Constitution as it is,' and the ' Union as it was, with the. Negro where he is,' is our motto; and at the proper time we will probably elaborate our views upon these important subjects. so as to give a full and fair expression of the voice of Indiana upon all the questions connected with the momentous crisis of the country-an expression in accordance with the sentiments of the loyal people of Indiana, as foreshadowed by the ballot box at the recent election."
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In the opinion of those patriotic Democratie Senators, the de- plorable condition of the country was not the result of treason, but of the "Negro policy of the radicals who had control of the Government." And they intended to give a full and fair ex- ¡ ression of the voice of Indiana upon all the questions connected with the crisis of the country.
The soldiers of Indiana, with their guns, upon nearly every battle-field of the rebellion, spoke the voice of Indiana, on all Nowe questions, and after laying King Cotton, Slavery, Secession,
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GENERAL THOMAS M. BROWNE.
States rights, chivalry and treason, in the same bloody grave, they proudly returned to their noble State, with their "motto emblazoned on their battle-rent flags-
" Freedom to all, even to the despised slave!"
And the people of the United States not satisfied with the Constitution as it was, changed it. They "put God in the Cor .- stitution by recognizing the rights of his creature, man."
The minority submitted a report, offering an additional reso lution as an amendment, and recommending the adoption of Senator Browne's resolutions. A Democratic Senator moved : lay the minority report on the table, which motion prevailed b: a strict party vote. The ayes and noes were demanded and ordered, and thus the Democratic Senators placed themselves on record against the resolution, to which no patriot could have bad the slightest objection.
Senator Browne offered resolutions recommending the abol .- tion of the Common Pleas Court, and the transfer of all case' pending in those courts, to the Circuit courts, and conferring the jurisdiction the former court had on the latter. Such a la was enacted by the Legislature of 1873. He was an earnest a : vocate of the Grand Jury system.
After the close of the Legislature, General Browne recruite company " B" of the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and was commi- sioned captain of the company. He was soon after promote: Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment.
He shared with it, the dangers, fatigues, and privations of a .. its most trying and dangerous expeditions and battles. In th. battle of Okolona, fought February 221, 1864, by his coura .: and coolness, he did more than any other man to maintain is. tact the organization of the regiment, a thing most difficult : do. with the wild confusion and riot reigning supreme around ::
At the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, June 10th, 1864, L .. courage and skillful management of his regiment, won the en. thusiastic admiration, not only of General Grierson, but of eve: man in the army. He was the hero of that bloody but ill-fat ..
GENERAL THOMAS M. BROWNE.
field. With but a handful of men, he held the key of the Fed- eral position, against the repeated and desperate attempts of Forrest to carry it. When the rebels were flanking him with one column, and attacking him in front with a line but a few feet from his position, he withdrew his regiment under a galling fire, and formed it in another a few rods to the right and rear, and compelled his adversaries to keep at a respectful distance. When the battle was raging fiercest, and the lines were but i few feet apart, his horse, a present to him from company "B," was shot under him, himself wounded in the ankle, and his or- derly killed at his side. He did not for an instant lose his presence of mind, but issued his commands in a stentorian voice that was heard above the din of conflict.
Early in October, 1864. on account of his known ability as a lawyer. he was selected as President of a Military Commission to convene at Memphis, for the trial of such cases as might be brought before it. He took his seat as such, on the 10th day of October, 1864.
The most important case tried before the Commission, was that of " Dick Davis" the guerrilla. That man, on account of his bloody cruelty, had been the terror of the country within a radii of fifty miles of Memphis. He was captured by Captain Skelton on the 24 of October, and put on trial for being a guer- rilla. On the 11th of October, his trial commenced. He was auly defended by counsel, who did their utmost to secure the Acquittal of their notorious client. But all their arts were turn- el to confusion, by the watchful, able and sagacious President of the conrt. The trial ended on the 15th of December, 1804. And resulted in the conviction of the prisoner. The findings of philty and sentence of death by the court, were approved by General Dana. On the 23d of December, 1864, within the walls of Fort Pickering, at Memphis, Dick Davis suffered death by hanging. An interesting account of his trial and execution, writ- ten by General Browne himself, will be found in chapter 14.
