USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > History of the city of Omaha, Nebraska > Part 25
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAHA.
after the close of the war. During its term of service the following named constituted the list of commissioned officers :-
Colonels-John M. Thayer (promoted to brigadier general of volunteers, October 4, 1862) and Robert R. Livingstone.
Lieutenant-Colonels-Iliram P. Downs, William D. McCord, Robert R. Livingstone and William Baumer.
Majors-William D. McCord, Robert R. Livingstone. William Baumer, Allen Blacker and Thomas J. Majors.
Adjutants-Silas A. Strickland (after- wards colonel of the 50th Ohio Infantry and brevet brigadier general), Francis I. Cramer and Francis A. McDonald.
Quartermasters-J. N. HI. Patrick, John E. Allen and Charles A. Thompson.
Commissary-John Gillespie.
Surgeons - Enos Lowe, James H. Sey- mour and William McClelland.
Assistant Surgeons-William McClelland, Napoleon B. Larsh and George Wilkinson.
Chaplain -Thomas W. Tipton (afterwards elected United States Senator from Ne- braska).
Sergeant-Majors - William I. Whitten, William W. Ivory, John P. Murphy, Andrew C. McMaten, Abijah S. Jackson and Edwin R. Capron.
Quartermaster-Sergeants-John Gillespie, Edwin R. Capron and John M. Robinson.
Commissary-Sergeants - Charles Schmidt, Charles Thompson, Stephen W. Moore and John Gillespie.
Hospital Stewards-Edward Donovan, George Shultz and John M. Stewart.
Principal Musician-Robert A. Collins.
Chief Buglers-John Y. Hooper, Henry Voght.
Saddler - Carl Lindell.
Company A: Captains-A. F. Mckinney, Neal J. Sharp, John McF. Hagood, Martin B. Cutler; First Lieutenants-Robert R. Livingstone, A. F. Mckinney and Lee P. Gillette; Second Lieutenants - Neal J.
Sharp, John McF. Hagood and John G. Whitelock.
Company B: Captains-William Baumer, Charles E. Provost; First Lieutenants- Peter Walter, Ernest Bimmerman, Theodore Lubbee; Second Lieutenants-Henry Koe- nig, Theodore Lubbee, Anton Althaus.
Company C: Captains-J. D. N. Thomp- son, Thomas J. Majors, Thomas II. Griffin; First Lieutenants-Thomas J. Majors, Reu- ben C. Berger, Thomas HI. Griffin, William W. Ivory, David W. Smith; Second Lieu- tenants - Reuben C. Berger, Thomas H. Griffin, William W. Ivory, William A. Polack, Wilson E. Majors.
Company D: Captains-Allen Blacker, John C. Potts; First Lieutenants-Lee P. Gillette, John C. Potts; Second Lieuten- ants-Charles E. Provost, Elias M. Lowe, John C. Potts.
Company E: Captains-William G. Hol- lins, Sterrit M. Curran; First Lieutenants- Sterrit M. Curran, William S. Whitten, W. H. B. Stout; Second Lieutenants-J. N. H. Patrick, William S. Whitten, George W. Reeves, Abijah S. Jackson, Louis J. Boyer.
Company F: Captains-Thomas M. Bowen, George W. Burns, Lyman Richardson, Henry Kuhl, Edward Donovan; First Lieuten- ants-George W. Burns, Alexander Scott, John P. Murphy, William M. Alexander; Second Lieutenants-Alexander Scott, John P. Murphy, Fred. Smith, Merrill S. Tuttle, William R. Roper.
Company G: Captains-John McConihie, Thomas J. Weatherwax; First Lieutenants -John Y. Clopper, Thomas J. Weatherwax. Morgan A. Hance; Second Lieutenants- Thomas J. Weatherwax, Morgan A. Hance, John S. Seaton.
Company H: Captains-George F. Ken- nedy, William W. Ivory; First Lieuten- ants-Lyman M. Sawyer, Silas A. Strickland, William T. Clark, William R. Bowen; Sec- ond Lieutenants- Silas A. Strickland, William T. Clark, Stephen W. Moore, James N. Nosler.
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ROSTERS OF NEBRASKA REGIMENTS.
Company I : Captains-Jacob Butler, John P. Murphy, Henry H. Ribble; First Lieu- tenants - Henry H. Ribble, Francis I. Cramer, John Talbot, Emery Peck; Second Lientenants-Francis I. Cramer, Emery Peck, Francis A. McDonald, George P. Belden.
Company K: Captains-Joseph W. Pad- dock, Edward Lawler, Henry F. C. Krumme, Lewis Lowry; First Lieutenants-Robert A. Howard, Edward Lawler, Edward Dono- van, James Steele; Second Lieutenants- Edward Lawler, Edward Donovan, Lyman Richardson, Louis Lowry, Alfred Roudi- baugh.
SECOND NEBRASKA CAVALRY.
This regiment was mustered in for nine months' service, the date of muster-in extending from October, 1862, to March, 1863, the various companies being dis- charged during the months of September, October, November and December, 1863. The following named were the officers:
Colonel -Robert W. Furnas.
Lieutenant-Colonel-William F. Sapp.
Majors-George Armstrong, Jolm Taffe (afterwards congressman), John W. Pear- man.
Surgeon-Aurelius Bowen.
Assistant-Surgeons-William S. Latta, II. G. Hanna.
Adjutant-Henry M. Atkinson.
Quartermaster-Josiah S. McCormick.
Commissary-John Q. Goss.
Sergeant-Major-W. N. McCandlish.
Quartermaster-Sergeant-Zaremba Jack- son.
Commissary-Sergeant-Charles H. King. Hospital Stewards-Charles Powell, Sam- uel G. Latta.
Company A: Captain-Peter S. Reed. First Lieutenant-Silas E. Seely; Second Lieutenant-Elias H. Clark.
Company B: Captain-Roger T. Beall; First Lieutenant-Charles D. Davis; Second Lieutenant-Charles F. Porter.
Company C: Captain-Thomas W. Bed- ford; First Lieutenant-James W. Coleman; Second Lieutenant - Henry M. Atkinson, Jacob R. Berger.
Company D: Captain-Henry L. Edwards; First Lieutenant - Henry Gray; Second Lieutenant-Wilbur B. Hugus.
Company E: Captains-Robert W. Furnas, Lewis Hill; First Lieutenant-Lewis Hill, John H. Mann; Second Lieutenant-John H. Mann, Alexander S. Stewart.
Company F: Captain-Dominie Laboo; First Lieutenants-Charles W. Hall, Robert Mason; Second Lieutenants-Robert Mason, Henry Newcomb.
Company G: Captain-Oliver P. Bayne; First Lieutenant-Chauncy H. Norris; Sec- ond Lieutenant-Joseph S. Wade.
Company HI: Captain-John W. Marshall; First Lieutenant - Isaac Wiles; Second Lieutenant-Abraham Deyo.
Company I: Captains-John Taffe, Silas T. Leaming; First Lieutenants-Silas T. Leaming, Moses II. Deaming; Second Lieu- tenants-Moses II. Deaming, Jacob H. 1Ia- bock.
Company K: Captain-Edwin Patrick; First Lieutenant-William B. James; Sec- ond Lieutenant-Phillip P. Williams.
Company L: Captain-Daniel W. Allison; First Lieutenant-Jobn J. Bayne; Second Lieutenant-Daniel Reavis.
Company M: Captain-Stearns F. Cooper; First Lieutenant-Obadiah B. Hewett; Sec- ond Lieutenant-Francis B. Chaplin.
CURTIS HORSE.
Nebraska furnished four companies of cavalry for service in the Southern States, first attached to a command designated " Curtis Horse," but which was consolidated with other battalions at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, in December, 1861, and was there- after known as the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, the Nebraska companies being A, B, C and D., of which regiment General W. W. Lowe, of Omaha, was colonel. The first named com-
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAHA.
pany was mustered in September 14, the second September 21, the third September 19 to October 3, 1861, at Omaha, Company D being mustered in at Benton Barracks November 13, following. The battalion served until the 11th of August, 1865. It was officered as follows:
Company A: Captains-M. T. Patrick (afterwards promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the 5th lowa), William Kelsey, John J. Lower, Samuel Paul, Marion A. Hinds; First Lieutenants-William Kelsey, John J. Lower, Horace Walter, Thomas W. Ritchie, Marion A. Hinds; Second Lieutenants-John J. Lower, Horace Walter, Fred. A. Williams, Marion A. IIinds.