He remained on duty as President of the military court si !!
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GENERAL THOMAS M. BROWNE.
some time in January 1865. when he returned to and assume' command of the regiment. From that time until the final mus- ter out of the regiment, he was in reality its commander.
When the regiment was consolidated at Hempstead, Texas, he became its Colonel.
" For gallant and meritorious conduct," he was commissione i by the President of the United States, Brevet Brigadier Gener- al of Volunteers, to date from March 13th, 1865.
During the winter of 1865-6, he was commandant of the mili- tary post of Sherman, in the northern part of Texas. By his firmness and kindness, he won the respect and confidence of the people, and when he departed, he left behind him many warm personal friends.
After he was mustered out of the service, he returned to his home at Winchester, Indiana, and entered earnestly on the prac- tice of his profession. But he was not permitted to remain lon; in private life. In 1866. he was appointed by the President, United States District Attorney for the District of Indiana. H. di-charged the duties of that office for a number of years with: distinguished success.
In 1-70, he formed a copartnership with Jonathan W. Gordon and Judge Robert N. Lamb, for the practice of law at Indiana- polis. The firm name bring Gordon, Browne & Lamb. He remained in business with those gentlemen until June 1876. when he returned to his old home at Winchester.
Although a poor man at the close of the war, vet by his clo+ attention to his profession since, he has succeeded in accumulat- ing a moderate fortune.
Although a thorough statesman, yet he is more widely know! as a great lawyer Thoroughly groundel in the principles of jurisprudence, and master of a peculiar forensic eloquence, thers are few lawyers who wirld a greater influence in the courts than himself. He is particularly strong before juries. Fully six feet in height, as straight as an arrow. compactly and firmly built, from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, he is a gentle-
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GENERAL THOMAS M. BROWNE.
man of commanding presence. His blue eyes now twinkling with mischievous fun, now flashing with indignation, as he em- ploys judiciously, the weapons of the orator, irony, sarcasm, wit, humor and ridicule, he moulds his "twelvers" to his will. No man has a better enunciation. The words come from his lips like coin fresh from the mint. Although elaborate, yet he never uses a superfluous word. Even in ordinary conversation his language is chaste and precise, yet it comes with such ease and grace, that it never fails to interest and charm the listener.
In 1872, he was nominated at Indianapolis. by the Republi- can State Convention, as the Republican candidate for Governor. Of this important event in his career. Jonathan W. Gordon, the great lawyer and advocate of Indianapolis, says :
"It was while pursuing the even tenor of his way as a citizen and officer of the government, that some friend mentioned his name in connection with the office of Governor of Indiana, a distinction at which. the writer has reason to know, he never had aimed, and of which it may be doubted whether he had er- er so much as thought. Once publicly mentioned for the place it soon became apparent that he would be selected. The young men of his party everywhere were for him, and, without effort on his part. he was chosen by the Republican State Convention of Indiana, on the second ballot, as its standard-bearer in the ensuing political contest over two of the ablest and most deserv- ediy popular men in the State-Godlove S. Orth and Gen. Ben. Harrison. It was a proud day for the lonely orphan who had been left among strangers without means or friends at the age of thirteen. when that great convention -- the greatest in many respects that ever assembled in the State-called him to the front and placed in his hands the battle-scarred flag of union, of law. and of liberty, and made him its bearer, and the guardian in the coming strife of all its glorious memories, its undying hopes. 'its honor's stainless folds.' As he came forward, that Vast assembly was swept by the spirit of the deepest enthusiasm, and greeted him with cheers and shouts that sprung spontan-
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GENERAL THOMAS M. BROWNE.
eonaly from the hearts and lips of thousands made one by the same inspiration."