Company B: Captains-John T. Croft, Erastus G. McNeely; First Lieutenants- Milton S. Summer, Erastus G. McNeely; Second Lieutenants-Jeremiah C. Wilcox (afterwards major 5th Iowa Cavalry), Eras- tus G. McNeely, Douglas H. Stevens, James H. Wing.
Company C: Captains-J. Morris Young, Alfred Matheas, Charles A. B. Langdon; First Lieutenants-Alfred Matheas, Charles A. B. Langdon, William T. Wilhite; Second Lieutenants-Charles A. B. Langdon, Wil- liam T. Wilhite.
Company D: Captains-Harlan Baird, William Curl, William C. McBeath; First Lieutenants- William Curl, William C. McBeath, Joseph S. Rich, John S. Lemmon; Second Lieutenants-William Aston, Wil- liam W. Buchanan, William C. McBeatlı, Joseph S. Rich, John S. Lemmon.
FIRST BATTALION NEBRASKA VETERAN VOLUN- TEERS.
During the year 1864 a battalion of four companies of cavalry was organized, the date of muster of the various companies ranging from January 14 to August 31, of that year, for services in the West, which battalion was consolidated with the First Nebraska Infantry in July, 1865. The fol- lowing named were the officers:
Company A: Captains - George Arm- strong (afterwards major of the regiment), Charles F. Porter; First Lieutenants - Charles F. Porter, John Talbot; Second Lieutenants-Henry F. C. Krumme, Merrill S. Tuttle.
Company B: Captain-Jerembe Jackson; First Lieutenants-Joseph N. Tutwiler, W. II. B. Stout; Second Lieutenants-Joseph N. Tutwiler, W. II. B. Stout, James M. Nasler.
Company C: Captain-IIenry Kuhl; First Lieutenant-Martin B. Cutler; Second Lieu- tenant-George P. Belden.
Company D: Captain-F. C. Kumme; First Lieutenant-William R. Bowen; Sec- ond Lieutenant-Samuel A. Lewis.
In these various organizations Omalla was well represented, furnishing more than her quota of men in those trying years. It is to be regretted that the official records in the office of the adjutant-general of the State are of the most incomplete character, as to showing the part borne by this then young territory in the suppression of the rebellion. A compilation from these records was made in 1888 by Lieutenant Edgar S. Dudley, of the regular army, by the author- ity of the Governor, but it consists only of the roster of " Nebraska Volunteers from 1861 to 1869," giving no information what- ever as to the various engagements in which those volunteers participated, general or special orders concerning them, or any of the details as to their service. The work, however, reflects credit upon Lieutenant Dudley, as it is evident that he has carefully arranged and presented all the material then available.
MILITIA ORGANIZATIONS.
In August, 1864, a company of mounted militia was organized in Omaha and mus- tered into service on the 30th of that month, being discharged November 13, 1864. Of this company Jolin R. Porter was captain, Allen F. Riley, first lieutenant, and Martin Dunham, second lieutenant. August 30, of
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MILITIA ORGANIZATIONS AND OFFICERS.
the same year, an artillery detachment was sworn into service, enlisting for sixty days, of which Edward. P. Child was captain and James M. Johnson, first lieutenant and Mar- tin Dunham, second lieutenant. At that time a general uprising of Indians through- out the West was anticipated and militia companies were organized and mustered in in various cities and towns of the territory. In addition to the companies above named, and previous to their being formally sworn into the service of the territory, four home guard companies were organized. Of these Roger T. Beall was captain, George C. Gates, first lieutenant, and J. H. Barlow, sec- ond lieutenant. of Company A; John Taffe captain, Edwin Patrick, first lieutenant, and Abraham Deyo, second lieutenant, of Com- pany B; Charles S. Goodrich, captain, Martin Dunham, first lieutenant, and David T. Mount, second lieutenant, of Company C; and Jesse Lowe, captain, E. Estabrook, first lieutenant, and O. B. Selden, second lieuten- ant of Company D.
On the 10th of July, 1861, the First Nebraska Infantry was banqueted at the capitol building in fine style by the citizens . of Omaha, and on the 25th the officers of that regiment gave a supper at Keith's Hotel, complimentary to Lieutenant Merrill, on which occasion they also presented him with a handsome sword.
In 1873 there were two military compa- nies in Omaha, the Guards and the Rifles.
During the year 1879 Companies G and HI of the State militia were organized in Omaha. The former was mustered into the service with fifty-four men. George II. Crager was captain, John King, first lieuten- ant, J. Ed. Smith, second lieutenant, and E. H. Lawton, first sergeant. It was disbanded, after nearly three years' service, on account of lack of support from the State. It was composed of a fine body of men and was a very popular organization, and so well drilled that it carried off four prizes offered
on various occasions for proficiency in drill and discipline.
Company II was organized shortly after Company G and had a membership of sixty- eight. Its first officers were: Edward Simmonds, captain; Henry Bolln, first lieu- tenant; F. B. Angel, second lieutenant; and John Casey, first sergeant. It was composed almost entirely of enterprising young mechanics, and when the Smelting Works strike occurred they very seriously objected to taking an active part in its suppression, believing the workmen had right and justice on their side. Lieutenant Bolln, with about twenty men, were on duty at the Smelting Works, however, for four days. The com- pany was mustered out early in 1882, at which time Ilenry Bolln was captain, Edward Fee, first lieutenant, James Donnelly, Jr., second lieutenant, and D. C. Miller, first ser- geant. Companies G and II were armed by the State, but provided their own uniforms.
The Edward Creighton Guards was the name of a local military company which was organized as a part of the military force of the state, was mustercd in on the 3d of December, 1887, and discharged in Septem- ber, 1889. Immediately after its organiza- tion Lieutenant L. W. V. Kennon, of General Crook's staff, took charge of the company and soon brought it to a high state of proficiency in drill and discipline. At the State Encampment, held nine months after its organization, the company was compli- mented in general orders read in presence of the entire brigade. Its officers were: C. J. Smyth, captain; George J. Paul, first lieuten- ant; Edward J. MeVann, second lieutenant; and John J. Mullen, first sergeant.
The Omaha Guards, organized October 4, 1887, with about sixty members, is not a part of the State militia. The company is armed with Springfield rifles, owns a fine Gatling gun, has a first-class armory and is handsomely uniformed. Its first officers were: A. H. Scharff, captain, Jesse Lowe,
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAHA.
first lieutenant, Charles A. Harvey, second lieutenant, Henry B. Mulford, third lieuten- ant, W. A. Webster, first sergeant, S. B. Reed quartermaster-sergeant, and Nat M. Brigham, color sergeant. The following named are the officers now serving: F. E. Bamford, captain; H. B. Mulford, first lieu- tenant; C. II. Wilson, second lieutenant; A. P. Cone, first sergeant; Eli Hodgins, quartermaster; W. B. T. Belt, third ser- geant; Wm. B. Ten Eyck, fourth sergeant; T. D. Daken, fifth sergeant; F. S. Knapp, S. F. Mills, B. L. Searle, corporals; II. M. Murray, lance corporal; C. H. Gardner, chaplain, E. W. Lee, surgeon. June 1891 the Guards participated in an inter-State drill at Kansas City, and brought home the first prize offered for the best drilling shown by companies which had never before com- peted. To Sergeant Foye was awarded the gold medal offered for excellence in drill shown by the first sergeants of the various companies.
January 11, 1891, a branch of the Union Veteran Corps was organized in Omaha, and named in honor of the late Colonel James W. Savage. The following named were elected officers: J. A. Bartlett, colonel: J. S. Miller, lieutenant-colonel; E. A. Shaw, major; L. B. Edmunds, adjutant; C. W. Allen, chaplain. Fifty names were enrolled as charter members.