He had for his competitor in that political campaign, the present Governor of Indiana, Thomas A. Hendricks. General Browne made an able and thorough canvass of the State. In every county he eloquently advocated the "undying principles" of his party, but the fortunes of the day were against him.
Socially he is genial and polite. As a friend he is steadfast. Asan adversary he is honorable, relying solely on truth and rea- son. At Winchester every one becomes enthusiastic at the men- tion of the name "General Tom Browne" as he isfamiliarly called.
At the October election, 1876, Gen. Browne was elected on the Republican ticket, as representative for the Fifth Congress- ional District, in Congress, over Judge Holman, Democrat, by a majority of fifteen hundred Gen. Browne had a large Demo- :cratic majority to overcome. The fact of his election with the chances against him, shows the estimation in which he is held by the people of his district.
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BREVET MAJOR GENERAL JOHN P. C. SHANKS.
The paternal ancestors of John P. C. Shanks came to this country-from Ireland, in an early period of our colonial history. His grandfather, Joseph Shanks, fought under the banners of Washington, through the revolutionary war, and took part in the battle of Yorktown, the last of the engagements fought for national independence His father, Michael Shanks served as a soldier through the war of 1812, and an elder brother through the Mexican war. Thus it will be seen that the subject of this sketch is a descendant from a military family.
John P. C. Shanks was born on the 17th of June, 1826. at Martinsburg, Virginia. In 1839, his father, on account of his hostility to the institution of slavery, left Virginia and settled in. Jay county. Indiana, which at that time was a wilderness. Michael Shanks and his family endured the hardships and pri- vations of pioneer life. It required all their time with their +trong aring to hew ont a home in the forests of Jay county. John P. C. Shanks enjoyed but few advantages of schools either in Virginia or at his new home in Indiana. The time from his fifteenth to his seventeenth year, being disabled for labor bv rheumatism, he industriously employed in the acquisition of learning under the instruction of his father, who was a good scholar. He continued his studies on regaining his health, dur- ing the hours not devoted to labor for his father, or in necessary Humber. . By the fire-light at home, and the camp-fires in the woods, on the highway while driving his team, and while hold- ing the plow in the field, he studied his book, an earnest devote at the shrine of learning. Possibly the history of no American who has risen to eminence, will show the acquisition of know !- ·Igr under more adverse circumstances. Our Revolution wrought changes other than those of government. It batt-rel
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GENERAL JOHN P. C. SHANKS.
down a titled nobility, and erected one based on intellect and worth of character. It placed within the reach of the lonely plow-boy the highest positions of honor, trust and profit. The American youth, concious of this, have striven through difficul- ties that seem insurmountable, and have finally reached the acme of their ambition. The people thoroughly imbued with the principles developed by the Revolution, have always to advance their self-made men. They delighted
can more surely rely upon them. They are of the people, know their hardships, toils and necessities by experience, and when elevated to positions of honor, are faithful to their trusts. The people of Jay county, and of the congressional dis- triet to which it is attached, have not been forgetful of John P. C. Shanks. He resolved to make a lawyer of himself, but had not the means to pursue the study of law. To acquire them he worked at the carpenter's trade in the State of Michigan. I: 1-17, he began the study of law in Jay county. To pay for his board while pursuing his sta lies, he worked a portion of the time, while not unmindful of his filial duties. he devoted every third week to labor for his father an the tart.
During the year 1850, he was acting Auditor of Jay county. In that year he was admitted to practice law, and in the follow- ing antman was, by the unanimous vote of both political parties, elected proseenting attorney of the Circuit court. That was a Eattering recognition of his ability as a young lawyer and of his worth as a citizen.
In early life. he was, in politics a Whig and as such was, in 1853, elected to the Legislature of Indiana. Two years later he was a candidate for re-ele tion. but was defeated as the temper- ance candidate, and because he was known to be in favor of legal prohibition
In 1860, he was elected, on the Republican ticket, a represen- tative from Indiana to the Thirty-Seventh Congress. The black cloud of rebellion had broken on the country, and hostilities in- augurated by the rebelsby the bomb ar Iment o Fort Sumner. Cor .-
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GENERAL JOHN P. C. SHANKS.
gress was convened in special session by the proclamation of the President, for the purpose of providing the means for the prosecu- tion of the war. On July 4th, 1861, Gen. Shanks took his seat in Congress. While it was in session the rebels were concentrat- ing their forces In the neighborhood of Manassas Junction. The first battle of Bull Run was fought on the 21st of July. 1861. Gen. Shanks, unable to sit idly by when a great conflict was to occur, voluntarily took part in the battle, and by great exer- tions, succeeded in rallying a large number of the fugitives from that bloody field. For his valuable services in that battle, he was tendered by President Lincoln the commission of Brigadier General, which he declined on the ground that none should be promote l until they had proved themselves competent to com- mand. After the adjournment of congress, he accepted an ap- pointment on the staff of Gen. John C. Fremont, as volunteer aid- de-camp, and served with him in Missouri. When Fremont was superseded, Gen. Shanks remained with his successor, Gen. Hunter, until the reassembling of Congress. He offered a resolution in Con- gress declaring that the constitutional power to return fugitive slavesto their masters, rests solely with the civil department of the government, and that the order of the Secretary of War to General Wool to return a slave to Mr. Jessop of Maryland, was an assumption over the civil law and the rights of the slave. Congress sustained him in his position. On the 4th of March, 1862, he made an able speech in Congress, vindicating the course pursued by General Fremont in Missouri, and sustaining his proclamation giving freedom to the slaves of rebels. It will be remembered that that proclamation, through the intrigues of the unscrupulous demagogue, Frank P. Blair, was made one of the causes for the removal of Fremont. That General is amply vindicated by subsequent history. It proves that Fremont in the field, and Shanks, in Congress had clearer conceptions of the war and its final termination, than some of the leading politicians of those days. Freedom was given not only to the slaves of rebels. but to every bondman, and bondwomen and child in the United States.
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GENERAL JOHN P. C. SHANKS.
After the close of that session of Congress, Gen. Shanks again served on the staff of Fremont, in his campaign in West Virginia. .
By order of Governor Morton, dated June 24th, 1863, he re- cruited the Seventh Indiana Cavalry. When that regiment was raised, he was commissioned its Colonel. He gave all his time and energy to arming, equiping, drilling, and fitting the regi- ment for active service. He commanded it in all its operations till after its return to Memphis from the unfortunate expedition to West Point, Mississippi, in February 1864. At Ivy Farm, February 22d, 1864, he received from the lips of General Smith himself, the order to charge, and had the honor of striking the last blow, that saved the greater portion, if not the entire army from capture. After his return from that expedition, his health was broken down, and tor a time, he was compelled to retire from active service. In February 1864, he was commissioned a Brevet Brigadier General, for gallant and meritorious services. As soon as his health permitted he was assigned to the command of a brigade of cavalry. That separated him from the regiment during the most of the remainder of its service. He command- ed a brigade of cavalry under Brevet Brigadier General Osborn, on the expedition to Buistrop, Louisiana. in the Spring of 1865.
On the recommendation of E M. Stanton, Secretary of War, he was breveted Major General of volunteers.
On the 18th of September. 1885, at Hempstead, Texas, he was mustered out of the service, on the consolidation of the regiment, and imme liately stur'ed tor hi- home.
In 1868, he was elected, is the Republican candidate, to the Fortieth Congress He intro Ineed a resolution for the appoint- ment of a committee to inquire into the treatment of Union prisoners. After a long and patient investigation, the commit- the, of which General Sharks was chairman, submitted an elab- crate report. Subsequently in an address to the Grand Army of the Republic, in speaking of the treatment of union prisoners, he said :
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GENERAL JOHN P. C. SHANKS.