Fort Omaha, located three miles north of the business portion of Omaha, but now within the city limits, was established in 1868 as Sherman Barracks. In 1869 "Omaha" was substituted for "Sherman" and in 1878 the name of the post was changed to Fort Omaha. In August, 1869, Ellen J. Seymour and husband, Emerson Seymour, conveyed to the United States by warranty deed the north half of the southeast quarter of the north- west quarter of section thirty-three, township sixteen, range thirteen, the twenty acres adjoining on the north being conveyed to the government by Cliarles B. Wells and wife, September 4th following. May 27,
1868, Augustus Kountze purchased the twenty acres adjoining on the south, the twenty acres which the Seymours subse- quently deeded to the government, and also twenty-two and a half acres of the north- east quarter of the northwest quarter of section four, township fifteen, range thirteen. which tract of forty-two and a half acres he leased to the United States in September, 1868, for a period of ten years, the govern- ment having the right to renew at the ter- mination of the lease for another term of ten years, the land reverting to Kountze in case the military post was abandoned before the expiration of the term specified. Octo- ber 2, 1868, a new lease was made for ten years, without the privilege of renewal. By a conveyance dated June 4, 1868, William D. Hall and Henry Hickman each acquired title from Kountze to a one-seventy-ninth interest in the forty-two and a half acres.
August 10, 1880, Augustus Kountze filed a petition in the District Court for Douglas County against Stevens & Wilcox, Gilbert II. Collins, John S. Collins, Samuel E. Rog- ers, William D. Hall, Henry Hickman and others, reciting that, for the purpose of securing the location of a permanent mili- tary post adjacent to the City of Omaha, and the purchase of lands necessary therefor, the said Kountze, and seventy-nine other persons and firms, contributed one hundred dollars each, in 1868, for the purpose of conveying land by deed or lcase to the government, and made their petitioner their trustee; that petitioner had so purchased the land described, had given to each of his associates a certificate showing their respec- tive ownerships of an undivided one-sev- enty-ninth interest. The petition recites the fact of the leasing to the government, in 1868, and a renewal by the government, in 1878, for one year, and again in October, 1879, for a term of twenty years, with the privilege of a renewal for an indefinite term, and then sets up the fact that a permanent military post cannot be established upon
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FORT OMAHA AND ITS COMMANDERS.
ground which the United States does not own in fee simple, and petitioner prays for a decree by the court directing the said Kountze to convey said land to the government by abso- Inte conveyance. March 18, 1882, default was entered against all of the defendants and ten days later a decree as prayed for was entered. Under this decree said Konntze conveyed the forty-two and a half acres to the government by deed dated April 17, 1882.
When the proposition was made, a year or two since, to secure another location for Fort Omaha, it was claimed that the tract deeded by Kountze would revert to the original owners in case the property was abandoned for military purposes. The foregoing state- ment is based upon information derived from the records of the Midland Guarantee & Trust Company, of this city, and may be relied upon as correct with respect to the manner in which the government became possessed of the land the fort has occupied for more than twenty years, and which is now of great value.
The following named have been com- mandants of the post at various dates: Brevet Major William 'Sinclair, captain Third Artillery, assigned December, 1868; Brevet Brigadier General L. P. Bradley, lieu- tenant -colonel Twenty- seventh Infantry, assigned January, 1869; Brevet Lieutenant- Colonel IIenry Haymount, captain Twenty- seventh Infantry, assigned April, 1869; Brevet Brigadier-General James N. Palmer, colonel Second Cavalry, assigned April, 1869; Brevet Major-General John II. King, colonel Ninth Infantry, assigned September, 1872; Brevet Major-General Jeff C. Davis, colonel Twenty-third Infantry, assigned September, 1874; Brevet Major-General John 11. King, assigned 1876; Brevet Major-Gen- eral William P.Carlin, colonel Fourth In- fantry, assigned 1882; Brevet Major-General Frank Wheaton, colonel Second Cavalry, assigned 1886.