"I hope that the high moral, political, and military position of our people will enable our government to procure the adop- tion in the laws of nations of a provision that the captives in war shall not be personally retained as prisoners; but shall, un- der a flag of truce, be returned to their own lines or vessels, and paroled until properly exchanged, so that the books of the com- missioners of exchange of the respective belligerents shall deter- termine the relative advantages in captives, and thus the hor- rors and sacrifices of prison life be prevented." All christian people will earnestly pray that such will become one of the rules of civilized warfare. He supported in a speech the bill of Mr. Logan, to furnish to disabled soldiers, free of expense to them- selves, artificial limbs, claiming that it was the duty of the gov- ernment to put them in as good a condition so far as possible, as they were before being injured. He was re-elected to Con- greas term after term until 1874, when he was defeated by Judge Holman.
He is an able lawyer, and an eloquent speaker, and has a ripe experience in our governmental affairs.
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PART II. History of the Seventh Indiana Cavalry.
CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT.
The Seventh Indiana Cavalry, or One hundred and nineteenth Regiment of Volunteers, was organized pursuant to the follow- ing order :
GENERAL ORDERS.
STATE OF INDIANA, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE ) INDIANAPOLIS, June 24, 1863. $
SEVENTH INDIANA CAVALRY.
By virtue of authority from the Secretary of War, another regiment of cavalry will beraised in this State immediately, to serve for three years or during the war. The regiment will be recruited in accordance with the rules and instructions in Gen- eral Orders No. 75, of the War Department series of 1863.
The privilege will be accorded to each Congressional District, to furnish one company for the regiment, if organized and re- forted within thirty days. If companies are not likely to be raised in any of the Districts within that time, companies from any part of the State will be accepted.
The regiment will consist of twelve companies, and be officer- ed as follows :
One Colonel, one Lientenant Colonel, three Majors, one Sur- geon, two Assistant Surgeons, one Adjutant, one Quartermaster, one Commissary (extra Lieutenant ), one Chaplain, one Veterina- ry Surgeon, one Sergeant Major, one Quartermaster Sergeant, one Commissary Sergeant, two Hospital Stewards, one Saddler Sergeant, and one Chiet Trumpte !.
Each company will be organized with one Captain, one First Lieutenant, one Second Lieutenant, one First Sergeant, one
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SEVENTH INDIANA CAVALRY.
Quartermaster Sergeant, one Company Sergeant, five Sergeants, eight Corporals, two Teamsters, two Farriers. one Blacksmith, one Sad ller, one Wagoner, and seventy-eight Privates. Aggre- gate, 103.
Any company of fifty-two men will be accepted and mustered with a Frst Lieutenant, and it they fail to fill up within a reas- onable time, they will be consolidated with other parts of com- panies. The right is reserved to combine incomplete companies or parts of companies, after a fair opportunity bas been afford .1 them to fill up.
In combining parts of companies the following distribution of officers is suggested, and parts of companies will be acceptel with a view to making such combinations :
For forty-five men, a Captaincy.
For thirty-five men, a First Lieutenancy.
For twenty-five men, a Second Lieutenancy.
Colonel J. P. C. Shanks has been appointed Commandant of the camp of rendezvous for said regiment, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
Applications for authority to recruit companies may be filed at these headquarters, or with the commandant.
Camp Morton will be the rendezvous of said Regiment.
Recruiting officers and others raising companies, may contract for the subsistence and lodging of recruits at places away from the camp of rendezvous, for a period not exceeding one week, at not exceeding thirty cents per day, and the accounts therefor properly verified by the recruiting officer, and approved by the Governor, or Adjutant General, will be paid by the U. S. Dis- bursing officer, provided the recruits so subsisted are received into the United States service.
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