It being deemed desirable by the govern-
ment to secure more extensive grounds for a military post, Senator Manderson intro- duced the following bill December 13, 1887: " Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
" That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized to sell the military reservation known as Fort Omaha, near the City of Omaha, in the State of Nebraska, and such of the buildings and improvements thereon as can not be economically removed to the new site herein provided for. In disposing of said property the Secretary of War shall cause the grounds to be platted in blocks, streets, and alleys, if in his judgment it would inure to the benefit of the govern- ment in making sale of said site, having due reference to the requirements of the houses and buildings located on said grounds, in such cases as they may be sold with the ground. The Secretary of War shall also cause the lots, lands, and buildings to be appraised and sold at public or private sale, at not less than the appraised value, having first been offered at public sale. The expense of advertising, appraisement, survey, and sale shall be paid out of the proceeds of said sale, and the balance paid into the Treasury of the United States.
"SEC. 2. That the Secretary of War is authorized and shall purchase suitable grounds, of not less than three hundred and twenty nor more than six hundred and forty acres in extent, to be situate within a dis- tance of ten miles of the limits of said City of Omaha, in the State of Nebraska, and construct thereon the necessary buildings, with appurtenances, sufficient for a ten-com- pany military post, to be known as Fort Omaha, in accordance with estimates to be prepared by the War Department; and a sufficient sum of money, not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars, is hereby appro- priated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to enable the Secretary of War to comply with the pro-
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAHA.
visions of this act: Provided, That the title to the lands authorized to be purchased under the second section of this act shall be approved by the Attorney-General: And provided further, That not more than one- third of said sum shall be expended in the purchase of a site; and the whole expendi- ture for site and improvement shall not exceed the sum of two linndred thousand dollars.
"SEC. 3. That section one of this act shall be of effect when the purchase of a new site provided for in section two shall have been effected."
This bill passed and became a law July 13, 1888. Bids were advertised for and in response thirty-one tracts of ground were offered the government, at various prices. These proposals were all examined by the Secretary of War and Quartermaster Gen- eral and referred to General John R. Brooke, commanding the Department of the Platte, who personally viewed the various sites offered and recommended the one known as the H. T. Clarke tract, lying contiguous to the town of Bellevue, six miles due south of the southern boundary of Omaha. This recommendation being forwarded to Wash- ington, the land was inspected in May, 1889, by Secretary of War Proctor and General Schofield, with a party of military and civil officials, all expressing approbation of the judgment of General Brooke, the result being that this site, embracing 543 acres, was purchased by the government at a cost of $66,666 and as soon as the necessary buildings can be erected will be occupied as a military post. Doubtless additional appro- priations will be made by the government, in order to properly develop the property, and in course of time it will certainly become one of the handsomest military stations in the West. The department rifle range is located adjacent to this tract and it is generally believed that it will be con- verted into a national range, the ground being admirably adapted to the purpose.
In February, 1891, Congress changed the name to Fort Crook and appropriated $500,- 000 for improvements.
The headquarters of this military divis- ion, now known as the Department of the Platte, were located at Omaha soon after the beginning of the war of the rebellion. The department comprises twelve posts in Nebraska, Iowa, Utah, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. At the intersection of Twen- tieth Street and the Union Pacific tracks is located the Quartermaster's Depot, from whence are distributed all the supplies used by the troops in this command. Five acres of land, purchased in 1880 by a number of public-spirited citizens of Omaha for this purpose, are covered with buildings and general facilities necessary for the transac- tion of the immense amount of business here transacted. The army headquarters occu- pied for several years a building erected, for the government's uses, by John and Richard Withnell, at the southwest corner of Harney and Fifteenth Streets, afterwards known as the Herald building. Then the government leased buildings to be erected for office pur- poses at Fort Omaha, but this was found to be an undesirable location and the head- quarters were removed to the Strang Build- ing, corner of Tenth and Farnam. In 1889 another change was made to the present location, the fifth floor of the Bee Building. Brigadier-General John R. Brooke is the commander of the department and the fol- lowing named constitute the department staff:
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